Today was going to be work on layout day but my neighbor decided to snag my empty trash cans and fill them up with pine needles. So it turned into work on van day. It's been running rather rich lately so I checked out the usual suspects. Carburetor fuel settings, meter valve adjustment, etc. The problem turned out to be a split vacuum hose that went from the carb to the PCV valve. I replaced the hose and it went back to running normally, well as normal as a 30 year old engine with all the smog junk missing can run. I also took the time to set the timing, by ear as I've almost always done on older vehicles (I wonder how many young-uns out there would even know how to do that), changed out the oil in the air cleaner (combination paper filter and oil vat) and I ran down the cause of the knock in the front of the engine with the aid of a piece of garden hose. The auto repair books I have are very comprehensive and go into great detail on a great many subjects that most modern repair manuals just touch on or skip altogether. The troubleshooting guide for engine knocks is very detailed and covers the problems in depth. It describes the noise to a 'T' and it's coming from the right place and has another noise the troubleshooters guide says goes with it. Worn timing gears. The noise is described as a knock from the front of the engine that's noticeable at idle, goes away upon acceleration and comes back at 25-35 mph then fades again. The accompanying sound is a dull rumble from the timing case (loose timing chain). No surprise considering what the engine has been through. According to the manual it's not so loose as to be in danger of jumping time. It will start making a constant loud rumble when it gets to that point. I also leaned the fuel mix back to save some on gas. Acceleration isn't attention getting (0-60 in 15 to 18 seconds). It'll touch 70 uphill and that's all I need it to do. Most of the time it'll be running between 20 to 50. I don't intend for it to be a hot rod. If I'm not going fast enough for someone behind me they can dang well go around. Most of the highways I drive on are 4 lane so they have no excuse to complain. Gave serious thought today to finding one of those old, old personal computers from the early 80's, something like that tiny Timex Sinclair 1000 and sticking it up in the engine compartment somewhere. The next time some young know-it-all says they have to hook the van up to a computer to track down a problem I could point it out to him and watch in great amusement as he tries to find an adapter for it. I think it would be hard to keep a straight face though.
Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running BearSpace Mouse for president!15 year veteran fire fighterCollector of Apple //e'sRunning Bear EnterprisesHistory Channel Club life member.beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam
Evening, Chloe, I'll just have a Rio Grande mug of hot cocoa, please. Thanks!
Got some chuckles on Jeff's prank with the pseudo-mechanic guy, and JR's remarks about his encounter with the parts guy at 'Auto Stupid' (or did you try ordering from someone else?). (Tee hee..
Ulrich, good to hear you and Petra (and your parents, from the description) had an enjoyable (and tasty! ) time.
CudaKen - nah, today if somebody new to the hobby saw an Athearn Blue Box, they'd ask how it arrived all broke up into pieces...
And I'll raise my mug to Flip (AKA Florida Phil). Glad at least that somebody else has been around here longer than me (or would that be is older than me?...)
Galaxy, adding your Sedona to my prayer list (not exactly the kind of thing that I usually have on there, but hey!...). And adding your temperament in the meantime, so your blood pressure stays down in the manageable range. Hey, that other Kia tech didn't have the same boss as Vincent, do y'think?
Rob, we've been dry here, too - supposed to have a cold front come through tonight and drop the temps about 20 degrees (F), but no predicted rain. Good for those with soybeans, but not for other farmers around here.
Barry, sorry to hear that it took all those tests for them to figure out what caused your problem, but glad it's not something even worse. And I for one am glad to know about that muscle spasm thing, so I can advise somebody else who might experience those symptoms and be telling me about them.
Oh, speaking of health stuff, please add Johnnie J. to your prayers - he's my supervisor's husband, and they found a donor for him this morning (in St. Louis), so my supervisor was out today (and probably will be for another few days as he recuperates in the hospital where they're doing the surgery (6 p.m. CST this evening)).
