The Stovebolt Site Forums The Side Lot Annual Stovebolt Reunion (Kansas City) Post Event Critique

It was suggested to me to have a post event critique.
This where everyone that attended this past weekend should offer suggestions on how to make the Reunion better.
And those that have never attended before to learn.
Yes, we all know how loud the DJ was and how crowded the meeting area was.

You will not Tee me off! This is all about how to make the event better!
So let her rip, and see if we can make it better next year.

(My vote is to let Rusty Rod take over the duties)!
Don

You know my vote is to have the women to be front and center.

Don't be to harsh Don. Aside from the music volume I saw nothing to complain about. Smaller area than the park? yes, but it kept things from spreading out. It was awfully nice to not be sitting on the pavement and the canopies were vital. More demonstrations (glad to contribute if there's anything I know how to do) of course but no complaints.
Chuck

Thanks Chuck!
We need feedback and I'll be calling on you if there is something we need help with next year.

Oh, and a side note: Patty and Wayne Alderson has invited us back to their shop next year for BBQ again!
It should be on Friday night and is a must do event!

Don

Well you asked! I know we popped in surprising the coordinator and assistants so maybe I don’t have any room to critique. However, it seems we need to be a little more creative with the seminars. Mike’s tube bending/flaring demo is always great but with the same group (for the most part) showing up each year maybe we can convince him to alternate years with another demo he’s good at. Do we have someone competent in body work? Bet we could come up with a fender or door to pound out some dents. Nothing complicated, just the metal work part of it. The following year, the same panel and take it to bondo. Carburetor rebuild seminar would be nice. Rochester one year and maybe Carter the next year. How to find TDC, set points, set timing, adjust carburetor, basic tuneup stuff. Walk the show as a group pointing out unique things specific to our stovebolts. I know that’s a lot to digest but we’ve got a whole year to think about it. I will interject here, I’m not qualified to do any of the above suggestions.
As for the show itself, back to the park please. If it’s done on the parking lot again maybe we can convince the hosts to let us have an area away from the DJ and with access to a larger grass area. We were lucky the temperature was only 85 not the usual 95-100. JMO

Thanks Martin! We can count on you to be there as one of the cat herders!


This is a PM I got from John this morning.
Copied and pasted:

I always enjoyed every class George Capito taught. Ask George if he would do another carburetor rebuilding class (we could do this same thing with Jerry at Homecoming).

ONLY ... Instead of George rebuilding one carburetor in front of the class (and us trying to remember it all), tell the folks that to take the class, they need to show up with the carb they want to rebuild themselves and a rebuild kit for that carburetor. So at class time, George would be looking at a few students sitting in front of him, (possibly sharing tools or maybe some will have brought their own) each with a carb and a kit. He would then take them step by step through their rebuild and helping each with questions or suggestions as they went along. Maybe limit it to single barrel carbs for the first one (Carters and Rochesters? Maybe a Stromberg for the GMC guys. Webber? Let George decide that). Hopefully none of them would have serious issues with their carburetor that a simple rebuild wouldn't fix.


You could also do it with alternators or other simple things. Real valve adjustment? Or a simple tuneup and/or timing adjustment?

One of the things we've done at Homecoming (and to a certain extent at Winchester) is the "OR" concept (Operating Room) -- Where we set up shop in an appropriate space (at the farm, it was my shop) and the "Attending Physicians" would see patients through out the weekend. We've done engine and transmission swaps, rear axle gearing swap outs, rear main seal changes, tune ups, valve adjustments (one year, we did nothing but cycle trucks through the two bays for valve adjustments. We were slinging grease and twisting wrenches until 0200 Saturday morning that one year. Man that was a good time). With guys like Mike Wahl, Scott Ward, George Capito and Jerry Herbison (and who knows who else...), there's no reason why we can't have trucks going home from these events running better than when they arrived, and people knowing more than they did before the event.

