Good Luck! Stay Safe! Stay High And Dry! and protect that GMT!
What are you doing today? [Part II]
- Thread starter HARDTRAILZ
- Start date
@Blckshdw, we will have our fingers crossed man!
Blckshdw
Moderator
Yeah we're getting lucky with the storm turning and making landfall 4 counties south of us. News feeds have been showing water getting sucked out of Tampa Bay and the Hillsborough river, and they feel the need to tell people not to venture out to walk around, cuz obviously (or not, to some people cuz Florida...) the water is going to come back in...
Staying with my friends has been nice. Good to catch up and chat. They've got a Yorkie Maltese mix puppy who's a bundle of energy, and constantly wants to play, or he'll try to lick your face off. Their 5yo previously wouldn't talk to me, and would hide behind dad's legs if I looked at her for more than a few seconds. Now, she wants to show me every worldly possession she owns, and play all of her games. It's a little much, but a welcome change from before.
Since the storm won't be bogging down like originally planned, I'm hoping I can head home tomorrow evening, if the rain stops, instead of Friday. I've got my camera feeds on my phone, to originally monitor flooding in the street, but now it will be a way to know if I've lost power at the house.
For now, we're enjoying each other's company, and keeping in touch with friends in the affected areas. There have been some blips in power, but not for more than a couple seconds. We're expecting to lose power for good in a few hours when things get ramped up.
Staying with my friends has been nice. Good to catch up and chat. They've got a Yorkie Maltese mix puppy who's a bundle of energy, and constantly wants to play, or he'll try to lick your face off. Their 5yo previously wouldn't talk to me, and would hide behind dad's legs if I looked at her for more than a few seconds. Now, she wants to show me every worldly possession she owns, and play all of her games. It's a little much, but a welcome change from before.
Since the storm won't be bogging down like originally planned, I'm hoping I can head home tomorrow evening, if the rain stops, instead of Friday. I've got my camera feeds on my phone, to originally monitor flooding in the street, but now it will be a way to know if I've lost power at the house.
For now, we're enjoying each other's company, and keeping in touch with friends in the affected areas. There have been some blips in power, but not for more than a couple seconds. We're expecting to lose power for good in a few hours when things get ramped up.
Blckshdw
Moderator
My other concern, is that my old wooden fence will get knocked over, as my neighbor's did down the street.... The winds will be blowing into the face of the fence (mostly), instead of at the back, so it's not like it will be pulling away from the posts during the worst of it.
Good luck blckshdw, I hope all is well in the end. That right there is why I like living here. The odd tornado, a little bit of heat and 6 months of wretched cold. Quite lucky in the grand scheme.
Yesterday and today I worked on and finally finished the Green Bastard, parts unknown. The motorcycle shop didn't have the jet I needed so he sent me to the powersports wrecker I had used this spring to find sled parts. Not sure why I didn't go there first.
Rays Wrecks for anyone in the Crimetown area, were just bloody top notch again. The owner takes me back to the work area and proceeds to dig out a pile of mikuni jets and finds me the closest he has, a 155. Then gets me some machine screws for the float bowl. No cost, not worth the 5 bucks he says. Then we shoot the shit for a bit and I walk away amazed at the customer service, again.
So I roll home happy and begin to reassemble the carb, only to find my piss poor luck again. So the threadsnin the brass emulsion tube are slightly damaged and I cannt install the jet. Thankfully the emulsion tube is a snug press fit and pops out. Then I take two hours, modify an awl to clean up the threads enough to get the damn jet in.
So I finally get the carb on and enough bits and pieces to run the thing. No dice. Well WTF?? Using the carb idle screw i can either get it to turn over fast with no start or barely turn over and once in a while start but requiring throttle to stay running. Before I burnt it down I quit for the evening so my daughter and I can do supper and a movie.
Today I figured her out. Keep the idle screw turned out enough to allow the starter to crank the engine fast enough and then tension the throttle cable enough that it can fire and stay running. Silly set up this thing is but whatever. So today she is all buttoned up, tuned to where I like it and she absolutely hauls ass. Back to where I wanted it.
Edit: apparently there is a kill switch in the throttle, in the event the cable snaps. So my problem was twofold.
Yesterday and today I worked on and finally finished the Green Bastard, parts unknown. The motorcycle shop didn't have the jet I needed so he sent me to the powersports wrecker I had used this spring to find sled parts. Not sure why I didn't go there first.
