August 26, 2006

  • Been a good day so far, but got started late. Sent a box off to Winry with radio gear inside....Con comm, anyone? Stopped past O'Reilly and picked up tune-up parts for the Wagoneer, stopped in at Menards and found a pressure washer on sale, with degreaser, for under $80 with tax. Couldn't pass that up. So came home and started the smoker, got the hickory chips soaking, and loaded in the turkey.  Sat it in the edge of the double Garage door, and shut the door to keep the draft down. Cats are going nuts with the smell. Power washed the Wagoneer engine, and part of the D-T engine as well. Works nice. Strong enough to cut grease and such, but not enough to peel paint....a good thing...worked over the battery in the new Explorer, whilst jumping the Wagoneer I discovered a bad ground connection....so....got that done and started in on the Wagoneer; new plugs, cap, rotor. Had new wires, but the wires on it are recent, so they can go back to the store. Did a compression check, every cylinder had 120lbs. Can't ask for better than that. The lady told me they had rebuilt the engine not too long before they quit driving it. I believe it. I think I will wind up putting valve cover gaskets on it, but no big deal. Threw a new set of plugs in it, and will get a new battery tomorrow for it. Now to get underneath and check the steering, see what is so loose. I noticed it had a steering stabilizer, so was a bit surprised at how loose it is. Probably an idler arm or something. Then to check the brakes, etc. Need to pull the left rear door apart and see which electric motor it takes. Might as well swap it out, I think they are about $50. Then get it into the trans shop, get seals in it, new gaskets on the pan, and have them check out the Quadra-Trac. That will tell the story. For now, time to start on the Camaro body again, try to get the new metal welded in the fenders and the bondo done. Too humid to paint primer today.  Finish taping off the windshield and such, get it ready for primer.  Then on to the basement if I have any energy left, tackle that again. I have to get some of it done, especially if I buy that corn furnace and install it. Which I am strongly considering. Checked with the co-op in Bennet, they will unload it off the semi and load it on my pickup for no charge, and they will sell me corn for $2 a bushel. Figure that thing should burn about 200 bushel in a season, which is only $400 for heat for the winter....compared to $120 a month average on propane right now....well, best get after it...