"Keep a Journal: How else are you going to get a good look at who you were?"

Sunday, July 26, 2009

I think I have the last of the details I was looking for...

Just by chance today; I was talking with Brother Kerry Newton and told him about the plans to remove the engine from the '95 van and drop in the engine from the '94. I also mentioned that I was hoping to do so without removing the transmission, and that I did not know how to detach the torque converter from the engine block. He explained it to me, in detail. He even drew me a diagram. The only remaining questions are: can I get the transmission shifted into neutral so I can rotate it, and will the used hoist I bought be okay? The lift arm on the hoist is a little "wrinkled" as the previous owner used it to lift out a big V8 diesel. I suspect that the engine's size wasn't the cause of the damage, but rather his failure to completely detach the engine before trying to lift it.
This unit has been strained beyond its capacity and while I'm certain it will lift out the engine by itself...I'm not sanguine about lifting the engine and transmission as a unit. I will review the procedure and what Kerry told me and decide. Goal is to have the swap done this week and the van up for sale in August. Once the van is done, I move on to get the garage and yard cleaned up. Once the van is sold, I will be selling the remaining parts and the hoist, I think.

I'll be buying the replacement vehicle I ought to have bought in the first place. I'm thinking a mid to late nineties VW...perhaps a Jetta or a Golf. Economical, 4 cylinder, 5 speed, and easy to maintain. I'd love a Honda, but they're getting scarce these days.

I'll also be selling some of the other "stuff" I've acquired lately. The recumbent exercise bike has got to go. It does provide a good workout...but I'd rather ride a real bicycle and I'm doing that every day now. I won't be riding come wintertime, or at least when it snows, but I can't see that I will suffer too much. I may just go ahead and buy an indoor wind trainer; perhaps one of the compact ones that straps to the back wheel. I've still got a couple of TVs and computer items that quite frankly I couldn't sell if I wanted to, so they're going out to the recyclers. It's time to lighten up my life...

Friday, July 10, 2009

100$ worth of Groceries on a bicycle.

Things I learned:

Grocery shopping takes on a whole new aspect when you have to schlep all the goods home yourself.

Secure the basket before you load it.

Mind how you arrange your bungee cords.

Putting eggs between cans and bags of frozen food is not a good idea, especially if the un-secured basket falls over.

My Schwinn can safely support 350 lbs...but braking can be a bit tricky.

That promotional ruck sack that my Ex thrifted (and my daughter used for her paper route) has really strong straps

It's probably better to buy only the necessities on one trip, and the "other stuff" another day; instead of trying to transport two weeks worth of groceries all at once.

I really wish Superstore would stock 2l jugs of milk. 4l jugs are really heavy.

I'll be going back tomorrow for more eggs. Nice to know what the parameters are for "cycle shopping". In hindsight; I probably shouldn't have forged ahead without some more work on how to pack the goods for transport. I've been running low on almost everything lately...but now I am pretty well stocked. Except for eggs.

Wednesday, July 01, 2009

Things that have gone right so far:

I've lost weight. I now have 2 suits I can wear to church.

I'm riding my bike. I have gradually increased the distance of the ride to where time and distance are just about optimum for my age and current fitness level. I've had to overhaul the new bike's bottom bracket; the first 3 piece cartridge bracket I've ever dealt with.

I've fixed the broken stud on the head. The manifold is still cracked, but again, that's what JB Weld is for.

I've found TWO sockets on the roadside in the past few weeks. Both were useful additions to my current tool collection.

I paid my property tax assessment, I'm broke...this has put the engine job on hold for the moment because I can't afford to have the heads machined (and I want them machined) until I get paid again. On the upside, I can sell a bunch o' stuff for extra cash. I've got a real incentive to do so now.