Ken Christopherson
Well-known Member
Hey guys,
Been a while since I gave an update. I'm up to "Episode 11" now on my YouTube channel, but realistically there hasn't been much progress on the M. Went over to work on cleaning the frame rails and bolster the other day (not exactly video worthy). Found that one of the bolts that held the loader on that was on it at the salvage yard is twisted off in the front bolster, so I was going to pull that frame rail off to weld a nut to that and turn it out.. Got started on removing the frame rail to bolster bolts, and twisted one of four off on one side (after spraying everything with PB Blaster and letting soak a while). Went to the other side, twisted off one as well. Not real happy about it, but it is what it is. I'll have to get some heat on three of the eight - they didn't seem like they wanted to budge. So, I've got two twisted off (+1 from the loader mount), three came out easy, and three seem like they don't want to budge.
Also got the throwout bearing and carrier out - it feels pretty good but figured while I am this far into it I might as well replace it.
As far as the machine shop goes - still have not heard progress on the block/head/rods/flywheel (been over two months now at the new shop). I called on 5/9, they told me that it would all be done by the end of the week (5/13)... Didn't hear anything so I called again on 5/18 - No answer. Straight to voicemail. Stopped in about 3:45 pm yesterday and the shop 'laborer' came out front. Told him I wanted to check on my parts and he said that the owner had left for the day (he knew nothing about the parts), but that I could leave my name and number and he would get back to me. Haven't heard nothing yet. Seems like I am getting the runaround, so Thursday I will probably stop in again if I have time (I'll be in the area); if I don't hear from them before then.
About all I could do this week was clean the fuel tank, and put a nice coat of sealer in it. Little by little...
Really hoping to have this thing running at least by August!
Been a while since I gave an update. I'm up to "Episode 11" now on my YouTube channel, but realistically there hasn't been much progress on the M. Went over to work on cleaning the frame rails and bolster the other day (not exactly video worthy). Found that one of the bolts that held the loader on that was on it at the salvage yard is twisted off in the front bolster, so I was going to pull that frame rail off to weld a nut to that and turn it out.. Got started on removing the frame rail to bolster bolts, and twisted one of four off on one side (after spraying everything with PB Blaster and letting soak a while). Went to the other side, twisted off one as well. Not real happy about it, but it is what it is. I'll have to get some heat on three of the eight - they didn't seem like they wanted to budge. So, I've got two twisted off (+1 from the loader mount), three came out easy, and three seem like they don't want to budge.
Also got the throwout bearing and carrier out - it feels pretty good but figured while I am this far into it I might as well replace it.
As far as the machine shop goes - still have not heard progress on the block/head/rods/flywheel (been over two months now at the new shop). I called on 5/9, they told me that it would all be done by the end of the week (5/13)... Didn't hear anything so I called again on 5/18 - No answer. Straight to voicemail. Stopped in about 3:45 pm yesterday and the shop 'laborer' came out front. Told him I wanted to check on my parts and he said that the owner had left for the day (he knew nothing about the parts), but that I could leave my name and number and he would get back to me. Haven't heard nothing yet. Seems like I am getting the runaround, so Thursday I will probably stop in again if I have time (I'll be in the area); if I don't hear from them before then.
About all I could do this week was clean the fuel tank, and put a nice coat of sealer in it. Little by little...
Really hoping to have this thing running at least by August!