The plan is to make these rounds:
Red River Parts & Equipment Co.
Memphis Equipment Co.
Groban Supply, Chicago, IL
Mount Rushmore, SD
Home -Dallas
Options of the Air Force museum and MECI surplus, both in Dayton, were considered. The primary goal is Groban, where several large variacs and rheostats await my removing them from some old gear. Groban was visited last year, and there are many images of that, including a multifuel engine+generator with factory spin on oil filter base assy, in last year's story.
Having fixed the drivers door handle Monday, I left Dallas Tuesday morning. The day has not been without its adventures.
Stopping at Red River in New Boston, TX, I spoke with Blake Callaway, the friendly and helpful salesman. I bought two new windshields. IIRC one of mine was destroyed by a night-flying dragon in a thunderstorm during the 2007 trip. I didn't have time to take pictures at RR, but learned that they will gladly sell to the public, and ship, so in any case their # is 903-547-2226. It was said they supply many of the goods for Memphis Equipment and other dealers. The office is located on the North side of I-30, at exit 206.
On into Arkansas, the Exit 44 truck stop in Prescott is always something different. There's a TA across the highway, but I like the old funky place better. Coffee was free with fuel.
Pulling into a rest stop, I shut 'er down. I went to the head. Upon coming back out, I saw something really bad. There was about 3 gallons of engine oil on the deck, it was just pouring from the engine compartment. I figured that's it, the door handle -was- an omen, and this had just become an adventure.
As it turned out, the pre-post lube pump had done its job well (I recall someone mocked my small pump; well it seems like it's big enough now!). The output hose of the pump had come partway off the barb and sprayed oil all over the port side of the engine and compartment. Some came through the firewall holes and there was a nice puddle on the floor.
I cut off the bad end of the hose, and put it back on with a hose clamp. I'll rebuke the kit manufacturer http://pre-luber.com/ for this mess later, since they firmly said the high-tech high temperature hose could not come off the barb unless cut off. The rest of them will get hose clamps. I already had one on the oil pan fitting, just made sense.
This left a very large mess in the rest stop. I reported the spill to the attendant, since I had no way to clean it up. Speaking of that, some old rich people in a $200K+ motor home towing a 60's ford fairlane pulled in beside me. Of all the places for them to pull in, they stupidly pulled in right on the spill where it had run. I am talking about a good 10x15 area by the time they pulled in. Then the old woman stood there scowling with her mouth hanging open, and the old man was there with the pet dog, some muttly thing, with his mouth open, but working, I could see his jowls moving. It looked like he wanted to say something, but didn't know just what to say. Maybe he was talking to the dog. I said nothing, and ignored them. They both had the typical big round dark glasses that old people wear and looked like the snooty and crabby types. Well if they were not so stupid, they could have picked another slot! I just got in the truck and drove off, since I had finished the repair and reported the spill. I had only 2 gallons of lube oil with me and the truck was still a gallon low, so I had to stop 5 miles down the road and buy some Rotella.
Before I got that far, I saw an Arkansas state police car coming up, and I thought I was going to get pulled over and ticketed for that mess (like the old crabby people might have narced me out or something), but he flew by me and nailed a semi tractor.
So by now it's 6 PM and I see a sign that says "15 minute oil change, exit 121". OK I'm going for that since what I poured in was not diesel lube, and it's about time anyway.
At exit 118 there is a Days in, cheap, has smoking, has wired DSL/ethernet, decent.. Next to it is a Colton's steak house, I reccommend it very much. The mashed potatoes were loaded like a baked potato. The country fried steak is thick and the gravy is good, and the rolls were just out of the oven so hot I could not touch them. There is something else on the menu called an onion tangler. It tastes good but is pure grease and breading, so I don't really reccommend it. It's by no means as bad as the disgusting "chicken stickie" of last year, at least the tangler was edible and had no beak-shaped parts.
Tomorrow, will try to make it to Memphis.
