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The Yellow Peril became driveable yesterday. I think we still have a few
mixture problems but it idles nicely and most of the rest of the stuff (not
counting the glove box door) works pretty well, including front and rear
washers and wipers. In any case it was running well enough that Ben and I went
down to the insurance place and got it covered. While we were there Ben watched
a 7 minute driving safety video which netted him over 20% discount and as soon
as he came out from that we heard a loud noise and found that inattention had
caused a 2-airbag accident right in front of the place! Since we were late we
didn't get the title changed yet, but the Oklahoma security verification will
be a big help for that.
We're working on upholstery panels for the tailgate and the right rear. No
tellin' where they went! As we put the car into its first cargo use since
coming here in 1998 with 1000# of Volvo parts in the back, we noticed a pungent
smell from the left rear brake. 8 to 5 it is the %##@ swollen TINY rubber
brake line keeping it from letting go. Among the stuff I got from Andy there
are 2 more braided lines in addition to the 4 already installed on the front.
I hope they are the right ones. If it turns out to be a stuck piston I can
also deal with that.
The mounting tab at the top of the plastic aircleaner was broken off, as was
the hose from the aircleaner to the manifold. We made a yoke from coathanger
wire that looped around the upper mounting bolt under the edge of the hood and
also around 2 10-32 machine screws with washers that screwed to the remains
of the mounting tab. We cut off part of a 245 hose, cleaned it (BIG JOB!!)
and patched the worn spots with thin strips of black electrical tape. I think
we have a good, sturdy, leaktight installation, UNLIKE what it had in the desert.
Still got a few cosmetic rust spots to treat - we found some RustOleum pale
yellow that matches the original (faded) paint pretty well - from a distance
you can't see it at all.
So we are well on the way. Will post some pix probably Monday or Tuesday.
MANY THANKS for all the help and especially for the encouragement in this
multifaceted project. It has taken about 25 times as long as originally
planned but seems to have been well worth it, especially to Ben.
(Not to mention VERY educational to him, from engine building, valve adjustment,
wiring, suspension work, corrosion treatment and even upholstery.)
(Also an old man's scroungy ways of making brokn things work!)
--
George Downs, Bartlesville, Oklahoma, Central US
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