Gas: I paid 2.79 this morning, at noon I see a couple of stations at 2.78. It's good to see a bit of competition around here.
Vger: is dead. Vger will be broken up for parts and scrapped. For six months I have been fighting its problems with no resolution, and while I continue to do that new problems continue to break out. At least I can salvage the new parts I have installed and use them on other vehicles.
Got .75" rain last night during a pretty good thunderstorm. Talked to someone who didn't get a sprinkle but saw the lightning both north and south of him.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Wednesday September 12, 2007
Gas: 2.86
Vger is driving me nuts. Anything over 1/3 throttle and the engine chokes. You can actually see and feel it, when I press the pedal past 1/3 the car starts slowing down, when I back off again it speeds up. Takes several miles and a downhill grade to get up to 60 mph. I've replaced the O2 sensor, MAP sensor, Fuel Filter, Fuel Injector. Timing is OK, Fuel pressure is OK, Compression is OK, no exhaust back pressure.
Frustrating. While the 2.5L is no racehorse, I at least used to be able to manage highway traffic, now I can't. Heck, the '92 Voyager can run circles around the 88 Voyager. Admitted, I haven't driven the 88 regularly lately. Back in April '07 the clutch blew, didn't get that fixed until June, then right after that (50 miles?) the timing belt blew, got that fixed and ever since it has been gutless. Checked the belt timing, it's dead on (because another mechanic put the timing belt on incorrectly on my Turbo causing Big Problems).
And, while I used to consistently get 22-24 mpg, I now get 18-20 mpg. Heck, the '92 Voyager gets 22 mpg rock solid with the same engine. So, I checked the spark plugs, maybe it's running really rich? Nope, the plugs (new after the timing belt was replaced) are almost bone white.
Fortunately, the Gladiator is still hanging in there, although the check engine light continues to turn on occasionally and it still needs a new heater core. Consistently gets 15 mpg.
Traded the A-C RC for an A-C WC. We have that running pretty good now, still need to sort out the charging system. Engine was frozen when we got it, took a lot of oil and a lot of bumping to get it loose, then had to remove and wash out the gas tank and carb.
Still haven't had a chance to work on the Pontiac's, probably won't now until next spring. I will need to drain the block on the 455 and add antifreeze. Need to do that to the 77 Catalina also. Had 29 degrees this morning, had to scrape the frost off the windshield.
Whups, gotta get busy, someone wants a vlan changed!!
Vger is driving me nuts. Anything over 1/3 throttle and the engine chokes. You can actually see and feel it, when I press the pedal past 1/3 the car starts slowing down, when I back off again it speeds up. Takes several miles and a downhill grade to get up to 60 mph. I've replaced the O2 sensor, MAP sensor, Fuel Filter, Fuel Injector. Timing is OK, Fuel pressure is OK, Compression is OK, no exhaust back pressure.
Frustrating. While the 2.5L is no racehorse, I at least used to be able to manage highway traffic, now I can't. Heck, the '92 Voyager can run circles around the 88 Voyager. Admitted, I haven't driven the 88 regularly lately. Back in April '07 the clutch blew, didn't get that fixed until June, then right after that (50 miles?) the timing belt blew, got that fixed and ever since it has been gutless. Checked the belt timing, it's dead on (because another mechanic put the timing belt on incorrectly on my Turbo causing Big Problems).
And, while I used to consistently get 22-24 mpg, I now get 18-20 mpg. Heck, the '92 Voyager gets 22 mpg rock solid with the same engine. So, I checked the spark plugs, maybe it's running really rich? Nope, the plugs (new after the timing belt was replaced) are almost bone white.
Fortunately, the Gladiator is still hanging in there, although the check engine light continues to turn on occasionally and it still needs a new heater core. Consistently gets 15 mpg.
Traded the A-C RC for an A-C WC. We have that running pretty good now, still need to sort out the charging system. Engine was frozen when we got it, took a lot of oil and a lot of bumping to get it loose, then had to remove and wash out the gas tank and carb.
Still haven't had a chance to work on the Pontiac's, probably won't now until next spring. I will need to drain the block on the 455 and add antifreeze. Need to do that to the 77 Catalina also. Had 29 degrees this morning, had to scrape the frost off the windshield.
Whups, gotta get busy, someone wants a vlan changed!!
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Tuesday September 11, 2007
Rant time.
Lately I have been noticing a lot of bumper stickers and yard signs proclaiming that "War is not the answer". I beg to differ.
Of course, it depends on the question. If the question is whether or not to have dessert, then no, of course war is not the answer. But, if the question is whether or not you and I are allowed to live, work, and worship according to our beliefs, and the other guy wants to enforce his beliefs at the expense of everyone else's lives, then yes, I think that war is the answer.
I have trouble understanding how someone can live in the USA, how, having experienced the horrors of 9/11/2001, having experienced the freedom of living and working and worshiping where and how they wish, and, seeing how the victims of the oppression are forced to live, can stand up and say that "War is not the answer". I just don't understand it.
But, regardless of whether or not I understand it, they have the freedom, here in the USA, to express their opinion. Perhaps they would like to move to Iran and try expressing their opinions?
To those who are daily fighting this war: I salute you and I ask God's blessing upon you for doing what I cannot do.
