Fourth of July (Bead) Blast!

Today I spent some time glass bead blasting parts at my uncle's place. A bead blast machine is a wonderful thing to have at one's disposal. I found myself wondering today how some of these tasks were completed before we had such machines. Here's a look at the work I got done today, in "Before and After" shots:

The 1926 license plates I plan to run on Twice Lucky:



The "spoon" gas pedal assembly I pulled from the farm truck that donated its motor, and a clutch release arm, source unknown. I knew from previous experience that I could free up into good working condition a pedal this rusty after a good bead blasting and oiling, and that was the case today, as well. It operate really well, with plenty of spring tension, after I blasted and oiled it today. Not sure if I'll use this clutch release arm, but it looked close to what I need when I mocked up the transmission and pedal assembly the other day, and it's good to have options. Might end up using one off one of the Lincoln Zephyr overdrive transmissions I have, since I believe it would allow for the most clutch travel with the least pedal movement, because of its long length.



The fan carrier (no "Before" photo), with its part number visible (21A is 1942, so therefore, post-war)



And, finally, the spark plug wire "conduits". After blasting them, I tried semi-successfully to remove some dents that might impede the plug wires from easily snaking down the length of the tubes. You can see in the detail photos that one set was marked with "N" on the mounting tabs, the other with "NS". Not sure what those markings stand for.




Not sure if I'll get time in the garage on Sunday. I'm contemplating a change in my work schedule (presently a 9/80, wherein I get every other Friday off) to a straight 40-hour work week, so I have some personal time each night, instead of getting of work well after everyone else, including my girlfriend. Plus, I never can get through a "day off" Friday without having to deal with work, and usually spend them running around doing errands I could just as easily do during the week on my lunch, so where's the benefit? I can always take a 3-day weekend because I have so much vacation time, I had a hard time spending it all this year. I've ended up taking off every Friday from May through July 4.

Yeah, I think that's a change I'm going to make. As stated at the top of this blog: a(nother) measure of progress in...my life.

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