Sorry to Hear Don Coatney isnt well.

[desoto1939]

Hey Don: Soory to hear about the diabetes.  I am a Type Diabetic and also take the Levamir Pen shot every day. I will turn 65 this month. I am slowing down  Are you having any pain in your feet. Please watch that area so they do not have to amputate.  I watch my feet very carefully every day. 

 

Try to keep you legs moving  and hope you can fight the diabetis.

 

 

Rich Hartung

Desoto1939@aol.com

[knuckleharley]

Don and I talk often on the phone, sad to hear the news also.  If I were closer I would finish his wiring.  As we all get older and as we well know aging brings on certain ailments we are all going to be in this position one day.  For those of you that wish to enjoy your car into old age...suggest you place a bit of emphasis on what your needs for driving may be some day and work today toward that end goal...many here will not alter a car in any manner as they believe they have a museum piece in their possession, now may be the time to find a retirement home for that car also....just a mention in passing as to the rewards that old age and retirement does not mention in the brochure.

I have found and bought pretty much everything I need to convert my 51 Ford coupe over to a 51 Ford Fordomatic transmission. 51 was the first year the FOM was offered,and even though FoMoCo bragged in their advertising about how the FOM was available with the flat 6 engine  like mine,I can find nobody that has ever seen one,and even the Ford museum at Dearborn isn't sure any were actually sold. Ford even quit offering it as an option for the 6 in mid-year.

 

Looks like I am going to have to take a flat 6 bellhousing and cut it and a FOM V-8 bellhousing and weld them together to make one to use,but I have already bought both.

 

I am 69 and also have diabetes. The VA has been trying to amputate my left leg for several years now,but I keep seeing private doctors to get the infections healed to keep that from happening. If I live long enough I know I will lose that argument,and want to be ready when that day comes.

 

I am wondering if any of the 1959 and earlier Mopar auto trans can be adapted to the 251 flat 6 he has,and what would be involved. Anyone know?

 

Would Don even be interested if it is possible?

[knuckleharley]

Well arthritis and a pinched nerve in my neck have rendered my right hand virtually with out any strength, making it difficult to even so much as get my gas cap off on the daily driver.  Bum knees have rendered almost all under car work a hire out proposition.  So I do know of what he speaks.  Sad to see both cars and drivers beginning to be garage bound.  

 

How about a 54 Chrashler with hemi and automatic?   

The bum knees and a bum back is why I bought  a car lift. Most of the time I can't work on anything unless it is at the "right" height.  I can now work overhead a little,thanks to the cortisone shots in both shoulders so I could dress myself,though.

 

A now deceased USA SF MSG named Bill Edge that I greatly admired used to say "Getting old ain't for sissies" all the time,and he was sure right about that.

Edited May 8, 2016 by knuckleharley

[knuckleharley]

Hey Don: Soory to hear about the diabetes.  I am a Type Diabetic and also take the Levamir Pen shot every day. I will turn 65 this month. I am slowing down  Are you having any pain in your feet. Please watch that area so they do not have to amputate.  I watch my feet very carefully every day. 

 

Try to keep you legs moving  and hope you can fight the diabetis.

 

 

Rich Hartung

Desoto1939@aol.com

Wearing compression stockings is a must,also. They help increase the circulation.

[Young Ed]

 

I am wondering if any of the 1959 and earlier Mopar auto trans can be adapted to the 251 flat 6 he has,and what would be involved. Anyone know?

 

 

The auto's could be had behind a 6cyl so it is possible As to what all is involved I'm not sure. Obviously have to track down a donor 

[RobertKB]

Don is a long time member. He has a wealth of knowledge and a picture for just about every topic. Sorry to hear his car is for sale. Wishing you all the best Don.

Edited May 9, 2016 by RobertKB

[BigDaddyO]

Sorry to hear of your plight. I have been battling the diabetes thing myself, in my lower legs. Hope you can turn it around. I wish you good luck.

[Tom Skinner]

Don,

I have been and will be praying for your full recovery.

Tom Skinner

[JerseyHarold]

Don,

 

Take care of yourself and do what the doctors say.  If you don't like what they say, get a second opinion.  If you have an idea of what you'd like in the way of your next collector car, post it here so we can be on the lookout for one.

 

My thoughts are with you.