If time permits and the offer's still available, 54reo might have a free pizza for me in Illinois; and I really want to see the telephone line truck he got last year. Also, maccus is near Mt Rushmore, if available, these from this thread: http://www.steelsoldiers.com/index.p...ic&t=24597
I realize it is unannounced short notice, so no issues if it is not convenient. I just need to be at Groban in Chicago NLT 0700 Friday.
More Later. Sleep now.
__________________
FATAL ERROR
Although the partitions were successfully created,
formatting of drive 2 failed
because copying of drive 1 to drive 2 failed
because copying of partition 1 failed
because directory failsafe.drv could not be copied
because directory failsafe could not be copied
because the file user.exe could not be copied
because there was a device error reading drive 1
absolute sector 223095 count 127
Re: road trip September 23 through possibly October 4
Quote:
Originally Posted by OPCOM
Opcom's SS road trip 2008
If time permits and the offer's still available, 54reo might have a free pizza for me in Illinois; and I really want to see the telephone line truck he got last year.
The offer is always available, so whatever you want, it is my pleasure. We are introducing a new line of Alfredo sauces and would be happy to make some for you if you would like. As all of our menu, it is completely scratch built.
As far as the V17A, I am backing off of that project for a more practical one. It will soon be up for sale.
I will have some more interesting vehicles in the stable for awhile.
Give me a call to firm up the details....
__________________ Third generation Union Millwright, Millwright Local #716.
RE: Re: road trip September 23 through possibly October 4
Hey Patrick, good to see you on the road again! Love reading about your adventures.
Here is some info on the "push-on" fittings, I use them extensively for fuel lines without problem, so far. Note the detail about pushing the cut end of the hose all the way under the yellow ring...don't know about the "water and air" restriction for brass fittings either. Of course, special "push-on" hose required. There may be a temperature de-rating in effect also. (From McMaster Carr)
"Brass Fittings for Push-On Hose
Maximum Pressure: 350 psi @ 72° F
Temperature Range: Not rated
Use with air and water
Vacuum: Not rated
Hose: Push-on hose (see above)
Clamps: Not required
Fittings install easily on the hose without the need for clamps or ferrules—just push fitting into the hose with a steady force until the plastic ring covers the hose end. Made of brass, which has good corrosion resistance but low wear resistance. Fittings are forged or bar stock CA360 and CDA377 brass with a yellow plastic ring. Material meets SAE J476, J512, and J514.
Note: These fittings are to be used only with the push-on hose shown above. They will properly grip push-on hose only when the hose is pushed all the way in, with the cut end of the hose completely concealed by the ring."
__________________
Bjorn
MEP-018A (needs new generator head)
Avatar: XM757 in OK prepared for 1,000 mile trip home. Part of 6,000 mile journey in 2006.
1968 M49A2C modified with 1960 M756A2 truck bed and 1975 HIAB 765A knuckleboom, exhaust brake, VIC-1 and more.
1969 Ford XM757 8x8, 5-ton Pershing 1A truck tractor...the "improved MV".
"Some things can't be made better, just differently......a lot of things actually"
RE: Re: road trip September 23 through possibly October 4
I enjoy reading your roadtrip reports & observations. I fully understand that truckstop/old bag scenario :P
Same thing happened to me except it was My Ply. Val. and it was in a supermarket pkg. lot. After a 6hr. roadtrip I decided to stop at the store in my town before going home. My radiator hose had rotated slightly and the fan belt was cutting into the hose. The slant six dumped antifreeze everywhere and a woman pulled in right next to me and stepped into it and scowled.
Hope you left Mr Murphy at the puddle with the motor home people, sounds like they could use some excitement and adventure.......
If you are at Mt. Rushmore if they are sill doing the night show I highly recommend it!!! It is a night audio and light show..... Might think about stopping to see Crazy Horse Monument they are building while you are in the area, too.
road trip September 23 through possibly October 4
