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Elliot´s Trackside Diner - July 2014 Edition

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  • Member since
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  • From: Finger Lakes
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Posted by howmus on Friday, July 4, 2014 9:17 PM

Evenin' folks!

Janie, just a decaf for me please...

Well (a deep subject!), I got the flowers along the fence and a bit more of the garden weeded today.  Also spread the rest of the mulch around the posies by the fence.  My knees are sore tonight....  Also mowed the side lawn by the fence.... so I could get a few good photos of what I did there.

Durn purdy if'n I do say so meself.... (Chews on haystalk).

Once again I didn't get down to the layout today.  I got a phone call from a guy who is the business manager at Boy Scout Camp (Math Teacher who used to work for me back when he was a kid).  Seems a couple things are not working right with the sound system out there.  One is most likely a bad cord...  Somebody yanked it hard or set something down on it that was heavy and sharp.  The other problem is going to be (or may be) a bit more expensive and if it is from I think it is I will be letting the powers that be out there know I am ticked!  One of the new $500+ speakers is only producing Bass...  I think it is likely that some idjut on staff decided to see how loud it can go while playing some tunes, just for fun.  It most likely clipped the amp and sent square waves into the speaker.  Not a good thing and a very common way to destroy the speaker...  I will se what the settings on the board and the amp are tomorrow when I check it out.  I will also contact the dealer to see if it is 1. still under warrenty, and two what he suggests we do to get it fixed or replaced. 

I have yet to hear any pops or booms outside here...  There is usually a major fireworks display down by the lake tonight.  Nothing in the neighborhood either. 

Oh, Ken, nice grill!  Nice price!  What time is dinner on Sunday?  Steaks?  T-bones?  I'll be there...

Have a good one!

73

Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO

We'll get there sooner or later! 

  • Member since
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  • From: Canada
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Posted by JeremyB on Friday, July 4, 2014 9:27 PM

Ken: I agree with Howmus, what time is dinner on Sunday? Should we bring anything?Yes

Homwus: I agree with you the garden does look good. I plated mine about a month ago and using the plant food every ten days or so. The garden has exploeded in flowers. Its all you can smell when out there. Smells good

I almost finsihed up that warehouse kit. Dont you hate it when you only have a few pieces to go and they fight out. My case I have two pillars to go and they just wont line up with the wall. I may have to make up some shims so that they will looks even. Hate when a kit doesnt want to go together right with only a bit too go. Oh well, were model railroaders right we can figure it out.

 

  • Member since
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  • From: Orig: Tyler Texas. Lived in seven countries, now live in Sundown, Louisiana
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Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Friday, July 4, 2014 9:57 PM

Good evening. 76° and 91% humidity. Mostly clear with no mention of rain. None of that in the forecast until Monday.

Well, several have suggested it and I have to agree with them. I believe the vans engine is tired, worn out. It has enough compression to start when the engine is cold and it can burn the tires pretty good if I let it. But when the engine is hot it doesn't have enough compression to pull the fuel down into the cylinders. No way can I afford to rebuild it so maybe find a descent one for a low price. In the meantime I'll try something that I've been toying with. Shooting compressed air down into the carb while cranking to force the fuel down to the cylinders. Might work, might not. I won't know til I try.

The nurse came by this morning and put a new wound vac dressing on. She did a terrible job. So far, just today I've used an entire sheet of drape (the adhesive film) to repair it and keep it together. One sheet is about eleven inches by seventeen inches in size. That's the equivalent of two regular sheets of paper.

Cleaned some of the clutter off the layout extension and pulled the //e closer to the edge, almost to the track so I can reach the keyboard more easily. Checked the postal tracking earlier and I see the disk drive I bought for $28.99 Tuesday is looking like it'll be here tomorrow. Sooner than I expected. I hope it doesn't go to Columbia Louisiana like some items have in the past. That would add two or three days to the delivery.

Watched a couple of movies and played one game of Star Fleet 1. I'm in the process of playing another one now.