 

Harold

[busycoupe]

Take care Don, my thoughts and prayers are with you. Perhaps you can "graduate" to something like a late 50's or early 60's Imperial.

[plymouthcranbrook]

I too have the fun of Arthritis and type two diabetes. Then there's   my neighbor who has had a home based auto repair shop since I moved here 30 years ago. His just found out at 75 he has rheumatoid arthritis. As we age our bodies become our worst enemy.  Regarding automatic conversions if anyone is interested you can check here:

 

 http://www.wilcap.com/.  

 

Wishing you the best you can have Don.

[knuckleharley]

The auto's could be had behind a 6cyl so it is possible As to what all is involved I'm not sure. Obviously have to track down a donor 

Well,the good news is that even if one might be hard to find,there would be no one else interested in buying it,so you could get it at a good price.

 

I know Mopar used the 230 Dodge right up through the 1959 model years,and auto trans were really popular in the late 50's. There are bound to be a few laying around in junkyards that could be bought reasonably.

[Jeff Balazs]

Don;

Sorry to hear this. This stuff stinks. I have type 2 and I hate the way it makes me feel. All forms of this are miserable and just seem to further aggravate other conditions. There is some evidence that major modification to dietary intake can make a substantial difference in your quality of life........but it isn't for the feint of heart.

 

I think our age and conditions have a tendency to sneak up on us. One day we feel indestructible and then we wake up another day and things are suddenly a bit less rosy. When it starts to physically take away the things we want to be doing it really becomes a cruel form of punishment. I hope you get some relief as I am certain the desire to continue to enjoy these things is still there.

 

Jeff

[rb1949]

Hey Mr. Indiana, hoping you can maintain a decent quality of life for the things you enjoy. And can continue to be a helpful inspiration. We don't want to miss your wisdom here. Slowing down means we adapt to new habits. Health issues had me hesitant about getting an old jalopy, how long could I enjoy it. Crap, just do it. Sorry about having to part with your fine machine, but the desire will have you motoring again in due style.

[mrwrstory]

Does sound serious.  Best wishes Don.

[ROB-PA]

Don, sorry to hear about your problems. I hope that you are taking care of yourself and that your health improves.

 

Guys, just remember, getting old may really suck but it sure beats the only alternative!

[Lloyd]

Sorry to hear about your health issues Don. I want to thank you for the input and help you have offered on my Plymouth. Remember I swapped a 230 crank into a 218 and you showed me some pics for using bolts to mount the flywheel to the crank and where the mating surface on the bell housing for the starter had to be ground to accommodate the crank. I did all of it, even ordered the same bolts and cut them like you did and it has been working fine. I have been driving it but don't have any tags on it yet so I have to be careful but your advice helped me along there and I appreciate it.

Looks like a great deal on your car but I still have a project right now.

Get well, and best of wishes to you.

Lloyd

[grady hawkins]

Don

Get well soon!!!!!

[Flatie46]

I really hate to hear this. I rarely get on the forum anymore and had lost touch with everyone. I know Don has given alot of great advice and it would be hard to express how much he has helped people he has never even met through his postings on the forum [myself in particular].

 

  Wish ya the best Don, get well soon, I'll be praying for ya.

[JohnS48plm]

Sorry to hear about your poor health. Our prayers are with you . I hope to see you again at a future car show.

[ptwothree]

Hi Don...Just got home, tuned in and found out life has tossed you on the side of the road with the hood up.  I too have some of the same things happening to me so here's hoping you find a way through this.

 

On the bright side, assuming there is one, you have reminded me, in a sort of left handed way,  to stop making excuses and get outside and finish my 'ol Cranbrook....while I still can.  Thanks Don..you are one of a kind!

 

"This may or may not help"

Edited May 9, 2016 by ptwothree

[Andydodge]

Don, sorry to hear about this, trust you get well soon, best wishes from downunder.........Andy Douglas 

[Seaside Pete]

Sorry to hear about your problems Don, it's amazing to hear how many of us oldies on here suffer with type 2 (me included) Wishing you the best from here in the UK.

 

Pete

[BobT-47P15]

Hi Don.  Sorry to hear this news.....best wishes for a good outcome.  Thanks for all the good advice you've

given here on the Forum.  Have enjoyed your company on several past old car related occasions.  

[48ply1stcar]

No matter what happens with your car, please take care of yourself.  Thank you for you help and advice.  We still need your help spiced with a little BS.