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So the elements and life itself have made a dent in my plans once again. oklahoma was subjected with a month or so of torrential rain, followed by a glut of mud and mosquitoes. i went to south dakota for frogman’s printmaking workshop and when i returned it was scorching hot. there were no working windows in the van, and i soon discovered what a misery it was to drive in such a condition. the last straw was when my car was in the shop and i had to run some errands with the van. when i went to get in, the driver’s side door handle fell apart and would not open. since the passenger side door also wouldn’t open, i had to go in through the back. of course the back door had no inside handle, so i had to go through the van and out the passenger side door (it opened from the inside) and shut the back door. carefully, because of the broken window glass hanging together by strips of packing tape. then back around to the passenger door and slide over to drive. at the end of the day i was getting pretty aggrivated by the whole system and thought i would be smart by pulling the back door shut from the inside by gripping the edge and pulling it shut, slipping my hand inside at the last moment. now, i know what you are thinking. i in fact did not slam my hand in the door, rather i put my butt through the broken window when i slammed it, knocking it out.

these events led to a reassessment.

so i decided to trade my old family heirloom ‘69 ford truck for fixing all of the doors and windows plus some other frustrating items on the van.

on the way to auto zone to get a windshield wiper (one clip broke and it was falling off) i noticed some steam.  sure enough, wet under the hood.

it was looking glum in van land.  once again (time #3) i took off the rocker arm cover to address the gasket problem.  i was trying to come up with a way not to get completely filthy while i was looking at the muck in the top of the head.  here is my solution- it involves one infant medication dispenser syringe (from when my son was a tot), a 3hp shop vac with micro nozzles, a cheap artist’s brush and a pair of pantyhose.  first i sucked out all the wet oil with the syringe.  then i ran the wooden pointy handle of the paint brush around the valves and drains to chisel the gunk loose.  when i had that pretty well worked over, i put some pantyhose over the end of my shopvac hose and shoved on the small tips on to suck the crud out.  i had to empty the tip and move the pantyhose about every two seconds, but after a bit of effort, the drain ports were revealed.  i ran the tips down the drains to clean them out as best i could.  the test was pouring oil into the head- it actually drained!  i got so excited that i accidentally put about half a quart of automatic transmission fluid in the head before i caught my mistake. 

i decided to try one of those 5 minute engine flush mechanic in a can deals, so i drained the oil out, putting back the flush plus 4 quarts or so.  running the van after that was interesting, the metal between the exhaust manifold and tailpipe glowed red hot while it idled.  sounded like crap, too.  after changing the oil and filter i went for a drive. 

results?  shifting better, no smoke, idles better.  i have to admit i was feeling pretty good about my efforts for the day.  unfortunately, it was hard to find anyone that interested in my brilliance.  oh well, i finally won a round!

day next after the de-gooping- i replace the pcv valve, just in case because they are cheap.  highway driving to my parent’s house and back a couple of times, trying to work things through and stabilize the van.  like driving a regular van!  i wasn’t all tense with one eye on the fire extinguisher ready to bail.  took the boy and dogs for a ride.  much fun.

i was unable to get the press in the van for art walk last friday due to relentless rain and a stubborn van, but i did make an appearance with the van, i had some lame signs on it explaining the work in progress.  talked to a few folks about it.  van cooperated this night.  the van, like my house, is full of ants.  they have moved in by the thousands due to the rain, i think.  i was disappointed that i wasn’t able to have it all going for the art walk, but it wasn’t for lack of trying.  it was a beautiful night for sitting out on the sidewalk, had a good time anyway.  reminded me of being in a city, i miss it sometimes.

Current mood: sticky and greasy

so i am wrapped in anticipation.  since the air cleaner fire incident much has transpired– i spent all day saturday in the autozone parking lot.  i figured at least they had loaner tools and parts if i needed them, not to mention dry asphault to scoot arount on instead of the rocky mud puddle at my house.  the rain has been slowing down repairs and i am getting anxious. 

let me say here that mid-eighties vehicles are the worst- miles of worn out vacuum hoses and strange and expensive emissions control devices in questionable repair.  more likely than not many are missing and they all can affect “driveability”  so i look at the veci sticker and copy it as well as make a new diagram of what actually exists in the van for comparison.  what i know is there is an oil leak involving the driver side rocker arm cover and an exhaust leak between the ex manifold and the tail pipe.  the veci sticker comes up from trying to figure out the item installed in place of  the gasket i thought i had to replace was.

not really wanting to relive the whole thing, and aggrivated at helm publications for not sending out the manual i ordered, i will skip to the funny part.  determined to get back home, i clamp the tailpipe back on over the broken studs and fire up the van.  now the leak is worse, pouring oil on to the tailpipe and filling the van with white smoke.  every time i took my foot off the gas, the van would die, so i had to restart it at every light.  and the windows don’t work, so i had to lean way close to the windshield to see through the smoke.  almost home, but the last stretch was a bit too long, so i had to bail out.  i opened the door and smoke billowed out, the inside of the van looked solid.  i was standing on the other side of the road letting it air out and this guy i passed before i bailed out walked up and said ’smells like oil, i think you blew something.’  i told him i had it under control and got in and drove off.

today i redid the work from saturday.  thought a lot about american car culture.  two other michaels stopped by to keep me company and help out.  beautiful day for a shade tree mechanic.  i gotta go to bed now, but lots to think about.

i have discovered how to live life after 37 long years, or at least how to enjoy it properly.  got a van and working on fixing it up.  lots of love in the air!  a dream come true- after years of lust and pining i have finally found a disco ball cheap enough to buy, i will install it in the van.  looking forward to carburetor work.  reading up on it wilst it is rainy.  meantime dancing to vinyl barefoot with the doors open, basking in the glory of the ball!  i like the instant party in a box, makes my heart sing.