Time to call it a night. See y'all tomorrow.





Running Bear, Sundown, Louisiana
          Joined June, 2004

Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running Bear
Space Mouse for president!
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Running Bear Enterprises
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beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam


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Posted by galaxy on Friday, July 4, 2014 11:58 PM

Jeffrey: what year, size, cylinders, type engine is it? and what tranny does it bolt up to?

Just wondering.

My parents had a 1976 Dodge maxivan with a 318 v8 in it hat eventually broke the crankshaft. It ran OK at up to 30-35 MPH, but higher speed would "seperate the gap" and cause it to fail. They finally replaced it in 1993 Dodge maxivan, and my father still has that van. He believes in keeping 'em for at least 25 years. The '76 had sometimes problems on cold starts, and had to wait a few seconds to to try to restart. I always thought that he should have taken it back to the dealer and demanded they solve that problem, but he was content to wait through 3 or 4 tries to get a startup on the 5th try.

He is afraid to buy a newer one as his runs, and he's afraid of the new "drive by wire" that many new cars now have.

I also can't see me, let alone him, alowing the newer car to park itself!!

just wondering, though what kind of replacement engine you seek or how much a rebuild would cost?

What kind of vehicle would you like to replace it with if you could {within reasonable budget?}

enquiring minds want to know.

Geeked

 

-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.

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Posted by galaxy on Saturday, July 5, 2014 1:51 AM

well, I am early, but awake now {until I take that new pill, then I'll conk out}, SO:

GOOD SATURDAY MORNING!

Today is Saturday,

July 5th, 2014!

Healing energies, thoughts,

and prayers go out to

those in need. We have

the same people on the

list, but no one new,

fortunately.

Quotable Quotes:

The best way to be more free is to grant more freedom to others. -Carlo Dossi, author and diplomat (1849-1910) 

“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style” 
― Maya Angelou 

“Ask for what you want and be prepared to get it!” 
― Maya Angelou 

There once was a lady so fair 
That no one could see she was there : 
It may not seem decent 
To be so translucent, 
But we pardon all things to the fair.
 ***

 

MAKE IT A GREAT DAY

*** I have a cute limerick that may be considered to risque for here, the last line only{actually several that might be too risque for here}. Iff'en you are brave and PM me, I'll share it with you! Its's risque, but not filthy!

Geeked

-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.

  • Member since
    June 2004
  • From: Orig: Tyler Texas. Lived in seven countries, now live in Sundown, Louisiana
  • 25,640 posts
Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Saturday, July 5, 2014 1:53 AM

galaxy
Jeffrey: what year, size, cylinders, type engine is it? and what tranny does it bolt up to?

1980-81 Dodge 318 V8 with 2-barrel non-electronic carb. The tranny is a three speed torqueflite that doesn't employ a lock-up torque converter and uses Dexron fluid. Dexron II or III is kinda hard to find here but Dexron IV or V works well. It's stated on the dipstick not to use type A, type F, etc.

Running Bear, Sundown, Louisiana
          Joined June, 2004

Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running Bear
Space Mouse for president!
15 year veteran fire fighter
Collector of Apple //e's
Running Bear Enterprises
History Channel Club life member.
beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam


  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: upstate NY
  • 9,236 posts
Posted by galaxy on Saturday, July 5, 2014 1:58 AM

jeffrey-wimberly

 

 
galaxy
Jeffrey: what year, size, cylinders, type engine is it? and what tranny does it bolt up to?

 

1980-81 Dodge 318 V8 with 2-barrel non-electronic carb. The tranny is a three speed torqueflite that doesn't employ a lock-up torque converter and uses Dexron fluid. Dexron II or III is kinda hard to find here but Dexron IV or V works well. It's stated on the dipstick not to use type A, type F, etc.

 

 

Do you think we could find you a  replacement motor and have it installed or would you rather look for a different mode of transport?

Geeked

-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.

