and the flow can mess ya up!

Thats a point of advice from kayakin’

and I ignored it at my peril this week.

Sorta,,, Fact is, I ‘flash read’ the txt from Son of Bossman yesterday and made assumptions

No work today, he told me the eve before yesterday, I didn’t ‘see it’. So,,, I was the only one to show up today (even Son of Bossman was gone) and walkin’round, opening doors, turning on heaters,,, thought “is awfully quiet, better check that message again” Sho’nuff,,, it stated ‘tomorrow or friday, stay warm’,,,, Back track, shut it all down, turn off lights, close gates, lock locks,,, laugh at self,,,,,

And go pay the bills. Phone bill paid, Car insurance paid, three more to go for the month, but SHOULD (fingers crossed) have more work on tap. Either J.O.B. or self oriented, don’t matter,,, so long as the flow continues. Much appreciated for the assist from those that have jumped in, it didn’t “pay” the bills but made paying them much easier to swallow (squeeze through, without losing copious amounts of skin). Thats an assist I can’t thank y’all enough for. That Tap is still there if any others wanna help out,,, I ain’t gonna give ya the side-eye if’n ya did. This time of year, EVERYTHING slows down, except the writing,,, (that happens in the summer when I am gills deep in ‘life’,,,)

So, yah,, another ‘Did it to meself’ moment,,, And I was laughing at me the whole way to the Car insurance place,,, (yes, I pay in person there. I did the auto pay thing once before and ‘things happened’ and I no longer trust that medium)

Its cold out,,, snow predicted to hit any moment, and carry through the night. Tomorrows temps are slated to single digits in the AM,,,

ITs winter,,, iswhut’tis,,, And February tends to be our worstest month of the year. the freeze your ass off month, and towards the end “swim to work” month due to flashflooding of the river. Too many Febs where we have been off work because the shop was 6′ under water.

but I have “options” now. FWIW, I made some cash yesterday, on the side, and thats what made this morning DO-Able,,, Not that the ‘tips’ didn’t assist that; they did, but I was also able to fill Bloos tank, and put a little aside for the rest of the week ‘just in case’. And I have another job lined up in the wrenching side. Waiting on clearer weather for that though, as No Cover where the beast lay currently. (I WILL be getting a 10×10 shelter for this very reason.) Customer concurs on that reason. (good, ’cause I wasn’t being optional on that note.) Note: I said ‘clearer’ not warmer. Not all that concerned about the coldness, so long as its nearer the freeze mark: single digits, not so much, negative digits, NOPES. Cold tools are a pain, but I figured a way to warm the box and keep things a little more toasty than ICE,,,, (the solution requires an extension cord though,,, Small space heater behind the tool box, only works when parked (for now,, workin’ on it) but keeps the tools nearer the 50 mark, which is a blessing when ambient is 30sumpin.

is kold, is a lazy dawg n sleepin’ katz kinda day. And I’m good with that right now. My phone is on, the calls can come but likely not many just yet, (cards aren’t printed so not in circulation yet.) that I have had one with another lined up is purely ‘word of mouth’,,,, But that gives me a fuzzy feeling I can’t put into words.

More laters,,, Is a snow day, so you know my mind is awhirl,,,,

LLLLL!!!! (, ‘)

”

Lots of little things goin’ on,

nothing privy to talk about (not my medical issues to share,,, Sorry guys, ya gotta guess this time around.)

Some side work lined up. Had an epiphany of sorts too, while out with Da.

We stopped at Wafflehouse for lunch after the MRI. And I thought, ” I used to cook for these guys once, way backawhen,,, I could do a third shift again for a spell if needed,,,” Didn’t investigate at this time, but “it ain’t off the table”.

Full day out n aboot,,, Feeling good about current decisions, getting GREAT feedback from y’all: in comments and emails, Thanks again for the donations/tips/whatever you wanna call ’em. Things are gonna get paid this week, thats all I was concerned about, My status is moot, I have back ups to the back ups in ‘getting through’, its the bills that are cutting me this round.

and thats about all I have for ya today. Maybe later I can spill beans on things not said here. Maybe later, I can give deets on sidework. Side work that will help build my rep outside of the “Welder” status.

