Let the sanding begin!

OK a little update. The sanding has begun in earnest.

First I started with sanding disks.... that was ok....

a few hours later I tried wire wheel.... that was less ok

after that I decided distract myself by using a "flapper" sanding disk to grind down the raw angle iron bumper so that the torch cut edges would not inadvertantly remove fingers. That worked realy well. It cuts through steel like butter.

It was only after that I realized that a "dull" flapper might be used for removing paint.



Five hours later with the dull flapper, here are the primered results.


That was reasonably successful, but I think I may have to try something else.

The AREVA - Transmission and Distribution - Automation - Systems - Energy Management Americas - Redmond - Tendering Team - 2008 - Car Show!

The company car show.

Here is a man who can appreciate potential.

That or he is lost.
Here she is just enjoying the shade.
Finally. Some people came to take a look.... I think someone said they could smell smoke.

For authenticity, since that is what I am about, I had a can of staring fluid on the bench seat.... and the wrench I need to take the battery in and out.... and some parts in the bed of the truck... and I added some pine needles. You know, for authenticity.

It was a real challenge to get the truck to the show. I had the exhaust manifold replaced with headers, added a heating block to the now exposed intake manifold, had the front end redone, had the steering box rebuilt, had the throttle linkage to the carburetor adjusted around the new headers and had a new exhaust installed. That's all.

After that little adjustment, I drove it 20 miles from Renton WA to Redmond WA, about a 20 mile drive? She drove fine... in fact that was when I found out it had four, rather than three, forward gears, all unsynchronised. I also found out that she can go 45 mph and feel pretty safe.

After all that adventure, she was pretty tired and would not start the next day. Turns out there is something wrong with the generator, so even after the long drive it was not able to sustain the battery's charge. That just re-enforces my decision to replace the generator and wiring with a modern 12 volt alternator system.


I guess there were a couple other cool cars there, like this one and the blue 39 Ford behind it.

I got a lot of people leaned in and whispere to me, "I kinda like yours. That is pretty cool." I'm not sure why they had to whisper... does not exude a lot of confidence.

Overall the show was a lot of fun. It gave me a good deadline to get some of this work done, and done by a "professional."

Ohhh. and on the drive home there was a new issue. The throttle linkage rubs on the fire wall, so the throttle gets stuck open every time you press on the gas. The only way to get it back is to reach over the pedal with the heel of your shoe and pull the pedal back.... no problem. safe. interesting.

Well, now the truck is at home. Serene was really cool when we got it home and said, "You should park it in the garage. You'll have some space to work on it." I was thinking, wow that is really nice, until I realized that she did not want the neighbors to have to look at it.

Fair nuf.

Found the road trip photos

OK I found the pictures of the truck on the trailer from the May road trip.

This first picture has Ron saying goodbye
The speed limit on the UHAUL fender says 80 mph.... I think. Must be.

This picture is some where in the mountains (yes, even though it looks flat), the VW towed the truck like butter. Could not be more relaxing.

I got a lot of comments where ever I stopped, like, "you cut me off! a-hole."

I think that is classic car code for "nice ride"