vanscottbuilders

I forgot a very important bit of information.

I cooked two really nice thick Sirloin steaks this weekend

for Kathy & I.

First I pan seared them for about five minutes per side,

with a little flour and salt on the outside, then took the cast

iron frying pan with the meat and put it directly in the oven

for maybe ten minutes at 500 degrees for a beautiful

rare steak you could cut with a fork.

It was a downpour outside, and grilling wasn't an option.

I read this someplace, and it really does work.

Tom,

I sure do understand the importance of a benefit.

Especially for a good cause.

You might tell them that the cool breezes don't necessarily

go well with the togas, if you know what I mean.

And, when all the whining fails - go to the Toga benefit.

We'll figure this out another time.

And Joe - you are far too young to understand the importance of

Jethro Tull, Cream, Pink Floyd, and the Airplane. And a lot of other great bands.

Too bad to, because you missed an entire generation of the best music ever put on paper.

Paul VS

Thanks Joe,

You get ready and I'll be sure to have a truck for you.

How are the boys?

Paul VS

Maybe you could just change the hood ornament to a bulldog.

Who would know?

Then you could park right in the show, and we would look just

like we knew what we were doing!

Did you see we have a Jethro Tull fan with us as a new member?

(Locomotive Breath)

Gotta love us aging rockers.

It's a pretty low mileage, very original W-900-A with the rare big Cummins

(KTA-525). The engine has had the top end just recently done by Cummins,

and the engine has a clean bill of health. Jakes work great. No leaks or blow-by.

This was a factory installation, and we have known the truck from new.

The radiator and associated pieces will be brand new. We currently have the radiator out,

and the new one ready to go in. It's a brand new KW part. Not reconditioned.

Clutch and transmission are in good working order. (Fuller RR 15 spd. overdrive)

The power divider works as it should.

The frame is excellent. Should get the torque rod bushings replaced.

Tires are fair, front wheels are aluminum Budds, rears are steel Budds with chrome

covers. I think it's all virgin rubber.

Interior is excellent and the instrument panel is perfect. Has the upgrade gauge pack

that was common with the big engine; two axle temps, Pyrometer, transmission temp,

and a couple of others are extra over the standard package.

Body is great - no cracks, dents or other damage. This might have been the last year for

the cab mounted mirrors, which I think is a really nice feature. Could use paint, but not necessary.

The chrome on the grille is all there, but a bit rusty. The glass is all good.

The bunk is very good. It's a 36" factory sleeper. The lower bunk doors work, but one needs a latch.

The truck has a large reservoir wet line system that is perfectly functional.

It has KW's 8 bag air ride, and is working great. (We have put in a new ride height valve)

In running condition, and fob at our shop - we will ask $25,000. for the truck. Delivery is

available, but I would just come on up with a license plate and drive it home.

If we keep it - it will become our toy hauler after a complete resto. But - we have several

other projects in line in front of it.

Thanks for asking.

Paul VS

I'm sure Barry will let you park the truck on the grounds, if there is room.

They might have you throw a cover over it is all.

Keep me posted and we'll try to get together down there for dinner or something.

Paul VS

I don't really mind getting older.

But I really don't like reading the notices more frequently all the time

of friends and acquaintances passing. Especially when I didn't

consider them old.

I guess it's a part of life although it is still sad.

We just can't slow down, or it could be us!

You never did say if you were going to Barry's show in September.

Body hammers are a little different than what I ever pictured. They are quite small and light.

The theory is pretty simple. Metal streches when it is dented or bent. Just beating the dent out with a heavy

hammer can't work because you are trying to stuff more material back into the original shape.

The idea is to shrink the metal back to its' original volume. If it's done properly, there will little or no

filler necessary. (In theory that is - I have a long way to go to get to that point)

The therapy part comes with the tapping and studying of the repair, and watching it change as you work.

Sounds mystical - and it might be. You know - "Zen and the Art of Mack Beating" or something like that.

Seriously, it is pretty interesting, at least to me.

