In a message dated 08/02/2002 11:00:53 AM Central Daylight Time,
WEmery7451@aol.com writes:
> Going back to 1967, I bought a 1956 Ford Wagon with a 292 T-Bird engine from
>
> a kid for $40. The wagon had been driven to Beaver, PA from California,
> which accounts for the fact that everything was not rusted away. It looked
>
> like hell, and was given a tail gate plaque saying The Trashbarrel.
>
> Shortly after, it threw a rod. I dropped the pan, miched the crank, and
> found it 0.040" out of round. After considering throwing the car away, I
> pulled the heads and replaced the rings (without boring), rod bearings, and
>
> two new pistons and rods. (This engine used steel shim head gaskets, just
> like our TR's.) Using heavy oil, I then towed with it for another 12
> years,
> selling it for $250 in 1979.
>
> On one trip home from Nelson Ledges, I was following Auggie Engelhardt, who
>
> was trailering his 1956 Healey racer. Another guy who was helping us at
> the
> track was following me in a pickup truck. Suddenly, it sounded and felt
> like
> my trailer broke loose and was being dragged along by the safety chains. I
>
> gradually slowed down and carefully pulled off the road.
>
> The gas tank had fallen out of the wagon and was being dragged along by the
>
> fuel line. Gasoline was flying everywhere all over the road, my TR-3,
> trailer, and this other guy's pickup truck. Sparks were showering up
> through
> this gasoline as the tank dragged along the concrete highway. Due to some
> miracle, the gasoline did not light off.
>
> After feverishly wiping down everything and trying to keep people away with
>
> cigarettes, the tank was tied back up in the car using some spare safety
> chain. I then made it home and managed to weld the tank brackets back
> together with my Sears buzz-box
>
Would you be offended if, at my own expense, I took out an insurance policy
on you, naming my grandchildren as beneficiaries?
Bill Dentinger
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