L,L,L,L,L!!! (, ‘)

Little things, nothing spent YET, but heres the idea for the card.

Of course things will change dimensions a bit seein’ how Business cards are a specific size and all. Font will change, Graphic sent in, request made and I will be sent proofs in email to approve before printng commences. Things may change yet. Alternate image is this’un

As for the ‘doin’ business’ side: I have payment options established, from online, to direct payment via card, to my much prefered type, CASH. Gotta be flexible in this day and age, but cash is still king. (silver is doable to, but I don’t make change in that medium)

I’ll be getting graphics cut for Bloo this weekend or next, depending on finances,,, likely next. I have, kinda sorta, the means to do my own, except the machine doesn’t like talking to the Mac, and if I can’t get them to communicate, nothing gets cut. Cheaper to have someone else do this than get a new machine or new computer. Thats just one aspect of a business someone could do from home that is in demand. That ain’t my pidgin though.

As for the rest, Got my mop chopped this afternoon too. I kept meaning to get this done, and things and other things kept getting in the way. I was looking quite the scruff monster. Dad even made comment I looked like I was a homeless type. No, not the look I want when trying to kick off something with potential profit involved. Others may get away with it, but it would always be in my hindbrain “ya look like a bum!” (gee, wonder where that sort of thinkin’ comes from?)

And I just got the word that we won’t be working tomorrow either. No big deal as I already had to take it off to get Da to an MRI appointment. Still, there are several others at the J.O.B. that are likely already looking elsewhere or already somewhere else because of this week of “no work today”

Am I ready for this? Thats a loaded question, ain’t it? No, Will I ever be ready? Again, one of those loaded questions. If I ask myself that often enough, I wouldn’t ever move forward with it. Sometimes you just have to step over the precipace and except fate. If I fall, I fall. Or the wind will get under my wings and I fly.

Or never try,,,

Those are the choices,,, and in someways, I have to thank Son of Bossman for his moves this week. I’ve been waffling on this, even though BlooTwuck is a legit thing now. And its not just wrenching. I can make this whatever works/pays. I can make a rack in short order so that she can haul 4’x’8 sheeting (or longer) one that bolts to the boxes and extends up and over the cab. I’d need that for plywood and board if I pushed the carpentry thing. Or just the occasional handyman thing. She has the ability to haul a literal ton of material: she is a One Ton truck after all. My limitations are in my head (and some physics of course,,,)

She’s a work truck, make her work!!!

Again, if any out there are feeling Generous, a little assist over the next couple of weeks would be greatly appreciated. HUGE thanks goes out to Greg M, and Mike in FLA for thier contributions this week. Ain’t much, but it makes the squeeze much more tolerable. So, if you find value, or even just entertainment value in my words here, drop a dime in the kitty. Thanks in advance, and after,,,

LIVE

LOVE

LAUGH

LEARN

LOAD!!!

Last eve, Cozzie decided to strike out and push some limits. Three of Bad Neighbors Dawgs were running through the woods near my place (not on my property, but close) and headed up hill towards my water tank. Cozz took off after, me yelling for him to come back, unheard, unheeded, totally ignored.

20 minutes later, he returned: Complete defeat written large across his normally smiling Pittie face, cowed, head lowered, tail between legs

and bleeding.

Poor sap got his ass kicked, several places where he has leakers, nothing life threatening, but quite tender. Reminders to him for the future, “Don’t take on PACK by yourself”. He’s now curled up near the fire, looking every bit of depressed and despondent, refuses to even go onto the porch. We’ve been here once before, last time he got jumped and shown up. It takes a few days for him to get his mind back in the game. Getting a twuck ride and a bribe from Arby’s might help a bit with that. (did last time.)