  • Member since
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  • From: Orig: Tyler Texas. Lived in seven countries, now live in Sundown, Louisiana
  • 25,640 posts
Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Saturday, July 5, 2014 2:31 AM

galaxy
Do you think we could find you a replacement motor and have it installed or would you rather look for a different mode of transport?

A different mode of transport would have to be a van (a minivan ain't gonna cut it) or a full-size truck with a step up to the cab. Ford or Dodge. No GM. Nothing that's gonna require a bunch of work to make it drivable. Auto trans only. Due to an almost total lack of sensation in my legs I can't handle a manual shift anymore. On a replacement motor, 318 or 360 complete. If I can get him to do it my nephew could install it. He can almost do it in his sleep.

Running Bear, Sundown, Louisiana
          Joined June, 2004

Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running Bear
Space Mouse for president!
15 year veteran fire fighter
Collector of Apple //e's
Running Bear Enterprises
History Channel Club life member.
beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam


  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: upstate NY
  • 9,236 posts
Posted by galaxy on Saturday, July 5, 2014 2:38 AM

jeffrey-wimberly

 

 
galaxy
Do you think we could find you a replacement motor and have it installed or would you rather look for a different mode of transport?

 

A different mode of transport would have to be a van (a minivan ain't gonna cut it) or a full-size truck with a step up to the cab. Ford or Dodge. No GM. On a replacement motor, 318 or 360 complete. If I can get him to do it my nephew could install it. He can almost do it in his sleep.

 

 

If it is the same one who carouses and drinks and didn't cut down the tree, you'd HAVE to get him to do it in his sleep! It might be the only way to get his to do it!

Out of curiousity why wouldn't a minivan work? I can sit into it just fine, and I is a shortz peoples. No having to climb up to sit, no sitting DOWN into it. it works fine for me. Inow have trouble climbing up into my fathers 1993 Dodge maxivan! and It si nto the most comfortable to sit in on the passenger front side. Hes had to take me for my injections a few times. That may be the worst time to get in and out of the van, though. We had {as a family} full size vans since i was oh, avbout 9. I have had 4 minivans, comfy they are without being too big.

ARe you up early or can;t sleep?

Geeked

don't know if this would fill the bill:

http://binghamton.craigslist.org/cto/4498627441.html

been up for a month, 

-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.

  • Member since
    June 2004
  • From: Orig: Tyler Texas. Lived in seven countries, now live in Sundown, Louisiana
  • 25,640 posts
Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Saturday, July 5, 2014 2:59 AM

galaxy
Out of curiousity why wouldn't a minivan work? I can sit into it just fine, and I is a shortz peoples. No having to climb up to sit, no sitting DOWN into it. it works fine for me. Inow have trouble climbing up into my fathers 1993 Dodge maxivan! and It si nto the most comfortable to sit in on the passenger front side. Hes had to take me for my injections a few times. That may be the worst time to get in and out of the van, though. We had {as a family} full size vans since i was oh, avbout 9. I have had 4 minivans, comfy they are without being too big. ARe you up early or can;t sleep?

Can't sleep. Why wouldn't a minivan work? I intensly dislike them. I also like having the larger cargo space. I makes moving things like sheets of roofing steel and eight foot foam board a lot easier. I also have to be able to transport large items like a tractor with bush-hog on a trailer. I still move stuff like that. Kinda hard to do it with a small van or mid-size truck.

Running Bear, Sundown, Louisiana
          Joined June, 2004

Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running Bear
Space Mouse for president!
15 year veteran fire fighter
Collector of Apple //e's
Running Bear Enterprises
History Channel Club life member.
beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam


  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, July 5, 2014 3:23 AM

Good Morning!

A hot & humid day, with a chance of some thunderboomers later in the day. Yesterday´s thunderstorm passed a little south of us, all I could see during the night was the lightning, but no "booms". Lots of ra*n, though.

