And a bit more grunt with that lovely new engine, I trust LnR?
Just what we need to keep us interested in the long winter months too!
My greatest fear is of being bored, and even though I have a 145,000 mile V12 pulling like an express train in absolutely top condition, I also have, in stock, ALL the parts to rebuild it. And I mean all: new heads, new liners, new oil pump, new conrods, new valves and springs, new shells, new pistons if required, damn great easy turn engine stand, new timing chain, guides and tensioner. All OEM genuine factory items.
Now if I ever do it, who knows, (if not selling the parts will keep me and Madame in our old age I am sure!) but they are there as my anti-boredom backstop.

 

Thanks, Fellas,
I do Not do winter very well. In fact I look to it with nearly a sickening dread; even though one could not call California winters Bad, certainly not like where I grew up in Montana. But it's still winter, when the sun is weak and puny and the days short. I want to crawl into my cave and pull it over me.

This project is beyond my capability to do alone, my Gadget Arms don't reach that far and husband is now too blind to be much help. So I have enlisted Qualified, Experienced help in the form of my friend Sean. He estimates 3 days total (about right) spread out during winter while husband shouts encouragement from the sideline. That will give me time between work days for cleaning the engine bay and reconstructing the engine after we get it dropped back in.

At least now I have something to look forward to besides colder and shorter days.
And what better way to spend Winter than in a brightly lit shop surrounded by things I understand.
(';')

 

I have done several engine swaps in 1 or 2 hour windows. But cleaning the engine bay in the process? I don't think I could get that done in the allotted 3 days.

Is that why you have been driving the engine so high spirited? You were just looking for an excuse to drop the new engine in!

 

TSK! Would I do a thing like that?
What makes you think I would need an excuse??
Actually, the engine swap was to take place 5 years ago but got shoved to the back of the line by Circumstances Beyond My Control.

But now I have that control, and as you might notice by the condition of the air cleaner, it shouldn't be put off any longer.

Besides.
I drive Everything like that!
I have places to go!
Things to do!
People to see!
And time's awastin'!
(';')

 

Drive it like you stole it! It's more fun that way! Usually that requires a little more attention to detail, as in what you found in the air cleaner. Oh, and the occasional replacement of worn parts. LOL! Good luck with it may it do all the things it should, and then some. Enjoy.

Jack

 

As it rained pitchforks and hammer handles earlier today, and things are so soggy I can't work, I decided to paint the engine. I've never done it this way before, but earlier in this thread someone recommended using a brush so I did.






Weather as it is, rainy for at least a week, this will probably take a month to harden so it's safe to handle. Which is OK, because it won't be until after the first of the year that it gets installed anyway. Way too many other things going on until then.
(';')

 

A little Eye Candy for your entertainment on this Dreary Wednesday morning.
Roller Trunion, Roller Nose,
(';')

 

I went full roller on mine, they are quite noisy, fine once you get used to it, but worrying in the beginning, not sure if your kind are noisy at all, but just in case, don’t go spending hours chasing down lifter noise that isn’t there like I did!! Lol

 

Never mind, those are full roller, same thing applies though be prepared for a little noise! What cam and lift are you running? What ratio are the rockers??? Enquiring minds want to know, unless of course you already posted that, then never mind…. Lol

 

Yes, I already posted about the rockers above somewhere but they're CompCams Ultra Pro Magnum, 1.52 3/8 (1601) because 1.6 is not legal in CA.

And it has hydraulic lifters so shouldn't be noisy.
Even if it is, I hope it's drowned out by *Other* noises.

 

It's been a while, but "Things" have got in the way lately.
Today I cracked the ol' whip and we got the garage shoved around so work can begin.

Step One:

Back her out the door in preparation for filling her bedroom with all the "Stuff" that's clogging up the work area.

Step Two:

Move Trucklet out to Make Way for Stuff Removal.
He will spend the winter outside like he did for the first 3 years he lived with me.

Step Three:

Move all the "Stuff" over to Nix's bedroom. There's a Lot more than looks like here.
Husband Hoards stuff.

