A long afternoon

[mbulriss]

I spent all afternoon (into the early evening) opening up the bed and then the
innards to be able to replace alternator #1 - one more time. In mine, I also
have to work around all the plumbing, which was conveniently installed in the
way of the engine hatch! After opening the floor, you can't even see the alt!!!
I have to stand on the tranny and kind of remove the alt by feel. I bought a
new one and replaced it. Not going to screw around rebuilding the old one again
- 7000 miles since the last time has soured me on rebuilds. Besides, the new
one was the same price as the last rebuild. This is really not a fun job.

After I finished installing the alt, I then installed a replacement turbo intake
tube that I found in a 'reclamation center' (aka: truck junk yard) to replace
the one that broke in South Padre. The weld job did not hold up. If you want a
good laugh, I called Detroit to see about getting a new one, because I really
wanted a new one. When I heard $500 for a piece of exhaust pipe, I decided to
try to find a used one. If anyone knows of a place to get part number 5101394
(yup, it's stamped right on it) for way less than $500, let me know please. And
I used to think Harley parts were high dollar!

Man, I am beat up and sore all over! I left the floor open as I want to remove
the 'infamous' coolant hoses to the air pump tomorrow. At least that's the
current plan. I realllllly am not looking forward to that job! I think I will
replace them with braided stainless steel hoses so I never have to do it again!

While I was having fun, the wife pulled each screen window and washed them, did
the Invisible Glass cleaning on each window, and then scrubbed each window track
and silicon lubed them. They slide open really nice now.

It seems my to-do list just keeps growing without getting shorter! Is it just
me? I want to change the thermostats to 170s. I need to rebuild the Gast air
pump. I have service the air dryer on the list. I plan to pull the electric
heaters to clean them out. And on and on..... And I haven't even started on the
wife's list of modifications yet! I keep wondering: Are we having fun yet?

Long day..... having fun.


Mike Bulriss
1991 WB40 "Texas Minivan"
San Antonio, TX