I was not happy ith the looks of the roof of the engine house. Somehow, it got too dark and looked more like a slate covered roof, but not a roof with cedar shingles. A wash with a heavily diluted white acrylic paint did not bring any improvement, nor did weathering the roof with white powder pigments. So I decidedm for a more radical cure and gave the roof a careful, but decisive scrub with a wire brush and coarse sandpaper. The result is astonishingly pleasing.

I may dare to cute those missing shingles today!

Jeff - keeping my fingers crossed for you to find a decent and affordable set of wheels!

The German team sent the French home in yesterday´s Soccer WC match. I am not much of a soccer fan, but that put a smile on my face. Don´t know why Mischief

Have a great day!

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Posted by "JaBear" on Saturday, July 5, 2014 4:29 AM
Gidday All, thanks to all for the kind words, and the candle Galaxy, Allan was an “old school gent” and yes, the good memories definitely will be celebrated. In one of the ironies of life I’ll ask Chloe to fill your glasses again as another old friend and mentor passed away later the same day. Bobs flew RNZAF Corsairs in the Pacific in WWll and had a full and useful life, though complications from Parkinsons got him in the end, so while it may sound terrible, his passing was a blessing in disguise.
Thoughts and Best Wishes to All that need them.

Cheers, the Bear.

"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."

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Posted by hon30critter on Saturday, July 5, 2014 5:06 AM

Bear:

Sorry about the loss of your veteran friends. There are fewer of them left every day.

My dad was in the RCAF. He flew primarily as a Navigator/Bomber in Lancs but he also had some time in Mosquito Night Fighters as the navigator as well as Wellingtons and Canso flying boats (the Americans called them Catalinas).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canso_flying-boat.

 

In fact he was shot down in a Canso by a Uboat of all things while on Coastal Patrol on the west coast of Scotland. The Uboat had captured a fishing trawler and was laying on the sea side of the trawler (as opposed to the coast side) so it couldn't be seen when the Canso was approaching from the coast. The Germans managed to destroy an engine and tear the plane up a bit. His skipper managed to avoid going down in the sea but when they got back over land they were in worse trouble. All the fields were divided up by stone walls and there wasn't much space to land the plane without crashing into a wall. The skipper got it down safely and the crew were relieved, but a few minutes later the locals showed up with pitch forks and shot guns to arrest "the enemy"! None of the locals spoke much english. Their native tongue was Gaelic (sp?). They were convinced that my dad's crew were Germans. It wasn't until the local constabulary arrived that things were sorted out. After that the locals totally changed their approach and proved to be quite generous hosts once they knew they were dealing with the right side.

He went on to become the Commanding Officer (Lt. Col.) of the Ontario Regiment, Royal Canadian Armored Corps after the war.

My dad passed away on Feb 12, 2013 at the Sunnybrooke Veterans Hospital in Toronto.

Thanks for letting me share a bit about him. We need to do everything we can to remember the sacrifices our veterans have made.

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

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Posted by zstripe on Saturday, July 5, 2014 5:43 AM

Good Morning all!

RB,

A new rebuilt long block would cost you about 1500.00 dollars. You install or have someone do it. A long block is everything in the motor new, with rebuilt heads. You take your intake, carb, fuel pump, exhaust manifold, oil pan from your motor and put it on that one. Then give them whats left of yours. They deliver and pick up. JASPER is well known for their engines and stand behind them 100%. I have used them three times, bought two 302 Fords and one 350 Chevy from them in the 90's, but then they were 750.00. I would highly recommend their rebuilt long blocks. The only thing that would bother me about your van is, the brake and fuel lines. That age they are about rusted and thin skinned, which do give out. And the suspension. Might be cheaper in the long run to just replace the whole vehicle. Here is the Jasper link, should you want to check it out:

http://www.jasperengines.com/index.php

Have  A Good One All! Big Smile

Frank

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Posted by galaxy on Saturday, July 5, 2014 6:28 AM

JaBear:

I have lighted another candle for this frined's "safe passage" as well.

