I had a nice day – lazy – not motivated at ALL and didn’t mind too much. (chuckle) So on my way home after some errands I thought I’ll stop at the Legion, I haven’t been there in a week or so. Well it too was nice – my visits aren’t long. When I came out and started the Scout it burped a couple times. That isn’t normal but it seemed to run OK – For 2 blocks and died at the stop sign at County Club. Normally it doesn’t take much to start it but but it wasn’t going to start this time. It wasn’t a good place for that to happen but then . . . Traffic was backing up behind me and I had to keep waving them around. 3 different guys came by and wanted to help push it out if the way. It REALLY wasn’t a good spot. I told them all “it doesn’t push easily and I think I can get it going.” Finally I was able to get out and pop the hood. Didn’t take much of a mechanic to see what the problem was. The top radiator hose had split about an inch from the distributor and was spraying water/coolant directly on the distributor cap. In the mean time traffic was backing up behind me and getting them around me and onto County Club safely was a higher priority. Every time there was a break in traffic I’d go wipe the distributor cap off and give it a try. No Go! About then a guy came over and said “your in a bad spot I’ll push you back out of the way.” Again I said “It’s heavy and doesn’t push easily” then I took a good look at the guy- “Yeah I think he could.” I told him to watch out I would put it in reverse and run the starter if he could add a little push I think we could do it. I think he was disappointed and I also thought he probably COULD have pushed it if there hadn’t been a slight up grade. Between using the starter & his muscles we got it out of everyone’s way. One more wipe with an old rag and WHOOPEE – she fired right up and I got home OK – it hadn’t even heated up. While all this was going on a friend from the Legion had been waiting to make sure I was going to make it- I DID! And it’s inside the fence in back waiting for a part till Sat. Not the part that was the problem but one of those “really ought to while while I’m doing it” parts but. . .” that in many years in the past I would have said – it’s OK for now - not so much now. The “have to“ part was in stock but I intend to avoid those decisions made by expedience and excess frugal-ness whenever possible. I was very glad to get it home and am very Thankful for all those who offered to help and really wanted to help- pretty refreshing in today’s world. It’s inside the fence under the shade and I’ve sprayed penetrating oil on the bolts that haven’t turned in a very long time. I’ll continue the spray tomorrow through Sunday- till the parts come in. Then flush the system and re-assemble with new coolant & top hoses AND a new thermostat that I’ve been saving for years (special made for International Harvester engines only), knowing I’d need it eventually.
Thursday, October 12, 2017
I had a nice day – lazy – not motivated at ALL and didn’t mind too much. (chuckle) So on my way home after some errands I thought I’ll stop at the Legion, I haven’t been there in a week or so. Well it too was nice – my visits aren’t long. When I came out and started the Scout it burped a couple times. That isn’t normal but it seemed to run OK – For 2 blocks and died at the stop sign at County Club. Normally it doesn’t take much to start it but but it wasn’t going to start this time. It wasn’t a good place for that to happen but then . . . Traffic was backing up behind me and I had to keep waving them around. 3 different guys came by and wanted to help push it out if the way. It REALLY wasn’t a good spot. I told them all “it doesn’t push easily and I think I can get it going.” Finally I was able to get out and pop the hood. Didn’t take much of a mechanic to see what the problem was. The top radiator hose had split about an inch from the distributor and was spraying water/coolant directly on the distributor cap. In the mean time traffic was backing up behind me and getting them around me and onto County Club safely was a higher priority. Every time there was a break in traffic I’d go wipe the distributor cap off and give it a try. No Go! About then a guy came over and said “your in a bad spot I’ll push you back out of the way.” Again I said “It’s heavy and doesn’t push easily” then I took a good look at the guy- “Yeah I think he could.” I told him to watch out I would put it in reverse and run the starter if he could add a little push I think we could do it. I think he was disappointed and I also thought he probably COULD have pushed it if there hadn’t been a slight up grade. Between using the starter & his muscles we got it out of everyone’s way. One more wipe with an old rag and WHOOPEE – she fired right up and I got home OK – it hadn’t even heated up. While all this was going on a friend from the Legion had been waiting to make sure I was going to make it- I DID! And it’s inside the fence in back waiting for a part till Sat. Not the part that was the problem but one of those “really ought to while while I’m doing it” parts but. . .” that in many years in the past I would have said – it’s OK for now - not so much now. The “have to“ part was in stock but I intend to avoid those decisions made by expedience and excess frugal-ness whenever possible. I was very glad to get it home and am very Thankful for all those who offered to help and really wanted to help- pretty refreshing in today’s world. It’s inside the fence under the shade and I’ve sprayed penetrating oil on the bolts that haven’t turned in a very long time. I’ll continue the spray tomorrow through Sunday- till the parts come in. Then flush the system and re-assemble with new coolant & top hoses AND a new thermostat that I’ve been saving for years (special made for International Harvester engines only), knowing I’d need it eventually.
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