Wednesday, June 6, 2007
In the World of Betsy
In the world of Betsy it has been great recently. We are definately making progress. A couple more weeks and we will be passing a couple more milestones. The radiator, starter and generator are all out being overhauled and tested. The radiator has been painted and is ready for pick up. The starter and generator should be ready next week. The valve cover has been painted and the horn, air cleaner, and fan blade should be done this weekend. Next up, the tie rod is coming off to access the oil pan so that can be cleaned and painted. Then the fuel tank, fuel lines, fuel pump, spark plugs, starter, generator, radiator, and carburator can be installed. Then the day of truth will come to see if Ol' Betsy has a working engine. If she is toast, it will be judgement day to see which way this project will turn. If she runs, then it is into to brakes, master cylinder, all four wheel cylinders, and brake lines. After she is running, shifting and stopping we will give her a break and drive her around a bit, before we take her all apart to be painted and rebuilt. Man all in a days work, right? I will keep you posted on how judgement day goes. PS
Friday, May 18, 2007
Just In Case..
Just in case you are wondering if Betsy had been impounded as a community eyesore or sold out of discouragement, I can confirm she has not. In fact she is starting to get a smile about her.
We have purchased a battery, new plugs, and ordered a slew of parts for the fuel and brake system. With all of the parts on their way, we are spending our time tending to the regular tasks like rust management, rust management and you guessed it, as well as preparing for the installation of the new parts when they arrive.
The other day I was inspecting the oil pan and discovered that the top right shock tower was cracked off it's mount. Really it came as no surprise, and I just took note for when I am trying to avoid potholes.
As far as true progress goes, I have sanded and painted the valve cover with a lovely shade of flat black high temp auto enamel. Removed the carbuerator so it can be rebuilt by my dad between his time in Canada and Wenatachee (he insists on rebuilding it, and realistically this means I should receive the completed unit sometime in early '08. I will be looking for it as a stocking stuffer.)
In the midst of all of this excitement, the debate has begun of how far do we take this project. Do we venture to the depths of the frame so it can be powder coated and bring Betsy a full 180 to better than the day she was born. Or do we get the engine running, resolve the rust issue and have her painted one day. Only time will tell, but the longer she sits there not running the more attached I become. There is something friendly about the way she looks when I pull in the driveway.
As a side note, if you know somebody that would like to buy a '66 Volkswagen Bug or a 1994 Ford Ranger let me know. This project has moved into the capital raising phase. Next thing you will know I will be selling yard tools, and old T-shirts or Jeans.
We have purchased a battery, new plugs, and ordered a slew of parts for the fuel and brake system. With all of the parts on their way, we are spending our time tending to the regular tasks like rust management, rust management and you guessed it, as well as preparing for the installation of the new parts when they arrive.
The other day I was inspecting the oil pan and discovered that the top right shock tower was cracked off it's mount. Really it came as no surprise, and I just took note for when I am trying to avoid potholes.
As far as true progress goes, I have sanded and painted the valve cover with a lovely shade of flat black high temp auto enamel. Removed the carbuerator so it can be rebuilt by my dad between his time in Canada and Wenatachee (he insists on rebuilding it, and realistically this means I should receive the completed unit sometime in early '08. I will be looking for it as a stocking stuffer.)
In the midst of all of this excitement, the debate has begun of how far do we take this project. Do we venture to the depths of the frame so it can be powder coated and bring Betsy a full 180 to better than the day she was born. Or do we get the engine running, resolve the rust issue and have her painted one day. Only time will tell, but the longer she sits there not running the more attached I become. There is something friendly about the way she looks when I pull in the driveway.
As a side note, if you know somebody that would like to buy a '66 Volkswagen Bug or a 1994 Ford Ranger let me know. This project has moved into the capital raising phase. Next thing you will know I will be selling yard tools, and old T-shirts or Jeans.
Friday, March 23, 2007
How True It Is!
As the great D-Lo* has pointed out in my last posting of Project Stovebolt, Betsy has a bit of what we call a rust problem. Yes and when I say problem this is the kind that would require counseling.
She was born in a factory, raised on a farm, and retired in the field. No thanks to her previous resting place and the indigenous wet, ever damp, rust friendly environment in the beautiful northwest, she has developed a rust habit.
This is all okay. We are working with her, first on getting the current problem areas under control. Once this process is through and the engine runs, and the brakes stop, and the running gear, well runs, we will start parading her around town, to see who the lucky metal and paintsmith will be to cut loose with their handy work. Then this true blue Betsy girl will ride again.
If anyone has any recommendations of autobody or paint shops within a 1,000 mile radius of the hill we live on please advise.
Until the next blogging, always remember bare metal, rain, and being 57 years old will result in Betsy.
*Note: D-Lo is the reason I even know what a blog is. Call it inspiration, call it infection, I call it blogging.
She was born in a factory, raised on a farm, and retired in the field. No thanks to her previous resting place and the indigenous wet, ever damp, rust friendly environment in the beautiful northwest, she has developed a rust habit.
This is all okay. We are working with her, first on getting the current problem areas under control. Once this process is through and the engine runs, and the brakes stop, and the running gear, well runs, we will start parading her around town, to see who the lucky metal and paintsmith will be to cut loose with their handy work. Then this true blue Betsy girl will ride again.
If anyone has any recommendations of autobody or paint shops within a 1,000 mile radius of the hill we live on please advise.
Until the next blogging, always remember bare metal, rain, and being 57 years old will result in Betsy.
*Note: D-Lo is the reason I even know what a blog is. Call it inspiration, call it infection, I call it blogging.
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Saturday, March 10, 2007
How did this all start?
It just happens that my truck is approaching a ripe age and dons nearly 180,000 miles. Hence, it was time to start looking for a possible replacement. That is when it clicked that rather than buy a new truck, why not find a classic something with some character, that could meet the demands of the garden, and the occasional household remodel haul.
So I set out to find my childhood dream, a classic stepside truck. Eventually my internet search lead me to a truck in Lakeview, WA that has come to be known as "Betsy". She has wheels, tires, brakes, an engine, all the windows, a fairly straight body, and even some rust to boot.
After some negotiations we were proud to take delivery of "Bets'" late last fall. Due to our Seattle weather, progress over the winter has been slow but we are excited to see what spring provides. The goal is to get the engine running, go through the brake system, and then put a stop to our little friend called rust.
The story has only begun....
Z.
So I set out to find my childhood dream, a classic stepside truck. Eventually my internet search lead me to a truck in Lakeview, WA that has come to be known as "Betsy". She has wheels, tires, brakes, an engine, all the windows, a fairly straight body, and even some rust to boot.
After some negotiations we were proud to take delivery of "Bets'" late last fall. Due to our Seattle weather, progress over the winter has been slow but we are excited to see what spring provides. The goal is to get the engine running, go through the brake system, and then put a stop to our little friend called rust.
The story has only begun....
Z.
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