SOunds like he had a full long life and survived the war, sometimes  a miracle in itself.

SOrry to hear of two losses in one day.

Angel

-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.

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: upstate NY
  • 9,236 posts
Posted by galaxy on Saturday, July 5, 2014 6:35 AM

I DO hope I won't get into forum trouble for this, but here goes:

I have an Idea {yeah I know, now my head hurts!}:

Frank with the stripes and anyone else who wants to HELP see if we can something to help Jeffrey with his transportation dilemma, Please PM meAutomobile

Like me, I do believe he has NO  "take the bus option" so he HAS to have a vehicle, the more reliable the better! He needs the vehicle to get to Doctor's appts if nothing else, as well as to go buy food and such. Automobile

SO please PM me if you are intereested in helping!

Automobile

Geeked

-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.

  • Member since
    January 2010
  • From: Chi-Town
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Posted by zstripe on Saturday, July 5, 2014 6:56 AM

Galaxy,

Yes Yes

Take Care! Automobile

Frank, with the Stripes

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Posted by galaxy on Saturday, July 5, 2014 7:06 AM

zstripe

Galaxy,

Yes Yes

Take Care! Automobile

Frank, with the Stripes

 

Frank, sent you  a reply to PM!

Thanks

Geeked

-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.

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Canada
  • 1,745 posts
Posted by JeremyB on Saturday, July 5, 2014 8:13 AM

Morning guys

Sun is out and I plan on sitting outside for a while and flipping through some MR. I finish the warehouse last night. All I have to do is set it on the railroad and plant some weeds and grass to give it a settled look. I will do that later when I come in from outside. Dont want to sit out in the stong though as the UV index is high today.

  • Member since
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Posted by galaxy on Saturday, July 5, 2014 9:35 AM

Hmm

My computer is running slow, v e r y s l o w.

It may havet o go to the ER for puters, As I don't know a thing about speeding them up.

I could try come Monday if it is still working to get to the anti-virus software company's clean up pc " area" with the help of a helpful person. Last time i tried, my Credit card rejected the charge, even though they approved the caharge FOR the anti-virus service! So I had to call the card company, straighten that out, and then could not get ahold of the antivirus company, who had already done a LITTLE work on it. Apparently that was enough to do it.

It may speed up later as the net may just be slow, it IS 4th weekend, so lots of people off and online.

Remember, if you want to help Jeffrey out with transportation, PM me! We can do it! I am sure we can! I have made my pledge, have another.  PM me if you wish to do so!

I havet o go to the pharmacy to get the paperwork to fill out for the accident meds.

Today is mail day. I hope good things cometoday.

Geeked

-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.

  • Member since
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  • From: Orig: Tyler Texas. Lived in seven countries, now live in Sundown, Louisiana
  • 25,640 posts
Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Saturday, July 5, 2014 10:40 AM

galaxy
Like me, I do believe he has NO "take the bus option" so he HAS to have a vehicle, the more reliable the better! He needs the vehicle to get to Doctor's appts if nothing else, as well as to go buy food and such. Automobile

No bus service out here. Not even one in town. There's medical transport available but the paperwork for insurance is a nightmare. My father and I both have tried dealing with these people and they're impossible. Taxi way out here isn't even an option. Some of my appointments are eighty miles away one way. The nearest podiatrist that takes Medicaid is at the end of that eighty mile trip. To this point my father and step mother have taken me there as my vehicle is too undependable to make a round trip of one hundred sixty miles. Heck, it's not even able to make a round trip to town and back without trouble. My father and step mother are eighty and eighty-one respectively and have things they need to be doing for themselves and their own medical issues. Add to that my father often has to take off work to take me there. That's a major inconvenience to him.