Rays Wrecks for anyone in the Crimetown area, were just bloody top notch again. The owner takes me back to the work area and proceeds to dig out a pile of mikuni jets and finds me the closest he has, a 155. Then gets me some machine screws for the float bowl. No cost, not worth the 5 bucks he says. Then we shoot the shit for a bit and I walk away amazed at the customer service, again.
So I roll home happy and begin to reassemble the carb, only to find my piss poor luck again. So the threadsnin the brass emulsion tube are slightly damaged and I cannt install the jet. Thankfully the emulsion tube is a snug press fit and pops out. Then I take two hours, modify an awl to clean up the threads enough to get the damn jet in.
So I finally get the carb on and enough bits and pieces to run the thing. No dice. Well WTF?? Using the carb idle screw i can either get it to turn over fast with no start or barely turn over and once in a while start but requiring throttle to stay running. Before I burnt it down I quit for the evening so my daughter and I can do supper and a movie.
Today I figured her out. Keep the idle screw turned out enough to allow the starter to crank the engine fast enough and then tension the throttle cable enough that it can fire and stay running. Silly set up this thing is but whatever. So today she is all buttoned up, tuned to where I like it and she absolutely hauls ass. Back to where I wanted it.
Edit: apparently there is a kill switch in the throttle, in the event the cable snaps. So my problem was twofold.
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Just got home from the doctor's office.. got the old snip snip done
Matt
Member
- Dec 2, 2011
- 4,039
I got snipped in 2013. Best investment ever!! I love my kids but I sure as sht don't want any more!! Take a week off, keep them iced and grab a pic because that's the biggest they will ever be!!
Blckshdw
Moderator
I got snipped in 2012, I love other people's kids, for just that reason. Give them some attention for short periods of time, and then give them back! 
It took me a few storms to better understand what goes on. What you see on TV is the worst of the worst, and a very small percentage of the landscape. Sensationalism at it's best, I suppose. Last time we got hit here was 2017, and before that 2004. Just gotta be prepared and have a plan.
Internet is finally restored, it's been weird the last few days without it. Watched LOTS of movies, and got some stuff done around the house. Yesterday and this morning, dismantled an old wooden table in the back of the property the PO had built. It was under a tree, which had overgrown over it. Some of the wood had rotted out and it was falling apart. Rolled the dump cart back there, yanked on it, and down it went. This morning separated the usable pieces from the rotted ones. Good pieces to the pile, bad ones in the trash bin. Got some decent condition lag bolts, washers and nuts out of the deal, so kept those for any "just in case" projects.
Got a couple other things out of the shed that I really didn't need. Had a big metal patio chair that I wanted to use for the porch (from the gazebo) but on closer inspection parts of the base right under the seat were broken, and would have needed welding. Since that wouldn't fit in the bin, and the garbage men won't take anything that isn't in it, got out the cutoff wheel and broke that down. Always therapeutic to make sparks fly!
Biggest PIA over the last few days was the storm water pump station behind my house. I guess although the neighborhood had power, the pump didn't. Or not enough, cuz the alarm was always going off. Thursday afternoon the county sent some guys out and they tinkered with it, and then had someone show up with a standby pump on a trailer. After they hooked that thing up, the generator would get triggered, it would fire up and do its thing. It was loud though, and being so close to the house, it was annoying. On top of that the alarm buzzer would go off like every half hour. My neighbors and I took turns going out there to turn off the alarm, but overnight, it just went on.
Friday I spoke with one of the utility workers that came back, and while he couldn't disable the alarm, he did adjust the sensitivity so it wouldn't come on as often, if at all. Got a decent night's sleep last night. About 3 hours ago, a bunch of linemen pulled up on the street next to my house and were checking things out. They walked my block and found something down the street that needed attention. After an hour and a half, I heard someone yell "Hit it" and then the power went off. lol, I thought the opposite was supposed to happen when you say that? 20 minutes later power was back up, AND my internet was back online.
Now I'm a happy camper.
It took me a few storms to better understand what goes on. What you see on TV is the worst of the worst, and a very small percentage of the landscape. Sensationalism at it's best, I suppose. Last time we got hit here was 2017, and before that 2004. Just gotta be prepared and have a plan.
