COFFEE POT 7A, CLOSED [see #8]

[dbaker48]

Most importantly hope the wives are getting better, prayers for them!

Sir James, I agree with you re the Grits!  Corn on the cob, great!  Do you guys have Corn Boils up your way?  I'm sure Doug and Jon are familiar with them, Doug may have to travel a bit.  But always enjoyed them.  Horse trough full of water boiling corn, great stuff.

Still shaking around a bit here, had a 4.1 aftershock today, maybe it was a result of the voting going on today too.  Gov. Arnold left town because the tax extension resolutions are all failing according to the polls.

Glad to see Rich post, good to know things are OK, take care all  and don't pay attention to all the gossip from the other forums. We're not missing anything.

[8ntruck]

Bob - I've got a 1960 MGA stashed away in the back of the garage, and on the shelves, and up in the rafters.  A project to get to someday.  Planning to install an Oldsmobile 215 aluminum V8 and a 5 speed.  Ought to be fun when it is done.

British short blocks are not too bad.  I had a 1973 Triumph Spitfire when I was in college.  Spun the #3 rod bearing.  Had the crank reground at the local NAPA dealer and rebuilt it in the driveway.  Just follow the manual and keep everything clean.  If it does not check out to spec., stop and fix it before proceeding.

[submmbob]

8NTruck - So you are making your own MGA-V8!? Nice! I've read a bit about the MGB-V8's they made in the 70's. Too bad they never came here. Yeah, the 1798 B Series engine doesn't seem too bad. The head already got the full treatment. Hardened seats, new springs, seals, guides, and keepers, and all new valves w/ stellite exhaust valves. The guys at the shop were floored when they found out I could get stellite valves for it. Only something they saw in industrial diesels supposedly.  This car is a 69 GT w/ all the chrome and wire wheels. Very classic British. It's a hoot to drive and got 30 or better when I took it to Phoenix once even w/ one cylinder going south (which I didn't know at the time). I'll be sure to post some pictures on flickr as the project progresses.

I know how it goes w/ all the boxes. I recently had to move (former landlord got the house repossessed and neglected to tell me) and there are boxes of MG parts everywhere. I'd love to get the van to the point where I could use it around town, but I fear an influx of corvair parts in the already limited space.

I have a funny train story to share. When I first started getting back into the hobby a few months ago, I had bought a couple books used on ebay. They were delivered the day I was headed back to the scope and I was hoping they would arrive before I went back on shift. I guess the mailman could tell I was eager to see what was in the mail and when he gave me the package he asked me what it was. I explained and he said he had a bunch of O-gauge stuff himself. Well then he asked me some questions on minerals (the big gem show was going on) and I told him I was a geologist by training. He was just a fill in and was not his regular route. I asked him why he thought to ask me about the minerals and he said I just looked the part. Well anyway I just got in touch w/ him and we are finally going to get together to talk and trade trains and minerals.  One of those strange coincidences that I supposed was just made to happen.

Bob

[dougdagrump]

Welcome to Bob & Steve.

Bob, You'll be glad to hear that there are a few other Corvair fans here in the forum. Come to think of it I saw a MTH auto carrier on E-Bay with 4 Monzas the other nite. I was a fan of the Monster Miata for awhile when they were converting the Miatas here in town, don't think they were ever "street legal" here.

Don, Think maybe we should install "earthquake straps" on our high priced engines ?

Glue should be set-up by now back to the work bench.  

[dbaker48]

 Doug,  Think I will just keep all the engines on the "floating shelves", they wern't designed that way but just works out.  So far no problems.

With all the talk about MG's, reminds me I had a 63(?) Midget.  Drove it from here to Corpus Christi, visited my grandfather at his trailer park.  He insisted to ride in it and show his Buds, Only way he could get in or out was by putting the top down.  Then drove it back, got home the needle bearings had disolved in the U-joints.  Would have to adjust the Side draft Carbs on that thing just about everyday.  Drive it 1 Day, work on it for 2.  Sure was a fun car, it was about 8 yrs old when I had it.

