Thread: 55 Wagon Progress
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05-29-2024 06:18 PM #1
JB actually built it for his niece and nephew, who live in the midst of red clay South Carolina. So a bit of overkill for the intended purpose. But I can attest, it’s not an off road vehicle, it doesn’t pull well in the grass. Some ground clearance issues.So yes, we get a laugh out of the whole situation, and I don’t know if it will ever be turned over to the kids. Their mom has agreed it’s a bit over the top for the kids.
Robert
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07-15-2024 04:42 AM #2
The truck was performing better than expected, but I was losing a touch of oil. Travelling the interstates at ~70 mph, and given tire size and gearing, the old truck was revving about 2850 rpms. Perhaps some oil loss was expected. The transmission housing did have some oil on the outside, so I suspected valve covers. A rear main seal was ruled out as there was no clutch slippage or drips at the front of the bell housing. We were in Nebraska and heading to Hastings. Scenery a bit flatter than the neighboring Wyoming.
I've always considered 3 my lucky number, so I had to capture this....
My stop in Hastings on Friday was at the World Headquarters of Imperial Wheeling Machines. My good friend Pat Brubaker, the owner, dug up a ratchet, extension, and socket so I could snug up the valve cover bolts. The rear bolt on the drivers side proved to be the (a) culprit, with a good two turns to snug up the bolt. After talking shop with Pat, he suggested (as did others) that I stop at the Speedway Motors Museum of American Speed in Lincoln, NE. Quite a bit to take in...
I did find an engine I could use for the new shop truck...
and what is likely the first ramp truck in existence.
Next we headed into Iowa, and a visit that has been on the bucket list for quite some time...
Quite a step back in time.....and the visit would not be complete without a picture in front of the mural...
I could have stayed for a day or two, but didn't want to wear out Joe's hospitality. That, and there was a storm heading in and I wanted to stay in front of it..
I headed the more southerly route on I-74 to bypass Chicago and head towards Cincinnati for our next shop tour, set up for Saturday morning. I drove into Indiana and found a rest stop. And set the alarm for 430.Robert
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07-15-2024 04:44 AM #3
Saturday we had about a three hour drive to our next stop southeast of Cincinnati, at Cornfield Customs. Mike Wagner is among the premiere craftsmen in the country when it comes to metalshaping, it was nice to get to see his shop and some of the projects he has going on.
Mike's shop is a mix of both new and vintage equipment, here is an early Pettingel power hammer that came out of a local warehouse. If only it could tell stories of it's past life...
One of the projects, an all aluminum fabricated hood for a Galaxie, complete with tear drop hood scoop.
Before leaving I had to get a picture next to his 61 Unibody Salt Flats push truck.
Mike, thanks for the hospitality!! From there I had about a 9-1/2 hour ride home. Here's what 11 states worth of bugs looks like...
I had noticed that the fuel economy appeared to be getting better. Or more precisely, that it was taking less fuel to fill up at about the same mileage reading using the tape notation method. So I broke out the calculator again, the last tank was 14.1 mpg. My driving started at about 4 pm in Oregon on Wednesday evening and I was home all safe and sound back in Maryland Saturday night at 9 pm. Quite an adventure.
Robert
I saw last night on fb about John. The world sure lost a great one. I'm going to miss his humor, advice, and perspective from another portion of the world. Rest in Peace Johnboy.
John Norton aka johnboy