Progress?

October 25, 2007 (6:27am)

20º F, Clear, Calm Wind.

Good morning,

Boy did I get up late this morning. Watched the PBS special on WWII. Saw it once, but it is so good and interesting. Brings back a bunch of memories too. Felt good though.

Got to Eli’s late yesterday and left early. By hands and knees were really causing problems, but blamed that on being all folded up working on the tractor lower end. Turned out, I forgot to take my medications yesterday morning, including the pain killers. Discovered it about supper time.

One reason for the late start was an email I got from our Pastor. He want me to be supply pastor for him on November 11th at both churches. The other one is Presbyterian. I don’t think I have ever been at a Presbyterian church service. That should be interesting. The real hard part of the deal is the Presbyterian service starts at 7:30 A.M.! I will meet with Doug, hopefully within the next couple of days, and lay out what is to happen and when. Probably would not be a bad idea to show up at a Presbyterian service before then too.

Eli filled the wood furnace with water to make sure the weight of the water didn’t cause any further leaks. When the water came out of the fill point at the top, we looked inside and found a flood of water coming down the back wall and out the clean out door at the front of the furnace! Mick who had done the welding saw it and turned white! As it turned out, it was not a bad thing. When the water jacket was full, the water came out of the fill-point and made what looked like a fountain. The fountain was directed right at the chimney and into the firebox. The draft was also closed, so the water backed up in the chimney and came out in a flood when the draft was opened! We all had a laugh over it, but at the moment of discovery didn’t think it was very funny. Everything is OK.

When I got there in the morning, Eli had the old tractor tire off of the rim, so I started to clean it up and ready for the newer tire. Put a wire brush on an angle grinder and started at it. Got a small section cleaned and a hole in the rim appeared. Checking the rest of the rim, discovered there were a lot of rusted through parts of the rim, too many to repair. The problem is the rim at that point is two layers with a space between, perfect for trapping water, causing the rusting through. So .... we have an aftermarket rim on the way, but probably will not get here before next week. In the mean time, Fjord sits on blocks on one corner. Not in the plan.

I did manage to get the angle piece cut, fitted and holes drilled into it and mounted on the front of the engine. Also cut the two ears to be welded to it and fasten up each side of the engine. Should get them drilled and welded on today - I hope. Working on it caused me to stop working for the day and end it. Even managed to teach Eli something. I had one leg of the angle toward the rear of the tractor and Eli thought it should be going forward. My thought was that I can rest the end of the sub-frame on it while trying to bolt things together. Also would collect less snow. After thinking about it, he agreed and thought it was a better idea.

Hopefully the steering shaft bearing will come today so I can get it and the “dashboard” back together again, along with the wiring and all of the other accouterments. Then the hood and gas tank can be put on. Maybe even start it again. Seems like one piece after another part being damaged or worn out holds up everything.

Time to get the day a-going.

In Christ My Saviour,

Chris <><