 

[mitchelr]

 Morning to All,

I made a fresh pot. All this talk to British sports cars has got me thinking about the 73 Triumph Spitfire I owned.  Bought it from my brother.  Loved driving it when it ran.  I too had to replace u-joints and frozen up wheel bearings etc.  Sold it after I got married and we needed some cash for a down payment for our first house.  Love to have another but don't think I would have the patience to do all of the repairs any more. Of course I'd have too lose a few lbs. to fit behind the wheel of a Spitfire again.

Students are planting a rain garden today that will be used as part of science studies. Should be a fun project and bring some colorful perennials to beautify the school.

Not much on the train front. I put the standard gauge trains away when our son and his girlfriend came for a visit a few weeks back.  His girlfriend stayed in the room where I had set them up and I didn't want her to have to negotiate a standard gauge obstacle course.  They will be back a few more times of the next several months because he has a bunch of friends getting married this summer. So I will not set the trains up again until the weddings are over. I need to get out in the train room for some general clean up soon, but the yard work and then the JOB keep me pretty busy.  Plus the garage needs a major clean up too. We have had incredibly full weekends since Easter and the next few weekends until after Father's Day are busy too.

We got a new computer last week so i had a major clean up project removing the old computer table and getting rid of 20 years of computer junk. I still have things strewn around the sun porch.  I hate to throw things away that someone could use, but I don't take the time to sell them on eBay.

Well I better get going.

Take care,

Mitch

[jonadel]

Buckeye--Shawn did come through, the heart of a champion.  We tried to vote the other night and for 90 minutes we could only vote 4 times and that's with 3 phones trying!  There's no question that her fans pulled her through.  I just can't fathom what her future holds at age 17.  She already has a free ride at Stanford (gymnastics) and is a straight A student in all of her classes, including AP classes.

[Steve W.]

Morning everybody!! My father had a 58 MGA in the 60's, those things were a dime a dozen back then. Dads was worn out when he got it and he drove it for another 7 years before he retired it for a 66 mg sedan, both great cars. A friend of mine had two mga's and a bug eye midget(that was actually an Austin). I had a 1960 Alpha for a short while(paid $25 for it) bought a new top for it from JC Whitney but when it blew the head casket I gave  it to a friend. I got to the point I could take those duel side draft carbs apart in my sleep,Ahhh the good ole days

  Need to get a new smoke unit for my 671 turbine. It shorted out and burned up on me a few weeks ago.          Everybody have a good day......Steve

[Wes Whitmore]

Morning Fellas!

The new house is working out well.  I'm loving that 12 minute commute to work...scrapped the old layout since I couldn't get it out of the basement in the old house.  Working on something a bit more portable this time around, probably a folded dogbone design again.  I like those.

Have a good day... 

Wes

[fifedog]

Mornin' boys.  Sunny & 46 (s'posed to get up to 75) here in the Mid-Atlantic region.  More work outside then have to get sailboat registration before night shift.

LawsonFarms - cnw1995/rt stole my thunder.  It's my "ear tug" to our friends across the pond, when I hear from them.

Brutus - Hang in there...

RRCharlie - Was it a through-truss or girder plate?

dbaker - Sounds like CA is sliding into the sea on both sides....

cheapclassics - Gil got robbed!  Notice, they didn't even talk to the panel of judges after the crowning.  Hope his marriage counselor is on speed-dial...

[anjdevil2]

Good Morning for the Soggy Sans-Sunshine State.....

 

The weather here is still horrible, gusty winds and RAIN of the sideways kind.  Listening to the NOAA radio, we’re supposed to see tornadoes and/or water spouts by the shore – I’m only 5 miles west, so looks interesting.

 

Not much on the train front, we cancelled the move out at the trains store due to the extreme weather conditions.  I have a half day Friday, so I’ll get it done then. 

