Linda and Ken's Big Adventure

Linda's close friends, Jan and Tony, live in Gulf Breeze, FL. Hurricane Ivan did unbelieveable damage to their neighborhood. Tuesday morning, Linda and I took off south to take the GMC motorhome down for them to use while their home was being repaired. We were pulling the little blue Nissan as a towed. The trip went exceptionally well until we got on Hwy 113 between I-65 and Flomaton. Going up a hill, the GMC sort of hesitated and then started to slow down like it was not getting fuel. I patted the gas and it picked back up but then slowed down again. Finally it picked back up and started to run OK. We made it over to Hwy 31 and stopped to turn right. Everything was still ok. We proceeded down through Flomaton and got to where 29 and 113 turn left and 31 proceeds on to Atmore. We were sitting in the right side left turn lane (there are 2). The engine died. I tried and tried to crank it to no avail. A city policeman came and directed traffic while I attempted to set the GMC started. No luck. I went over to a little convienece market and got some starting fluid and fuel tank antifreeze (thought I might have picked up water when I bought fuel.) Still no luck. Suddenly, a tow truck appeared. I suppose the policeman had called him. He tied a chain to the front of the GMC and towed us do to the High School parking lot, about 300 yards south of the intersection.

I have Good Sam's Roadside Assistance, so I called them. They could not locate a tow vehicle in the area on Tuesday due to the storm disruption, but were able to locate a company called Wooten Tire and Repair Service who dispatched a mechanic. He came, diagnosed what he thought might be the problem and returned yesterday morning (Wednesday) and made the repairs. We were back on the road to Gulf Breeze around mid-day. We got down to Jan and Tony's, got the GMC hooked up to electricity and made the trip back here last night. Got in around 11:00 PM.

Trying an Ad

Well last night I decided that the search for a "grease" truck needs a little boost. What I decided on was to run an ad in the Thrifty Nickel. Maybe some one who reads the Thrifty Nickel is sitting out there with a little 4 cylinder diesel pickup that they would like to sell. I am still watching eBay, Cars.com, Autotrader and al.com but I thought the ad might help. Back when I was hunting MGBs, I learned that there are people with vehicles that they really don't want, and would like to sell, but never go to the trouble to advertise them. My "Wanted" ad back then shook out several vehicles like that. Maybe this one will do the same.

Got a gmail account

Well tonight I finally got a gmail account. I came accross a note with a URL for www.gmailswap.com, so I logged on. There was a forum for folks who wanted an invite and one for folks with invites to swap. A nice guy from Brazil sent me one in return for a picture of my dog, Corky. My new gmail address is pentonville@gmail.com (what did you expect from someone whose blog is pentonville?)

The Elusive Gmail Address

Well, still no gmail address for me. A real nice person from Birmingham FreeCycle (L.Singer) sent me an invitation, but when I tried to use it, gmail informed me that the account had already been set up and I should log in with the password that I used when I set it up. Since I did not set anything up, I could not log in. Don't know what the problem was, but I tried it several times with the same results. So, bottom line is that I still don't have a gmail account.

If any of you out there have an extra invite that you are not gonna use, I would certainly like to have it. Thanks in advance.

More 4 Cylinder Diesel Pickups

I have found two more potential candidates for my "grease truck." The early 80's Isuzu pickup with a 4 cylinder diesel engine and the early 80's Dodge D50 with the 2.3 mitsubishi diesel. I think that is the same engine that was in the later 80's Ford Rangers. I still hope to find a 83 or 84 Ford Ranger with the Mazda diesel, but the others seem to be suitable also.

I am still open to a very cheap VW Rabbit, car or pickup, but so far the really economical ones have eluded me. There was a Rabbit car that went for less than $200 on eBay over the weekend, but I had a conflict at the time it was closing. Seems every time something good comes along, I have a schedule conflict. Oh well, tomorrow is another day.

Settling Down After Ivan

Things are gradually getting back to normal after Hurricane Ivan. We were without power for slightly less than 24 hours. Few limbs down but nothing major. Lots of rain but the ground is already drying out. Now it is time for me to resume my Mule Day preparations.

How about a Ford Ranger

Well the search for a suitable Mercedes 240D continues but I am beginning to have reservations. I have discovered that in 1983 and 1984, Ford put a 2.2L diesel engine in the Ranger pickups. The engine is reported to be tough, made by Mazda under a license agreement from Perkins. My research indicates they are not all that plentiful, but seem to be reasonably priced. There are some obvious advantages that a "grease" pickup would have over a "grease" car, so while I am still watching for a suitable 240D, I am also keeping an eye out for a suitable Ford Ranger.

Mule Day is coming

No luck yet on locating a suitable Mercedes 240D. Got close to getting one on eBay earlier in the week, but I had to run a errand and it closed while I was gone. Some one snipped it for 50 bucks more than I had bid. I suppose one way to look at it is that I could have bid 50 bucks more originally, but then I suspect someone else would have snipped it. Seems there is always someone out there with deeper pockets bidding on eBay. Most of the luck I have now is with "Buy It Now." I probably won't be following it as actively over the next couple of weeks because I have to prepare for Mule Day in Winfield, AL. It will be Saturday, September 25. I'll be set up selling my usual camo items. Winfield really has a great Mule Day. The folks are friendly and there is plenty to do. I've only been to one other Mule Day and that is the one in Columbia, TN. Much bigger production, lot more mules and mule related activities, but I have to say I have never seen a more inhospitable town than Columbia, TN. Tried it three years in a row. Never made any money. They acted like they were doing me a favor renting me a space and then did their best to see to it that I had no place to park my vehicle. I'll not be darkening their door again.

Mercedes 240D

Well I have just about decided to limit my search for a 'Grease Car' to the Mercedes 240D. I am concentrating on the 1977 to 1983 model years and hope to find one with a 4 speed manual transmission. I think the manual will work better considering the limited HP of this vehicle. At slightly over 3000 pounds curb weight and 67 HP, I suspect it needs all the help it can get.

My primary reason for choosing this vehicle is its longevity. Seems these vehicles will make 300K easily if serviced properly and 500K is not unrealistic for the owner who does not mind an engine rebuilt or replacement and possibly a new transmission or two.

If any of you run accross a deal on a 240D, let me know.