Date:         Sat, 21 Feb 2004 23:52:28 -0600
Reply-To:     "Warren.K.Lail-1" <wlail@OU.EDU>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "Warren.K.Lail-1" <wlail@OU.EDU>
Subject:      Progress report: Billy Bones
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Just an update: Worked all day Thursday pulling apart the old engine, cleaning and painting parts to be reused.  What a freakin' mess!  Anyway, on Friday my buddy Lizzo came over and we began by replacing my radiator with a new SA radiator, and then proceeded to replace the main radiator hoses and heater hoses.  What a job!  Getting the new hoses through the region over the gas tank turned out to be a be'ach!  We attached duct tape to the old hoses and pulled/pushed them through with the new attached, and that worked pretty well.  This morning I sat in the engine well and replaced all of the water and gas lines.  Then this afternoon, we assembled the parts to the new longblock, installed the new clutch, and  joined the tranny to the engine.  Tomorrow we'll attach the motor mounts and exhaust system and raise it all into position for final mounting.

I've got lots of work yet to do, but let's hear it for  do-it-yourselfers!  I've never undertaken anything nearly this compelx on my bus, but all we've shown here today was as_holes and elbows and it's payin' off, it's fun, and it gives me a great deal of personal satisfaction.  Of course, I'll feel a lot better when I hear ole Billy Bones commence to wheezin' just a little for me.  And when he comes off those jack stands and moves on down the road under his own power ... well, I'll just have give that moment its own report.

Hope you're all havin' a great weekend.

Warren
88 Westy "Billy Bones" (in dry dock)
87 GL