And (sorta) speaking of w**k, it was calm at times today, but then about 1 p.m. a kid comes in with Mom and his case w**ker in tow. My co-worker asked me if I wanted her to take him and I could go to lunch. I said no, I'd go after I got done with him (major mistake!). As I'm finishing up details on getting him in the hospital, a (grown) guy comes in about 4 p.m. (crisis team gets to leave at 4:30 p.m. if there's nothing going on), so my co-w**ker gets to see this guy (while I'm finishing up the kid). About quarter of 5, I'm done and about to head out, and she's still in her office with the guy. Ah, well, guess I wasn't meant to have lunch today, anyway, eh? Hope tomorrow is slightly less busy (and Wednesday, a certification team comes in to check us out for the every-four-years thing; luckily, I should be able to miss most of that).
Ah yes, the fun of car repairs - I once replaced the ignition/key lock on a 1980 Caprice (THAT was not great fun for me, but I'm way behind the rest of you Diners, I can tell from your stories!), and even swapped out the rear - lessee, I think it was the taillight assembly to go behind the rear bumper (so the taillights would w**k again). (I think...) For that, I had a Chilton manual to help me. Nowadays, I'd be dead in the water on my 2007 Taurus...
[Edit]: NS Joe, sorry to hear about your Grandpa, but I'd bet he now can recognize you, your Mom and the rest of the family from his improved 'vantage point'. Will have you and the family in my .
Think I'll finish my hot cocoa and mosey on home. You all take care of yourselves (and your vehicles, as well as loved ones).
Blessings and prayers,
Jim in Cape Girardeau
Evening. Some raisin toast please with lots of real butter. Sounds real tasty. Oh and some hot chocolate thank you.
First let me say not all parts guys are as we’ve been saying. I used to know one that when you needed something from some oddball piece of equipment, (military mainly) he’d look at it and say, "looks about like a rear axle bearing from a 60’s Chevy Impala" or some such thing. Many times he was right, lots of times he was wrong but tried some other vehicle. EVERY time but once (I think) he got the part. No he wasn’t old. Just good. here's to you Donny Bacon.
Flip- I worked on a Corvair. Guy I know had one. Needed brakes, (no one new how to set up brakes that didn’t self adjust) and the fuel pump quit and after they replaced it with a new one couldn’t get it to work. Longer pushrod, it was an early model and the pmps aren’t made anymore, but the later models had a shorter reach and a longer rod. I got a new rod and all was buzzing well. Never had any problems with the water pump. Must have been the best part built on the car. (chuckle). By the way, didn’t mean you were the oldest here in age, but in seniority as a diner patron. But if the shoe fits…..
G- I wouldn’t get too wrapped up about the Kia. Things happen and hopefully it isn’t a big thing. If the light comes on and stays on it’s generally an emissions thing or something that just doesn't make sense to th computer that well, in this case for some reason apparently threw it into limp mode, but usually doesn’t affect the driving as the driver would notice and usually isn‘t too serious. . It’s when the light flashes you start to worry and get it to a mechanic pretty quick. I know that doesn’t make it any easier, but actually Kia makes a pretty good vehicle sad to say. (oops. Sorry. Just a little American pride coming through). Every manufacturer has one that causes trouble now and again. Le’s just hope this isn’t one. Somehow I don’t think so. Ah, see? Just caught your update. Car just didn’t know how fast you wanted to go. Wasn’t limp mode after all. I’m not sure what sensor it is, but yes there are sensors all over that thing.Computer reads what one thing is doing, compares it to what another sensor says is happening does this with a bunch of sensors calculates it all and voila! Down the road you go. Far cry from a siphon setting on the engine and a couple sparks.
J.R.- Remember when buying a new starter or alternator was the LAST resort? That, my friend, wasn’t too awful long ago. Shoot. I can remember voltage regulators with point sets. Where's my cane boy?
Barry- Ya scared me there for a sec. Probably not as much as you and Audrey though. Yup, sure do know what you’re talking about. Brenda had the same thing a couple years ago by now maybe. Scared me. Gerd they called it. She said it felt like what she would imagine a heart attack would feel like.
Joe- Sorry to hear about your Grandpa. You and your family are in my prayers as well as his soul.
