Thursday, July 28, 2011
Truck Repair, Not Again!!!!
As I mentioned on one of my earlier posts, the muffler plugged up on the truck. A couple of weeks after I had replaced the muffler, it plugged up again. What was happening was the inside of the Catalytic Converter was disintegrating and plugging up the system.
Many years ago I was down visiting Uncle Walter and he gave me Grandpa Fritz's oxygen acetylene welding system and I finally ended up with a job where I had to take the tanks in to the local welding supply and get them filled.
Once you are in for the cost of tank inspection, registration, and filling, I went ahead and bought new hoses. The regulators and other equipment was all checked out OK.
Catalytic converter removed from truck. I had to use the cutting torch to remove the bolts from the exhaust manifold.
Tail Pipe and "Cherry Bomb" muffler.
After I beat all the insides out of the converter I re-installed it.
The muffler.
The stuff that was inside the Catalytic converter.
The truck ready to go again.
Friday, July 22, 2011
Snowblower Repair
My friend Warren gave me a computer monitor in exchange for fixing his snow blower. The drive gear wore out that powers the auger.
I had to take it into the shop at work to get them to help me push off the gear.
The auger drive shaft with the impeller that throws the snow out the chute.
At one time or another it must have picked up a stone because one of the blades was bent.
Getting it ready to install onto the drive unit.
Front view almost all assembled.
I had to take it into the shop at work to get them to help me push off the gear.
The auger drive shaft with the impeller that throws the snow out the chute.
At one time or another it must have picked up a stone because one of the blades was bent.
Getting it ready to install onto the drive unit.
Front view almost all assembled.Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Weekend Update
This week it was so hot that Liz and I went canoeing. 
Paddling upstream in the Mississippi river was difficult because the river is high due to the rain we have had.
There were also a lot of trees down because of the storms.
Here I am taking a quick dip in the river.
Kate, Gerardo and Aunt Sylvia.
I had a couple of day road trip for work and stopped in to see Ed and Alicia. Both are doing really well.
Then we had a graduation party for Liz. It was to be an outdoor party but because it was so hot we ended up inside, yes, even though I like it hot, it has been so hot that I turned on my air conditioner.
Paddling upstream in the Mississippi river was difficult because the river is high due to the rain we have had.
There were also a lot of trees down because of the storms.
Here I am taking a quick dip in the river. 
Kate, Gerardo and Aunt Sylvia. 
I had a couple of day road trip for work and stopped in to see Ed and Alicia. Both are doing really well. 
Then we had a graduation party for Liz. It was to be an outdoor party but because it was so hot we ended up inside, yes, even though I like it hot, it has been so hot that I turned on my air conditioner.Saturday, July 09, 2011
A Summer Update
On my return from Turkey, I made a Turkey for the 4th of July.
Putting it together.
Cooking it on the grill.
It is starting to look pretty good.
Sitting down for dinner, with Kate and Gerardo, Liz, and Pati and Aunt Silvia and of course the "Little One".
I finally got the Truck running, it had a plugged up muffler if you can believe it. What a project.
I helped Mike take his cans to the recycler. He got $335 dollars for them.
Liz said that she thought the Blazer brakes were making funny noises.
So I took them apart to check.
Sure enough, I needed new ones.
Here is the "Little One" enjoying an ice cream sandwich.
Putting it together.
Cooking it on the grill.
It is starting to look pretty good.
Sitting down for dinner, with Kate and Gerardo, Liz, and Pati and Aunt Silvia and of course the "Little One". I finally got the Truck running, it had a plugged up muffler if you can believe it. What a project.
I helped Mike take his cans to the recycler. He got $335 dollars for them.
Liz said that she thought the Blazer brakes were making funny noises. 
So I took them apart to check.
Sure enough, I needed new ones.
Here is the "Little One" enjoying an ice cream sandwich. Sunday, July 03, 2011
Some More Pictures of Turkey.
This was the view from the hotel I stayed at in Istanbul. 
Another view of the Bosphorus.
View from the Topkapi Palace Museum.
Leaches being sold at the Spice Market.
A view inside the Grand Bazaar.
Some interesting outfits.
These are the ancient walls of the city. 1,500 to 2,000 years old.
I enjoyed walking around the city.
Another view of the Bosphorus.
View from the Topkapi Palace Museum.
Leaches being sold at the Spice Market.
A view inside the Grand Bazaar.
Some interesting outfits.
These are the ancient walls of the city. 1,500 to 2,000 years old.
I enjoyed walking around the city.