So I tore into the engine for the head gasket failure, and found that I also had a rod knock. that was sad news. So off to the parts store I went to figure out the cost of all this mess. The total was in the $600 range for new parts to repair the damage caused by the damage. At that point I figured. I want the truck to work. so with out talking with my wife I purchased a new engine. She enjoyed that part.

So I didn't want to make a mess with the other parts and cause problems, the original truck had a 400 in it and it is listed as the lame engine of the era for ford however I never had a problem with it, other then horrible gas mileage. So I ordered the new engine and had them put a -4 cam into it (a cheap and easy performance mod at this stage) I rebuilt the carb and got a new distributor as well. After that it was some old ford red and old ford blue paint and about 2 days on the engine stand. New engine purrs like a kitten. Most recently I just came up vantage hill westbound (a large large hot hill) with the camper on the back and no overheating and no other issues!

My Engine came from this facility (local WA state so I was happy to support them) https://www.sandjengines.com/

I used a local Kent parts shop that was awesome http://bigwheelauto7.qwestoffice.net/

yes I know, I am currently working on a few draft items of the projects I have been working on, I will get them on line in the next day or so. So keep your RSS feed handy! Life has just been busy and with nothing rather noteworthy from a technical standpoint. I have however been goofing off with some projects here and there I will post up about. For the normal fun life in the keeton house I assume most of you know of katie blog which has most of the activities with photos we are normally up to.

I have been running WSPR this evening and got some fun results, the lines are places that my radio contacted.

  So I suspected the truck was leaking on the head gasket, I started the task to get to that gasket today. Lets hope I don't mess up!

I just put my seeds into the "grow" room its the room under the stairs with a grow light installed. I got the idea from my farmer friend Enjay

Here we have some Onions Beans Lettuce Cat Nip Cucumbers Broccoli Radish and some Zucchinis, later will be some Corn Sun Flowers Pumpkins and other items I will report on later.

there were some bugs that were plaguing the visitor badge application, finally sat down and fixed them. new code is up on the page. If you are looking for a simple visitor badge system to use with a automated badge printer check it out.

since owning a home I have come across a few products that never leave my tool box. Thought it would be a good blog post. Since our grandpa's days WD40 and Duct Tape are the staples right? well I do like WD40 but I have hated duct tape forever, having had the background in sound and light I learned of gaffers tape early on, I have no idea why you use that nasty duct tape ever. I feel its a new era for tool box products to become staples so I give you my must own list of new products I have found.

Silicon Tape - amazing stuff really its tape that only bonds to its self, creates a super crazy tight bond and shrinks as it cures. This stuff is basically required when you want to repair anything in a quick fix. it will repair a burst pipe, hose clamp, tool you name it if you can wrap a bandage like seal around it this will hold it till you can repair it, must have for an old truck tool box. wont dry out or get nasty in heat like PVC tape. Its nothing new just new to me since owning a house. its never cheap buy it on ebay or the likes.

Aluminum Flashing Butyl Tape) - This actually single handed replaced duct tape for me.. this actually is. duct tape. I found it when repairing duct leaks in my house its amazing sticky as heck, strong (not for load bearing) I use this in automotive, electrical, appliances, touch up work, you name it . this stuff rocks and its cheap! recommend any home store for it.

Peel & Seal - actually what got me to blog this, just found this stuff today. Amazing stuff aluminum backed rubberized asphalt. This stuff is amazing stick it on and water tight seal is formed! I actually purchased this as a cheap alternative for DynaMat the sound deadener product that sells for 4 bucks a sq foot to a dealer. this was much cheaper and its the same thing! I will also be using this on the roof of my camper to make a poor man repair to a leak but I feel it will be a great tool for the job. It wont go on when its cold out so not the best for winter repairs but if your cheap and want to fix a leaky area in the roof that is small this stuff is awesome for that. it is also handy to use as glue or just real good tape that wont ever come off

Heat Gun - this item isn't new to home ownership but let me tell you I use a heat gun on just about every project any more. Trying to loosen a bolt, apply any of the tape I have listed here. Dry Paint. dry out a wall, cook pop corn (yes I tried and it works) for 30 bucks its worth the investment.

I was looking to fix toe-in on a new drag link I just put in the truck, while typing this list came on google suggest.

Obviously my first click was the pregnant one, no didnt find any good videos but did find some funny quotes

"Are you or your partner regularly exposed to hazardous substances in the workplace? You may need to consider a job change or job modification before you start your family. Certain substances can affect both the quality of sperm and the development of the embryo. "

"Make your vaginal environment as sperm-friendly as possible. Avoid vaginal sprays and scented tampons (which can cause a pH imbalance in your vagina); artificial lubricants, vegetable oils, and glycerin (because they can kill off sperm);"

uhmm did they just say vegetable oil? I would be one surprised vegetable after that experience!

so after that I clicked the next logical link after trying to find out how to make babies was find someone to make a baby with - "how to get a girl to like you".. .I'm still working on this one with katie

the best quote I had here was this.

"Here's some help coming from a girl's POV. If you've noticed that she has gradually began to get closer to you, ex: sitting with you at lunch, talking with you more, asking if you want to go do something, or hanging from a tree by herself out side your window. she may squawk like a monkey at first. but dont worry, its just a phase."

I can tell you readers . its not a phase my monkey.. .I mean wife, just went on about something something, money something, where are you! something, look at me when I squawk at you!

here is what I did with this nice weather. 12 hours days of solid work..

• put the side walls back on my truck (the blue 2x4's)
• took 4 loads to the dump consisting of yard debris total 2,120lbs cost $74
• moved the camper to a flat out of the way spot in the yard
• broke a camper jack
• fixed a camper jack
• ran out of hydraulic fluid on another jack
• Katie got more
• finally moved camper
• mowed and weed-wacked
• cleaned up neighbor hood trash
• finished painting and hole filling in truck interior
• fixed a oil issue in truck
• washed car
• fixed my old dipole rebuilt it with 2.0 plans
• put new "antenna hole" in wall of basement as I now have more antennas
• cleaned deck
• put seed in lawn
• put out bug killer dust
• cleaned shed out
• chatted with multiple neighbors, I will give one a gas tank and one might get me a 50ft tower!
• consulted Tracy about tree removal
• removed ~1 cord of wood with Tracy from back yard
• waxed car
• cut down a dead bush for neighbor
• watched Tracy sharpen my chain saws
• Cleaned BBQ
• made sausages with cream cheese
• complained to Katie
• looked around shopping area for people with signatures for legalize marijuana (didnt find any)

all in all a productive weekend. I am pooped! I cant wait for the next sunny weekend. Chores are all over, still have to clean gutters fix faucets build Katie a garden remove a stump down some trees build a few retaining walls fix tie rods, replace some Ujoints and ball joints get a 80m dipole working kill blackberries. burn something.