Nice paintjob.

The front plate is off for painting though in hindsight that's probably worked out well so I don't get Hunted down by some crazed fan. Possibly from Ballarat.

It would be nice to get some replies from some motoring enthusiasts.

Cheers Henry. It's gonna take a lot longer than I first thought. The bonus is it makes my wife happy.

Hang on ....

If Roo was gay he would probably like Tommy

and Joel wants to meet Tommy   "I want to meet Tommy."....

According to my algebra:

If A=B and C=B then A=C

There are degrees of lunacy

shucks

I have a theory regarding a minor strand of evolution, with a motoring twist.

I like almost all creatures.

I yearn for the days when all I had to worry about was a Volvo driver. Now there's all kinds of maniacs and incompetents out there it's not pleasant at all.

There is a woman who lives in the next street who I call The Amazon. A striking looking big girl tall and long legged with wonderful long blonde hair. She is about 40 I guess but looks a picture of health and vitality. She is not at all fat but not skinny either she looks big and strong. If I was to wrestle her I think she could beat me. Like most women around here she looks very classy. I often see her in tight jeans and knee high boots a white shirt stretched over a chest that is fairly bursting. Fair dinkum,if I'd seen this woman when I was 16 I would've had to rush home and spank it out while imagining improbable porn movie scenarios where we were getting it on.

Anyway the other day I was walking with Tom on a back street when I heard the unmistakable rumble of a V8. I turned around to watch an early 60s Ford Thunderbird convertible,top down,left hand drive. I stared mouth open at this vision and was stunned to see behind the wheel The Amazon!! I'm thinking,this woman just gets better and better!

Tonight on returning from the Boozatorium I decided to take a detour and swing by The Amazon's house to see if the T-Bird was out the front. Unfortunately The Amazon lives in the same street as the Vet and somehow,I've no idea how,but Tommy knows where the vet lives. Some years ago the Vet came to our house and picked up Tommy in his car. Tommy was happy to jump in but he looked bewildered as he stared out the rear window wondering why I stayed home. The Vet then presumably put Tom under anaesthetic and removed his testicles. I picked him up later that afternoon. I'm beginning to wonder if the Vet used anaesthetic because the way Tommy AVOIDS him suggests that he went through some horrific experience rather than just nodding off and waking up in a kennel. Anyway Tommy absolutely refuses to walk past the Vet's house. So we have to cross the road and after much encouragement I convince him that it's safe for us to go this way to check out The Amazon's joint.

She has a double car garage which is shut. I have seen her driving a very expensive BMW not the standard sh1tbox I mean the one that is big six figures. There are two cars in the driveway with covers over them. By their profile I can tell they are interesting. A third is uncovered and not what I expected. A 1950s Dodge pick up truck. Oustide is a VS Commodore Ute similar to mine which judging by it's appearance is probably owned and flogged by a young male. The Amazon is clearly in a family of motoring enthusiasts.


Yeah OK I didn't just swing by to see the T-Bird. I was hoping to catch The Amazon in a pair of tiny cut offs soaping up the T-Bird with her little top all wet and her generous boobies on the windshield and some Van Halen pumping out in the background!!

The last couple of days I have noticed a shrieking noise coming from the ute. On startup,on acceleration,and when changing down gears. First thought is the fan belt/alternator belt. Got up early this morning to get cracking on it. Loosened the three nuts that hold the power steering pump bracket. Pushed the power steering pump in and removed the belt. Got it over the fan blades and out. Next is usually the aircon belt but I consider airconditioning in Utes to be Un-Australian so it doesn't have one. So onto the alternator belt. Loosen the slider bolt for the alternator and give it a push. Belt is loose. Get it over the fan blades and out.

Up to Auto One for a new belt. The 5.0 has an 1130 belt but they don't have any in stock. The dude tells me a 1125 will be ok. Been there done that. Always get the right size. So I went next door to Repco and they had an 1130. A Gates belt which is a good brand.

Back home and we're halfway there. Put the new belt on and use a bar to lever the alternator enough to get the belt tight. I actually made it too tight. When I started it up the engine could only go about 200rpm!! So I loosened it a fraction and all cool. Then put the power steering belt on. Levered the pump to get the belt taut and tightened the nuts.

Took it for a test drive and no more shrieking! Plus I am smug in the knowledge I have one brand new belt and a power steering belt that's only done 5k.

Cost of the job? Repco do an NRMA discount so the belt cost $10.50. Total $10.50.


Cost of job if I'd taken it to a thieving scumbag mechanic? I reckon $150-200. Plus the inconvenience of leaving your car with them and the "probably be ready by tomorrow afternoon.The day after at the latest.We'll give you a call."  GET FCKKED!!!

Went to Cathouse Spares today to pick up some stuff. Two cam cover gaskets,a low pressure power steering hose,two second hand bonnet hinges and a radiator hose. The owner of the joint,Bob,had taken off up the coast for Easter leaving the Deputy in charge. Richard,the Deputy,likes turning a spanner on old Jags,but he avoids admin work. He rang Bob. Bob says 'take whatever you need and fix me up when I see you next.'

This is Aussie business at it's best. We're talking $400 here. Bob knows I'll need the stuff over the Easter weekend and knows he'll get the cash. Plus continued business. Everyone's happy!

First time Ive read this thread......love it and cant wait to read more updates !

I got a power steering pump hose from Cathouse cost $129,not that I've paid yet. It seems Bob and I are a bit confused. The one he gave me has about 200mm of rubber hose joined to a stainless steel pipe about 400mm long and a threaded pipe fitting at the end. All I need is about 150mm rubber hose. Looks like I'm not giving him $129 after all.

Today I've looked into putting the water pump back on. It's been so long since I took it off I couldn't quite remember how it all goes. Had to look at photos. There are 16 bolts. When I took them off I put them in a labelled bag. That's good but getting them out I see the bolts are of three different lengths. I have to figure out which ones go where. There's also an idler pulley thing to consider. Plus a Frasier marathon on Foxtel! Also I'm still painting the engine bay. Late this arvo I figured it all out and will put it in tomorrow. Maybe. Tomorrow is rugby day so have to go and watch the lad play. Definitely be done by Sunday!

Fascinating!

Triple M and you like? music. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCc-RWIp7XU

No wonder you haven't liked anything since 1985.

Just for one lousy day, put it on TripleJ, there's still hope for you.

Yes, Dufus.

It's apparently popular on building sites.

yeah, I'll bet.

With a smattering of Barnesy (with respect), some Acca Dacca and some current pop-rock.... life's good, huh?

I've told you what to do ...while you're ogling your overhead cams and tinkering with your tappets.

I've already told you. I only see those "Sweeney" type Jags as I pass them, prone, two wheels on nature strips...

(like a dog takin a piss)....bonnet up and befuddled owners come standard it seems.