It's nice to see a fresh forum and especially one so specific to my interests.
Why do I feel like a new student in class right now? I never know what to say about the who that I am, so I'll say a few of the whats that make me a who.
A Husband, Father, Family, ... sigh
and
A Tinker, Sailor, Marine-guy... Yeah it was a play on a novel/movie title, an ambiguous one at that. If you're a brother I don't need to explain why I didn't say 'Soldier guy' but only in jest. I love all my service brothers and sisters. Grandpa was a Greyhound Mechanic, I grew up in a commercial fishing fleet, and have always loved:
The smell of diesel, JP-4, the ocean, and the first rain after a good dry spell
The sound of a diesel engine and turbo-props
The lines of a well designed/built boat, plane, or woman... in that order.
Honing/sharpening an edged tool and let work her magic
An earthy coffee, pumpkin pie, smoked salmon, pickled herring, and lilikoi
Now I digress.
I'm here for the topic at hand like all of you and look forward to hearing, learning, and sharing if and where I can. I like to say, "I fell in love with an engine(Cummins 6BT) but she was married to a pickupl. It's kind of tongue and cheek but it's the truth.
SHE, is a Cummins 6BT N/I, Getrag 360, Dodge D250 circa 1991-5/12ths. We've been hitched for almost 25 years now. I haven't always been faithful. She's been misused, taken for granted, and for a time down right neglected. But, she always makes me smile and I know I'll keep her for awhile. She ain't pretty, she ain't proud, but she endures me and she's mine. It makes her worthy all the while.
Now here's my confession:
I am just this moment, on the eve of selling my truck. It's in pieces. My e-brake locked up about 10 years ago so I tore down the hubs and completely reconditioned the rear brakes and wheel bearings. I drain rear axle fluid when I'm about to wrap things up, only to find it's filthy. Would'a, could'a, should'a but instead I deciced to tear down the rear axle and rebuild it. Awaiting parts, I pull the driveline to install new joints, I might as well, replace that leaky transmission seal while I'm down here, and finally... What the hell, I might as well clean her up, repaint, and on, and on... Then comes marriage and the baby carriage. Considering her present state I've been made a very generous offer and any rational guy wouldn't hesitate. Right now.... I'm more ration null about this pickup but I'm willing to bet more than a few of you are too.