I’m home bound again. Text came in late last eve to stay home today. What I WANT to say,,, Well, I didn’t even respond to the text for one. Better to say nada in this case, at least to the Bosses,,, but loyalty goes both ways,,, and they are losing.

I’ll get by, I always do: may be a bit tighter than I like for a spell, but the end result is usually better.

Today, I spend even MORE money on something,,, I’m going to the sign place and having business cards made and see about getting the signage on Bloo for Mobile Auto repair and Handyman. I was holding off on this until I had paid Son of Bossman back for the loan, but now,, NO,,, I have to watch out for number one and I could care less about LOYALTIES at this stage. I think I’m justified.

I don’t know how real it is, but in the past I was taught something about “Employer obligations” and that the employer is nearly as obligated to certain things as the employee is. One of those obligations is making sure the employees are EMPLOYED,,, and if you can’t do that, you WILL lose them to those that can employ them. I understand that weather makes certain jobs undoable, but you find something else, you keep the ball rolling, or you compensate in some manner.

Not all of us out here are getting a check on the side from Uncle Sugar.

Well, That ball I have been toying with the last three months gets kicked onto the field today. It may take time to really get put into play, but today, its gets put out there.

Unlike Cozzie, I don’t let depression force me into hiding. I know I got my ass kicked: now it’s time to find the culprits single and solo and give’em some what-for. The culprit in this case is me, being timid and demurring to an employer. Nuff’said.

No, I ain’t mad, not even angry. Disappointed is more the score here.

I’ll get by.

If’n you are feeling generous, a little tip in the jar would be highly appreciated right now.(Mike in FLA, NO, Leave it, you already tipped this month!!). Not bleggin’ just blogging’ and could use a hand to keep afloat for the time being.

Live

Learn

Laugh

LOVE

LOAD!!!

HUGE Thank You to Greg M for the donation. You rocked my shop with that one Brother!!!!

Managed to finger out how to get the valve covers off and keep engine integrity near 100. A little aluminum foil for the ‘oil deflectors’ (cuz I’m cheap and impatient, no wanna wait for a delivery,,,) and Dio is tweakin’ valve lifters,,,

Passenger side is dead quiet from word go. No ticky-tacky nuthins,,,

Drivers side though,,,, clickityclakitytickity rackity,,,

Heres the face palm moment.

Recall, I said “I was going through the #6 side of the things and #3 exhaust was loosey-goosey,’ Yeah,,,, Guess whats noisy? You guessed right #3 Exhaust valve. #7 intake was a little loose too, but #3 was the Loud Neighbor,,, 1/2 turn and shhhhhhhhhhhhhuuuuuushhhhhhhhhhhh.

That was it. I gave #7 a little love wrenching too, but it wasn’t near as loud and obnoxious as #3 was. I can watch all the rockers moving and hear nothing but normal engine noise.

Put her all back together ( did have to pull the bolts in bracket to move it so I could get at DS Cover,,, that was it,,, didn’t need to pull the belt or fan.) and take her for test drive. Had one instance of ‘mis-fire’ and that could be any number of things (like an EGR hiccup for example) valve related, maybe, but I’m thinking its something from cleaning the intakes. Wouldn’t be the first time a cure created another issue. More investigations needed and CONSISTENT would help: this is NOT consistent.

But it was nice to drive to get DedKow for Mama, get out with the engine running and NOT HEAR that loping engine or that rickitytickityracketyclakity noise. (yes, I could hear a lope in the RPMs at idle. ) Fix that exhaust up nice now and you’d think she were a new truck by sound. And she isn’t loud at idle, only when you put your foot in it some. (or downshift for exiting the highway,,, )

Outside temp is 39 currently,,, supposed to drop into the teens overnight, but tomorrow is supposed to be even warmer (like 2 degrees but those count when they are this low.) Hopefully I have a full day at J.O.B. Has an MRI appointment with Da on Tursday, so thats gonna be an all day no pay thing,,, And then Friday. IF I can get two full, bills will be paid (both monthly recurring: phone and car insurance) this week. IF not,,, Will see. I can fudge one with putting it on a card, but thats borrowing from Peter to pay Paul.

