Saturday, August 30, 2008

Horizon Update

Got the Fuel tank (and fuel pump) and the Exhaust installed on the '89 Horizon today. What a bear. Unlike most vehicles I've seen, the bolts for the tank straps actually come thru the floor pan and are welded to the floor inside the car under the seat. Of course, like every other bolt on this car, they snapped as soon as we we put a wrench on them. So, after tearing apart the back seat and discovering they were welded in place, Matt drilled them out and we dropped carriage bolts thru the floor.

Installing the pump was a bear also, the hole in the side of the tank is, of course, just barely large enough, maybe. The pump intake sock and the gauge float point opposite ways at the end of the assembly, so you have to gently fold the sock over and try to wiggle the float through without bending anything. Well, I guess I bent it. Now with a full tank of gas the gauge reads just under 3/4 tank, and with 3 gallons in the tank it was on empty. Oh well, just have to remember that the gauge reads 1/4 tank low. I'm not about to take it apart and see if I can make it worse.

On the top of the tank is a vent valve that I hadn't even thought of, although the Caravan and Voyager tanks also have them. Of course, when I tried to remove the valve from the rubber grommet the valve shattered. So, I went and dug out a spare Caravan tank. Fortunately, on the Caravan tank the valve is about 8 inches from the (much larger) fuel pump hole, so Matt was able to put his hand inside and gently push up while I used two pry bars and gently pried up evenly and removed it. It looks a bit different than the Horizon valve, but I can't find a parts listing to see if the replacement part numbers are the same. The Horizon seems to run great, so far.

Rock Auto screwed up and didn't ship the front and rear struts. They say they did, and the invoice and packing list say they did, but there is no way they could have. Each of the four struts weighs 15 - 16 lbs, and the only item shipped (according to the FedEx records) that weighed more than 10 lbs was the fuel tank. Both exhaust pipes were shipped as separate packages, loose with the label stuck on the pipe. So, I'm going back and forth with Rock Auto Customer Service trying to get them to ship the struts. They asked me to make sure that FedEx didn't hide the package under a bush or something. We'll see how it goes, but that's over $100 worth of parts that they owe me that I have already paid for. And I was hoping to at least get the rear struts installed today.

Gas went to 3.699 yesterday, as I expected.

Thursday, August 28, 2008

Ketchup

or catchup or something like that. I promised a while back that I would get some pics of the tractor show and the wedding up; here they are.

The day before the wedding we had an informal get-together at Veterans Park in GR for family members, mostly so that we could chat with our relly's and relax for a few. I hate to say it, but the only memorable photo I got from the picnic was this of a squirrel peeking out of the trash can:



The NCMFAAA show was a lot of fun. I mostly drove my tractor around pulling the "people wagon", but I took a few snap-shots as I went of things of interest to me. I missed the parade on Saturday because of the wedding but drove in the parade on Sunday, so I don't have any pictures from the parade.

Something new this year, Bruce Gould made a train out of a lawn tractor and plastic drums for the kids to ride around in. I think he was having as much fun as I was giving rides out:





Here's a photo of my tractor parked on the line:



Here's a restored W4, the "little brother" of my W6:



Here's an MD, which is the cousin of the WD6:



Here's an interesting configuration; an Allis-Chalmers C with a half-track setup:



Here's an interesting mess, a John Deere 5600 that has a Detroit Diesel Turbo engine installed. I don't know how much horsepower it has, but it makes this tractor scoot, and it makes quite a wail. Don't know if it's any good as a tractor anymore, though.



There are some other modified tractors also, how about a Ford with a Flathead V8? Those were available as conversions kits right from some of the dealers (so I'm told), but how about a Ford with a Lincoln V12? I'll bet the dealers never thought of that one.




Here's an old Allis-Chalmers WC. Why is this in here? Because it used to be ours, we swapped it and some cash for another WC that I could (and did) fix. This one had rims so rusted out that the tires couldn't stay on. There's been quite a few other changes to it, but the engine and frame and front gear were once ours. This tractor actually went out and ran a threshing machine for a few moments until it blew a crank seal right out of the block.



Not the greatest photo, but here is (l-r) a Ford, my W6, and an Allis Chalmers WD plowing a field together.





Almost forgot the wedding. Here's Corey and Kendra smooching at the reception:



Remember a while back I had photos of the watertower getting painted? Here's the finished product. In case you can't read it, it says

Grand Rapids

It's in Minnesota's Nature.



And in the place of honor, here's Phillip, who's looking so happy because it's time to call it quits for a bit.


Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Amazon.com

Parts for the Horizon will start showing up on Thursday and the rest should arrive on Friday, so guess what we'll be doing this weekend if FedEx gets it right (last time I got something shipped FedEx it got lost in transit and took two weeks over est.).

Got almost 1/4 inch rain last night from a storm system that blew thru. Looks like there might be another again late tonight.

Amazon now has an add-on that is a bookmark that allows you to add items from other websites to your Amazon Wish List.  It works pretty slick, too.  You can check out my wish list at www.amazon.com


Evvy, I will try to call tonight after the cell phone goes cheap.

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Over the top with the '89 Horizon

I hated to do it but I ordered the parts for the Horizon today from www.rockauto.com:

1989 PLYMOUTH HORIZON 2.2L 135cid L4 TBI (D)
AIRTEX E7000 Fuel Pump $ 44.79
MONROE 71767 Strut Assembly - Front 2x 28.79 $ 57.58
MONROE 901208 Lift Support 2x 10.82 $ 21.64
MONROE 71205 Strut Assembly - Rear 2x 25.79 $ 51.58
MONROE AK28 Shock Mounting Kit $ 6.07
SPECTRA PREMIUM ST37 Fuel Tank Strap $ 17.11
SPECTRA PREMIUM CR3B Fuel Tank $ 76.79
WALKER 17847 Muffler $ 25.79
WALKER 42591 Pipe $ 5.25
WALKER 44799 Pipe $ 9.64
WALKER 35344 Clamp 4x 1.09 $ 4.36
DORMAN 03128 Exhaust Bolt and Spring $ 9.44
Shipping $ 101.66
Order Total $ 431.70

Means the House Payment will be late, but that will cost me $25. I was going to wait, but the Fuel Pump for 82.79 went on clearance for 44.79. I figure it's worth it. I'm replacing the front and rear struts as well, means I will need to get the tires replaced and the alignment, but I can wait to install those until I'm ready to do the other work. Or, I will probably just take them in with the car to do the tires and alignment, the guy that does my suspension work is labor only, I always get the parts for him. That would work out better.

I generally like to buy local, but. Buying the tank locally was $130. The fuel pump was $160. The tank straps were $36. A generic muffler was $35. I didn't price the struts locally, but I saved more than the cost of shipping for the tank and pump alone.

All in all I think it was a good deal. And better than driving a car with a big hole in the gas tank 2 inches from where the end of the exhaust pipe is. And that does the jitterbug when you get over 55 mph.

Not that cold

Went to Bemidji yesterday, Gas there at 3.579 (except for Walmart at 3.489), same as GR.  This morning, all three stations in GR on my way to work are at 3.559.

Didn't get frost, but left the sprinkler on all night.  That's OK, the garden needed water anyway, it's been a few weeks since we've had any more than a light shower.  Lows between 40 and 45 degrees.  Although I've run the defroster occasionally, yesterday and today I've actually run the heater for a little bit in the car.

Sunday, August 24, 2008

Freeze Advisory

Freeze Advisory tonight, low supposed to about 30 degrees. If it is it will be a new record for this date.

Friday, August 22, 2008

WordPress Update

The weather is changing. Last week we saw highs in the mid to upper 80's. Today the high is supposed to be in the mid 60's, and the forecast for the next week doesn't show anything over the mid 70's at this time. Soon the snow will be flyin'!

I did a version upgrade of the blog software yesterday and, just like on the previous version upgrade, I lost all the links. I need to look back thru my posts to figure out what I did to fix that.

You see, that's the real reason for this blog: to assist my ailing memory. I can't remember from one day to the next what I have done or what I'm supposed to be doing, but if I blog it here then I can look back. You're browsing thru my memories when you read this blog.

Ugly, ain't it?

Edit: It's a Permalinks issue.  I just have to go to the settings -> Permalinks page and save the settings.  Don't change anything, just click save.  All better now!

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Maybe It's Worth It

Put gas in the '89 Horizon today. Of course, since the the tank leaks I can't get an accurate reading, but my rough estimate is 40 mpg. Did 272 miles on about 5/8 tank of gas (deducting the leaks). The gauge was on "E" and I only added 5 gallons to bring it to "1/2"; the tank is officially a 13 gallon tank, so call it 7 gallons which gives 39 MPG. Hey, that beats Vger's average 24 MPG over the last 10,000 miles by a long shot. And that 10,000 miles was over the last year (more or less, 9/9/2007 to 8/20/2008). That was about 420 gallons of gas. ASSUMING TODAY'S PRICE of 3.579/gal AND ASSUMING 40 MPG, driving the Horizon would save me $600 per year in gas.