Jeff- Did you say the book you purchased was a Haynes? I prefer those. Most times they include a wiring diagram. One of the most valuable items you can have that the others just don’t include. You need to do the computer thing THAT wouldn’t be funny, it’d be downright hilarious.
Todd
Central Illinoyz
In order to keep my position as Master and Supreme Ruler of the House, I don't argue with my wife.
I'm a small town boy. A product of two people from even smaller towns. I don’t talk on topic….. I just talk.
Evenin' folks!
Just a cup of decafe for me Flo. I'll go sit at the back booth where it is warm...
J.R. - You know, now That you mentioned it, I remember the guy at Finn's Auto Parts looking for the rebuild kit. THAT is what took him so much time. Hey this happened back in 1960 or 61...... He couldn't get the kit anymore (still could get kits for the newer ones, but a 1936 in 1960??? So he quoted us on a rebuilt one. Probably was something like $10 or so, but THAT was a lot of money for a couple of teenage kids back then. We did get the old thing running again. Drove it around the cow pasture taking turns with one of us sitting on the front fender pouring gas into the carburator....... My Dad was NOT happy when he found out what we were doing!!!
Barry, wondered where you had been! Glad it is at least something treatable and THAT you didn't have a Heart Attack!!! A good MR friend down here stateside who is a member of the NMRA Division just had a major heart attack. ended up having a couple of stents put in and is now in rehab. He is hoping his doc will let him come to the Meet this Saturday. This guy is about 10 or so years younger than I am.... Take care of yourself, will ya? I'm hoping to run into you again next year when the Region Convention is back in your neck of the woods.
Joe, very sorry about your Grandfather. I'll keep you and your family in my prayers at this time.
I actually feel better tonight about getting all the needed stuff done on the project. I tweeked rail and turnout controls and then added some Details West Railbars. Good way to add some details, and hide the electrical gaps at the same time. The line is now running as smooth s silk.... Hopefully it will stay that way!!! Need to paint the rails, add ballast, do the paperwork, and she is ready for the Meet.
You know, we have been here at the Museum for over half the month already? And.... I just wonder how many of you have actually taken a ride on the museums tracks for the Fall Foliage runs? Come on guys lets go fire up GE 80 Tonner #1654 and go for a ride (And the Trolleys are running too!).
http://www.youtube.com/rgvrrm#p/u/0/q8Kj46IR6vc
Have a great night everyone!
73
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
TMarsh Jeff- Did you say the book you purchased was a Haynes? I prefer those. Most times they include a wiring diagram. One of the most valuable items you can have that the others just don’t include. You need to do the computer thing THAT wouldn’t be funny, it’d be downright hilarious.
Good Morning,
it is pouring down with r*in - a day to stay inside. The ugly side of fall.
Flo, just a regular breakfast for me - with lots of coffee, please.
Joe - I am sorry to hear about your grandfather´s death - may he rest in God!
Barry - that was scary! Those esophageal reflux things are dang painful and not to be taken lightly. Take care, buddy, will ya please?
When I logged into this thread this morning, I thought I was in the wrong place - so much car talk! Fortunately, I know nothing about cars
Not much to do today - only a short HD list to w*rk down. Guess I will find some time to leaf through the old Trains magazines my father gave to me. He is a subscriber since the early 1960´s and I am glad that he still takes a keen interest in trains at the age of 84. Keeps him out of mischief
Have a good day!
Good Morning ! from Tipton IN.
Bill Tidler Jr.
Near a cornfield in Indiana...
Good Morning, Berry, I take it you didn’t have a viral infection. My former FIL had a similar incident and turned out to be an infection. I’m glad it wasn’t real serious and I hope you feel better soon.