Running Bear, Sundown, Louisiana
          Joined June, 2004

Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running Bear
Space Mouse for president!
15 year veteran fire fighter
Collector of Apple //e's
Running Bear Enterprises
History Channel Club life member.
beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam


  • Member since
    June 2004
  • From: Orig: Tyler Texas. Lived in seven countries, now live in Sundown, Louisiana
  • 25,640 posts
Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Saturday, July 5, 2014 10:54 AM

galaxy
My computer is running slow, v e r y s l o w. It may havet o go to the ER for puters, As I don't know a thing about speeding them up. I could try come Monday if it is still working to get to the anti-virus software company's clean up pc " area" with the help of a helpful person. Last time i tried, my Credit card rejected the charge, even though they approved the caharge FOR the anti-virus service! So I had to call the card company, straighten that out, and then could not get ahold of the antivirus company, who had already done a LITTLE work on it. Apparently that was enough to do it.

What antivirus program do you have? I use AVG and it hasn't failed me yet. Started using it way back when I was using Win98. It's free and costs you nothing but your time to download. The only time I've seen it slow a computer down is if that computer (like my fathers PC) is a bargain basement system. It has mostly high quality parts in it but he cheaped out on the main-board and bought one that was easy on his wallet. It has WinXP Home and is at the end of the road for upgrades. It has only a 2gig RAM capacity, maybe 4gigs if it's tweaked to within an inch of it's life. You get what you pay for.

Running Bear, Sundown, Louisiana
          Joined June, 2004

Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running Bear
Space Mouse for president!
15 year veteran fire fighter
Collector of Apple //e's
Running Bear Enterprises
History Channel Club life member.
beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam


  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Finger Lakes
  • 10,198 posts
Posted by howmus on Saturday, July 5, 2014 11:07 AM

Mornin' everyone!

Zoe, just a cup of dark roast coffee and a couple sour cream dougnuts to dunk...

Beautiful day here in the Finger lakes region of NYS!  Currently 71°F under sunny skies with a nice breeze.  high will be around 78°F later this afternoon.  I am very sore today from the hand weeding of the flowers by the fence.  I will be going out to Boy Scout Camp early this afternoon to see what is going on with the sound system....  When I get back home I need to weed more of the garden (raised beds) and mow some lawn.  Tomorrow will be spent volunteering at the R&GV RR Museum.  Don't know yet whether I will be a car host or museum guide.  Depends who shows up to do the various jobs.  We will be running a diesel train as the second track car is still out of service.

 Jeffrey, I can't help to still think what you are dealing with is a vapor lock on the Van.  I don't think compressed air is going to help a bit, but worth a try, maybe.  We used to have vapor lock problems with the old 1936 four ton axle Chevy truck on the farm.  Also ran into it with some old tractors from time to time.  You know an electric fan (12 v) stuck somewhere under the hood might be able to cool off the top of the motor quicker and help the problem disappear at least faster for you.  Is your van one of those that has the engine between the front seats or actually in front.  Opening the engine hood might help it cool faster....  I dunno?  Not a mechanic, but did a lot of baling wire fixes as a kid on the farm....  Good luck to you and yes, the final fix is to get something better to drive.  Hopefully something a lot more efficient and cheaper to opeate as well.

Catch you all later!

73

Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO

We'll get there sooner or later! 

  • Member since
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  • 25,640 posts
Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Saturday, July 5, 2014 11:59 AM

howmus
Jeffrey, I can't help to still think what you are dealing with is a vapor lock on the Van. I don't think compressed air is going to help a bit, but worth a try, maybe. We used to have vapor lock problems with the old 1936 four ton axle Chevy truck on the farm. Also ran into it with some old tractors from time to time. You know an electric fan (12 v) stuck somewhere under the hood might be able to cool off the top of the motor quicker and help the problem disappear at least faster for you. Is your van one of those that has the engine between the front seats or actually in front. Opening the engine hood might help it cool faster.... I dunno? Not a mechanic, but did a lot of baling wire fixes as a kid on the farm.... Good luck to you and yes, the final fix is to get something better to drive. Hopefully something a lot more efficient and cheaper to opeate as well.

Most of the engine is accessible from within the passenger cabin. Read my post below.

