Storm owned me

[12secondv6]

Sigh...... we got hit..... bad.

I couldn't get the bird out, spent ages trying to jump it.... didn't happen. It is under a considerable amount of water.

All other cars are fine.

Water heater is gone.

Washer and dryer are fine right now..... but I dunno for how long.

Wayne township advised around noon that water will be rising considerably.

Structurally... the house is fine..... I can deal with losing the water heater..... and maybe the washer and dryer....... but the bird is causing me great pain..... if you know me..... you then know how many years of blood, sweat and tears are in that car..... been in multiple magazines ... held lots of records....etc.....

I'm kinda numb right now.... stuck at work.

[Blackbirdws6]

damn man. I couldn't imagine how I would feel in that situation. Good luck and hopefully it will turn out better than expected.

-Brian

[GrandmasterCow]

yeah man thats horrible. hope everything works out, the bird rest of your property is fine

[BonzoHansen]

Oh my, I am so sorry.

[firehawk1120]

you should have called me i could have towed it w/ the truck.... i can still do it let me kknow.

[GP99GT]

well the car is mostly down to metal and plastic anyway, maybe the water will just run out :lol:

jk, that sucks man. ive been hearing about rt 23 being closed all day and i was wondering what it was like down by you

[JL8Jeff]

I was wondering how you guys were making out. I couldn't remember which river you were next to though. That sucks big time. Is this flood worse than anything the previous owner's had to deal with?

[j0n]

im very sorry to hear bro...im sure when it comes to drying/repairing the bird there's a ton of people(myself included) willing to make the drive and help you out.

[GP99GT]

everyone grab a hair dryer and meet at james' tomorrow night

[LS1Hawk]

I'm really sorry to hear, man. I know a guy last year when we had one of these big storms had just bought a brand new Dodge Ram and the water came up into the engine bay. Hopefully you can get it running.

[foff667]

aww man that sux horribly James.

[NJSPEEDER]

with the interior so empty it will be easy to dry the car out. wet exhaust and oil pans don't hurt stuff, so that is no big deal. as long as water didn't get deep enough to get to the intake and fill the motor that will be fine too. even if water get into the engine you can just drain all the oil/water out, put in fresh dyno oil, run it up to operating temp, then do an oil change and call it a day.
good luck with it. lemme know if you two need anything, it's a short drive :)

[V]

thats rough, but like tim said, its not too bad.

since im kinda local, ill be willing to lend a hand too.

[1_Hot_SOM_WS6]

Yikes...Sorry to hear!! Good luck with everything!!

[trashman01]

just dont start it when its in the water, pull it out nad let it dry for a couple days and remove the plug and crack it couple times to make sure water aint inside the motor

[Teds89IROC]

ah I was wondering how you guys were down there, I hope it all works out..and what j0n said...I'm not far at all if you need an extra set of hands.

[Savage_Messiah]

Let me know when you need a hand.

[12secondv6]

Coming up to 72 hours later..... bird is still under water..... sigh.

[The Fixer]

James, how deep is the water?

[V]

if you want, ill come pull it out.... i got straps, chains and a diesel.... a little water doesnt bother me

[firehawk1120]

A little water is an understatement. I believe they are about 7' under I don't think your truck will do much good right now. :(

<---- plays tap for the poor bird.

[V]

oh ok, i was hoping maybe it was just down a driveway or something and i could run cables/straps like "x" amount of feet then attach it to my truck(has been in up to 4' of water). id even go swimming to hook it up. lol, but anyways i'm still willign to help with the clean up of the car anytime.

[bad64chevelle]

:werd: another one who is up for a drive to help you out, just let me know what I can do...hope all goes well.

[ShitOnWheels]

In our area there was as high as 11 feet of water. By our house, it probably got up to about 5' high, if not higher. No cars or trucks will be in the area for probably another week I'd imagine, and that's assuming we don't get anymore rain.

We have yet to get to the house to check on it. We only get to see it from a distance. We will be trying today to get to it, but I'm not holding my breath. And it'll only be to get clothes and some other necessities.

We won't be living in the house til the insurance adjuster comes and then replace the appliacnes that are damaged (we assume water heater, furnace, washer, dryer, and we won't be able to use the tap water for a while since it's well water and we have a septic system = unsafe water for a while).

We thank everyone for their willingness to help. We won't know how much help we'll need/use til the water goes away and we can survey the damage.

