Elliot´s Trackside Diner April 2011

[howmus]

Evenin' Folks!

Flo just a decaf and maybe a tiny slice of the blueberry pie.....  Uh, just a bit bigger, keep going, yep that'll do it.  What do mean that's two slices....  Well I won't tell if you don't.

So what's all the noise in hear tonight?  Nirvana? Smashing Pumpkins? Pink Floyd....  Dead Presidents? Oh, sorry I think that may be those electrical guys, you know?  AC/DCC or something like that.  Oooohhh  some Leonard Skynard!  I do kinda like his music, but frankly I prefer Berlios or maybe Jerry Brubaker...  What?  Who's he?  Chief arranger for the United States Marine Band, That's who!  Old friend of mine from college too.  Gustave Holst is good. So is Kodåly and Orff.  I guess my taste in music is a bit different, but it comes with the territory.

Curt?  What Photo?  Did you mean the one Barry just posted?

I spent the evening tearing out and completely relaying an 18" section of mainline coming out of Hopewell Junction tonight.  One end of the track is hand laid code 70 that has been there over 25 years.  That was fine.  The other end was some code 83 flex track I put down about 4 years ago.  Connecting them was a Walthers code 83 to code 70 track section.  The roadbeds were about 3/8 inch apart in height so I used a section of cedar shim to connect the.  Most of my rolling stock and all the locos have had no problem navigating it even with no easement at the top.  the new coaches are just long enough from the coupler to the truck to have the coupler ride up and uncouple at that spot.  I tried to work it so the coaches would not uncouple there last night to no avail.

So tonight I cut out an 18" section including the Walthers 83 to 70 track, removed the ballast and old hand laid ties.  Then got out my belt sander and the vacuum and had at it.  Put down new profile ties, cut some leftover sections of Micro engineering code 83 track to fit, and repaired the section.  BTW, did you know that Atlas "n" scale track joiners work very well with code 83 and code 70 HO Track?  Yep, I found that out when I was working on the Civil Merit Award project.  They also look much better, solder nicely, and almost disappear after the track has been painted.....  Didn't have time to try running the passenger train through the area, but will do that tomorrow. 

I also found a track in the tunnel at the end of the yard that has the old code 100 track where a area where two sections of flex track are joined that had gone out of gauge and was causing derailments in there.  It is at a point where one rail is much longer than the other in one section so when i soldered them there is a space in both places where the joint is made that doesn't have any ties under the track.  Usually this is fine in a tunnel where no one will ever see it.  You have an inch space followed by 2 inches or so of ties (plastic) followed by another inch space.  never caused a problem before, but over time the loose ties under the track had worked all the way down to one end so there was 3/8 inch space followed by 2" of ties, then 1 5/8" space.  Just enough to let the track go out of gauge enough for the truck to fall into the hole.....  I moved the ties back over in place and the gauge is now correct and the trucks stay on the track.....  Ties are now glued in place!

Hope you all have a great night!  Tomorrow I may bring in a recording of Richard Strauss's Also Sprach Zarathustra!  THAT should wake some people up!

73

[jeffrey-wimberly]

My favorite bands?

The Beach Boys, Bill Haley, Bobby Darin, Buddy Holly, Carl Perkins, The Chantays, Chuck Berry, Dick Dale, Eddie Cochran, Elvis Presley, Jan & Dean, Jerry Lee Lewis, Ritchie Valens, Roy Orbison, The Surfaris, Bee Gees, Neil Diamond, The Troggs, Dave Clark Five, The Animals, Herman's Hermits, Eric Mantel, Eric Clapton, Gordon Lightfoot, Pink Floyd, Alice Cooper, Climax Blues, Three Dog Night, Jefferson Starship, Pure Prairie League, America, Atlanta Rythym Section, Alan Parsons Project, Chicago, The Beatles, Rolling Stones, among others.

[cudaken]

 Evening Folks!

 Flo, bucket of beer and a straw!

 Boy what a beautiful day it was today, but it shucked.

 Work Front While I was on the phone with Ben (my boss) we where talking about the projections of what the store could do this month. At the current paces I will hit around $56,000.00 which will be a all time record. Last month I sat the all time record with only $45,000.00. (store had been averaging  $35,000.00) Berry the owner was listening and and stated "If you hit $60,000.00 I will give you a 2 foot tall trophy and a $1500.00 bounces". While that sound great and all and would love the extra cash. But, at this point unless I get real lucky I don't see the paces will pick up that much. But you never know so keep your fingers crossed for me.

