Yard Work

Yesterday I spent time working on my 'B'.  I have an overdrive gearbox to install.
The car has been sitting in the shelter for many months, so I had to jump the battery.  It took many tries, cranking the starter for a minute or so... finally it started.  Put some air in the very flat R rear tire, then 2 turns around the circle, still drives nice.  I parked it in front of the garage in prep for pulling the engine & gearbox.  I then spent some time trying to align the drivers door so it would close properly.  To loosen the bolts on the door hinges I resorted to the 4lbs hammer and a small cold chisel.  It was about when I was ready to give up that the bolts finally gave way.  I tried everything but I could not get the door lined up to my satisfaction.
This is one more thing that reinforces, in my mind,  that this car has obviously been in an accident at some point in its life; and the repair was not very good.  The frame is twisted and the panels (door, boot lid, etc) do not fit as they should.  I'm wondering if I should cut my loses and not put any more money or work into this car.
With this still in mind I spent the day today cleaning up the back yard.  It felt good to do some physical work.  Raking and piling the waste up in my little trailer, so much more to do.  Maybe I should give up on the 'B' and just garden.  It would certainly be less expensive but possibly more satisfying.
I need to think on this some more.

Time, gentlemen, please.

VW diesel

I have just finished tuning my Jetta.  Some months ago I purchased a 1.9L AAZ and transaxle from a wreaked '93 Golf.  It took me some time to gather together all the bits and pieces that I needed for the install.  Many parts on the AAZ were damaged and I had to source new or good used ones.  My biggest headache was the turbo. It was cracked.  It took along time to find a used KKK turbo that would bolt on without mods.  In the end I wound up using the 'Garret' from my 1.6L.  It was the easiest solution and I should have considered it right from the start.
Well, by Christmas time I had all I needed to do the swap.  So Dec 25th (Edie had to work), I pulled the 1.6 out of my Jetta.  Swapped the mounts and turbo, and over the following several days, wrestled the 1.9 AAZ and gearbox into place.  It was actually quite easy!  But, who would have guessed that the CV/axle flanges would be different diameters.  I discovered this only after  bolting down and connecting everything, yes, everything; the axle shafts were all that was left to do.  I should have just pulled the thing back out at that point.  But being the stubborn guy I am, I set about swapping the drive flanges while the gearbox was installed.  I can say that it was not all that easy to do.  It probably would have taken less time to re&re the engine/tranny (and a lot less hassel).  
I can say that I enjoyed the challenge and I would do something similar again.  I think, when  I finish my tea, I'll go for a drive :)


Time, gentlemen, please

Wedding Bells

Hey,

Its been the better part of a year since I last wrote. My partner was following my blog and made comments like "You shouldn't write that!". So I stopped writing, even though she said she would no longer read my blog. Anyway, many months later, I'm going to try again.

It has been a very full year, the most recent event being our

marriage. We were wed in the 'Blue Church' in Saskatoon December 11 2010. Most people have said 'Saskatoon in December! are you crazy?' It has nothing to do with my sanity, Edie wanted her Mom to be there and also to be married in the church she attended as a little girl. It was a wonderful service, approx 35 minutes long. So it was good that friends and family from the west coast didn't attend as the expense of planes & hotel could never be justified. We were treated to a very nice meal by Edie's Sask-a-bush friends. A very big Thank-You to all those who participated and helped make our day (and the whole week) so enjoyable.

I have so many things to write about... I don't have time today but will try and write again soon.

I'll leave you with the message in the Christmas card from E;

When I think of all the happiness and love that fills our life,

I can't believe the joy I've know since I became your wife.

Merry Christmas.

"Time, gentlemen, please."