[JL8Jeff]

Sorry to hear about the whole flooding problem guys, but that's what worried me when you first posted pictures of the house when you moved in. Have you guys started to think about raising the house onto pilings like they do at the beach? Here along the Delaware, a good number of homes on the PA side have been elevated on pilings becase the people don't want to move but the insurance companies insist on raising them so they don't have to replace appliances and drywall every year. For some reason, I don't think this flooding problem in NJ is going to get any better in the near future. Let us all know if you guys need a hand with anything.

[ShitOnWheels]

Sorry to hear about the whole flooding problem guys, but that's what worried me when you first posted pictures of the house when you moved in. Have you guys started to think about raising the house onto pilings like they do at the beach? Here along the Delaware, a good number of homes on the PA side have been elevated on pilings becase the people don't want to move but the insurance companies insist on raising them so they don't have to replace appliances and drywall every year. For some reason, I don't think this flooding problem in NJ is going to get any better in the near future. Let us all know if you guys need a hand with anything.

This is the reason there is no basement underground. This is the first time since 1974 that flood insurance will be used for this house, so it's not usually a problem.

We will most likely be moving out in the near future. We were going to wait until next year when we could use the wedding money and such to put a downpayment and have some time to finish our projects to increase the value of the house. However, this plan has changed for various reasons I won't go into to detail here (obviously the flood is a motivating factor, but that isn't the whole story and no need to get into it here). So hopefully by the end of the year we'll be out. Especially if I get and take this job I'm interviewing for next week :)

[12secondv6]

Clarification..... we waded to the house late last night.

At the house.... the water came up to my shoulder which is 5 feet.

We are at the highest elevation in the area.

If one wanted to drive in.... you would have to get past the 11 feet deep area..... unless you took the back way..... and then you still would need to drive through 9+ feet of deep water.

I do appreciate the offers for help..... at this point we can't do much.

I do not consider the firebird salvagable - it is gone - I may part it out.

I.... I should say we..... now plan on moving out now or as soon as possible.

And..... if you wanna fight..... go to another thread.

[Tru2Chevy]

Wow....sorry to hear that things are that bad up there.

If you guys need help with anything once the water recedes, don't hesitate to call.

- Justin

[BonzoHansen]

Wow....sorry to hear that things are that bad up there.

If you guys need help with anything once the water recedes, don't hesitate to call.

- Justin

+1 I'm sure a lot of folks here would lend a hand, just ask.

[The Fixer]

Absolutely James, you guys know we're here for you if you need anything!

[Savage_Messiah]

I do not consider the firebird salvagable - it is gone - I may part it out.

:cry:... I don't even know what to say... no way at all salvageable?!?


Again, when you guys can get back in, I'd be more than willing to lend a hand with whatever

[12secondv6]

Got into the house a couple hours ago.... bird is completely destroyed.

NOT salvagable

[GP99GT]

:cry:

[12secondv6]

http://www.bbbracing.com/12secondv6/rip

[j0n]

almost brings a tear to my eye :-(

however...i believe it's still salvageable...won't be easy but you can wash the carpet, pull the dash and clean that up, pull all the interior plastics out and clean them up, drain the oil/coolant...kick the motor over a couple times with no plugs in it, unbolt the catback and make sure the exhaust has no water in it, possibly a new wiring harness and dash harness....but i still say its salvageable

[Knipps]

that makes me want to cry more than the regular wrecks
there was a lot of time and energy invested in that car and anyone can tell

so sorry to hear man, wish there was something more we could do

[maroman88]

almost brings a tear to my eye :-(

however...i believe it's still salvageable...won't be easy but you can wash the carpet, pull the dash and clean that up, pull all the interior plastics out and clean them up, drain the oil/coolant...kick the motor over a couple times with no plugs in it, unbolt the catback and make sure the exhaust has no water in it, possibly a new wiring harness and dash harness....but i still say its salvageable

more weight reduction, who needs the dash and carpet :)

sorry dude, i couldnt imagine being in your shoes

[1_Hot_SOM_WS6]

OMG!!!! That is so unreal!! I am SO sorry to hear about your car. I was looking at the pictures in a state of shock! I cant even imagine how you feel!

[IROCdan330]

I really feel bad for you man...

That car looked to be pretty b.a.

[bubba428]

i'm with j0n on this one...i think you can salvage it an it may be better than ever who knows...if you need any help theres plenty of us willing.

