Truck Update.

In late August, I bought a 1988 Ford F-150 pick-up. Shortly after making the purchase, it developed an electrical problem. After lallygagging with the distributor for weeks, we discovered that the problem was the Ignition Control Module. Ford, being the bright people we all know they are, put it on the distributor in such a way that you have to remove the distributor to get to it. Well, in the process of taking the distributor out, my older brother broke the shaft, so bam, another $130 down the drain. We got the distributor, replaced the module, and got the truck started so that we could time it. Well, my brother turned the distributor the wrong direction, threw the motor way out of time, and shoved the pushrods out of their lifters on 3 cylinders. These stuck valves caused enough back pressure that ir burst the head gasket on the left side. So, now it's been 4 months since I bought the truck, and my friend Jose might loan me the $45.00 i need for the gaskets, given I be his chauffeur for the month. I'll keep you up-to-date on how its going.

WORK DONE SO FAR
removed top side of motor (heads, intake, rocker covers, accessories)
removed exhaust system
cleaned components
pulled pushrods
replaced 2 fuel pumps (out of 3, dual tanks)
bypassed inertia switch (unsafe, but neccesary)
overhauled ignition system (coil, plugs, wires, dist. and components)

WORK TO BE DONE
replace gaskets, reassemble motor
hook up wiring harness
replace plugs again, DOUBLE CHECK GAPS
replace faulty fuel pump, front tank
repaint the poor thing
replace drivers side window motor
replace ignition cylinder

Smooth buddy, smooth.

Late last Monday, a young man in my town was struck by a train while driving his car. The A&M railroad said "The man wanted to settle out of court, and will not be reimbursed." I suppose the big guy upstairs was on his side, though, because he has only superficial injuries. When questioned, the man said, "My radio was too high for me to hear the horn." He was lucky the train was moving only ten mph, even though the inertia of 80 cars full of coal destroyed the passenger side of his car. I guess this is just an example of good old ignorance at it's finest.
-Dave

Blog Changes

I figured I'd change up the blog a little, seeing as the old layout was somewhat dark and depressing. Meh, if you still want to listen to music, the player is at the bottom of the page now
-Dave

Next Week...

Our church, though it may seem radical, is actually doing something interesting. Our youth group has it's share of troubled kids in it who have the will to become reborn to god. Our church has gotten permission from the fire dept. to have a small fire in a 55 gal. bucket, and any youth members who have something they BELIEVE to be holding them back can bring and burn it, whether it be negative music, posters, shirts, anything. And the part that has me interested is the fact that the church didn't pound it in like "Bring it in or you will be smitten and sent to hell.", they put it more like "Guys, if there's anything in your life you believe to be holding you down, ANYTHING, bring it in, and we'll help you start anew by removing that item from your life."
-Dave

A favorite verse of mine.

For God will bring every deed into judgment,
including every hidden thing,
whether it is good or evil.
Ecclesiastes 12:14

I like this verse because it makes you truly think," am I really as innocent or pure as I think I am?". Comment Please
Thanks
Big Dave

The REAL Christians

I read a statistic the other day, that doesn't surprise me. About 37% of Christians who attend church, when polled, said they did not express Christianity in their daily lives. I attend church every Wednesday, and I have seen that this is true. One teen I go to church with was actually prosecuted for stealing last week, but he still claims that he expresses Christianity in his everyday life. It just blows my mind that someone can go to church, learn about the lord, and then turn around and steal.

Peace

Big Dave

The solemn sounds of bluegrass.

I mentioned a while back on my fondness of classic rock, but I also have a place in my heart (and ears) for bluegrass. Once again, most of it tells a good story, or talks of god in positive ways. One song I like in particular is Angel Band, by the Stanley Brothers (you can listen to it in the play list) because of it's gospel style mixed with a good beat. Not only are lyrical tunes very delightful, but a good instrumental is excellent. One of my favorite instrumentals is Foggy Mountain Breakdown, by Earl Scruggs. The song is very tonal, and very quick. One of my favorite weekend activities is to go downtown and listen to the bluegrass players in the city park.
Peace and God Bless
-Dave