JBNeal

VINTAGEPIC: saw this Dodge on the FB

Several years ago, a lady friend asked me to take care of her dog as she was gone a lot and her grandparents' farmhouse yard was infested with fleas and the grandparents would not allow an exterminator on their property. I reluctantly agreed with some provisions to keep her honest, and Roper was penned up in my backyard for the next 2+ yrs, where I trained him to mind his manners and obey simple commands, something my lady friend was amazed to see when she would occasionally visit. I'd even take him for a ride on occasion 😃 She eventually took him back to her grandparents (long story) then I heard through the grapevine that she blamed me for his disappearance a few months later...he was a friendly dog that liked to explore while living in the country, and she had removed his collar cuz he was scratching so much cuz of the fleas again. More than likely, he got bored and had wandered up to the road tracking some varmint as he would often do, and some passerby probably stopped to talk to him and he just hopped into their buggy and rode off into the sunset, happy as a clam to get the attention cuz she was still gone a lot and the grandparents had mobility issues so they did not want to get tripped up as he could still be rambunctious with his high energy and bottomless pit of emotional needs I've had a few dogs before and since, all rescues, none get along well with cats, so no felines on the place except for the occasional polecat. I've had a few other lady friends with cats, and they have been amazed at how their cats warm up to me cuz they think that I am just a dog person. Especially the aloof female-friendly cats...on more than one occasion, I've had cats known to hide from strangers up and hop onto my lap to give me the judgmental look, then sit a spell while i pet them, which would be a complete surprise to witnesses, cuz them cats don't really like anybody. I recently had one talk to me on the phone during an evening hey-how-ya-doin call, which had my friend rofl cuz apparently me and her Buster speak the same language 😁 The current backyard resident has been tasked with keeping away the mountain lions and unicorns...I helped Mom pick up Willow from the shelter in late '19, as my folks had recently lost 2 dogs in a span of a few weeks (rattlesnake bite got Cooper, UPS truck got Bailey), and Belle was gettin up in years...unfortunately, Willow and Belle do not get along, apparently as loveable as both are, there is only room for one of them on their hill. So after almost a year of trying to get them to live in peace, I was asked to take care of Willow as them 2 had been snapping at each other a little too vigorously as winter was approaching. As before, I taught her a few manners and she eventually learned how to swim...she gets really intelligent and disciplined when I bring home the occasional brisket fat or bbq rib bones

AC techs have told me the same thing over the years: if the compressor puts metal shavings in the system, then everything needs to be replaced as those shavings are practically impossible to completely remove, perpetuating damage to subsequent replacement parts...that gets expensive. Take that buggy to a good AC tech for diagnostic, then float the idea that you can replace components if they can evacuate the system 1st then charge the system after parts replacement. The AC techs I have talked to have not been crazy about turning wrenches but like working on multiple vehicles doing diag and evac/charging systems...they make more $$$ and don't get as dirty that way. And I have saved a bundle by turning my own wrenches and letting the AC techs hook it up to their machines beforehand and afterwards. On component replacement, follow the oil requirements precisely, which can involve draining the compressor to verify amount...that is tedious, but vital as over oiling can lead to problems as mentioned, such as burning up the compressor.

VINTAGEPIC: saw this Dodge on the FB

another mystery solved...kudos! 🏆

the guy in uniform might be the driver scrutinizing the log book, some of them drivers were dressed so formal back in the day as opposed to the operators nowadays who are sportin stained wife-beaters n boxers n crocs...every time I look at these old rigs, I try to figure out what the deal is with all of the bolt-ons; this'n appears to have reflector on the fender flare, lights below the bumper and atop the fenders, some small tank behind the cab ahead of the saddle tank, and apparently another tag screwed right to the grill panel, but no antenna for jamming to the AM radio...probably couldn't hear the radio while on the highway anyhow ⚡️

VINTAGEPIC: saw this Dodge on the FB

SURVIVORS: spotted these fixer-uppers at a private collection off of I-20 east of Abilene, surrounded by a tall fence that said GO AWAY

additional information - bypass spin-on oil filter

I set up two-factor authentication on FB account and that has thwarted several recent hacking attempts. The ID request sounds very suspicious and from my security training sounds to be part of a phishing scam. I joined several groups and see the same questions pop up repeatedly so I post links to this forum cuz ain't nobody got time to reinvent the wheel on issues that were solved years ago, such as finding replacement shock absorbers. I have received little positive feedback for this as I sense a LOT of ppl resist tapping an external link out of spite, as a few have popped off that they "just want an answer" even though I have linked the very answer they are looking for with great details. No sir, cannot force a horse to drink after leading'm to water

Dodge added the intercooler on '91.5 Cummins, which made the truck get up and go year-round. As many parts that have been thrown at it, it might be helpful to verify temp.sensor/temp.gauge accuracy, even use a infrared thermometer to see if there are any hot spots on the head, block, radiator...if exhaust temps are over 800°F, there might be a problem with the injector pump.

We had a partial eclipse on Saturday October 14th that I did not pay much attention to beforehand cuz I had chores to do...I wheeled into town on the back roads to run some errands and for a tasty chicken fried steak, crossed I-35 on the return and noticed traffic crawling in both directions as the skies were darkening 🤔 the traffic billboard in sight had the flashing lights with the message DO NOT STOP TO LOOK AT ECLIPSE...kinda glad I steered clear of that mess, ain't nobody got time for that. The local weather forecast for the upcoming eclipse is still holding thunderstorm chances, so I reckon the skies are gonna get dark that day one way or the other⚡️

the head was replaced or the head gasket?

VINTAGEPIC: saw this Dodge on the FB in the middle of a rush

SURVIVOR: saw this workhorse in an overgrown lot on the edge of Crowell...it needs a little work