[Teds89IROC]

almost brings a tear to my eye :-(

however...i believe it's still salvageable...won't be easy but you can wash the carpet, pull the dash and clean that up, pull all the interior plastics out and clean them up, drain the oil/coolant...kick the motor over a couple times with no plugs in it, unbolt the catback and make sure the exhaust has no water in it, possibly a new wiring harness and dash harness....but i still say its salvageable

:stupid: You have plenty of people who are willing to help you out James, myself included, don't throw in the towel just yet

[camarokev]

wow man... i just read this, I'm sorry to hear. As a fellow v6er, your car was always one of the cars I revered and looked up to- if there's anything a non-mechanically inclined dude like myself can do, let me know. Know that my thoughts/prayers are with you.

[Tru2Chevy]

:cry:

End of an era?

- Justin

[Savage_Messiah]

:stupid: You have plenty of people who are willing to help you out James, myself included, don't throw in the towel just yet

Add me to the list.

[ShitOnWheels]

The problem is, even with everyone's help, and with replacing EVERYTHING but the body, it costs money which we do not have. We are looking to move soon, marriage, kids in due time, and the money just isn't available to rebuild the entire thing. And even if we did, and replaced everything but the body, I'd be afraid everytime he took it down the track, as would his parents, and probably even he would wonder. :shrug:

Anyone know of a silver 97 firebird v6 for sale? I still need to get him a wedding present, since I can't buy him the cam and all like I intended. ;)

[enRo]

Dude, Im sorry to hear about that. If it were my car, there would be footprints and small divits all over the body, from me being so pissed off that something I put my hard earned money, time, and heart into. Im serious, if you really wanna clean that badboy up, there is a handful of people, including myself, thatll lend you a hand. Just be thankful your house hasnt turned into a floating yaht.

Sorry my Ark couldnt save your bird. (Sorry, I just had to toss a lame joke in there lol)

[Savage_Messiah]

The problem is, even with everyone's help, and with replacing EVERYTHING but the body, it costs money which we do not have. We are looking to move soon, marriage, kids in due time, and the money just isn't available to rebuild the entire thing. And even if we did, and replaced everything but the body, I'd be afraid everytime he took it down the track, as would his parents, and probably even he would wonder. :shrug:

Anyone know of a silver 97 firebird v6 for sale? I still need to get him a wedding present, since I can't buy him the cam and all like I intended. ;)


Do you realize how many people would gladly donate parts?

[firehawk1120]

i think at this point it's more a matter of safety then anyting. There are things that happen to cars submerged for a week in water. James is just playing it safe with THIS particular car I doubt he's out of racing completely he just needs time to find a new project. Maybe another Chevelle??? :)

[Mark B]

I aggree. Even with all of the time & money in the world, that car will never be the same. I feel for ya bro. You seem to be taking it better than I would. I would probably cry in my house for a week.

[BigAls87Z28]

Hooooly ***** man...that is horrible. Such an awesome car, so many memories of it over all these years man... such a loss.

[79CamaroDiva]

:cry: that is absolutely devastating. the flood hit us hard too, but luckily no cars were lost, just a lot of water damage everywhere. It sucks to say, but you guys are probably right about not salvaging the car, and have your heads on straight about your future without any wreckless pipedreams. Cars are replaceable, and in time i'm sure james will build an even better one :)

[89 Trans Am WS6]

I didnt even know james had carpet? heh

But seriously tho, the important thing is that everyone is alright. One thing you may want to check into: Up here after a two day ordeal pulling cars outa water for the local PD, and this was water maybe up to the doors, not as high as yours, we were advised by the FD to get a tetanus shot. If you were wading through the contaiminated water, which it was because all flood water is, you may want to look into that.

Wish i would have known early on in this, I would have flatbedded the car out for ya.

On a lighter side tho, I think the car would be salvageable IMO. Pop the tops, open the hatch and doors. Pull the carpet, plastics that are easy to get off take off.. Cracnk the engine without the plugs, shoot the water out, drain the oil, replace with new plugs and fire it up. I honestly wouldnt worry to much about the wiring, mabe the computer but thats even possible to be ok. We just finished up a new maxima that was completly nosed under the water, and that person drove it into it and hydrolocked it. She picked it up yesterday and its running fine.

Anyway whatever you decide to do, give a shout if ya need a hand.


Stay safe


Joe

[ShitOnWheels]

We both have tetnus shots less than 2 years old. So we're both ok with that.

We now have running water again. You never realize how much you depend on a well pump when it dies. But $856 later, new pump, new fittings, and all is well again (no pun intended). :)

Now on to replacing the water heater and furnace.