The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop New Radiator a piece of junk

The engine is coming out today or tomorrow for a through going over and the check the rear seal. The vendor is looking into the radiator situation and things are looking positive there. I think I'll end up with a "Walker" although it won't appear "period" correct. I just want a reliable truck that looks mostly correct; it would have been nice if the radiator that failed wasn't a POS as it did look good--curved head, pleated tank, etc.

This kind of reminds me of when I was 18 years old and was pulling the engine from my '68 VW on Redwood street smack in the middle of Baltimore, Md. Two of my classmates helped me lift the rear wheels up on to timbers being used for building the subway and I then placed a piece of cardboard under the car. After sliding undeneath and unbolting the engine and dropping it onto my chest my buddies grabbed my ankles and pulled me and the engine out. We then took it into the school shop for overhaul. The director of the school wasn't impressed on Monday morning seeing my car on the side of the school up on blocks.

This whole project has taught me infinite patience--if I could only back out the financial aspects of it, especially during retirement. Kind of reminds me of an old codger who wandered up to the podium during a budget hearing years ago in our small town. After hours of acrimony, this old timer said "I've only got one thing to say... the comings in must equal the goings out!" How true and put very succinctly.


Don