IAC's visit with Mr Blotto (6/4/07)
Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2007 8:21 pm
Colin arrived just after 9am today in his beautiful blue bus. We got started right away with a look at the weather forecast (rain), a few cups of French Roast coffee (Starbucks) and 2 Blotto-McMuffins (yummy). We spent the next hour or so discussing the basics of my engine, tuning proceedures, and fuel injection. Then it was off to the garage to adjust my hydraulic valves. As evidence of years of prior neglect and running hot, 7 out of my 8 valve adjusting screws were frozen on . After spending several hours trying to free up the frozen adjusters, we decided to claim defeat and proceed on. We then completely tuned my bus (pulled distributer, adjusted and cleaned points, checked dwell, checked timing, and adjusted the fuel injection). We also found and replaced a few rotten and brittle vacuum and fuel breather hoses. Colin then cleaned up a ground issue I was having in my passesnger tail light assembly - now I can acually use my turn signals!!!!!
Then it was off for a test drive and a detailed lesson in double clutching (that will take me a little time to master ) and trying to avoid the north suburban police .
After the test drive, we loosened up my poor, over-tightened steering box.
My bus is now running and riding better than ever.
The "day" ended at 9pm when Colin drove out of my driveway to head off to Ohio (get ready Don!!!), and to get some weak, burnt convienence-store coffee and a Hostess sugar bomb . Those frozen adjuster screws slowed us down, but I now have a greater appreciation of how these buses work, and how to maintain them.
I was very pleased with Colin's visit and felt that it was very much worth the investment. He is a great person, teacher, and now, a friend.
After a 12 hour day, I need water, food, and a bath (oh, and 8 German valve adjusters ).
Thanks Colin!
Paul - aka Mr Blotto
Then it was off for a test drive and a detailed lesson in double clutching (that will take me a little time to master ) and trying to avoid the north suburban police .
After the test drive, we loosened up my poor, over-tightened steering box.
My bus is now running and riding better than ever.
The "day" ended at 9pm when Colin drove out of my driveway to head off to Ohio (get ready Don!!!), and to get some weak, burnt convienence-store coffee and a Hostess sugar bomb . Those frozen adjuster screws slowed us down, but I now have a greater appreciation of how these buses work, and how to maintain them.
I was very pleased with Colin's visit and felt that it was very much worth the investment. He is a great person, teacher, and now, a friend.
After a 12 hour day, I need water, food, and a bath (oh, and 8 German valve adjusters ).
Thanks Colin!
Paul - aka Mr Blotto