The Albatross
22 03 10 - 10:48 The albatross landed two weeks ago, for a short two week visit. This is a huge Chevy bread truck that was here to repair the brake lines, carb and lighting to prepare it for Handi-man Jack to get business going.So far a new brake line was installed. The brakes were bleed but upon moving the truck the rest of the lines in that circuit exploded, so now we have to repair the rest in order for it to keep it's fluids inside.
The Carburetor was a nightmare. After sitting 4 years the float needle was stuck shut and varnish was so thick we had to remove it. Rochester carbs have a special head on the idle mixture screws called a double "D". A special tool is needed, so a hunting trip was required through the rows and bling that most autoparts stores try to push on the public. Soon enough I found what I was looking for at the third store. I always wonder when leaving the store "why didn't I go here first &$%^&!" So back to the truck.
The carburetor mixture screws were almost out all the way, at least 10 or twelve turns. No wonder it spewed black and blue smoke out the pipe. I bought 8 feet of brake line and bent it as close as possible to match the original shape, now it needs to be installed. The battery picked out for use is from a diesel Mercedes that's parked due to lack of funds, so the battery tray needed modification to fit this over-sized battery. A hammer did the trick! Chevy started using those side terminals on vehicles some time ago, and this one is plagued with these poorly designed terminals, so in order to run a real top post battery the ends need to be re-fitted with the standard post style terminals ends.
The electrical work comes after this...It should be easy enough, but I'm told there's a plan....oh boy!