Remember 9/11/2001!!
http://www.nps.gov/remembrance/statue/index.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/September_11,_2001_attacks
Lately I have been noticing a lot of bumper stickers and yard signs proclaiming that "War is not the answer". I beg to differ.
Of course, it depends on the question. If the question is whether or not to have dessert, then no, of course war is not the answer. But, if the question is whether or not you and I are allowed to live, work, and worship according to our beliefs, and the other guy wants to enforce his beliefs at the expense of everyone else's lives, then yes, I think that war is the answer.
I have trouble understanding how someone can live in the USA, how, having experienced the horrors of 9/11/2001, having experienced the freedom of living and working and worshiping where and how they wish, and, seeing how the victims of the oppression are forced to live, can stand up and say that "War is not the answer". I just don't understand it.
But, regardless of whether or not I understand it, they have the freedom, here in the USA, to express their opinion. Perhaps they would like to move to Iran and try expressing their opinions?
To those who are daily fighting this war: I salute you and I ask God's blessing upon you for doing what I cannot do.
Remember 9/11/2001!!
http://www.nps.gov/remembrance/statue/index.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/September_11,_2001_attacks
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Tuesday August 28, 2007
Gas: 2.89.
Didn't get the motors swapped but got lots of other stuff done. Next weekend is Mass Exodus, and still have some cleanup work to do, including the engine swap and re-arranging the cars.
I have determined that I will need to make some mods to the engine bay of DaVench before I can put the 455 in, the new HEI distributor won't clear the firewall, and I don't like the idea of just dinging the firewall with a BFH to allow the distributor to fit.
Didn't get the motors swapped but got lots of other stuff done. Next weekend is Mass Exodus, and still have some cleanup work to do, including the engine swap and re-arranging the cars.
I have determined that I will need to make some mods to the engine bay of DaVench before I can put the 455 in, the new HEI distributor won't clear the firewall, and I don't like the idea of just dinging the firewall with a BFH to allow the distributor to fit.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Wednesday August 22, 2007
Gas: 2.87, going back up now.
I'm renting an engine hoist over the weekend, going to yank a few motors and get rid of a few cars. Hopefully.
Later!!!
I'm renting an engine hoist over the weekend, going to yank a few motors and get rid of a few cars. Hopefully.
Later!!!
Monday, August 13, 2007
Monday August 13, 2007
Gas: 2.64 this morning when I filled up. Saturday in Bemidji it was at 2.79 when GR was at 2.65. Hmmm.
It was a blast. I will try to upload more photos. Unfortunately, I filled up my memory card so several photos I thought I had I actually didn't and I couldn't re-take them. Such is life.
Now for the Itasca County Fair.
It was a blast. I will try to upload more photos. Unfortunately, I filled up my memory card so several photos I thought I had I actually didn't and I couldn't re-take them. Such is life.
Now for the Itasca County Fair.
Sunday, August 12, 2007
NCMFAAA 2007
August 10, 11, 12, 2007.
The Club's Avery Steam Traction Engine, I believe there may be one other like it still in existence.
This Waterloo Boy restoration was just completed in time for the show by the owner, a club member.
Allis Chalmers Road Patrol, a light road grader. Owned by a club member.
This member converted an Allis Chalmers RC into a forklift that he uses around his own shop as well as on the club grounds.
A custom Ford with a flathead V8 engine.
This is one better, a custom Ford with a Lincoln Flathead V12.
This Ford retired from a Golf Course.
International Titan. I think the first time I saw it was after it had been fully restored, that was 15+ years ago.
This is a little home-built job that I think is a couple of years old. As I recall, it has a Briggs Lawn tractor engine and tranny.
Matt driving a friends Allis Chalmers "B".
A toy custom made by the owner for his grandkids. If my memory is correct, it started out as a John Deere 318 Garden Tractor. It now has a diesel engine and narrow front.
The draft horse club joins us for an exhibition of their own.
The contraption next to the hay wagon is a "Sno-Loader" When it works, it scoops up a bale and throws it on the trailer by spring action. I have seen it work three or four times in a row, but usually, it misses or drops or breaks the bales.
Wish I could have captured the whole thing, but this team has just finished demonstrating cutting a square corner.
Some of the many miniature engines shown.
The Club's Avery Steam Traction Engine, I believe there may be one other like it still in existence.
This Waterloo Boy restoration was just completed in time for the show by the owner, a club member.
Allis Chalmers Road Patrol, a light road grader. Owned by a club member.
This member converted an Allis Chalmers RC into a forklift that he uses around his own shop as well as on the club grounds.
A custom Ford with a flathead V8 engine.
This is one better, a custom Ford with a Lincoln Flathead V12.
This Ford retired from a Golf Course.
International Titan. I think the first time I saw it was after it had been fully restored, that was 15+ years ago.
This is a little home-built job that I think is a couple of years old. As I recall, it has a Briggs Lawn tractor engine and tranny.
Matt driving a friends Allis Chalmers "B".
A toy custom made by the owner for his grandkids. If my memory is correct, it started out as a John Deere 318 Garden Tractor. It now has a diesel engine and narrow front.
The draft horse club joins us for an exhibition of their own.
Wish I could have captured the whole thing, but this team has just finished demonstrating cutting a square corner.
Some of the many miniature engines shown.
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