*

Good morning. It's 81° with 56% humidity. It'll be sunny with a high of 88°.


This morning I went out and took a good look under the hood of the van. What I saw was that the fuel filter was very close to, almost touching the bottom radiator hose. The metal fuel line was making contact with the engine in several places and it runs very close to the top radiator hose. I used 12 gauge automotive wire to pull the filter away from the radiator hose and tied the other end to the vehicle frame. Did the same where the line was touching the engine and tied the wires off to the A/C brackets which are no longer being used anyway. Same for where it was next to the top radiator hose. I then wrapped several layers of aluminum foil around the fuel filter and every bit of the fuel line I could reach. For now the foil is taped in place. It'll get it's test in the next hot start situation.

Plans for today. I have none. Looks like another movie and computer games day.





Running Bear, Sundown, Louisiana
          Joined June, 2004

Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running Bear
Space Mouse for president!
15 year veteran fire fighter
Collector of Apple //e's
Running Bear Enterprises
History Channel Club life member.
beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam


  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: upstate NY
  • 9,236 posts
Posted by galaxy on Saturday, July 5, 2014 12:09 PM

jeffrey-wimberly

 

 
galaxy
Like me, I do believe he has NO "take the bus option" so he HAS to have a vehicle, the more reliable the better! He needs the vehicle to get to Doctor's appts if nothing else, as well as to go buy food and such. Automobile

 

No bus service out here. Not even one in town. There's medical transport available but the paperwork for insurance is a nightmare. My father and I both have tried dealing with these people and they're impossible. Taxi way out here isn't even an option. Some of my appointments are eighty miles away one way. The nearest podiatrist that takes Medicaid is at the end of that eighty mile trip. To this point my father and step mother have taken me there as my vehicle is too undependable to make a round trip of one hundred sixty miles. Heck, it's not even able to make a round trip to town and back without trouble. My father and step mother are eighty and eighty-one respectively and have things they need to be doing for themselves and their own medical issues. Add to that my father often has to take off work to take me there. That's a major inconvenience to him.

 

 

There is a bus that runs from our county to the next {where we do all our business}. Bit it only goes by once a day and if you miss it. you are out of luck. The nearest bus in the next county {we are on the border: one county in front yard and the other in the back yard}. The backyard county where we do all our business is nearest bus stop is about 8 miles away. Quite a hike for an able bodied person, let alone me with my cane! It will prety much get you arpund hte triple cities, though, it may just take some time to get there and back. AND you are right: cabs dont' like to take medicaid transport as they don't get paid right away and there definitely is NO TIP!

Point was: I need a car and Jeffrey does too!!! Out in the middle of nowhere may have tis advantages, but transpo is nto one!

I'm pullling to get you into  a newer vehicle Jeffrey. Andybody who wants to back me up can PM me. LEts see what we can do, many hands make light work!

Geeked

-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.

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Bedford, MA, USA
  • 21,482 posts
Posted by MisterBeasley on Saturday, July 5, 2014 4:01 PM

Ugh, I've got a headache.  I just finished the second coat of polyurethane on the benchwork, and I suspect that's the reason.  There is still a lot of pollen around, and it rained yesterday, so I've been staining and polyurethaning in the garage.  I kept the car doors down to a few inches to minimize the pollen, but with minimal ventilation I got too much whatever into my lungs.  Oh, well, I'm away from that now.  Hopefully, I can get a third coat on the top boards tonight and have it ready for installation in the morning.

I borrowed the van for a trip to Home Depot for a piece of 2x8 pressure treated to replace a rotting board under the deck.  Of course, no trip to the Depot is complete without something for the trains, so I picked up the pink foam for both this addition and the next.

Ken, I thought of you at the Depot.  Folks were loading grills into pickups, and checking out the selections.  Another guy was bringing in his tank for a refill.  Yeah, it's going to be a summer of good eating.

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Canada
  • 1,745 posts
Posted by JeremyB on Saturday, July 5, 2014 4:20 PM

Mr B : Did you get to see any of the opening stage of the Tour today?