North East Rail – we are lucky I guess to have a place called Pullapart. It’s an over organized junk yard. You need something really hard to reach they will have a tow motor set a car on a rack for you to work on. If you need tools they have a tool room and you can rent almost anything for $1/hour.I went to visit a layout in Vermilion Sunday. The guy is modeling a free lance Canadian RR in the Nova Scotia Area. Paper mill and a nickel processing facility are the two main industries on the layout. The layout is a double deck layout with plenty of rivers and creeks. All the locomotives and cabooses are brass units. Over the layout he has configured strings of Christmas lights that simulate day, sunset, dusk, night. It’s a rather awe inspiring system. Blue lights simulate night allowing you to see. Photo cells on the different buildings cause lights to slowly come on inside the buildings. Houses have one or two rooms illuminated at a time, this causes a realistic lighting effect in his small village since really unless you have teenagers in your house prototypical houses don’t have every room illuminated. Great Layout, I hope to be invited to the next operating session and have some pictures to share.
BM1 Lee Soule USCG (ret) L.S.&W Railroad Serving the Lower Great Lakes
Good Morning Folks!
Cup of coffee and a Doughnut please.
Hope everyone has a great day!
Steven
Good Morning! (yaaaaawn) I guess I fell asleep in here last night. Woke up, looked around and I was still here. Coffee and a waffle please. Thanks. Sunny, with a high near 64. North northwest wind between 3 and 7 mph. My sinuses are acting up already so I’m in for a coughing spree before long. Daytime isn’t bad, except first thing in the morning busting up the stuff from the night before. It’s the nighttime after you lay down coughs that keep you awake and coughing like crazy because all the gook drains down and tick…….. You know, maybe I won’t talk about it at the breakfast table. Y’all have a Great Day now ya hear?!!!
Good Morning! (yaaaaawn) I guess I fell asleep in here last night. Woke up, looked around and I was still here. Coffee and a waffle please. Thanks.
Sunny, with a high near 64. North northwest wind between 3 and 7 mph.
My sinuses are acting up already so I’m in for a coughing spree before long. Daytime isn’t bad, except first thing in the morning busting up the stuff from the night before. It’s the nighttime after you lay down coughs that keep you awake and coughing like crazy because all the gook drains down and tick…….. You know, maybe I won’t talk about it at the breakfast table.
Y’all have a Great Day now ya hear?!!!
Good cool/rainy morning.
Worked on a couple of train cars yesterday. Got the customers close to being done. Still got the roof and stuff to do yet. I also messed around with the layout and had a BIG derailment . Just going to fast!!!
Not much planned other than some weathering, and what ever else I can find to do .
Barry..........Good to hear you are fine.
Joe...........I'm also sorry about your lost.
"Rust, whats not to love?"
Mourning Folks
Flo, English Muffin and Coffee Please.
Joe, sorry about the lost of your grandfather.
Galaxy, Two things. 1 Yep today cars have way more of what seems like silly parts. But today's cars get twice the MPG and have twice the power for the gas used than when they where simple. I think when I first got my 1963 VW Bug it got around 21 MPG and had a whole 40 HP.
Dropped by my mechanic shop yesterday to visit. Bob happen to have a Kia Sedona up on a lift. Asked Bob what he thought of them. He said "I rather have a sledgehammer shoved up by %^$ than work on one of theses POS". Then he said "I rather work on your Dodge than theses". Bob is Chevy Guy.
Ken
I hate Rust
Anybody have one of those little worthless computers from the late 70's, early 80's lying around? Something about the size of that little pc (what a joke) Timex came out with. Any really small computer will do but it has to be non-op and free. I intend to attach some wires to it and secure it inside the engine compartment of my van. The next time some know-it-all counter man says he has to hook up a diagnostic computer, well the opportunity is just too good to pass up. Just watching him try to find an adapter for it would be priceless!
jeffrey-wimberly Anybody have one of those little worthless computers from the late 70's, early 80's lying around? Something about the size of that little pc (what a joke) Timex came out with. Any really small computer will do but it has to be non-op and free. I intend to attach some wires to it and secure it inside the engine compartment of my van. The next time some know-it-all counter man says he has to hook up a diagnostic computer, well the opportunity is just too good to pass up. Just watching him try to find an adapter for it would be priceless!
I had one of those one time---could actually write some pretty good music software for it too!
I'm guessing that one could even use a black box type of affair--stick a couple of wires in it running wherever and see the mayhem ensue----nah---on second thought maybe not---might get the FBI at your door looking for their GPS things
Good Morning!