Chief, I’ll attempt to get a list together and let everyone know when it will be available.  I’m going to try to do some HD riding Saturday and Sunday may just be a day off.  Monday everyone is home, so looks like I’ll be the house Dad that day.

 

I’m not sure what I’m going to do for the train room and the contents.  I’ll have to make room in the garage to stack most of it and then inventory it all.  Did run my 2037 for a bit last night with my Lionel Lines Trainsounds tender.  I’m going to have to clean the layout just because the track is really dirty.  I may try to use my newly acquired Lionel Lines Post War track cleaner.  I cleaned that up and it runs really well.  Very noisy, though.

 

Those Buick 215 aluminum engines are really nice and hold up well for a “prehistoric” alloy block.  Those Brits got a bargain when GM sold them the tooling.  Great little torque monsters, if I remember correctly.  I’m primarily Mopar, but you have to “know your enemy”

 

That’s all from Water World.  I’ll check in later.

 

[cheapclassics]

Good morning all,

IIABSDISEI (It is another beautiful sunny day in south eastern Indiana for those of you with the "home" version" of the coffee pot) with temps near 80.  Welcome Bob and Steve to the pot.  Bob, my dad had a 64 Corvair sedan.  Good car, but it would throw a fan belt every now and then.  You will find some of the most "interesting" people who occasionally talk about trains, but who are all very good friends.  Did weights and soccer with the Brazilian last night.  Did some more errands and paid some bills.  Was not going to stay up for "Dancing with the Stars", but did anyway.  Was mildly surprised that Shawn won, but any of the three could have and all three deserved it.  Nice article in Indy Star about Sarah Fisher.  I had the regular fare on the dining car before sending it to "Points East".  Beacon is lit and I can drive after soccer practice tonight.  I will be tired, but it will be a good tired.  I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

[Buckeye Riveter]

Jon........I bet it was hard to vote using those rotary dial phones in Iowa. 

Mike....Sarah Fisher is from a little tiny town south of Columbus; Commercial Point, Ohio. 

[sir james I]

Good Morning

Sunny and going to 80, just right.

No plans yet so I will just see where the day takes me. Car talk,  I wonder what's going to happen when everyone comes home at 6:30 and plugs in their electric car. Our Edison can't even keep everybodys A/C running all at the same time.

Have a great day...S.J.

[kpolak]

submmbob

  The B's been an interesting project and it has certainly given me a place to keep my money. I pick up the new camshaft, lifters, and pushrods this week. This will be a regular driver (I hope) and I'm trying to do things right. Of all the stuff I've done w/ vehicles, I've never actually assembled a short block. A little nervous but the guys at the local british car shop have been encouraging me to go for it. They say as AR as I am I'll do a better job than a shop 

Welcome submmbob!  I guessed I missed your posts earlier.  Sorry 'but that.  MGB?  Sounds like fun!  I rebuilt (frame on) a '73 midget right after I finished high school.  Fun cars.  You'll do fine.  Keep the spaces in the rings on opposite sides from each other, and the rest is pretty straight forward...the bugger is getting the carborators syncronized.  1275cc w/ dual Lucas carbs?  Can't wait to see the results!

Doug:  Lakefront view!  Woo Hoo!  Can we come for the fireworks?

Taking the girls out to the park, and then to McDonalds for lunch!

Kurt

[cnw1995]

Morning all. Sunny and beautiful today in Chicago. Have a day full of meetings, then a 'culture evening' with the bride as she's driving into the city to go to the Art Institute, some cheap dinner and then the Symphony. Hope I can trust our middle boy to study for his exams... I'm curious about what my new office will look out on -we move in a month from my 2nd flr cubby to the 15th flr. of an ancient building the university bought -  unfortunately the lake view is only from the computer lab.

This is what Bob gets to work with:   way up here:

 

[jonadel]

Jon........I bet it was hard to vote using those rotary dial phones in Iowa. 

 

Buckeye--it was difficult but we persevered   What surprises me is that you have internet access in ohio but still use tin cans and string to make calls---what's up with that?  I thought for sure that you were ahead of Roseyville with phone connections

[ChiefEagles]

Steve W.