Internet is finally restored, it's been weird the last few days without it. Watched LOTS of movies, and got some stuff done around the house. Yesterday and this morning, dismantled an old wooden table in the back of the property the PO had built. It was under a tree, which had overgrown over it. Some of the wood had rotted out and it was falling apart. Rolled the dump cart back there, yanked on it, and down it went. This morning separated the usable pieces from the rotted ones. Good pieces to the pile, bad ones in the trash bin. Got some decent condition lag bolts, washers and nuts out of the deal, so kept those for any "just in case" projects.
Got a couple other things out of the shed that I really didn't need. Had a big metal patio chair that I wanted to use for the porch (from the gazebo) but on closer inspection parts of the base right under the seat were broken, and would have needed welding. Since that wouldn't fit in the bin, and the garbage men won't take anything that isn't in it, got out the cutoff wheel and broke that down. Always therapeutic to make sparks fly!
Biggest PIA over the last few days was the storm water pump station behind my house. I guess although the neighborhood had power, the pump didn't. Or not enough, cuz the alarm was always going off. Thursday afternoon the county sent some guys out and they tinkered with it, and then had someone show up with a standby pump on a trailer. After they hooked that thing up, the generator would get triggered, it would fire up and do its thing. It was loud though, and being so close to the house, it was annoying. On top of that the alarm buzzer would go off like every half hour. My neighbors and I took turns going out there to turn off the alarm, but overnight, it just went on.
Friday I spoke with one of the utility workers that came back, and while he couldn't disable the alarm, he did adjust the sensitivity so it wouldn't come on as often, if at all. Got a decent night's sleep last night. About 3 hours ago, a bunch of linemen pulled up on the street next to my house and were checking things out. They walked my block and found something down the street that needed attention. After an hour and a half, I heard someone yell "Hit it" and then the power went off. lol, I thought the opposite was supposed to happen when you say that? 20 minutes later power was back up, AND my internet was back online.
Now I'm a happy camper.
aaserv
Member
I was scrolling thru FB last night and up pops a post. A set of 4 TBSS 22" wheels !!! Jumped on it immediately and Im supposed to be meeting him 2 hours away this afternoon to get em.... I really cant afford them right now but no way I can pass them up. I guess its Raman noodles for the rest of the year around here but Id long since given up ever finding a set.
Of course it is just my luck I just 4 weeks ago spent $1100 on new Michelins. If the deal goes thru Ill probably hang on to them for a few months just to make sure these wheels turn out like I hope.
Damn I hope this deal goes through........
Of course it is just my luck I just 4 weeks ago spent $1100 on new Michelins. If the deal goes thru Ill probably hang on to them for a few months just to make sure these wheels turn out like I hope.
Damn I hope this deal goes through........
Ferrier day at the Crimetown ranch. Its a full day of work plus fencing so we don't fk around. 5 pound speckle park sirloin roast for supper and pork belly with meat church honey hog marinade for an afternoon snack. 225F with apple wood. To make it a hat trick I might have a fake beer and fight a guy.
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Mooseman
Moderator
Prepping the RV trailer to head to North Bay for the weekend. Just as soon as Mrs. Moose is finished with work, we're hitting the road.
Yestersay I went for a little cruise on the trails with Green Bastard. Sure was nice, had a decent view of the river and the nice smell of fall. Also grilled up some burgers and homemade soring rolls. One of our clients made them and dropped us off a pile.
Today I have two chickens about to hit the Traeger as we have some family over. Life is good boys.
Today I have two chickens about to hit the Traeger as we have some family over. Life is good boys.
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Mooseman
Moderator
Not a busy day. Took the Caprice to it's winter storage. OLM was still at 85% and it still looked like new so I'm letting it ride. Filled it with gas at Costco and filled the tires to their max pressure so they would still have some left in the spring. I have a feeling the battery will be done come time to reconnect it. It sure doesn't owe me anything being original and 11 years old!
And then went to get raped at the pump with the Sierra. Last week I paid $1.85/L for diesel, this week, most are $2.19/L but I managed to find one at $2.09. Just that .10 saved me around $7 on the 70L I put in. No wonder everything is getting stupid expensive because everything is moved by diesel
And then went to get raped at the pump with the Sierra. Last week I paid $1.85/L for diesel, this week, most are $2.19/L but I managed to find one at $2.09. Just that .10 saved me around $7 on the 70L I put in. No wonder everything is getting stupid expensive because everything is moved by diesel
Mooseman
Moderator
Yesterday, towed the tractor back to my wife's family's wooded lot that they call "the farm". Before loading it though, pulled two old stumps at the front of the house. All went well and the Sierra towed it like a champ averaging 16-17L/100km (13-15 MPG). Not bad towing 7000#. Towing the trailer back empty I averaged 14L/100 (17 MPG). Brought the rental trailer back this morning.
xavierny25
Member
All New roof shingles and about 8 boards of plywood. 8 man crew made easy work of it in at 8am done by 1pm
Now to schedule the solar company to do there thing.