We be all up and piculous this mornng--getting ready to go do some shopping and dining out today--then it'll be into the recording studio to work on some pieces----have a good one!!
Any argument carried far enough will end up in Semantics--Hartz's law of rhetoric Emerald. Leemer and Southern The route of the Sceptre Express Barry
I just started my blog site...more stuff to come...
http://modeltrainswithmusic.blogspot.ca/
Morning all
Thanks for the commiserations on the Kia Sedona. I hope over all it turns out to be a decent vehicle.If not when I have it paid off in 3 years trade it in on another Grand Caravan. At least with DOdge I know what to expect. The 98 Grand Caravan was reliable {except rountine maintenace} until it got to be 9-10 years old when original equipment started to fail and a wire in the engine wiring harness was loose that a $56 fix at the Dodge dealer {guaranteed to never fail again} took care of, after 3 different sensors were replaced at a few beaucoups bucks.
Blownout I have GERD {gastro esophageal Reflux disease} And have acid reflux. I even had corrective surgery done on my stomach/esophagus. I get spasms and intense pain in my chest and even went to the hospital once in agony to be told it was reflux spasms, and to drink some numbing topical stuff and given morpine to calm it down. I have since had a few more but suffer through it unless the pain pattern changes, i will then go back to the hospital. I take Nexium {newer version of Prilosec- which is OTC at least here in the States}. That may help you best. Zantac, Pepcid and the other reflux meds OTC did nothing/do not work for me. Just food for thought if you find the Zantac not working well. ANd yes, I will take Nexium for the rest of my life and have taken Prilosec and Nexium for years and uears now. Miss one daily dose and I am in agony!
ns3010 - sorry to hear about your grampa's passing. will put up extra prayers for him when we light the prayer candle today.
Packer- I used ot could do SOME work on my 88 and 91 caravans. But now am befuddled by new stuff and affraid to touch it so I have to pay to have fixed these days. I don't trust older vehicles anymore as my knowlege has faded, and I definitely need reliable transportation to get to my many Drs appts and such. Assumeably with a newer vehicle one will have that. I dunno. Eventually it will be very hard to find parts for-even at a junk yard- and have to learn how to adapt things which I cannot do. When it costs as much to repair an older vehicle than getting a "newer" vehicle, I figure it is time to get rid of it. Also here in NY vehicles tend to rust well, and I don't trust rusty older vehicles. If I was as adept at working on vehicles as Jeffrey or Cuda Ken is/are, I might stand a chance.
Well, other half has to go in to work for get this a whole hour or hour and a half while the "boss" is on a phone meeting. THen has to loose the hour later in the week, and is only getting 18 hours anyway. at least 18 hours is better than nothing. Dunno know when the bakery will have hours for myother half as supposed ot be in the cake decorating field and the bakery manager wants creative talents as other half already works in the floral dept doing floral arrangements. Manager assured would get bakery hours as wwll as the creativity preceeds my OH.
I have few plans as vehicle less for today and if the KIa takes more I will get a loaner car. The Kia was to be in today anyway to replace both front seatbelt retractor assemblies as they both were failing. Now if they can fix the other issue the check engine issue, today I will be happiER.
WEll, I have bored you to tears enough already so
have a great day!
TTYALLL8R
-G .
Just my thoughts, ideas, opinions and experiences. Others may vary.
HO and N Scale.
After long and careful thought, they have convinced me. I have come to the conclusion that they are right. The aliens did it.
@ Galaxy: Thanks for the tip!! Appreciate that!!
Oh, found an interesting video--ever hear of Steampunk? Lookie here--
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2Z_DxU-3rQ&NR=1
Special thoughts and prayers requested for train nut friend whose son is inthe psych ward at the hospital after leaving a suicide note they found in time. Last week they discovered ropes hanging from rafters in seldom used garage.
THe kid has been trouble {hes 18} for a long time. Illegal Pot head, alcoholic {had a blood alcohol level of 2.6 at the night they went to the emergency psychiatric program at the hospital}.