 Rotten Kids and there parents. I have seen more than my fair share of rotten brats in my days. I have had them running, screaming, interrupting me while talking, jumping form bed to bed, kicking the beds, beating up on there siblings, bleeding on the beds and blowing chunks on the beds! 

 But, today this little rotten *** set new standers!  While he was a terror from the get go,running, screaming, jumping on beds going behind my counter gaping my stabler, phone, books, and interrupting me. The Feast of Resistances was when the printer jammed. While I was bent over trying to get the jammed paper out he shoved a ball of  Play-Do down the BACK OF MY PANTS! It took all I could do from smacking the little ***!

 All Mon said was " Adam leave Mr Ken a lone so we can go home". The dumb female dog should have been beating the brat with in a inch from his life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 I am with W C Fields on this subject. W C Fields was asked by a reporter how he like liked Children. He said "I like them fried". 

 Pretty much set the tone of the rest of the day. Today sucked!

 But I am off Wednesday, thank God!

                Ken

[TMarsh]

Bands?

Jeff's list minus Pink Floyd, (come on....I don't wanna hear it. Not saying they are bad, just not my cup of tea) Not really a big Beatles fan either. Anyway, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Yes Lynyrd Skynyrd and Led Zepplin (best rock band ever IMHO), Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, George Stait, Waylon Jennings, Brad Paisley, Southern Culture on the Skids, Aerosmith, soooome Guns and Roses, George Jones, Emy Lou Harris, Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson, that silly Elton John, Marshall Tucker Band, Molly Hatchet, Marvin Gaye, Waylon Jennings, Liked Electric Light Orchestra and Blue Oyster Cult back in the Day, Charlie Daniels of course, Merle Haggard, The Man jerry Reed, Hoyt Axton Hank Jr.and oh the list goes on. Rather eclectic (sp) list I have. Basically it's the song or group of songs I like rather than any particular genre. That's all for marketing any way. Guess you have to call it something so you'll know where to put it at the Walmart. I listen to country when I do beause, until lately, they had the most songs I liked. Now......well lets just say I don't listen to the radio or buy Cd's much anymore at all unless they are old stuff. Few and far between there's a good one thrown in there. I kinda like the last two releases (or so I think they are) from Miranda Lambert.

Ooops, almost forgot.....Waylon Jennings.

See ya'll in the morning.

[wetidlerjr]

Good Morning ! from Tipton IN.

[galaxy]

jeffrey-wimberly

My favorite bands?

The Beach Boys, Bill Haley, Bobby Darin, Buddy Holly, Carl Perkins, The Chantays, Chuck Berry, Dick Dale, Eddie Cochran, Elvis Presley, Jan & Dean, Jerry Lee Lewis, Ritchie Valens, Roy Orbison, The Surfaris, Bee Gees, Neil Diamond, The Troggs, Dave Clark Five, The Animals, Herman's Hermits, Eric Mantel, Eric Clapton, Gordon Lightfoot, Pink Floyd, Alice Cooper, Climax Blues, Three Dog Night, Jefferson Starship, Pure Prairie League, America, Atlanta Rythym Section, Alan Parsons Project, Chicago, The Beatles, Rolling Stones, among others.

I'll second that list plus add a few more of my own, but won't take time to list here now.

Rain rain and more rain!!!!

1st half of 6 hour safe driver course is over. We did it this year through AARP for the first time and apparently MOSt of the seniors there have never taken a safe driver course at a ll and some of the questions or comments they made to the "safe driver" alternatives makes one SERIOUSLY think that maybe they shouldn't have a driver's License!!!! lIke if you are making a turn to the left and have to wait for oncoming traffic, one NEVER turns the wheel that direction until one is ready to execute the left turn. They thought that was a  joke! {the reason you don't, for those who here may not know, is that if you get rear-ended then you get shoved directly into the on-coming traffic if your wheel is turned! Whereas if you wheels are straight you only get shoved forward and NOt into oncoming traffic.}

It was really nice, they served coffee and tea and refreshments!

Second half sometime today. It is boring as all get-out, but to save a bit-o-money, I guess it is worth it AND we at least have that recond on our car insurance and save a few bucks and get favored discounts! IN NY for those idiots who have points on their license for wrong-doing I think they can get 4 points knocked off if they complete the course.

WEll that all for this AM

I hope everyone has a great day!

TTYALL8r

[Cederstrand]

Glass of water, please.

About an hour of sleep thus far. Ugh!