Step Four:

Move Nix into the center bay, which has been Trucklet's bedroom, which is now a LOT less cluttered although this shot doesn't look like it.
I can actually open doors fully ON BOTH SIDES AT ONCE!!
As the weather from here on will be iffy at best, she will stay here for the duration.
Tomorrow I'll put on the battery keeper and start Serious Prep.

I'm getting excited now!
(';')

 

How's the engine project coming along, Elinor? You've been pretty tight-lipped on the subject.

Dave

 

Thank you for your interest, Dave, ya see it's like this:
Most of this winter we've been dealing with husband's medical adventures, the odd trip to ER for example and numerous doctor visits (but that's what I get for marrying an Older Man), so between him and all the Other stuff going on (the Worst winter in the last 5 or so years), I'm stretched pretty thin.

He's feeling much better now though, and weather is beginning to settle and warm up so it's not Freezing in the shop, so I'm hoping to get at it pretty soon.

On the other hand, things are greening up really fast so my work will take off for serious so there will be another situation to deal with.

On top of all that, my phone, which I didn't know was only 3G as it consistently showed 4G reception (it's actually a sort of hybrid; 4G for data, websites and texting but only 3G for calls) was rendered pretty useless when 3G towers locally were shut down February 1 (they've been warning for a year that would happen but I thought I was safe). It took me some days before I figured out what was wrong (and many trips to the Phone Support Center), to locate and order a suitable replacement for less than 4 figures (ebay is Wonderful for that), and hope I don't have an emergency on the road before one gets here.

However, all that keeps me busy, entertained and out of the bars (which I haven't done much of since I grew out of my Misspent Youth).

So there you have it!
(';')

 

Glad hubbys feeling better Elinor!

 

No judgement Elinor, your plate has plenty on it. Husband seems to be in good hands, my wife married very young to an older guy and that difference is increasingly apparent as the years go by.

I don't have a paying job anymore, but when I did, the summers were the worst on my psyche, big reason I had to retire early. However....we have 4G service nearly everywhere, except in the spots where 1G and 0G are normal. Sending a text over 1G requires patience, never mind an email.

I hope you'll be able to make some progress on Nix's new motor, drop us an update every once in awhile.

Dave

 

Thank you all for looking.

Dave, where we have cell reception we have a good strong 4G (out here in the Stix there is often Nothing, or 1-2 bars if the wind is just right).

Husband retired early, about 10 years ago when he began going blind and couldn't read the forms (as it's genetic, I tell him he chose the wrong grandmother), and he quit driving in fall of 2020 because of it. That hasn't been easy for either of us.

But one adjusts, doesn't one.
(';')

 

The much anticipated engine swap is Canceled.
Not postponed like last time but Canceled.
I am simply stretched too thin for the foreseeable future (as mentioned earlier in this thread), and circumstances have changed too much for me to take on such a complex project, even with the help of my Professional Friend.

Disappointment, Frustration, Anger, and even a bit Rage are all products of this realization.
But, as my dad used to say, "That's Just the way it is" and so I will deal with it.
The situation is such that there's No Chance of picking it up later to finish.

I thank you all for your interest and support, but this thread is Finished!
Moving on.......
(';')

 

Yikes Sorry to hear that. I have several times considered scrapping everything, and making my life simpler. Somehow I've been able to talk myself through it, and find a reason to keep doing all the things I think I need too. I do realize someday there will be an end. But it's the Finality of it, I can't stomach right now.

Good Luck with whatever trials you are facing, and always know, Everything for a reason, and God's still got this.

Jack

 

Elinor,

I won’t be presumptuous enough to say I know what you’re going through but do wish you all the best wherever it takes you.

Hopefully it will turn out like your weather and have some good things come out of it for you.

“Eureka! After California’s Heavy Rains, Gold Seekers Are Giddy”

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/22/u...e=articleShare

“The mother lode of winter storms has sent water blasting through rock crevices and rivers in the Sierra Nevada, leading to more glittering discoveries by prospectors…”

 

Very sorry to read this, Elinor. Your enthusiasm and sense of adventure have always been an inspiration. Keep going.