Now to schedule the solar company to do there thing.
xavierny25
Member
Some say Duplex some say semi-detached its all tomatoes to me.
Blckshdw
Moderator
Definitely wish I had gotten my roof done before the solar installation. Was such a major PIA to get the panels swapped after they were up already.
@xavierny25 What kinda setup are you planning to go with? You getting battery storage to go with them? I want to upgrade my microinverters to a newer model that make their own micro grids, and get a smart switch to disconnect me from the utility grid when it goes down, so the panels can still power the house during the day when everything is down (re: storm incidents) But that's a pricey proposition.
@xavierny25 What kinda setup are you planning to go with? You getting battery storage to go with them? I want to upgrade my microinverters to a newer model that make their own micro grids, and get a smart switch to disconnect me from the utility grid when it goes down, so the panels can still power the house during the day when everything is down (re: storm incidents) But that's a pricey proposition.
xavierny25
Member
No batteries, I'll just be feeding the grid off my panels and still get a $30 bill monthly for having the meter outside taking count. Of course the financing on the system which is about $100 a month till I own it. Still a lot less then my current electrical bill. They did however bundle the price of the roof into the deal along with a 50 year warranty.
The thing with batteries here in NYC is storage its really regulated and they want them in there own mechanical room.
The thing with batteries here in NYC is storage its really regulated and they want them in there own mechanical room.
- Jul 22, 2015
- 2,724
This sounds like a PPA (power purchase agreement).
If it's not... then you qualify for a 30% tax credit (so, dollar for dollar) on your Federal taxes.
If you reduce your tax to zero, and still have the remainder of the credit to use, it carries to next year.
Check w/ a tax person (or IRS) at tax time.
It would be nice if you could amortize the credit over the life of the loan, but I don't think that's possible. The 30% credit runs 2022 - 2032.
If you have questions, but don't want your business all up on a public forum, you can PM me. I'm not a tax pro; just looking out for my GMTN homies.
xavierny25
Member
Oh, yes I'm fully aware of the 30% tax credits. Also not only federal but state tax break too. State if I'm correct I can claim for a total of 3yrs. The system with tax breaks basically pays for itself, adds value to the home and saves me a good amount ofThis sounds like a PPA (power purchase agreement).
If it's not... then you qualify for a 30% tax credit (so, dollar for dollar) on your Federal taxes.
If you reduce your tax to zero, and still have the remainder of the credit to use, it carries to next year.
Check w/ a tax person (or IRS) at tax time.
It would be nice if you could amortize the credit over the life of the loan, but I don't think that's possible. The 30% credit runs 2022 - 2032.
If you have questions, but don't want your business all up on a public forum, you can PM me. I'm not a tax pro; just looking out for my GMTN homies.
.
Blckshdw
Moderator
I got the tax credit with mine, that was nice. The net metering is great too, as long as they don't screw with it like they've been talking about doing. I make most of my surplus power now, through March when there's little to no need to run the AC. No batteries, cuz they are stupid expensive, although I think prices have come down a little since I got my installation.
xavierny25
Member
Update: solar is scheduled for install on the 26th. Friday evening and Saturday morning the wife and I we're able to finish up the Halloween decorations. 
Another update and kinda why I have been off the site at times, My wife's cousin "did a thing" and picked up a garage kept with just shy of 80k miles covertable 1989 camaro irocz just about 1 month and half ago. So I've been doing some work he's been wanting to me to do. First thing was replace the t-stat (seemed lazy and opened up to close to 200 even 208 at time).Led Head lights went in next.
Rear suspension was a bit sloppy so yesterday swapped out the rear shocks, lower rear arms and panhard bar (UMI and Koni parts). Waiting on front and rear sway bars.
I'm sure a few of you guys know all about these so I'll be waiting to hear your thoughts and what we should do next.