I like Rush, among many bands too numerous to list.

Later, Rob

 

[blownout cylinder]

Good Morning...

A very eclectic bunch we are....I also like me some John Coltrane, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Hubert Laws, Billie Holliday, Art Blakey, Ella Fitzgerald, as well as classicals by Stravinsky, Rimsky-Korsakoff, Bartok and Ives...

[GMTRacing]

Good morning All,

   43F and rainy this morning. I've been off my feed a bit and scrambling at the shop so I've not been in much. I'll have a regular and a blueberry muffin to go please. Missed the museum last night as I went home and fell asleep waking up too late to go. They've changed my meds around a bit and i suppose I'm just adjusting to it all. Good part was the adjustment was because the blood pressure was trending lower.

  Layout front is progressing with all the foam base down and road bed started in places. Walthers has the foam WS bed on sale so I've a bunch of that on the way while I clean up the salvaged track from the last layout. I'm using latex caulk (left over from the house projects) to hold the bed to the foam and so far it seems to be w..king well. I can move the stuff after it drys by just carefully prising it up with a putty knife and cleaning it off to reattach. Total used ended up being 7 half sheets of 2" and two half sheets of 1" extruded polystyrene foam sheet.

   Ah bands and music. I guess all the above plus Frank Zappa, the Who, the Byrds, Edgar Vareze, John Cage, Charles Ives and of course Quicksilver Messenger Service, Dave Brubek, Hank Williams, Bob Wills, Ray Price. Probably be easier to list what I don't like... Bubblegum and Disco and Rap being chief among them.

   I'll wander off now and get after it back in the shop. Try to catch up on posts later.    Catch y'all later, J.R.

[teen steam fan]

Todd- Yeah, Waylon's awesome and Jerry Reed is the man. I didn't figure country into this, but I also have a few suggestions

Tom T Hall, Waylon, Jerry, Hank Williams Jr. Toby Kieth, Johnny Cash, Big and Rich, Charlie Daniels band, Willie Nelson, Eddie Rabbit, The Highway Men John Denver Ken Mellons, Montgomery Gentry Ray Stevens, trace Atkins, Tracy Bird, Travis Tritt, and a few others I might of forgot. 

Well, gotta go. See yall on the on other side of the day. 

[Heartland Division CB&Q]

Hello everybody..

Regarding bands, the once was a group of musicians who played instruments made of rubber. It was the first rubber band.

I'm still in AL working on troubling stuff.

Glad to see some work is being accomplished with layouts. Rob is into his N scale project. Chris has photos of his freight cars. JR is busy building a new layout to replace the old one. Jim CG is buildin a bus.

Mark (Hoople) good to see you back.

Shelley is with grandkids near Detroit. She sent me this write-up pertaining to Heaven and Detroit.

 

Heaven Saint Peter was manning the Pearly Gates when forty people from Detroit showed up. Never having seen anyone from Detroit at heaven's door, Saint Peter said he would have to check with God. After hearing the news, God instructed him to admit the ten most virtuous people from the group. A few minutes later, Saint Peter returned to God breathless and said, "They're gone!" "What?  All of the Detroiter's are gone?" asked God. "No!" replied Saint Peter.  "The Pearly Gates!!"

 

[LSWrr]

Good Morning,

Todd: “I really should change the oil in the mowers today so I can mow grass tomorrow” Really?!? Is there no rest for us?  I just finished blowing snow 2 weeks ago. 

 

Curt; I had trouble crossing from one mainline to the other in DCC.  I had to make a couple cuts in the turnout and I was trouble free.  The double ended yard and the sidings have no problems at all.  I’m a retired Boatswains’ Mate and when it comes to electricity my knowledge stops at standing in a bucket of water when working on electricity is not safe.  So I go here where they provided pictures: http://www.wiringfordcc.com/  Here is the direct link for turnouts V. DCC: http://www.wiringfordcc.com/switches_peco.htm

 

I’m using 1960 to 1980’s brass turnouts on my layout I bought for $1 - $10 each and haven’t had any problems making non-DCC friendly turnouts into friendly DCC turnouts.  All it takes is 2 cuts and 2 drops of CA glue and you’re good to go!  My train friends didn’t believe all 100+ turnouts are painted brass.  This web site will also teach you how to fine tune your turnouts for maximum satisfaction and minimum aggravation.

[Wisconsin Railfan]

Good Morning Folks!

Tall glass of sweet tea please!

Sorry been away for a couple of days, been busy with house stuff.  We have our inspection today, hoping all goes well.

