While on a tool run to the SEARS store, I found the family wagon spraying coolant and steam rising from between the hood fender cracks — not good. I guess I should have figured this out. B.O.U.R.girl had been complaining that there was no heat. So I had checked the radiator and found it half full or half empty as you like. I topped and by the time I was back home it was time to change the hoses. The hose that was the culprit was a real SOB. The outlet from the block was 3/4 and on the other end at the heater core 5/8s, with a section of curved metal tube in between. I gotta hand it to FORD — they sure know how to make it so that the shade tree mechanic/owner can’t possibly do this one from his garage. I mean, what happened to the 3 foot piece of black hose from Manny Moe and Jack that clamped on. Well, I out figured em’ not letting them get the best of me! No sirree. I hacksawed the old part in two and removed a useable metal length. Next I hooked up that piece of plain ‘ol hose to one end and matched a piece of by-pass hose from the water pump that was factory formed to reduce down from large to small and mate clamp to the tube. Bingo.
All posts by cs
zero to a hero
M & D were visiting. We took them out on the boat last evening — which was an advanced (extreme?) activity for them seeing as how they are age-ed. All went well until S’man fell off the wakeboard. Whilst swinging the boat around to pick him up I met my own wake. With the engine at idle thrust the bow rides very low in the water and as it dips on the first wave it can submarine into the second sending solid water up and over the foredeck and even over the windshield where it unceremoniously ker-plops onto the heads, shoulders and laps of the unsuspecting seated occupants. M & D let out a yell and a “what the hell?” B.O.U.Ringirl gave me one of those pitiful ‘u blew it’ looks and H.D. girl further aft and safe laughed at us. We all looked like swamped rats and our towels — no help — direct hit.
I was redeemed however. After our ski rides and meanwhile back at the boat ramp pier, B.O.U.Ringirl was leaning over the port rail with a line trying to make us fast to a cleat when her sunglasses slid off and into the drink. Sunk into the murky depths. She was highly traumatized about this, they were $250 i-talian designer something or other. S’man and I took turns deep diving for them. I expected to find a muddy silt bottom we were 9 feet under but the ramp was steep and luckily concrete. It was strune with rocks and debris. You could not see your hand in front of your face. All you do was cling to one of these rocks to keep from floating up and grope about with your other free hand. Out of breath I came up with a metal rod (a corroded support bracket for somebody’s outboard motor). On another visit, a brown beer bottle. A cool one but unfortunately filled with lake. I set my findings on the dock making repetitive dives when *bingo* my fingers brushed against the lost pair and I hauled them to the surface, glorious.
punch list
Remind me to clue in the apartment complex I’m visiting. They have a gorgeous marine aquarium in a public space. It looks to be professionally kept but devoid of life. If you peer closely the fishes are all cowering behind the rockscape. If they’d only put the tank lights on a timer, they’d get some relief and enjoy a natural Arcadian rhythm. In other words KILL THE LIGHTS SO THEY CAN GET SOME QUALITY SLEEP TIME, WOULD YA PLEASE? The other issue is the poor PC in the library/reading room. It’s a low end Compaq but it offers the tenants broadband internet and a few installed apps. I suspect that it is mostly used to play solitaire but not for much longer if it isn’t rescued. The cpu tower is hidden away in a desk cabinet with zilch for cooling air flow. I open the door and the hot air billows from the slow burning machine.
where’s waldo?
Should be off season. Early AM and summer peak yet the pilgrimage is full on. Rush hour. I ponder the day when the park service starts to limit the trail count. The locals are annoyed. Still it’s more fun then a trip to the (no less crowded) mall. People watching is so much more meaningful. You judge people less by their clothes, jeweley, hair, and makeup rather muscles, tans, respiration rates, sweat, and postures. It’s fun to catch snippets of conversation as they pass. Glimpses of other worlds and life styles.
seatbacksforward
The passenger with the NASCAR hat decides to recline the seat from the git go. My newspaper is tight on my chest now. It’s not enough that my space is violated but he keeps pushing back against his seat. Leaning hard like he thinks that it should travel further or perhaps he just feels the need to squirm. You can’t help but focus on this because NASCAR is a big bruiser and that his creaking groaning seat frame is sure to collapse into your lap. I’m forced to ease my seat back as well. Now the person behind me is probably having thoughts… I contemplate the domino chain reaaction row after row.
mountaineers
No pumas in the crevas but many pitfalls. We saw Laura Croft on her descent. She was favoring her leg and as she passed us I spied two bloody wounds. She shrugged them off. ‘Badges of honor.’
The cantine ran dry on our trek. Sense of smell became keen and one could detect the fragrance of chlorinated pools and irrigated golf greenery from far below. The thought of hydration and morning chow back at the inn kept us moving.
do you know this dawg?
The purpose built working dogs, built low to the ground and lightning quick, do well with this frisbee toss business but here’s the real crowd pleaser…
b 4 u sell c mel
Before you think all is well in paradise, let me say that the car had issues. It wasn’t at all obvious at the time but there were clues. What evidence? A paper parts tag on the right front bumper bracket. Spark plugs that would begin to foul after just a few thousand miles. A subtle wheel balance problem that couldn’t be cured. Long after the car was gone I put 2 + 2 together and, like a who-dunnit movie, it became crystal clear. It was a difficult repair as the body/frame was a unitized design. (one seamless welded piece) There were no bolts. The work was flawless the paint perfect. But just the same, the rest of the hidden story would reveal that the other ignored problems, which I had believed to be independent were actually the result of a single event: the car had been hit! A crushing blow to the right front quarter panel would mangle the metal (and puncture the radiator) but the previous owner, in his state of shock and stress, likely attempted to limp home. The engine was over-heated, but not ruined, and I later learned from the 3rd owner that the pistons had suffered ‘stuck rings’. This explains the spark plugs. The high speed vibration? Now, after many wasted visits to the tire shop in search of the ultimate spin balance, it occurred to me that it was a driveline problem. The drive shaft had been knocked ever so slightly out of line and that this was the true culprit. The stray parts tag? Innocent and innocuous looking but this was the red flag and it should have been the deal breaker.
front deep start
S’man at speed with his wits and bare feet
Could be the beginings of a barefoot water ski. Tow speed equals your body weight divided by 10 and add 20. Now roll on to your side and pivot your hips around to bring yourself feet first and plant ’em. Don’t inhale the spray. Try not to wipe out.
inner city
You fin’ de raise up and get yo travel on…
Middle Americans in Chicago aren’t leaving their personal vehicles for mass transit anytime soon. First impression of the Blue Line? O’hare was modern and nice looking. Not bad, this could be nice… Rosemont station? good… I was congratulating myself on how much I saved by staying outside the city and by not having to rent a car. But then every next platform stop — sucks — downtown commercial district as well — ick. The CTA needs to update and modernize. The infrastructure is old fashioned dingy and dirty. The visual assault enhances the perception that one’s personal security is at risk. The train system in Washington is old too but the difference is that they have kept up with the times. An upgrade might payoff. Better lighting, artwork, architecture, acoustics would lure the commuters. ‘Till then, the auto industry is safe.