Wish I had some progress to brag about, but not much is
happening. I’ve tried to get a few problems resolved, but the arrival of winter
has just slowed me down even more. Too many household jobs for me to dedicate much
time to car hobbies, and I don’t have enough strength to do everything.
I did identify a wiring problem that was created by too many functions routed through the ignition switch, but I’m
going to wait until it’s time to fire the engine before I do any rewiring. The
ignition circuit looks right, so the car should run the way it is wired. It
appears that only the accessory switch position has a problem. If I had a
diagram of the internal workings of the switch, it would be a lot easier to
verify.
Installing the side trim is also problematical. as I need a certain
type of 3M tape to attach the stainless. It is a standard product listed in
their catalog, but I can’t find it available anywhere on the Internet. The 3M
customer support will not talk to me because I’m not a business and they won’t
deal with individual customers. Now that the holidays are over, a body shop
friend of my son says he will try to contact them, but promises are cheap and easily
forgotten.
Speaking of the side trim, I’m having second thoughts about using
the embossed Mylar fabric. It just doesn’t look right enough, so I’m back to looking
for a better material. At least that problem is not stopping me from finishing
the mechanical tasks. First problem is filling and bleeding the brakes without
a partner. No helpers around when they are really needed. The remaining
mechanical work depends on the weather
and my health, neither of which is predictable.
Only major car news for me is that I traded my ten-year-old
Chrysler van for a new one. It’s a leftover ’23 that was discounted so much
that I couldn’t pass it up. After all these years, I realize that I just bought
my last car...one unloved Chevy and fifty-some Mopars!.