Have a great day all!

Steven

[Curt Webb]

Morning All,

Flo just a cup of coffee please.

At w**k again. High today is supposed to be in the mid 80's. I think I am going to have to move some more turnouts. The problem I have on some is when I tacked them down I did not give enough room for the curve that diverges from the straight section. It is easier to move the turnout a couple of inches than tear up the cork and redo it, plus it will look straighter.

LSWrr- I am a retired QMCS(ss). I do have the wiring for DCC saved as a favorite. Although a lot of it is very easy to follow, the switch section drawings for some reason are very difficult for me to follow. I usually do much better with hands on learning. I have 3 sections on my layout that have cross over from both mains thru 2 turnouts. I went with the plastic rail joiners for the electrical isolation. I will reread the turnout section and maybe something will penetrate my brain.

Everyone have a great day.      

[TMarsh]

Good Morning!! Coffee please I’m running very very late this morning. Had to send an update E-mail to my Aunt and you know how I like to talk. Besides, I see Also Spracks Zera-thoooostra or whatever, is all keyed up and I’m afraid Ray will either come in dressed as a space guy, or worse, Elvis. I don’t wanna be here for that. Rumor has it he’s been up all night with one of those “as seen on TV” pop rhinestone things and an old leisure suit he found in the closet. Ray and Spring, you just never know what to expect.

Mostly sunny, with a high near 71. I must go through the mowers and mow today. I can’t see the mailbox. (slight exaggeration )

But Galaxy, if the wheels aren’t already turned, then you could miss that golden split second when if you stomp your foot to the floor you could juuuuust make your turn and your back bumper will clear the oncoming care by oh at least a good 2 inches. Providing, of course, the oncoming car with the right of way, has the good reaction time and sense to anticipate this and slam on the brakes as they should. Otherwise it’s the oncoming cars fault. They hit them in the rear of the car.  Actually, somehow either way it’s never the turning cars fault because…..well I‘ve never understood their reasoning for that actually.

When it comes to bands, or artists, there are rally only a very,very few I can say I like as a whole. Meaning most of the songs they have on an album I would like. Most others, and like I said they would be waaaay to numerous to mention, I like a song or two, or maybe even a period. Now Waylon Jennings, I don’t think there’s a song he did I don’t like, at least to some level.

Garry-

Lee- Well, that’s retirement Hoss. Might as well, got plenty of time. We have nothing else to do right?

GOT to get going.

Ya’ll have a Great Day!!!

[Hoople]

Mornin' Folks.

Went out bowling yesterday. Did mediocre as usual. I think my average was somewhere in the 80's or 90's.Meh.

Good to see so many Led Zeppelin fans in here! Perhaps I should play Moby Dick... maybe once I get some recording equipment that can actually handle drums without dying I will.

Alright well I gotta split,

Mark

 

[howmus]

Afternoon folks.....

Zoe I'll have the roast beast club sandwich w/ potato chips and one of them dill pickle thingies.  What? Oh, It comes that way?  Don't forget a pot of dark roast coffee as well.

Garry. the first time I ever heard the intro section of Also Sprach Zarathustra I was a Freshman at Eastman.  One of the upper classmen who had a room up in the top floor of the dorm had an audiophile sound system up there.  He turned the volume up, ah, a bit and let her rip!  When the first full chords played...  I can't describe both the pain and the thrill.  WOW!  That was long before 2001 A Space Oddesy.  Actually one of my favorite movies was Close Encounters with its use of the theme by Kodåly (re, mi, do, do, sol).  The whole concept was from the hand signals developed by Kodåly for teaching music reading to little kids.  First time I saw it I was laughing so hard I couldn't get my breath.  everyone else in the theater thought I was nuts.  My wife said she was never taking me anywhere again....  i did explain to her why i thought it was funny......

Have a dermatologist app't in Canandaigua today, so I best get going.

Later!

73

[GMTRacing]

Hmm - this is getting out of control me thinks.  Ray in his Elvis suit with a shield and viking horn hat, Wailing Jennings, Fred Leplin, Moby Grape (no not Moby Dick, Moby Grape - you know the Psycedelic type band from the 60's )oh never mind.... Anyone for Jim Duval and the Gauchos - how about Buck Owens of Dwight Yoakum ? All this thinking makes me hungry whats for lunch and how long is the RBF line?    J.R.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Good morning. It's 75° sunny. The high will be 83° and it will remain sunny.

