Marge is Back!

I spent all day under the truck. Started off by finishing up the install of the replacement steering column and the brand new rag joint/steering coupler I bought last week.

Then, when I realized that the shifting was all bunged up on the new column, I decided to rebuild my old one, with the steering shaft from the new one.

After 7 hours in the garage, Marge and I took a cruise for the first time since November 9.

By my count 209 days have lapsed since we hit mile 46011. Now the odometer is sitting at a staggering 46013.

I didn't really start off the day thinking I would make enough progress to take a drive, but good things come to those who cuss like sailors wait in the garage.

A pretty well spent $8

I ordered some vinyl die-cut letters for the tailgate, since I highly doubt I'll ever get around to the bodywork and painting that re-finishing the tailgate would require. For$8 I think they look mighty fine. Bonus that they went on easy

She can't hide money!

The Boss Lady just ordered a few parts for the truck. Someday I might even tell the woman what she actually bought.

I have been looking for a steering coupler for the truck for a while. I found one at GMCPaul's in Indiana for about $50. And since shipping costs were figured on purchase price I picked up a few odds and ends. The tailgate is getting a new set of CHEVROLET letters and the brake and clutch pedals will finally be getting a set of replacement covers. I bet these were never replaced once the original ones wore out.

Hopefully, once the steering coupler/rag joint is installed, I will be getting the truck back on the road for our neighborhood July 4th parade.

We are still up and running

The 68 Chevy has recently taken a backseat to other more pressing $ matters. And time. There just isn't as much of it to go around as there used to be, right?

Anyways, I rolled the truck halfway out of the garage this morning, to let the engine run for a while. The engine hasn't been up to operating temperature since back in November, so I cranked her up and listened to that 307 tick along pretty nicely (for a 40 year old engine.)

I shot a quick video of the engine running, to prove that Marge is indeed still alive and running. Even without a good portion of the steering system in place.