Don't replace a Blown Head Gasket without a Chiltons(Part 2)

Dan came over this afternoon, and it only took us about 2 hours to take most everything back apart on his truck, including the water pump.  We were able to loosen the timing chain, take out the camshaft, and re-adjust the chain to where we think it is supposed to be.  We got most everything back together.  All we lack are the two pulleys, the fan blades, and radiator.  The rest should only take about an hour tomorrow.  Hope it works!

Don't replace a Blown Head Gasket without a Chiltons!

I should know.  I tried it, and failed!  My friend, Dan has an 84 Mazda b2000 pickup with a small 4 cylinder engine in it.  It took about 3 days to get everything apart(rusted and frozen bolts), and took a little over a day to get it back together.  While we were putting it back together, the crankshaft turned just a little bit while the timing chain was off(we didn't have the timing cover off).  We got it to what we thought was TDC, and started putting it back together when we discovered that the chain was too tight!  The tensioner was not designed to loosen unless you do it yourself.  We ended up having to take off a bunch of other stuff.   To make a longer story short, when we finally got it back together, and tried to start it, it was spitting exhaust out the carburetor, and trying to suck air into the exhaust pipe!  Oops!  Well, maybe next time.   I'm going to do Bro. Pridgen's brakes next week, then maybe try to take it back apart and get it right.  The moral of the story. . . If you don't know what you are doing with a vehicle, get a Chiltons or a Haynes!

Fun on Sunday!

I just saw something that I have not done in a while.  There is a lady at church named LaShawnda, a nice lady who graduated from OBC not too long ago.  She works in one one of the Jr. Church classes(i think), and/or a Sunday School class. While she is taking the little girls to the restroom, or walking them outside, I like to tell the the girls that Miss LaShawnda is a vampire, and if the lights all turn off, they need to run!   It is just as much fun to watch their eyes pop out of their heads as it is to see LaShawnda get irritated.  After thinking about it, there seems to be a vampire craze on television here lately, so I'll probably not do it any more, but it sure was fun while it lasted!

No More Mondays!

The other day, my wife went to the library and got a book for me to read entitled, "No More Mondays."  Dave Ramsey recommends this book, as well as another, "48 Days to the Work You Love," both by Dan Miller.  I have only started on the first one, and am really enjoying it.  I've learned quite a bit so far, and really believe that I will learn a lot more.  I recommend that if you have an opportunity, check these out(or just buy them), and read them.  Not only will you learn ways to enjoy your work better, but will get ideas on how to find something you will enjoy if the former is not possible.   ---  just an idea.

Officially voted the worst dining experience ever(By me)!!!

A few months ago, Sandra(my wife) and I went with a friend of ours to a restaurant here in OKC called Lin's.  When we went, we did nothing but praise the place as a great restaurant.  It looks like a very expensive place to eat, and overall is kept very clean, but. . .   We went tonight.  We'll never go again.  The food was the worst in Chinese I have ever eaten.  Some of the food was cold, other items were old(although still hot), and overall very unimpressive!

They have very quickly made it to my "Never again" list.

Sandra and I love Chinese food, and eat it regularly(not always eat out--she can cook a mean Chinese meal too!).  I don't recommend it.