My sinuses are still giving me problems but no balance issues today. This morning I went through and updated my backup list of internet links which I keep on a SD card with other backup information in case my hard disk goes down for some reason. This makes it quick and easy for me to reinstall my software and links. Anyone not keeping backups is playing with fire and someday they'll get burned. I keep my hard disk information backed up on DVD's and there's a complete ready-to-go copy on another hard disk. I can just change out the drive and I'm back in business. And because of a hard lesson learned the hard way long ago I keep no personal information whatsoever on my computer. Not even a phone number and certainly nothing to do with my finances. No bills, receipts, statements or anything of a financial nature. It's just too easy for someone to fish around and find something. I don't even keep such things at home. Anything that doesn't need to be kept is shredded into confetti which is then burned. Documents that have to be kept for some reason like taxes or are of a legal nature are kept in a secure location away from my home and out of the reach of identity thieves. Mr Security I'm not but I do what I can.

[Anonymous]

Good Evening,

I am late today - spent most of today in bed. The bug I caught has developed into a nasty case of brochitis, giving me a hard time to breathe properly. I hope it´ll go away soon.

Flo, chamomile tea, please.

I had planned to run to our local home improvement place to find some pieces of scrap lumber I need to complete the "benchwork" for my bridge module, but this will have to wait until I am better. I am eager to start on that ...

Talking of music, my liking is more towards Ray´s kind of listening. 20 years ago I worked for Sony Classical (the classic music part of the former CBS Records), bringing me into contact with some of the Big Ones of this trade - Pavarotti, Domingo, Barbara Hendricks - just to name a few. I also like Jazz, Big Band, Irish Folk, and of course, the hard rockers of my teenage time, Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Jethro Tull, Iron Butterfly, and, for the "softer" moments, Santana. Today´s popular music does not catch my interest at all.

Well, I´ll be heading back to bed!

Have a good one.

[howmus]

Afternoon again folks!

just biding  time until i have to leave for the Dr. App't.  Flo I'll have a cup of hot cocoa if you please.

Sir Madog

Talking of music, my liking is more towards Ray´s kind of listening. 20 years ago I worked for Sony Classical (the classic music part of the former CBS Records), bringing me into contact with some of the Big Ones of this trade - Pavarotti, Domingo, Barbara Hendricks - just to name a few. I also like Jazz, Big Band, Irish Folk, and of course, the hard rockers of my teenage time, Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Jethro Tull, Iron Butterfly, and, for the "softer" moments, Santana. Today´s popular music does not catch my interest at all.

Ulrich, most all of what you have listed falls into my favorite categories...  I like most all styles except overly commercial country and much of the stuff being screamed today.  Actually there is some Rap I even like (mostly stuff not on the top hits), the predecessor of Rap, African Griot I love as I do most folk culture music around the world.  Griot was a way of teaching children ethics, history, and their culture.  I love European Renaissance style as well ( not unlike African traditional music with lots of polyrhythms and free meter).  When I just want to sit back and chill I turn on some Enya.......

Got to go!

Later!

73

[GMTRacing]

Unfortunately Rap turned into a swamp. It wasn't always like that going back to when it was called talkin' blues and up through the start of the newer era such as James Brown trying to preach with it (though a bit of do as I say, not as I do, eh?)

[galaxy]

Well, went to the second half of the 6 hr driver safety course. I realize it is full of seniors who have been driving for some 40-50-60 years {or more}, but I swear some of them maybe shouldn't be driving! I HOPE I never get that way! Taking the bloody course every 3 years we could about teach it and MOH and I were asked if we would be interested in doing so as volunteers. MOH took an aplication, but I said it would take time away from work that maybe MOH doesn't really have. I dunno. I am about sick of it as I have taken the course so many times I'm not sure I'd like to teach it ad nauseum on top of it!

Took the certificate of reciept to the insurance man....he said the reciept will do to start the discount, and when we get teh final certificate to bring it in, but we would save $25 now for the next 6 months. SO it cost us $24 to take it for both of us and it will save us at least $125 the next 3 years assuming rates don't go up {HA HA HA}, so it was worth the torture, I guess!

Went adn got a hair cut. When I was a teen in the 70's I had to have long hair I fussed with and used a hair dryer to shape just "so" every morning after my shower. Now I can't stand it when it gets to be 1.5 inches long..it has to be short as they can cut iot with scissors. I'd buzz it myself, but MOH likes it scissors cut. I was told that I don't have to look at it all the time,but MOH does. Gotta please the other half, you know!

