Shop Talk - September 2010

Here we are with August half over and it finally looks like it might get hot. I’ve already suggested that if your air conditioning is not cooling as you like, a re-charge can usually bring it back to snuff. But with the cool weather we’ve been having, it probably doesn‘t make much sense to most to spend the money.

What many vehicle owners don’t know is that their air conditioning system is used when in defrost mode as well, even if you have the heat on!
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Shop Talk - August 2010

After seeing several motorists broke down along the road and as well, here at the shop, I thought I would write about some basic things all drivers should know before venturing out into the world of driving. I’ve said it before, young drivers should be taught how to change a flat tire, check the oil and coolant in their vehicle, and other very simple things to do that will nearly eliminate road side breakdowns.
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Shop Talk - June 2010

Summer is coming on and I thought I would remind readers that the travel season is rapidly approaching…and you know what that means? Time to get “old Nelly” up to the task of doing some traveling. At the very least, you should have your rig inspected by a professional technician who knows what to look for and can advise you on any needed services or repairs that are coming due.
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Shop Talk - May 2010

I’m always being asked how I became a mechanic and I thought a little history might be fun to share.

My grandfather was a mechanic for over 50 years (Lordy, lordy, I’m not that far from being able to say the same thing) and had his own shop down on Oregon Way, where the U Haul business is now.

As a youngster, I loved going there and smelling the smells that were typical of a shop of old – such things as gear oil (whale oil was used), smoke from the barrel stove that was almost always burning (great place to burn those old oil filters and such), and other not so mundane odors that permeate old buildings

It seemed like there were always old timers hanging around telling stories that really made going there a fun experience. When I was about 10, my parent’s car broke down due to using a new type of oil that had detergents in it. Not a good idea when the first 70 thousand miles were driven using non-detergent oil. That new oil broke all the crud loose and plugged up the oil pump just as we were leaving on a trip for Canada.

It was a mad scramble to get the old Studebaker back running because reservations were made and money put down on deposit for our cabin at the lake up there and I got my first real introduction to engine work. What a thrill! My job was to free up all the pistons where they oscillate on the connecting rods. I felt like a real mechanic after that experience.

My grandfather had lots of stories to tell but the ones that stick with me I will share now. The first one was his first car; a 1927 model T.  He installed a Model B engine (newer engine from a Model A – more horse power and torque) and a second ‘T’  transmission in a back to back arrangement with a 2 speed Rukstill (could be the wrong spelling) rear axle.  He could do 62 mph with it!!

Another great story concerns the missing fingers on one hand. Seems there was a way to tie a shop rag onto the bands that were used in many of the early car’s transmissions so that a band could be changed real fast as opposed to the correct way, which required tearing the transmission apart.

Only problem was if you weren’t quick enough, the rag would pull your hand into the trans and, voila - no fingers! I believe this happened more than once. To top that one, after he retired, he was helping remodel a building for his fraternal organization and was planing some boards on a small power planer and of course, his hand slipped and several slices of finger appeared under the tool.

No problem, just rap a handkerchief around the stub and drive himself to the hospital. Grandma had a fit, but to Grandpa, no big deal.

Despite the reduction of fingers, my Grandma was always very proud of her husband and I remember many times her saying that he had the cleanest finger nails of any man she ever knew! He never came home with grease under the nails.

The last story concerns his patience with most anything that happened. In her later years, Grandma got to where her depth perception wasn’t so good and she occasionally would sideswipe the garage when pulling in or backing out. Not a problem, just run the car down to his buddy that owned a body shop and have it fixed. The last year Grandma drove, he had the car repainted 3 times! She didn’t fight the loss of driving privileges too bad. So now you know I come by my mechanical interest naturally, including the missing digit!

Happy Motoring, Ray

Comment on this column and others online at our web site, found at www.valleybugler.com! Questions or comments to Ray – rayscartalk@yahoo.com.

Shop Talk - April 2010

Here it is spring already and I’m trying to write an article that somehow ties into this months focus on home improvement and the sun is shining! Makes me want to put my solar panels up and catch some of that sunshine to help offset my electrical usage. But I have another area to write about and will come back to the solar panel thought in a bit. Several times I have written about the future direction automobiles will take, such ideas as hydrogen fueled engines, fuel cell powered (conversion of some type of fuel into electricity – Ballard system for example), hybrid electric, which most of the manufacturers are now producing, and other types that are on the drawing boards, but I think the chips are starting to fall into place to cement the transition to all electric and hybrid electric as the future of most transportation.
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Shop Talk - March 2010

Car Talk continued from February…

As I was discussing in last month’s column concerning changing our priorities on the use of fossil fuel, there are many, many things both the individual and the government can do to reduce our dependence on oil and clean up the environment at the same time. As an individual, we need to assess our personal carbon footprint and see where reduction can be accomplished starting with the easiest to do.
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Shop Talk - February 2010

There is so much happening in the world today that I had a difficult time coming up with something to write about this month that was relevant to the title of this column.

Obviously the events in Haiti seem to overpower many other thoughts. However, being the person I am (as green as possible) I thought a little discussion about the future of transportation and energy might be in order. Read more

Shop Talk - January 2010

It’s a New Year!! I’m going to suggest that we all give a little consideration to maintenance on our vehicles. Commonly called PM, (preventative maintenance) is the practice of performing scheduled services on a vehicle at regular intervals so that the vehicle lasts not only till the warranty runs out, but often times 2 or 3 times longer.
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Shop Talk - December 2009

This month’s article was inspired by Oscar Myre IV at the Bugler’s 10th anniversary birthday bash last week. But before I get into that, I wanted to say if you weren’t there, you missed a fine party; lots of good food provided by Hattie’s restaurant of Castle Rock and Judy’s Restaurant of Longview. In addition, great music by the “Left Coast Jazz Ensemble” and a real plus – Michelle Myre singing a couple great tunes! I’m looking forward to the next 10 year birthday bash.
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Shop Talk - November 2009

I thought a different theme would be appropriate this month based on a couple weeks spent on the big island of Hawaii.

Even though we enjoy a rather tranquil lifestyle here in the Northwest, we still have the same problems I saw over there; that is, inconsiderate drivers that cause elevated blood pressure and certainly the cause of numerous accidents that could be so easily avoided. Read more

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