ASS U ME

Maybe it's worth it.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Too Much To Do - Still

At some point last week (Wednesday? Thursday?) gas went to 3.579. Of course, that was AFTER I filled all three vehicles with gas.

We got the red '89 Horizon on the road, sorta. I still think there is something wrong with the suspension, although it may just be the tires. And you can't fill the gas tank over 1/2 because it all runs out on the ground because of the rust through on the tank. A new tank, straps, and electric fuel pump will run close to $200; will have to try to get that budgeted. It runs and stops very good now. And, even after 6+ gallons of gas running out onto the ground from a 13 gallon tank, the trip odo shows almost 200 miles at 1/4 tank, so I think the economy will be good.

So, here is the to-do list for the '89 Horizon:

From www.rockauto.com

Fuel Tank Spectra Premium CR3B $76.79

Fuel Pump Airtex E7000 $82.79

Fuel Tank Strap Spectra Premium ST37 $17.11

Muffler Walker 18292 $37.79

Extension pipe Walker 44799 $9.64

Intermediate pipe Walker 42591 $5.25

3 muffler clamps 1-7/8 Walker 35344 $3.30

2 used tires $50

Alignment assuming nothing wrong! $50

And we don't have a key to open the hatch, but it can be opened from the inside by crawling thru the back seat.  The hatch lift struts are blown and need to be replaced, but I'm not going to worry about them ($10 ea) until after I get a key to open the hatch.

So far, my records show that I have spent $965 on this car, including full gasket set; brakes including Master Cylinder, tubing, shoes, hardware, hoses, wheel cylinders; water pump; wiper blades; MAP sensor; hoses; coolant; oil; timing belts; power steering belt; alternator belt; chemicals. That does not include the cash I paid for it originally or the cash I paid the neighborhood mechanic for the engine work or the cash I paid the neighborhood machine shop for the rebuilt head.

I'm not really sure it was worth it.

I STILL haven't started on the Gladiator body rebuild. I STILL need to pull the head off the '92 Voyager. I sold the 5 spd from the '83 Horizon to a guy that just needed the case. And I'm not even thinking about the '70 Ventura or the '69 Catalina or the '89 Voyager or the '89 Turbo Caravan, all of which I need to do something with before they rot into the ground. And Matt has the '65 Ford PU all torn apart in the middle of the yard right now.

September is right around the corner, and soon after the snow will start flying. And I still don't have a garage.

Itasca County Fair

Well, we survived the Fair another year. Here are the highlights as I saw them.


There was a small booth that I thought was pretty well hidden. Matt says that the booth has been at the fair many times, but this is the first time I've seen it. This guy was playing several different types of pipes, here he is playing the Pan Pipes. Extremely good I thought; I went so far as to buy two CD's featuring his work. As soon as I can remember his name I will edit this post.




Thursday, August 14, 2008

Rust Bucket

Just under .5" rain overnight.

Today the animals go to the fairgrounds.

The '89 Horizon is being a PITA.  The underside is sooo rotten.  By the time we get done with the brakes every single nut, bolt, washer, clip, spring, hose, tube; any piece of hardware related to or along the way with the brake system will have been replaced/repaired.  Except for maybe the brake booster and the proportioning valve so far.

Found a neat website yesterday, www.webrodder.com.  You can look all you want; can't print unless you pay.  Can't even copy and paste, they are using Flash to publish with.  That's OK, I have copied way too much useless junk.

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Wabe - Again!

And I don't know when I will get a chance to catch up.

Gas has dropped, a penny at a time, over the last week to 3.639.

The tractor show was a blast, got to take the W6 in even though Matt thought he had permanently destroyed the tranny (he didn't). Got a few great pics.

My niece got married Saturday afternoon, got some great pics there.

Got to spend a few moments with my bro (wish it was longer, Mark!), I'm really hoping that we can drive down to Rice Lake and visit more real soon.

Jon, Patty, and Phillip were also here, got a couple nice pics of Phillip.

Fair entries start going in today. Filled the Gladiator up with gas for the first time since June, $70, OUCH!!!

Evvy leaves for school in Bemidji in a couple of weeks, got to get her a PC built soon.

Matt and I (again, mostly Matt!) got started working on the red '89 Horizon brakes again, hope to have that done before Matt starts back to school in a couple of weeks. I thinking I'm going to yank the drive train out of the '77 Catalina and pop it in the '70 Ventura to get that cleaned up temporarily.

Rained some overnight last night, just enough to settle the dust when I was last outside.

As soon as I get a chance I will elaborate on all the above. Maybe next week?

Later!!!!