WEll, I think i have a nap, I haven't been sleeping well lately like many other insomniacs in this diner, so maybe I catch up. I could have slept in this morning if it weren't for the darn course.

TTYAL8R

[jeffrey-wimberly]

galaxy

Went adn got a hair cut. When I was a teen in the 70's I had to have long hair I fussed with and used a hair dryer to shape just "so" every morning after my shower. Now I can't stand it when it gets to be 1.5 inches long..it has to be short as they can cut iot with scissors.

You wouldn't like mine. It's shoulder length and has been more or less since I got out of the army in 81.

[GMTRacing]

Mine too Jeff - right up until the pony tail went in and out of the fan pulley on a Porsche I was adjusting. Since then I'm in the "Galaxy" class (kept the beard tho).    J.R.

[Packer]

Hey guys

Not doing much. Bought some paint for the RI hoppers, and some metal bars to use as weights for the centerbeams.

Lately I've realized my car (94 mustang GT) has been behaving more like a turbo-4 banger. It's getting great mileage (Heck I'm at 180 at half a tank), but is sluggish at the bottom end. I'm aware it's all in the tune, and the chip isn't back from when the smoke got let out. My tax refund will be going to my alignment, but after that I don't know what I should get next.

For the car guys:  I have a few things on my plate regarding my car. But I don't know what I should get after the alignment. Guys want to rank these in order of importance?

• Buying and installing Subframe connectors
• Replacing my A/C Condenser and refill the system
• Replacing my 2.73 gears and stock axles with a 3.55 gear and hardened axles

Right now I'm leaning towards A/C next because I probably won't race much in the summer. But after that?

Garry, Lol

JR, Very true regarding rap. I don't listen to any of it.

Galaxy, Around here I'd have to say a good chunk of the "older" drivers shouldn't be driving. Today I was driving though a construction site (they are adding a series of overpasses by the airport on the way to college) and slowed down to 30 (the speed limit; I learned my lesson long ago) some old lady comes up behind me and almost rear-ends me. Then pulls around at the last second, and knocks over a whole bunch of cones and caused one county worker (probably on break) to have to leap out of the way. Sadly no cops.

[GMTRacing]

For sure Vincent if you have summer coming get the A/C fixed first. After that I'd get the subframe connectors done and any other chassis stuff before doing the drive train. Connectors very difficult to install once tub is twisted from racing starts.   J.R.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

GMTRacing

Mine too Jeff - right up until the pony tail went in and out of the fan pulley on a Porsche I was adjusting.

Yowch! Boy I bet that smarted! I don't keep mine quite THAT long.

[cudaken]

 Afternoon folks.

 Feeling kind of yucky today and tired. Was up late last night watching the new CBS show about the CIA and it was pretty darn good. Think it is call CIAOS, you can watch it on CBS.com.

 Well it is that time of year to start cutting the grass again. Man I cannot believe how tall the back is all ready. Just hope the darn mower starts after sitting with gas in it.

 Vincent I can see why the A/C would be the first item. But after that I am with JR, go with the subframe connectors! I installed them after I replaced the rear subframe in my 69 Charger (it rusted in half)

 I all so replaced the front torsion bars with Hemi bars then added the subframe connectors. The Charger drove like a brand new car, even the doors closed better! I did warp the roof a little on the Road Runner when I was getting in the 11 second range then I added the cage to stiffen up the car, and so I could pass teck.  

 On the car poor lower end. Have you checked for timing chain stretch? It will change the cam timing as it stretches and will hurt lower end, but gives a boost in the higher range. 69 Charger 440 had 125,000 on it when I got it and lower end was pretty weak. But higher RPM's pulled like a bear. Checked for deflection in the chain and had 6 degrees of slop. Replaced the chain and the bottom end came back.

 If you have adjustable rocker arms, check the lash. Tight lash will hurt lower end power.

 Ken

[Cederstrand]

Grilled chicken dinner, please.

For you Gear Heads (& Mopar fans) here in the Diner, here's a video interview with my cousin (August is the 3rd interview) and one of his engines:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nbhih4vAsMc&feature=player_embedded

Wish my cousin lived closer, we could have used his help today. My wife took in her folks car (we ended up with) for new tires. Add a ton of extra stuff done later, I don't even want to tell you guys what the Bill came to. Can't help wonder if she got ripped off. Yikes, she will be putting in a lot of overtime now. Same day as hay delivery...ouch!

Long day doing farm chores. Tuckered out so am going to relax the rest of the evening. Hope y'all are doing well. Rob