  • Member since
    June 2004
  • From: Orig: Tyler Texas. Lived in seven countries, now live in Sundown, Louisiana
  • 25,640 posts
Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Saturday, July 5, 2014 4:35 PM

Good afternoon. It appears the work I did this morning isolating and insulating the fuel lines on the van was for naught. I went to town earlier to get gas. $27 @$3.529 comes to 7.650 gallons. That gives me about 3/4's of a tank. On a 24 gallon tank that's about eighteen gallons. I have to stretch that for the month. I still have some money but I don't want to use it unless I have to. I came home and went inside to do some work that took about an hour. Went out to see if I could start the van. No dice. It just cranks and cranks but won't start. I sprayed some starting fluid into the pcv hose so it would drain right into the base of the carb. It cranked over faster but still no boom. Got the charger on it now so I'll try again in a while.

This morning the disk drive I bought last Tuesday arrived. The entry on eBay said 'Tested and working'. I tested it and while the electronics were fantastic the mechanism was damaged and would take a disk only thirty percent of the time. I tried with several disks and got the same result. Fortunately I had another drive of this model in the closet that had fried electronics but a fantastic mechanism. It wasn't too hard to tear both down and combine the good parts into a 100% operational drive which I have in service now and have connected a Disk II drive to the daisy-chain port on the back of it. I sent the seller a message describing what I had to do. I think it may have been damaged in shipping and I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt.

Running Bear, Sundown, Louisiana
          Joined June, 2004

Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running Bear
Space Mouse for president!
15 year veteran fire fighter
Collector of Apple //e's
Running Bear Enterprises
History Channel Club life member.
beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam


  • Member since
    June 2006
  • From: Maryville IL
  • 9,577 posts
Posted by cudaken on Saturday, July 5, 2014 4:37 PM

 Evening Dinners

 Flo, Beer Pleases

 Very Disapointing Day I felt awfull all day, don't know if I over did cleaning yesterday at work, push my self to hard last night lifting or just did not sleep well. All I got done today was The Wifes Bidding!
In other words, driving her around, giving her my Debit Card and sitting in the car with Sparkie. Did not do any oth the plan Yard Work I wanted to get done.

 New Grill, not sure if I like it?  Hmm While I love the cooking surfaces not sure about the Flame Control! It seems to have only 2 setting, High and Real High. OK, I just turned the Pork Steaks and flame as seemed to calim down some. Maybe the valves where a little stuck from not being used before?   

 http://s83.photobucket.com/user/cudaken/media/Personal/NewGrill001_zps267fcf57.jpg.html]

 Note the Cast Iron Heat Grids. Dinner

http://s83.photobucket.com/user/cudaken/media/Personal/NewGrill002_zps1a5340f3.jpg.html]

 

 Jeffery I beening a Mopar Freak do not think it is beacuse of low compression. I am with Ray, vapor lock / Carb Heat Soak.  This is a commone problem with Mopar's rather it be a 318 2 barrel, HP engine with after market parts! Here is a link for you.

 http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php?topic=52284.0

 Getting the fuel line away from the block is the first step. Thicker Carb Gaskets took care of mine. Blocking off the heat riser in the head that warms the intake all so helped many at the site. Good chances there is a lot of life left in your 318.

 Dinners done, hope I feel better Sunday.

 Ken

 

I hate Rust

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Bedford, MA, USA
  • 21,482 posts
Posted by MisterBeasley on Saturday, July 5, 2014 5:12 PM

Ken, what's your secret sauce?  Mmmmm...I can almost smell that cooking right now.  Penny is out with "the girls," so I'm grilling up some Italian sweet sausage to have with raviolis and marinara sauce.

Jeremy, no, I didn't watch Le Tour, but my DVR did, so I'll tune in tonight and pedal in fast forward while the commercials roll on by.

 

Edit - looks like the Chablis is on me...

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

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