5/2/06

I stopped by Robert's on the way home last night to discuss Mr. Wiggly. He was busy finishing up with a customer so I took a good look at the engine. I'm having some concerns about my DGV and Albatross fitting under the doghouse. I may have to make a power bulge on top of it in the cockpit to clear the thing. I just don’t know. Another issue I'm going to have to contend with is the throttle linkage bracket that attaches to the exhaust manifold that won’t be there when I install the headers. I'll probably convert to a cable and be done with the monkey-motion linkage. I don’t think it will be too tough to do. There is an EGR valve hanging off the side of the intake that will need to be blocked as well. What I'm getting at is, I think I'm going to plan on running the stock one-barrel and cast manifold for a bit. So, Robert finishes up with his customer and installs the new battery terminals on the cables. We discuss the idea of moving the battery to the rear because the tray has totally rusted away but decide against it. He drops a battery in place, temporarily, and connects it. He cranks the engine and it turns over nicely. We search his shop for some carburetor cleaner to use as starting fluid. We find none so I head to the auto parts store and buy a can. He sits in the driver’s seat and shoots cleaner down the throat of the carburetor as he’s cranking the engine. It fires up and purrs like a kitten, as long as he is shooting carburetor cleaner, that is. We decide to check the tank to see if there is any gas since the gauge reads dead empty. He taps on the tank and it sounds empty to me. We step back and discuss the situation. He’s going to blow through all the fuel lines and flush the tank. He’s going to replace the hard line from the pump to the carburetor with a rubber line and a filter. He’s going to dip the carburetor and make sure it isn’t gummed up. It moves nice and free but the internal passages might be full of varnish. Once he’s got it running and idling on its own internal fuel supply, he’s going to look at the charging issue. We discussed converting it to a GM one-wire alternator and I think that is what he’s going to do. Once the thing is running and keeping the battery charged, he’ll look at the brakes and lights, and whatever else is needed for an inspection. Once it is inspected he’s going to look at me and ask for a pile of money. I'll pay it and happily drive off in my ultra bitchin’ cool “Shaggin’ Wagon” Mr. Wiggly! I guess I need to go to the courthouse and transfer the title and get some insurance for it. Did I tell y’all I'm bidding on a set of 15x8 Vector wheels for Mr. Wiggly? Well, I am. John, what size tires do I need to start shopping for? Remember, they must be a size that is available in a raised white letter tire! I have one of those horrid three-spoke chrome and foam steering wheels but I'm going to need to get a horn kit for it. I hate those wheels, but it just seems so appropriate for Mr. Wiggly. Oh, I had a look at the driver’s seat yesterday as well. It looks like I just need to reposition it and, worst case, drill some new mounting holes to set it back some. Once I have it back to a comfortable driving position, I want to look at a floor-shift for the transmission. It will have to be pretty far back because of the doghouse but I think it can be done. It will have one hell of a long stick on it though. Hey, I’ll need another beer tap handle for it like I had in the Tick! That truck’s shifter, literally, almost touched the roof! Yeah, there’s something to think about. Well, I think I'm just about talked out for the day. I'll probably stop by Northside Upholstery on my way home and see if my tonneau cover’s new zipper has arrived and been installed. I'm not going to hold my breath that it will be but Juan never knows. Talk to y’all later.