He was complaining about being depressed girlfriend who was living with them left him due to his violent outbursts. I think he is thusly bipolar like me.
I can have such mood swings and be violent outbursts one minute and depressed next. THat why I gave up alcohol - it is depressant and makes depression worse. My mediactions seem to now keep me on an even keel, though I still get seasonal affective disorder depression during the months of winter Jan-March when I rarely go out of the house unless to Drs appt or food shopping I get so depressed.
So pleas add the boy to the prayer lists!
Thank you
We'll pray for him
Good Afternoon,
just dropping by for a coffee and a slice of pumpkin pie, as Halloween is casting its first shadows. I am glad that this craze is slowly fading here, it has turned into a big nuisance, giving teenage kids a reason to turn into vandals. I will stop here - we had that discussion before.
Galaxy - I have added the young man onto my list. Suffering from depressions is bad, really bad. I know what I am talking about - I still have to fight against it.
Barry - that Mo Wolpert chap is a heck of a crazy guy. My son could probably tell you more about him, he likes that kind of music. Anyway, here is some info on him. I have also been suffering from those "hickups" for a while, but miraculously, they disappeared after I fell and broke some ribs. Now this is not a recommendable cure for it
Talking about Kias, they were pretty bad cars, when they entered the German market. The new generation models, designed in the Kia design center in Germany, are actually pretty good and affordable cars, though not a bargain anymore. I understand that it is a different range of models than in the US.
It has turned pretty cold in our neck of the woods. I made an appointment with my garage to change the tires to the fur-line version and to give the car a winter check. The augurs are predicting a winter as bad as the last one. Yup, winter is coming. Better I move to Arizona now...
TTFN (= that´s that for now?)
Mornin' everyone!
Zoe I'll have a Breakfast Bagel with cheese and a cup of dark roast coffee in a R&GV Mug this morning. I'll be sitting at the Rivet Counter for a bit.
Galaxy, consider it done.... Hope the kid is able to turn this around.
Time is running short to get everything done for Meet this Saturday. Lots of last minute odds and ends THAT I need to get done and I have to be at a "Shake hands and smile a lot" type of meeting for all us Chartered Partner Organization Representatives for the Scout District tonight. We will be told how wonderful we are and how important to the Scouting Movement and how much Council appreciates all the hard work we do (mostly signing stuff). Then we will be brought up to date on all the things Council is diong for Scouts (which they are) and how we can help pay for it............ Then we get to shake hands with everybody, and hopefully go home! More than likely a complete waste of time, but I was asked to be there to represent my church (we charter 2 Troops). Any other time I wouldn't mind going, but not with all the other stuff I have to get done.
So.... why am I sitting here? I have w*rk to get done today!
Later!
Galaxy, we will add your friend to the prayer list. It’s a shame to hear someone that young having so many problems.Ulrich, you know it snows in Arizona and parts of New Mexico right? I’m sure not as bad as Germany.Jeff, you mean the Timex Sinclair (My Mother’s second husband’s brother developed that, and yes I agree it was a stupid design) it had cool buttons (I got to pick out the buttons one day at my Grandmother’s house) ROFLMAO.
Good Afternoon everyone. I'll take a cheeseburger and sries.
LSWrr North East Rail – we are lucky I guess to have a place called Pullapart. It’s an over organized junk yard. You need something really hard to reach they will have a tow motor set a car on a rack for you to work on. If you need tools they have a tool room and you can rent almost anything for $1/hour.
North East Rail – we are lucky I guess to have a place called Pullapart. It’s an over organized junk yard. You need something really hard to reach they will have a tow motor set a car on a rack for you to work on. If you need tools they have a tool room and you can rent almost anything for $1/hour.
Wow! That sounds like a good place to go. If you can't reach, they'll drag the car on the lift, and raise it for you to get to it.
It ain't that way for the local junkyards. Of course, I guess it's a good thing that Florida (at least, in my neck of Florida) doesn't see a lot of rain, because if you can't reach the part, you are going under.
