Teats or tires,,,,,,

every guy that has wrenched on his car KNOWS of what I speak,,,,

Buffalo had to have a say in how the day went down, and DOWN it did.   Tow bill, parts bill, and the usual Family emotional bill that comes about from needing to make that call of “dad, can ya come pick me up”

Cripes,,, I’m goin on 56 and the man can still make me feel as insignificant as a 4 year old with his hand in the icecream carton,,,,

Long story, quick synopsis, headed back home from lake, made a turn and suddenly Buff is coughin’ and wheezin’ and no power and intermittent farts out the tail pipe.   Roll to a stop and find a driveway to roll back into.   No one home, but the people across the street were and helped me with the first diag step (they took me to get a can of gasoline, and REFUSED to take any cash in return.)   At first, I was concerned that having been running the AC a wee bit this week, she was sitting lower than the lying Fuel gage stated.    Two gallons in, same shit,,,, Great,,, Timing gears? something in the ignition?????

Tow truck call since I know that Dad wouldn’t know where the hell to find me and is craptastic at following directions,,,,   $100 to go 10 miles to a common landmark type place (wallyworld)   and start callin’ the dad.    10 tries, finally he calls me back,,,,  “I know you’re broke down,,, the only time you call me like this,,,, where are ya?”

Sigh,,,,    In my defense,,, I don’t normally call him at all, since I drive by his house twice a day, and stop in once a day on my way home,,,,  

And the bugger has a tendency to turn his phone off and not realize it for days on end.

Text Son of Bossman, ask to borrow the car dolly; good to go, go pick it up with Da’s truck, and head back to get the Buff.   Whiie on the way, Throw the dice and stop to get a cap and rotor,,, Can’t hurt, might help,,,, she’s left me like this once before.   

Get back to the Buffalo, pop the hood, do the parts swap and

VRRRRRROOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMM!!!!!!!!!!!!

well fuck ME!

Had I not been in such a twatwaffle state of mind, I would have tried that FIRST!! And there were THREE parts houses within walking distance of where I had her towed.   

nuther long sigh,,,,,,

ANywhoos,,,, I swapped the car dolly over to my beast of burden and released Da from Saviour of the Day duties (after offering to fill his tank for his troubles,,, denied,,,) and

here I am, at home, frazzled but intact, with a lighter wallet than the day started with, BUT NOT HURTING,,,,  More M-BARE-ASSED than anything,,,

 

As for all the other fun the Buffalo-truck has had going on: Differential is FINALLY flippin’ quiet!!!   Tire noize is all I hear or the intake roar when I open up to accelerate.    Nice n quiet ride and I can put on some Audio books again.

I know whats gonna crap out next and am taking steps to be ready, or as near ready as one can be when you are talking power-plant failure (like I was CERTAIN had happened today,,,Thanks to the gremlins of dark humor and mechanical things)   YES, I am kicking this can down the road to a later date: not much choice seeing how I am NOT made of money, and my good looks don’t work on those that would be able or willing,,,,(Ewww! ICK!) and my moral code denies me the “Sugar Mama” that seems popular in some circles.

(on a side note,,, there is one engine swap that is tempting me,,,, The cost of the swap will end up the same and there is only a bit more involved, but some of the drawbacks of the 4.3L would be eliminated,,,,,    A 327/LS1 swap.   New/overhauled 4.3 runs $2500,,, New/overhauled 327 runs same,,,, different engine mounts needed and some shoehorning but,,,,,    Just a thought for now,,,,,)

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