Thanks for the welcomes guys!

dewiemer; what part of dirty jerz do you hail from sir?

Hey I  kinda like grits, lots off butter,salt pepper,and half a bottle of hot sauce,stays with ya for a while!

Anybody heard of  a "VW" transformer? one on ebay now. It looks like a Z but its only 150 watts. Never knew it existed........Steve

Steve W.

Thank you RT, I'm stuck in lovely Lakewood (seemed like a good idea when I bought the place)it borders bricktown. Both my brothers moved to NC 25 years ago, I should have followed them. Jersey has alota train history though. In fact all good things about jersey are history.My avatar is CNJ592, that was my grandfathers loco(among others) and has survived and is in the B&O museum. He worked as an enginer at cnj for 50 years.

Well, I declare.  Might be one good Yankee afterall. [See Dennis is not a Yankee as we did the deacon thing by "laying hands on him" and he converted to grits and sweet ice tea.] 

Well, had a late Town Board meeting and did not post as I was so sleepy.  Come on this AM and see lots of posts by new folks.  Makes me smile.  Glad to see them and their telling of their interests.

Cars:

Youngtest ex-stepdaughter had a new Spitfire.  Had to work on it all the time.

My British Leyland tractor has an MGA engine in it.  32hp.  I get the parts from Carquest ast about half the price of the tractor dealer [that imports them].

Corvair, Bob, I will have to go visit you and give you a hand.  In my other life [lived in the southern part of Wake Co where ex-wife still lives, Kids and I moved out and I sold out.] I use to buy old Corvairs and restore them.  Drag them out of the woods or from under a shed.   Make them like new. 

Rule # 1, do not over inflate front tires [18 lbs].

Rule# 2, carry a wrench and a spare fan belt.

Town Board went well.  Budget is TIGHTER than a fat lady's girdle.  Passed a no teathering law.  Dog lovers love it.

Got meeting with Chamber President for lunch.  Wants to whine about the lowered speed limits in town.  Some emails from two ladies that dirve through town.  Say they are not coming back to shop here due to speed limits.  Yes, how dumb.  Chamber upset.  Will be more upset when I finish with him.  Will give him a copy of the DOT study justifying the new speed limits.  The businesses that are whinning are not people living in Rolesville and only care for their $$$.  Not the safety of the residents.

"Miss Pam" home again today.  Could not sleep last night [coming off of meds that made her sleep a lot].  Really think she is allergic to her WORK.  

Summer is usually a slow posting time for the forum.  Glad to see all the posts on here.  Again, "new guys" . 

BTW: ZW's, I have 5 and 3 KW's.  I use one ZW for each mainline [2] and one for the sidings.  One KW for aux switch power and one for accessories and lights.  Others are spares.  Post War transformers are great.  If running modern stuff with boards, add protection.

Have a great day.

PS: I hear the drums sending me a message about Ioway.  Something about the pig smell.  

[dwiemer]

So Jon, not sure about that Ohier place, for such low tech folks, my high tech camera should arrive today from Sharon Ohio.  Perhaps that's it.  They have high tech in Ohio, but they ship it all out of state.  Don't want it to stick around and rub off on the locals.....Just kidding guys!

Wife sent me to work on the computer to hook up the scanner, etc.  She wants to start loading up photos we have around here from the dark ages.  Anyway, should be getting a package from Choo Choo today along with the above one mentioned from Ohio.  Looking forward to both. 

Have to head in.  I think I'll stop by SAM's and see about the Photoshop Elements 7.0.  If the price is right, I'll pick it up.  Also need to check into the new SD memory cards from San Disk.

God Bless,

Dennis

[jonadel]

Chief--excellent, I was hoping the drum cadences were making it out your way, smoke signals later today, perfect conditions as strong winds out of the west 

Slower speed limits are perfect, I think we could all slow down just a little more and enjoy life a lot more, EXCEPT when traveling on I-80 through Nebraska.  That's where I like to set the cruise at an even 85 to lessen the pain.

