1935 Chevy school bus

[tango]

Hey Jack, glad yer back! --- Thought for a while you might have moved in with Yogi Bear.

IT'S ALIVE..IT'S ALIVE...AND MOVING UNDER IT'S OWN POWER!!!

That is so cool. You have been doing such exceptional work as to keep us all glued to this thread and right about now you gotta' be feeling pretty good about it all. There is that moment when, after working on something for an extended period, it's time to see if it works or not. And when it does what you hoped it would do (like...not explode)..it is one of the best feelings there is. I feel sorry for anyone who has never actually experienced the feeling of seeing something of their own making come to life.

My only fear is that at some point you are going to finish all the great work and then we will all have to go back to our boring lives...or get back to work on our own humdrum projects.

So...take yer time Jack. No need to rush.

[Lostranger]

I am both horrified and relieved when I learn that others make the same kind of stupid mistakes that I do. I can't get my refurbished generator started because I hooked it to the battery backwards and burned up the electronic points saver ignition box that I bought last year. Not a lot of money, but I have to wait for the replacement and wait even longer to get the genny installed.

In my defense, the battery I was using has the poles reversed from the one I used to have. But still....

Anyway, the human capacity for dropping the ball is just one of the many reasons I oppose such things as genetic manipulation and nuclear power. We just ain't smart or dependable enough to be trusted with technology that has such horrific potential.

Sorry. End of soapbox.

Jim in NC

[ol trunt]

Hello All. I made it to the propane store and had the tank filled. The tank turned out to be 15 gallons (which at 80% fill capacity it is really only 12 gallons). Time will tell how that works out but I'm glad I decided to stick with gas for the genny even though it did require another 8 gallon tank. The propane guy sniffed out the tank and valves, hoses and fittings and gave them a pass so I decided I'd re-check the interior for leaks after I took a spin on the freeway. So I shut down the main valve and headed for the on ramp.

I could see the other cars jockeying for position at the light so as not to be held up by "that old bus" as they waited to get the green and head down the ramp. Much to my delight and their consternation, the first gear behind that little 4 banger squirts the 5 ton bus from the blocks surprisingly quickly and left the mob having to re adjust their plans--too much fun! Once on the highway I eased the bus up to 55 mph and just let it settle in. I drove the bus about ten miles and found that the ride improved as the tires warmed up and that the engine racket seemed to subside at the sustained speed. While it is by no means a quiet ride I'd equate it to the sound levels of say a new 1955 Chevy. Most of the noise comes from the wind trying to find its way around the bus. The negative of noise is more than cancelled by the and from passing motorists!

When I returned home I re checked the propane lines for leaks and met with no surprises.

Jim, no worries, I appreciate a man of conviction and while I hope you are wrong I fear that you are absolutely right!

Tango and Somewhere, you both comment on how much fun it is to follow another's blog and I'd have to agree. On the other side of that coin as I near completion of my bus, I worry about the return to my "boring" little life without the replies and suggestions of all of you. So you all better get busy working on your rides so I won't be bored. Jack

[Lostranger]

You all better get busy working on your rides so I won't be bored.

Don't worry, Jack. At the rate I'm going, I should be able to keep you entertained for decades.

[tango]

Ahhh...I think I can successfully second that --- Roger the decades to completion. We will do our best to keep you entertained Jack. It is the least we can do given all the joy you have provided us.

[ol trunt]

Hello All. I've tried to get this post to work several times to no avail--I expect its something I've been doing wrong as I'm not knowledgeable about these things. I've boiled my post down to my favorite vintage house truck I viewed this weekend. It is a 1924 Chevy barn find repleat with straw and mouse droppings Jack

[somewhereinusa]

Jack, good looking camper, I'm not too fussy, but I wouldn't want to live there, maybe, with a coat of paint and a diesel repower, I think I've got a Kabota that would have about the same power.

At the rate I'm going, I should be able to keep you entertained for decades.

I'm right on schedule. When I started in 2012 I had a 2 year completion date. I'm still figuring on getting it done in 2 years.

[tango]

Great old "house-car"! --- Might have been an old moving van they converted. And it looks like they had pretty much all they needed at the time to get by back in the day. Right down to the state-of-the-art, on-board music and entertainment center. AKA...a fiddle.

[Dennis The Bus Dweller]

Wow, Nuff said

[ol trunt]

Hello All. I gave myself a Fourth of July present. I saw cut and jack hammered a 20' X 8' hole in the garage floor where the bus parks. I dug out 8" of dirt and sand which I spread around on the lawn. Next I'll toss in some rebar and 4" of concrete and be done with it. I built a temporary ramp out of wood and drove the bus in--fits fine now without having to flatten the tires each time I park. Jack

[tango]

LOL ! --- Leave to jack to do it the "easy" way! And you can always plant shade-grown taters when the bus on the road.

[Stealth Camper]

I like that, but couldn't you have just jacked up the house and put it on a taller footing??

[ol trunt]

Hello All. I always like to have a plan "B" --- and I do. When I get too old to drive the bus and it has to go I'll fill the hole with water and stock it with trout. Then I'll sit in my rocking chair, fishing pole in hand and reel them in! Jack

[stuartcnz]

Now that sounds like a good plan B!

[Stealth Camper]

Hello All. I always like to have a plan "B" --- and I do. When I get too old to drive the bus and it has to go I'll fill the hole with water and stock it with trout. Then I'll sit in my rocking chair, fishing pole in hand and reel them in! Jack

Covered fishing dock!! Brilliant!!