And, yes Joe, lead work might indeed be next. All of the old seams and

smoothed areas on a car body were finished with lead before painting. I think there is a real art to lead work,

and I don't know anything about it.

I just think metal bumping is a better way to repair panels rather than plastering on fiberglass filler.

Nice to know I've got friends and connections,

in case I ever am in trouble.

Maybe that's why I live like a saint.

Always wondered that.

Hey - while I think of it - are either one of you

going to be able to go to Barry's show in September?

I think I'm going - but without a big truck.

PVS

Excellent !!

I'll get right to it.

I don't have any real tried and true sauce recipes - but I

can usually whip up something acceptable with a little

beer, garlic, tomato paste, vinegar and of course peppers,

onions and a little sugar or, better yet, maple syrup.

Then I cut that mix with some commercial sauce, so I

don't get all of the blame if it isn't too good.

Nothing like adventure. Or an upset stomach.

I like the suggestion to finish the cooking in foil with some sauce.

Think I'll try to carmelize some sauce on the outside by laying the

finished ribs on the hot grille for a couple of minutes per side.

Thanks,

Paul VS

The mediocrity in our society is rampant.

The labor unions had a great big part in promoting this

carelessness, but they aren't alone. Our own families

promote laziness and irresponsibility. Parents want their

children to have an easier time in their life than the parents had.

So their values erode and the kid's motivation is never developed,

as the kid learns to depend on his parents for everything. The child also

learns that if he cries loud enough, the government will give him whatever

he wants. Great.

All of our advertising says "you deserve an easier life",

even though, in reality, most people haven't done anything to

deserve an easier or more luxurious lifestyle.

It's very disheartening to witness this degradation of America

everywhere we turn. The scarier part of this is - where do we go from here?

Think Barack Obama is the answer - think again.

Think John McCain is the answer - think again.

These guys both talk about change, but they wouldn't know change if it

hit them in the head!! Real change would not get them elected anyway.

McCain is just the least obnoxious of two really dull politicians who are

more concerned about their own careers than about the country.

But, on the bright side, I did see a lot of small town America

last week, and it still looks pretty darn good. In the small towns

of Michigan and Indiana, and finally, Wisconsin, the people were all very nice

and willing to help us.

These are mostly farming communities with some auto and RV related industries.

The industries are getting hammered by a weak economy and overseas competition.

I'm sure it's the farmer's work ethic that keeps these places as nice as they are.

Found a really nice A model Mack with a wrecker body in Upstate New York.

Appears very solid and all there. Fortunately I was driving on the big road and

couldn't stop, or I'd be even poorer today.

It's a good thing you drive a truck.

Because you would probably starve as a farmer.

But - there would be plenty of happy neighborhood wildlife.

On a serious note -

If I were to cook baby back ribs - what would be the best way?

I'm thinking charcoal with the fire indirect to the meat and slow

cooking for a couple of hours. But I've heard a lot of different opinions.

And I could do them on a gas grille.

Or should I cook the meat in the oven first, then transfer it to a grille

for finishing?

Should the sauce be put on early in the process or at the end

of the cooking? And should the sauce be allowed to carmelize on the meat?

Thanks,

PVS

Thanks John, I'll take a look at the pictures.

I won't be in Batavia. I'm going to Oshkosh next week

for the air show. I've been looking for another airplane

to replace one that I sold a short while ago.

Anyway - my uncle and shop partner Jim Schreiner will

be in Batavia, and Randy Hogan (Saxby's Equipment) will have at

least one of his Internationals there. Say hello if you get the chance.

Were you able to sort out the title difficulties with the green truck?

Paul Van Scott

Joe, it looks to me like almost anything goes in Canada.

I'm guessing that the roads have a big frost heave problem,

and so the loads are bridged over a lot of axles to minimize

the impact of the truck on the highway.

Just a guess, but it sure does sound intelligent doesn't it?

Anyway, I saw a lot of different combinations of axles and

multiple trailers. Some pretty nice trucks too.