[LawsonFarmsRR]

Good morning to all:

Beautiful day. heading out to bush hog, cut the yard, spray weeds. Looking forward to it.

Don B - CORN BOILS? Now that is a new one to me!

I so agree with "don't pay attention to all the gossip from the other forums. We're not missing anything." I hope Spanky returns from "there" soon.

Bob - Great story about your Mailman. I have found there are a lot of toy train people out there, most keep to themselves, no clubs, no forums, no organizations. I used to be that way, but now--------.

Jon - You are right about Nebraska speeds. There are parts of Iowa that could use increased speed limits as well.

Brutus - I am Tardis ready! 

Patrick (Pat)

[Steve W.]

Chief.....Youre my hero!! 5 ZW's? Thats heaven to me. I'm still waiting to get my first. I have a KW and some small 1930's transformers I use for lights and acc. Steve

[dougdagrump]

If you go in to grab a couple more clamps, I prefer various sizes of bar clamps, could be a good excuse to invest in a good brad nailer if you don't already have one.

[SPMan]

Steve W., I'm kinda late getting on here today but want to add my welcome to you for getting on the coffee pot.  These folks are a pretty good bunch when you figure out what they are talking about.  I have some kind of  ZW with only 250 Watts as opposed to 275 but it's still called a ZW, not VW.  I have another older transformer called a V type.  It has 150 watts but puts out 25 volts to the rails and has four reostats (throttle knobs).  A lot of guys like to use them with standard gauge because of the added track voltage.

Don and Doug, sounds like you got some after shocks.  Still quiet over here.

Just when I thought I had enough problems, the doctor layed another one on me today.  He said my triglycerides were way too high and is telling me to cut out all fats and sweets before I get diabetes or worse.  I gave up smoking about a year and a half ago and I have ballooned up by eating the wrong stuff to compensate, I guess.  The deal is, if it taste good, forget it!

Chief, I'll be shedding tears when you tell about all the stuff you're eating but I can still have all those good vegetables like you grow.  I have been exercising though and walk close to two miles each day.  That was the only positive thing the doctor liked.  He put me on some more pills to help bring my cholesterol down too.

Prayers for all those in need of them today.  Best wishes to Chief's better half and continued improvement.

Steve W, I like grits too but I'm  from the South.  You can put lots of different things on them and they are very versatel.  Don't believe that stuff about patching pot holes.

Have a good day y'all

Ray

 

[dbaker48]

LawsonFarmsRR

Don B - CORN BOILS? Now that is a new one to me!

 

 

Patrick, 

Corn Boils have been a long standing community tradition in the upper midwest.  I remember them as a child, typically a farmer would be the sponsor and it would be held at their farm.  It was usually a fund raising event for a local organization or charity.  (VFW,Moose, etc.).  Not uncommon for it to include a fish fry as well.  However most made a meal just from the corn, of course beer was available as well.  Entertainment was also common, bands, kiddie rides, and sometimes a craft show was on hand.  The ones I attended always had a collection of various antique tractors and farm equipment on display.  The cost of attending was riduculosly low.  The corn was usually preparred in an old Watering Through seemed to me was around 6 or 8 foot long, and the corn was a boilin'.

I would think that some of the guys in that area may be aware of them as well.  Really was a fun event.  (Maybe some listed on google.)

[LawsonFarmsRR]

dbaker48

LawsonFarmsRR

Don B - CORN BOILS? Now that is a new one to me!

 

 

Patrick, 

Corn Boils have been a long standing community tradition in the upper midwest.  I remember them as a child, typically a farmer would be the sponsor and it would be held at their farm.  It was usually a fund raising event for a local organization or charity.  (VFW,Moose, etc.).  Not uncommon for it to include a fish fry as well.  However most made a meal just from the corn, of course beer was available as well.  Entertainment was also common, bands, kiddie rides, and sometimes a craft show was on hand.  The ones I attended always had a collection of various antique tractors and farm equipment on display.  The cost of attending was riduculosly low.  The corn was usually preparred in an old Watering Through seemed to me was around 6 or 8 foot long, and the corn was a boilin'.