Better that than raping Tax payers I guess,,,

Oh, Damn! I just made political commentary, didn’t I?

But I WILL get by. Thanks goes out to Mike iN FLA again,,, for dropping a tip in the jar. Thanks Brother Mike for looking out for this destitute curmudgeon. I did see that I have a couple Zon deposits coming to me too. Those aren’t much, but every little bit helps. I’ll get by,,, May be shy some skin from the squeeze, but,,,

Live

Leran

LAUGH

LOVE

LOAD!!!!

Woke up with the sun, what little we have currently, and the outside temp was 5 degrees,,, inside temp 84, dawgum n kittehs sprawled about like they were recovering from a roman satyrnalia,,,

Supposed to get into the thirties today; will see. Should be able to go back to the J.O.B. tomorrow,,,

Will likely attempt that hot adjustment on the valves today, but not right now,,, Too damned cold,,, wait till afternoons and potentially warmer air.

River was up yesterday. about 4′ to go to be in the road, but it came up fast, Cold ground doesn’t absorb water the same as warm ground, and the trees is sleepin’, not drinking it up. Could be some wonderous kayaking for the white water types, if they are brave enough to deal with KOLD WATER,,, I’ll pass thankeebeerymuch,,, I may have the gear; I certainly don’t have the inclination,,,

If I were inclined,,, I’d make cookies today. Not much of a baker,,, can cook breakfast foods like a champ, but bakin’ stuff,,, notsomuch. But its that sort of day,,, too cold out to enjoy, even if clear and sunny (the sun does little on days like today,, but it is uplifting of the spirits.) not like when I was pre-teen,,,, The cold meant nothing then, it was a day off and a fun day with friends.

We get older, our friends get further between and fewer, My nearest friends are an hour away in drive time, and I’m glad as hell to have them.

So I deal with Cabin Fever. When the temps get over 15, I’m cranking the sounds up and jamming out for a bit. Cozzie be danged, he can go run in the snow; the little shit doesn’t seem phased in the least with this cold, though he does prefer to be inside if I’m not moving around. Young and dumb, atheletic, gas tootin’ Pittie that he is.

Elbs is of the right mindset though,,, SLEEPS!!! He’s curled up in the window in the kitchen,, totally draped over edges and relaxed like the dead. You could use his tail for a plumb-bob right now.

Some of y’uns might be wonderin’ why I don’t chime in anymore on things outside of the hollar. Well, I watch,, about the only thing going on that concerns me is the price of Precious metals. Watching that like a hawk as that is telling me more about the state of the world than some windup toy getting smoked in a cold city. What happened there? Far too many points where it could be spun in either direction, and seems that many are taking advantage of that, to do just that: Spin it up, make waves.

are we at war? as in Civil War? Dood, you know that answer, you just haven’t admitted it to yourself yet. When a majority of people start doing that self-admission, the cuffs come off.

Between the financial house of the world (about as good a shape as mine is in currently) and the civil strife that is being fomented world wide,,, Yeah,,,

Just gonna sit on this hill, watch the circus play out, attempt to keep my little world as intact as possible.

Selfish?

Ayup! but like I have told others, others that are of the service oriented nature,,, If you don’t protect yourself or your health, what good are you to the rest of the world? There will come a day where that ultimate sacrifice will need made, but is that day TODAY? think hard about that. I certainly am not seeing any call to lay down my life for a cause at this point.

And I have Da to take care of,,,

Cabin fever,,,, getting the melon-collies playin’. Damned bi-polar mutts,,,,

Live

Learn

Laugh

Love

LOAD!!!

(, ‘)

OK,,, what I did. I have an old cap I destroyed for events such as this. Took a 2″ holesaw to it so I can see the rotor and its orientation CLEARLY. That was in use today.

