I've been stuck inside for too many days now. First, it was the broken pelvis and my original spinal problems. I've been in a wheelchair for nearly ten years now, and nothing seems to be getting better, especially the pelvis, which I broke last Nov 27th.

Now it's the excessive heat and sunlight. Highs are in the 110's every day, which would be bearable except that my medication makes me allergic to the sun.

I've been trying to get up before sunrise each day to get something done on the Volvo before the sun's rays start to burn. Somewhat like having boiling water poured on me...

Naturally, nothing is going well on the car. I've been trying to get an oil change and tuneup done, but everything seems to be conspiring against me. I ordered new plug wires, and when they arrived I found that the connectors wouldn't fit the plugs that were in the car. So I ordered new Denso plugs but somehow forgot to pay for them, so while I was waiting for the mail each day, nothing had been sent. I managed to get that problem sorted out on the 21st, so I should be seeing plugs any day now. When they finally arrive, I'll do a complete tuneup with new plugs and wires. I have an MSD 6a ignition, so the only thing I need to work on will be the distributor cap and rotor. No points can be a good thing!

My rockers are showing some wear, which can be expected after more than 100,00 miles since the last rebuild. I need to re-adjust the valves (again) using my wire-loop feeler guage. Not a big job, but I know it will take me at least one day, perhaps two, to get it right.

Meanwhile, the 'new' dash gauge panel I bought to rebuild has disappeared. I had it in its shipping box in the garage, and now I can't find it. My current gauge panel has a partially-functioning trip odometer that drives me crazy. I also need to find the right speedometer cable to fit the later-model automatic transmission so my speedonmeter will work again. I have the part number, I just need to watch eBay for it to come up for sale.

On another problem, the PO had a B&M shifter installed, but it's set up so far forward that I have to unfasten my seatbelt to reach the 'neutral' and 'reverse' postions. There are a couple of ways I can approach this problem: I can change the shift lever arm or modify the existing one so it can be reached from a normal seating position. I bought a nice BM brushed aluminum shift handle that is much nicer than the black plastic one that came with the car, but now I find that it won't fit the shifter lever. I'll have to take the car over the mountains to my Dad's place where I can use his machine shop, where I can both modify the angle of the shift lever, and re-thread the shaft to accept the new shifter handle.

The problem with my brakes continues. You may remember that when I begin driving the car after it has been sitting for a day or so, it sounds like the front brakes are metal-to-metal. I've opened up both front brakes, and they are both fine. No sign or rubbing or grinding, plenty of meat left on the brake shoes. I would like to check the rear brakes, but I'll need a flat place to set up the car so it won't roll away with the rear wheels off the ground. I'd use my nice, big 2-car garage if there were enough room to get the car inside. Right now the wife is using it for storage of EMPTY boxes.

I note that someone in the LA-San Diego area has a 445 frame for sale. It has been completely gone through and painted. It has 120-series disck brakes on the front, and a rebuilt 4.11:1 rear differential. At the moment, it's going for $99 on eBay, and I think that's a pretty good price to get the disk brakes and a better differential. The down side is that I'd have to go get it, and I really don't think I'm up to driving down there.

On another front, our local car club has an informal meet the second Saturday of each nonth. I attended the last meet, and I think I will join the club at their meeting next month.

On still another front, my brother Ted call the other night to tell me about a Tall Ship Gathering weekend after next. It will be at Oxnard, CA, the Channel Islands Harbor. Right now we're looking for a place to stay for the weekend. I can go on board one of the ships during the sea battles for $75. I could volunteer as Helmsman or Sail Mate because I've been into sailing boats all my life. In fact, I have two sailboats for sale right now in anticipation of buying a bigger boat...
If you're at all interested in finding information about this Gathering, go to http://www.tallshipschannelislands.com

I guess I'm about done rambling, so GO FORTH AND ENJOY!

Steve