Of course, the more complicated things that need real shop equipment aren't realistic for a show type event, but there are still simple things that can be done. Most all trucks could benefit from a valve adjustment or some tuning. Everybody has a gripe on their truck that could probably be helped by an attending guru. The measure of success for Homecoming for me has always been tired, smiling attendees with greasy hands and faces driving home in better running/driving trucks.
John Milliman, (Grand Pooh Bear)

A few years ago some dummy brought a Ford V-8 to the Reunion.
Cherry picker, motor stand and all the tools to disassemble. Including Mic's and the tools to reassemble.
It was the main attraction at HQ all weekend. Getting dirty and wrenching/learning.
Alvin kept grabbing wrenches out of my hands and pushing me out of the way!

More feedback wanted!
Don

I could show how to make a shipping crate for 261's!

Scott

I just used a hefty pallet, an old tire, and a couple of ratchet straps.

Yes Rusty, and it worked for a Dodge V-8 Hemi!!!!
But will it work with a Stovebolt 6?

Don

Another suggestion/question I heard from a few different folks is.
How come the Midwest doesn't have a place in the Side Lot?
It's like we are lost and forgotten. We will also need a name.
"Midwest Bolters" sounds dull.

How about "Midwest Stovebolt Grain Belt"?
"Midwest Heartland Bolters"?
"Grain Belt Bolters"?

So let John know your thoughts.
Don

I definitely agree, the Midwest should be represented in the Side Lot. While I'm partial to the "Heartland Bolters", the name could be determined at a later date.

Furthermore, I nominate Don "2-Ton" King as president. Is there a second on my nomination?

Heartland Bolters?
I like it and I nominate Andy as the Heartland leader!!!!!!!!

Don

There's already a nomination on the floor......᠁ Yes ANDY!!!!!

Sorry Andy, I couldn't resist doing an edit!
Don

That's cold Don!!!!!!

Your a Fireman Andy!
Cold weather and Iowa go hand in hand!!
Hope this warms you up some!

Lake side and floating on a raft tomorrow.
Don

This is a great idea. I like Heartland Bolters also.

I was wondering if this should be out in a different forum. Not sure how many folks that may be interested have seen this in this topic.

So let me get this straight. I'm hustling parts for NAPA all day and you're floating on a raft in the lake.......

What's wrong with this picture?

Andy
What is right with this picture?
I'm floating in warm water, Edited: with a cold brew!
And it is the middle of the day and tanning my backside!
Put that in your noggin and think about it!

But this thread is not about what I do in my spare time.
It's about making the Reunion better.
You and your wife being there would make it better!

Heartland Bolters is a good name!
Lets go with that!
Just tell John to make it happen,

Don

Is it because the Reunion is held in the Midwest? I dunno

Good news!
Several PM's have been posted to John and he agrees that the Heartland Bolters should have their own threads!
HandyAndy and I will be the moderators.

So post away when you see the new section in the Side Lot!

Don

Who’s HanyAndy?🤣

Sorry I missed the d in HandyAndy!
Moderator in the Paint and Body Shop threads.
He has never been to the Reunion, but has been to the Homecoming twice.
Retired Fire Chief from Iowa City, Iowa!

He is also into Horses?
Don

Don, you gotta watch out for old retired hose draggers, they’re kinda a testy lot. Don’t let him near your Fire Truck, he knows how to work the pump and just might give you an impromptu shower?👨🏼‍🚒

Sounds like you had one of those showers Martin?
Hope it was in warm weather!

Don

Nope, they liked me. I’d pull hose for them until the second truck showed up. I wasn’t a firefighter just a Police Officer so the union couldn’t complain. Handled thousands of feet of redline over the years. Even been inside a burning building or two back in the day. The guys knew they could count on me to help.

That's good stuff fellas! I always had a good rapport with our men and women in blue too.

A long time ago, I was armed and dangerous in a stakeout; however, our guy didn't show!!

A fellow Iowan! You have to make it to the show next year!
Scott

Hey Scott,

I'd sure like to. It seems that my wife has a horse show the same weekend as the truck show, every year!

Maybe I'll go AWOL.......

Sounds like plans are made! See ya there!ha
Scott

Thanks for the input -- your wish is my command (...., in *this* particular instant ... )

Enjoy the new forum! However, if it is just going to be something about hose beaters and donut eaters ...

Stovebolt 6 (actual) out

Donuts?
Guess I need to run to town and get some!

Thanks
Don