I would think that some of the guys in that area may be aware of them as well.  Really was a fun event.  (Maybe some listed on google.)

 

Hi Don:

Laura and I were born and raised in western Iowa, Council Bluffs, and went to Collage in Omaha Neb. before moving to Virginia in 1957. One of two things must have happened. Ether we lived a sheltered life back then, or western Iowa is not part of the upper midwest. Anyway, Laura and I have not heard of Corn Boils. Could these events have started after we left Iowa? They do sound like fun and sorry we missed them. 

We both had relatives that were farmers. I remember county fairs having steamed corn on the cob with the shucks on, and boiling corn on the cob in pots, but using a watering trough is new to us.

How do you boil water in a  watering trough?

Jon do you have corn Boils in your area in Adel Iowa?

Even at my age, I still learn something new most every day. Thanks Don.

Patrick (Pat)

 

[jonadel]

I've never heard it called a corn boil but let me go down two more roads, try not to fall asleep.  The first year I taught ('68) I was in a very small school district in NW Iowa -- some of the best farm land in the world.  One of our fund raisers (I kid you not) was a fish fry using bullheads from the then Coservation Commission (now the DNR), two 50 gallon barrels of fish was donated to the band and I thought this will never work, it was a gigantic success, kinda sad.

Second diversion.  Adel (where I taught until I retired) came up with this zanny idea of "let's have a sweet corn festival and it'll be free" and of course the band will lead the parade, 2nd Saturday of August.  You know how hard it is to get a band together in August?  Fast forward 28 years and it's still a huge success --  it's a BIG deal.  Huge custom made sweet corn cookers prepare tons and tons of sweet corn and it's all free, the beer garden and live band later in the evening pay for it.  Literally thousands of free loaders show up for the parade and free sweet corn, I hated that festival as I was expected to be there with the marching band and it was rare when someone (besides parents) would say thank you.  We had to postpone our 25th anniversary weekend celebration because of that %$#! parade   I think we've been back twice since I retired, great to see the kids who graduated and actually have fond memories of that parade, not me!

[LawsonFarmsRR]

 Jon, no way I would fall asleep listening to stories about western Iowa.

Bullheads - I haven't heard catfish called that in quite a while. Brings back memories of fishing in farmers ponds. If fact, Laura and my first date was a picknick by a farmers pond loaded with bulheads. In those days I did all of the baiting of the hook (night crawlers) for her and taking the fish off the hook, and very little fishing myself. I wander how it would go today?

Have you heard of fishing with home made dough balls? My FIL made great ones.

Patrick (Pat)

[Ole Timer]

 I have'nt seen an MG for years . not even at the local car shows . Brings back fond memories of the 60's when MG's and triumphs were everywhere . When I was 17 ... I bought a 1954 MG - TD .... I don't know if any of you guys remember or know what they looked like . To me it looked like an old mini duesenburg .... forgive the spelling ... I finally sold it for $450.00 back then because it had the emergency brake handle in the middle and the  girls could'nt get up tight ... like they did back then . Worse mistake I ever made .  Always wanted an Austin Healy ... left one go like a dummy and never found one again . The best deal was at Ken Byrd's auto exchange in Hagerstown ... XKE roadster ... red ... mint ... $2,900.00 .... I'll never forget the dealer or price ... nightmare of not buying it will never leave my mind .... yea I'm old ... they were cheap compared to today's prices . of course new mustangs were $1,500.00 showroom for the basic lil model ... LOL .

[sir james I]

Good Evening

A beautiful day it was 84 at 7 PM. Got some windows cleaned, went for a walk,  sat on the porch, oh yea rested on the couch and ran two trains. Banilla is ready for Brutus and the Tardis.

S.J.