Another update and kinda why I have been off the site at times, My wife's cousin "did a thing" and picked up a garage kept with just shy of 80k miles covertable 1989 camaro irocz just about 1 month and half ago. So I've been doing some work he's been wanting to me to do. First thing was replace the t-stat (seemed lazy and opened up to close to 200 even 208 at time).Led Head lights went in next.
Rear suspension was a bit sloppy so yesterday swapped out the rear shocks, lower rear arms and panhard bar (UMI and Koni parts). Waiting on front and rear sway bars.
I'm sure a few of you guys know all about these so I'll be waiting to hear your thoughts and what we should do next.
Dont do anything! Leave it alone!
Lucky SOB... best year with no Opti-Spark BS on it.
Lucky SOB... best year with no Opti-Spark BS on it.
- Jul 22, 2015
- 2,724
I'm sure a few of you guys know all about these so I'll be waiting to hear your thoughts and what we should do next.
If that's a 350ci LT1 engine (gen '2'), I'd leave it. But if it's a SBC, and especially a 305... LS swap!
Mooseman
Moderator
Well today was fun. Spent part of the day at the PNP yard getting part of a Silvy frame for my son's truck. His crossmembers are disintegrated so I looked for possibly some good ones here. Apparently they use brine up there in winter, the same crap they use in NY State. We use only regular salt here but still damaging. The one I found wasn't perfect but they were in better shape than his. It is rusted through at the gas tank and we can see why. Crap and moisture just accumulates there. This one will be repairable. I already went at it with the needle scaler and so much rust came off. I will be cutting off each of the crossmembers, welding up the rust holes with extra plating, completely removing the rust and protect them with bed liner.
Oh and he got his truck oil sprayed every year. I also learned that GM truck frames up to 2019 had issues with the coating from the factory.
When I go up at the end of the month to help him with it, I'll take some pics. It's bad.
Even though mine's a 2021, I'll be keeping an eye on it and getting it sprayed every year.
Oh and he got his truck oil sprayed every year. I also learned that GM truck frames up to 2019 had issues with the coating from the factory.
When I go up at the end of the month to help him with it, I'll take some pics. It's bad.
Even though mine's a 2021, I'll be keeping an eye on it and getting it sprayed every year.
northcreek
Member
Wow! and to think that was the best one in the yard . Imagine some of the trucks out there cruising 70 mph with frames about to turn into dust...
Good plan, should be good as new when done ...
Mooseman
Moderator
Yesterday, worked on the frame pieces. The one end that's on top of the gas tank was really bad and was hanging on by a sliver and nearly broke completely off while I was cutting the frame rails off. Welded some steel I had left over from the work on the Avalanche. Not my prettiest work but it will work. Will take them to a shop on Monday to have them sandblasted.
northcreek
Member
Are you going to remove the truck bed when you reconstruct the frame ? just curious....
Mooseman
Moderator
That's the plan. Just like when I cut out the frame on the junker, just makes it easier to get to it. We're also going to drop the tank.
$ Khalid ! 9130
Member
Just got back from India. Some pending work and now that chapter is closed once and for all. Had ordered the rear windshield wiper arm as mine broke one fine day. Need to get out and install that, give the TB a nice detail and get around to fixing the door handle bezels
northcreek
Member
You probably know this but, Dorman sells repops of these but, seem a little pricey for what they are.
Bad bad BAD weekend.
1 year old got sick Thursday night (while nursing, and puked on mommas chest!)
I got sick EARLY Friday Morning
Wife got sick Friday Mid-Day
4 year old got sick Friday Nite
Still sick.. I did not eat or drink for 2 days straight! Started feeling better Saturday night, and ate/drank. Sunday back to feeling like I did Friday.. Weekend wasted laying in bed.
1 year old got sick Thursday night (while nursing, and puked on mommas chest!)
I got sick EARLY Friday Morning
Wife got sick Friday Mid-Day
4 year old got sick Friday Nite
Still sick.. I did not eat or drink for 2 days straight! Started feeling better Saturday night, and ate/drank. Sunday back to feeling like I did Friday.. Weekend wasted laying in bed.
Mooseman
Moderator
They actually have the ones for the previous gen trucks, not for the 2011. I had found a US supplier who custom makes them but they were over $300USD each + shipping, import taxes and exchange rate. Would have been close to $1500CAD. So far I'm in for about $100CAD. Wish it would have been in better shape but these are victims of a poor design, manufacturer defect and salt. Bringing them to be sandblasted today.