Hot, dusty work under those cars (with the exception of this one yard in a swamp) but it's fun to me. Give me something old and greasy to work on, and I'll be occupied for a long time.
galaxy Special thoughts and prayers requested for train nut friend whose son is inthe psych ward at the hospital after leaving a suicide note they found in time. Last week they discovered ropes hanging from rafters in seldom used garage. THe kid has been trouble {hes 18} for a long time. Illegal Pot head, alcoholic {had a blood alcohol level of 2.6 at the night they went to the emergency psychiatric program at the hospital}. He was complaining about being depressed girlfriend who was living with them left him due to his violent outbursts. I think he is thusly bipolar like me. So pleas add the boy to the prayer lists! Thank you
Don't worry, he's on my list. I'll pray for him
the North East Rail Modeler Wow! That sounds like a good place to go. If you can't reach, they'll drag the car on the lift, and raise it for you to get to it. It ain't that way for the local junkyards. Of course, I guess it's a good thing that Florida (at least, in my neck of Florida) doesn't see a lot of rain, because if you can't reach the part, you are going under.
the North East Rail Modeler Good Afternoon everyone. I'll take a cheeseburger and sries. LSWrr: North East Rail – we are lucky I guess to have a place called Pullapart. It’s an over organized junk yard. You need something really hard to reach they will have a tow motor set a car on a rack for you to work on. If you need tools they have a tool room and you can rent almost anything for $1/hour. Wow! That sounds like a good place to go. If you can't reach, they'll drag the car on the lift, and raise it for you to get to it. It ain't that way for the local junkyards. Of course, I guess it's a good thing that Florida (at least, in my neck of Florida) doesn't see a lot of rain, because if you can't reach the part, you are going under. Hot, dusty work under those cars (with the exception of this one yard in a swamp) but it's fun to me. Give me something old and greasy to work on, and I'll be occupied for a long time.
LSWrr: North East Rail – we are lucky I guess to have a place called Pullapart. It’s an over organized junk yard. You need something really hard to reach they will have a tow motor set a car on a rack for you to work on. If you need tools they have a tool room and you can rent almost anything for $1/hour.
Got me a used blower motor from one of those, or Mom and friend did, and then I led the charge getting the sucker installed. You guys tak of modern car being hard to get o, but nothing I've had to change on my little Pontiac 6000 has been easy. The Blower *Just* requires prying the motor up and keeping it tilted forward so it don'r smash your hand as you try to wedge the blower in. The Starter wasn't much easier, as it happens to sit right above the cross-brace for the chassis. Good shelf I suppose to get it to sit on for a breather, but a pain for getting to the bolts.
Still, Dad's 94 S10 wnet for 210 before we retired it, and it woulda gone for more most likely, so I'm hoping I cna do similar with my first car, at least last long enough to where I can get me a job before I'll need to replace her.
Like some help form those of you feeling creative:
For sake of I like the cute little thing, I picked up a shorty Diner. One of the old Kasiner Hobby models, I suspect, or someone who got hold of the tooling.
I plan on turning it into a Lunch-Counter-concessions car. Something that can be leased to museums seeking food serv ice on theri trains and a place to hock off their baubles, or be charted by excursions needing the same. 90% of the time, I figure they won't need true "Dinner" service, just something that can do lunches, perhaps breakfast as needed. Maybe heavy lnches, but still largely basic meals.
And in anticipation, I've already got "Elliot's" in reserve for something else if I can ever find a model of it, so we can pull that one out.
-Morgan
Howdy .... We just returned home after being out of town for 12 days. ... I'll be back to catch up soon....... Cheers.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
Thanks to all those who put the suicidal young man on their prayer list. He needs all he can get.
So continue to prayer all for him so he can get on a better path to a better life. Hopefully he won't have to suffer for many years like I did before serious work on his situation and illness is taken care of.
Thanks to all who do, it is muchly appreciated.
Decaf coffee in a Santa Fe mug, please.
My wife took me for a drive up towards the mountains to see a pair of old passenger cars with caboose. One of the car & caboose had sheet metal welded over all the windows. However, the second passenger car still had windows and the door was unlocked, so we let ourselves in. The floor was very soft and my wife just said, "You go ahead and investigate", which I did. It was an old Diner in pretty poor condition. A couple tables left, a stove and parts of this and that. Had fun looking in the cabinets and seeing the pipe work and assorted stuff. Will bring my camera next time.