Got a break coming home. Pulled up to Customs at the border,

and was behind three loaded busses. The Border Patrol checks

your passport now. And it was going to be a looooong wait behind those

tourist busses. I got waved into an adjacent lane, that was closed,

but apparently the guard saw me and felt sorry for me. (Or they didn't

want me in Canada any longer than absolutely necessary)

Really nice of him - because I think I'd still be there if I had to wait for

the tourists.

Another good week of photos.

Might want to get a couple of those dogs to do a

little rabbit hunting at your house!

Paul VS

At least now we can better understand why the

rabbits are eating the garden!!

PVS

(At night only - during the day we don't let her into bed with us)

I was just checking how close you read these!

Not bad for an old guy.

PVS

If we could harness the energy in those lightening bolts,

we sure wouldn't have any energy concerns. Tough stuff -

and it looks from the pictures that it was too close to home.

I've got a huge Tulip Poplar tree on the hill just behind my house

that had the same looking strike several years ago. Although it's a few

hundred feet away, it was still too close.

Thought it was a goner for a couple of years, but it's back and

going strong despite its' scars.

My two big dogs both freak at the sound of thunder. One heads to the basement

and hides under the steps, and the other shakes like a leaf and crawls into bed

with us. (At night only - during the day we don't let her into bed with us)

Actually they're not allowed on the furniture - but I doubt if you'd keep her down in a storm.

Have a good week.

Paul VS

Maybe a 2nd owl might work.

Or a fake snake?

Could be worth a try.

Have a good week.

Paul VS

If I won the lottery - I'd come and see you in your BBQ joint!!

I thought electric ranges were converted into smoker ovens

at your house. What's up with that - did you quit cooking?

I did move the H-63 into the shop this morning.

It's a neat old truck. I'm surprised how easy it steers,

considering it's on some pretty bad "stand-up" rubber,

and hasn't seen a grease gun in a really long time.

All the instruments are there and all the switches and

such seem original. (It's not as pretty an instrument

panel as the B model is though)

We put the old girl on one of Jimmy's lowboys and

pulled it with his big Freightliner. Overkill kind of,

but fun none the less.

We were talking along the way about fuel.

Jim's Freightliner is a specially ordered truck specifically for

heavy, oversized hauling. It's spec'd. to gross 300k pounds.

Power is a Caterpillar 3406E with an 18 spd. overdrive

and two speed rears. (4.11 & 4.76 I think)

The truck has 375,000 miles on it from new.

The lifetime average according to the read-out on

the ECM is 6.0 miles per gallon.

I was pretty impressed with that, considering the

type of work the truck does.

But it gets better. Pulling an empty tri-axle lowboy home

last week from South Carolina the truck delivered 8.0 mpg!

There are chains to allow both the rear and the front trailer

axle to be lifted, so you have only one on the ground, and

Jimmy is really good with the trucks. But I still thought that

kind of fuel mileage was great.

Anyway, Kathy & I went over to Canadaigua Lake last on some

friend's boat and watched the fireworks out in the middle of the lake.

That always reminds me why I like this country so much.

And I didn't even fall-in.

Have a good week-end.

Funny you should ask Joe -

I do indeed have the H-63, and coincidentally we are

moving it tomorrow from the storage barn to a

preparation spot in the truck shop.

Probably won't start it, though, until after the B-67 is all done,

and I would like to do the rockers and paint work on

the R-600.

I would consider selling the H-63 and the R-600 as they are,

if someone were interested in restoring either one.

The R will be a pretty easy resto - it's all there and runs and drives

perfectly. Even all of the lights, heater and fan work as they should.

No leaks or smoke and good brakes and rubber.

It just needs the rocker panels and lower rear cab corners.

Have a good holiday!

Paul VS

Nothing like simple arithmetic to confuse a lot of us.

That poor guy is probably still out there going from store to store

trying to find what his mama sent him for.

And you ruined it for him Joe.

Say - how is the family?

We haven't heard in a while.

Kathy says to me -

"You gotta wonder what they see in an old fat bald man"

To which I reply -

Gee - thanks Honey.

How the He-- did we get this old?

It's not uncommon for me to admit that I don't know where I am.

Ignorance is truly bliss in my world!!