Four weeks ago I went in for knee replacement on my left side, and put the 442 in the shop after a month of ownership/driving to take care of some items that I neither have the space nor the tools to tackle.

My knee was arthritic as a result of years of wear after an ACL reconstruction in 1984 from a football injury. Therapy and exercise (and a lot of ice) is helping me along nicely. Started some stretching and that really hurts-then-helps tremendously.

The 442 is in the hands of a local hot rod mechanic who is giving it a once over and then diving in on several items like well-hidden oil leak, electrical issues with dash lights, and possibly suspension. So far he’s replaced intake gasket, distributor o-ring, etc, anything on the top of the motor especially near the back before cleaning off the underside of oil and checking the pan and rear seal, oil filter, etc. Reset timing and she starts right up and runs fine.

The crazy interior light show was resolved by replacing the headlight switch with a repop. I got a lot of advice from this forum about grounding under the dash and other areas to look at and how these issues could be a pain in the butt to resolve, but I asked him to take a look and luck or good diagnostics was on my side.

He did find that several front end bushings were needing attention in the future but were still serviceable, so I may just go ahead and have him do that after getting the leaks repaired.

I think after another month or so, both the 442 and I will be rehabbed enough and ready for a nice fall drive. It’s a goal.

 

Good luck with both rehabs. I have arthritic knees, as well. Hell, I have arthritic everything. Starting a series of three injections (over a period of a couple of months) in each knee in January. Also, starting an injection series into the L5 region of my back during the same time period. Not to mention some dental restoration. Saving it all until next year due to insurance deductibles, and such. Gonna be a busy 1st quarter.

In the meantime, one of my cars is going in for a little rear main seal replacement and a couple of other items during my home remodel / rehab. Need space in the garage for the contractors. Like you, need to do a little Project Management to get things moving at the right place and time. At least, for now, I am thankful that I do not require surgery on anything.

Sounds like everything is moving in the right direction for you. Keep on keepin' on.

 

Keep up on that exercise and work that knee to get your flexibility back even if it hurts some, it's much much harder later on. Takes a while before you get any feeling back in the knee, drove me nuts trying to kneel and work on the car but all you need is a little time..... Been there done that several times..... Tedd

 

Good to hear that you are on the mend. Post pics of the Olds when you take that fall drive.