Pulled the cap, placed visual aid in place, TOOK PICTURE since my mem’s can be called into question, especially when I’m freezing my arse off.

Took Distro into house,,, Looked things over. YES, the Rotor is set up for single orientation. Fuggit, has old one, lets play, if nothing else. Cut the tabs that line things up one way, so I could put the old cap on ‘backwards’ re-install the distro, wire it back up, FIRE IT UP. Sounds good. Pop into the cab, fire up the OBDII and check codes,,, p1345 and a couple of O2 codes (one of which is semi-permanent as that O2 is missing completely, FOR NOW.) CLEAR CODES,,,, Check live stream. Looks ok, but I question the ‘advance’ stream. Not sure whats acceptable,,,

TEST DRIVE,,, Runs good enough,,, an occasional sputter from a misfire though, only at speed though,, idle and lower rpm range, solid running.

Get back home, UNDO EVERYTHING I have done: put it back to where it was, with the new un-modified rotor in place, and re-do the test drive. (this is getting trickier as the day progresses as the hill is getting damned slick,,,)

SAME SAME,,, NO change as if I had done not a damned thing. Likely the misfire thing is due to the valve lash needing hot adjusted,,,,

Pull out the scope, run a live feed and LOOK!!!

I have an intetmittent miss, that is NOT tripping a code, wasn’t shown in the above scan, but I sure as hell feel it. And when I say intermittent,, Its few and far between, but there for certain. Didn’t make a lick of difference which orientation I had the reluctor in (and oddly enough, putting things back in the original order, the code did NOT return,,,)

Scratchin’ me head, and massaging frozen digits,,, Frustrated dawgums as he only got to go for ONE ride, (and has a carpet of Katz to navigate to his bed in the house,,, ) but I’m done monkeying with the detroit monkey today.

Dunno,,, so much has changed on this boat since I started and I didn’t do a baseline (Fred asked me that question in sideways manner in emails,,,) of checks, like compression, or oil pressure, not even a vacuum gauge hook up (which, I still need to make a port for that,,,)( b,b,b,but, Is kold out there!!!!) Fact is, I have no clue what’s real or imagined on this twuck now… She’s running, need to do that hot lash adjustment but need a couple (8) small peices first (Thank Mike!) and its kold out, getting kolder, and likely won’t be working again tomorrow. The day is supposed to open up around 3 frellin’ degrees,,,, ever tried to pour concrete at that temp? Doesn’t set up for shitte until spring,,,, Welding can get spotty too, especially when the gas regulator freezes solid,,,

So what did Dio learn today? The Tree-Fiddy is a whole lot more resilient than a Fiat 138AS,,, More flexible even,,, So damned flexible it might not read any changes,,, (on that note though,,, The 138 had only ONE computer and that was a Bosch unit that had only one trick: pump fuel,,,, everything else was analog,,,)

Other than that, I learned not a damned thing about whats going on in that block,,,,♧

Live

LAUGH

LEARN

Love

LOAD!!!!!!!!

UDATED: I hit publish, and 30 seconds later, text from Son of Bossman; “No work tomorrow, TOO COLD”

sigh

♧ I did learn sumpin: P1345 is set by the cam RETARD being outside +/-2°, not the 180° I thought it was. Actually, the reluctor doesn’t give that orientation to the computer. (and its stuff like this where I wish I had that O-scope, so I could tap in and see waveforms, not just rely on digital outputs.) I ‘lucked out’ getting the distro lined up right both times. I was able to pull up the cam retard info on the scan tool and dial it in to ZERO later on. and it wasn’t bad off, 1.2degrees at that time.

WHUT DOES ALL THAT MEAN DIO??? It means I am overthinkin’ shit again, and that I do NOT need to buy a different cam gear or even the entire set again. Shits running, and I just need to get the valves settled in.

The misfire must be related to the valve adjustment as its only above 2grand that I get it. Everything below that is smooth as ice, and she never pops a code over it, not even a temporary one that won’t key the SES light.