Have a good night y'all. Cheers! Rob
Aw man Rob, some guys have all the luck. Just remember to tread lightly and be careful.
If you can read this... thank a teacher. If you are reading this in english... thank a veteran
When in doubt. grab a hammer.
If it moves and isn't supposed to, get a hammer
If it doesn't move and is supposed to, get a hammer
If it's broken, get a hammer
If it can't be fixed with a hammer... DUCK TAPE!
Goooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooood Evening, plate of cheeseburgers with a bucket of Mello Yello please and thank-ya.
GALAXY: Man...sounds like THAT kid is in a tough spot. Best wishes for him and his family for sure. I hope he gets the help he so badly needs. In order to truly get THAT help however, he has to WANT to be helped. I learned years ago it is pointless to try to help someone who doesn't want it. Hopefully, he makes some (good) decisions and gets things turned around. I would imagine it would be to his benefit to voluntarily go to rehab, rather than have it be court-ordered or do some time in the can for the pot/pot growing.
Not to make light of this guy's situation, but time was (not so many years ago), the "psych floor" was the only place in the hospital a guy could smoke. No, I was never a "guest" of said floor, but it was common knowledge among us EMTs/paramedics. While w**king in Creston, Iowa, we sent a disturbed lady to such a floor in Des Moines. She tore up one of our ER treatment rooms pretty good. Taking her outside for a smoke calmed her down almost instantly. We (me, my partner, the cops, and deputies) took up a collection so THAT the Union County Deputy taking her to Des Moines could stop at Casey's and get her a carton of smokes. I've had some people get downright nasty with me for having a) given her a smoke, and b) buying her smokes. "You were a paramedic, how could you do THAT?" Simple: always act in your patient's best interest. If having a smoke calmed her down, made her NOT a threat to herself, me, my partner, the rest of the staff, etc., and brought a little happiness to her messed up life; then darn-right I'll bum her a smoke.
In a heartbeat.
$10.50 a pack??? Geesh, I'd need to be locked-up if they did THAT to me here... It's bad enough THAT the cheapest in town (Pal-Mal) is up to $5-something. Of course, most of THAT goes to taxes and funding children's health insurance (in Iowa, anyway). IF the goal is to jack the price so more of us quit...what will they tax next to make up for the decreased revenue???
$5.00 for a can of Coke?
No Ma'am....no soapbox needed, I'm not ranting, just posing a rhetorical question whilst contemplating the ever increasing cost of my lung rockets.
Just finished up a huge article for THAT Editor, part of a "walk-up" to the Nov. 2 elections. Our 2nd Congressional District is in-play, with the incumbent (D) going up an (R) <in name only>. He whooped her the last time, will probably whoop her again this time. But, a Constitution Party candidate and a Libertarian are also challenging. THAT called for a "short" piece introducing the D and the R and their "issues." Welllllllllllllllllllllll THAT alone was around 800 words, and barely scratched the surface on where they stand on a handful of issues. Then, to be "fair and balanced," and comprehensive, I included the Constitution guy and the Libertarian. The final product is around 1900 words. She will have a stroke. But, so far, the "third party" guys haven't gotten much (if any) press from the other media outlets, AND they ARE on the ballot...seems to me we have a duty to include them.
On a sanity break from the monster article... I painted a boxcar this afternoon, laid down a very nice coat of CNW old yellow. The Harbor O' Freight airbrush did (as usual) a magnificent job for me. I then pulled the tape off just a bit too soon, and now have a nice "chip" out of the very nice coat of paint. Oh well, the roof is rust-bucket city (by design), so a rusty patch/dent/ding on the side won't look too far out of place.
I'm gonna step out the back door, launch a lung rocket or two, enjoy the cool night air...
Chris
The Cedar cRapids Industrial Branch: Proudly Shipping Yesterday's CrunchBerries Tomorrow!