Hoo Boy as it been a long dry spell
 

It kinda looks like part of my computer problem is solved, I now have a new computer and so far I have been able to figure out how to work it. Still having issues. Sort of like a Smart Phone vs. a dumb operator.
The other part while still unresolved is being worked on.
I have even figured out how to use spell check.
I've missed things, I sort of enjoyed and this forum was one of them.
A quick and dirty on hobby activities, my SC2 ended up needing a new radiator. It was sneaky the way it sent symptoms, the low water indicator kept saying it was out of water and it was. But where. And it turned out to be a very small leak at one of the union points where they were tapped into the radiator. I caught it marking the driveway after a short drive.
Funny thing about the first Saturns, they sure were and still are an easy car to work on.
I also found out almost by accident the transmission fluid leak was the oil filter coming loose.
My SBC (Mercury Marine) engine in my Hornet is tuned very well. I am sort of holding thing a bit as I need to clean the garage out some while making room to get it through and out on the road to get an exhaust. I scored bumper filler pieces (cosmetic) and seats for the 1974 restoration awaiting to start and am assembling an engine purchased in 2002, an AMC 232 cu in I-6, a short stroke in line engine with a rocker arm shaft rather than the rockers mounted on studs.
The rocker arms are stable at higher rpm's with a shaft, an Iskenderian 270HL cam is on order and I have an Offy 4bbl manifold, a Carter 400 cfm 4bl,l a Clifford Cast aluminum valve cover some chrome fasteners, and mounted an alternator and brackets. A coil, ballast resistor, starter solenoid and starter, some gauges and a Dupont Overhaul and it will both look and run solid. Then deliver it to a custom shop in Cottonwood, for installation in a T-Bucket.
Valeries bout with copd is a heavy duty responsibility. We start going through the intake procedure this week for a lung transplant and it is a scary freaky experience.
I dunno, my SC2 has been an enjoyable car to own over the years and it is showing it's age a little more now, but darn it. Start it and point it down the road and you remember why it was bought some 21 years ago. It is and has been a favorite.
Hi
I missed you'all

Good to see you back, unc. Please give Val my best.

Good to see you again, Unc! I hope all goes well with the lung transplant, and all settles out okay... Are you getting a T-bucket, or are you providing an engine for one? I'm a little confused...

We did miss you and your good advice though... Deaf has been trying his imitation of your advice, with less than optimal results, lol...

Gee thanks bones. Someone had to step up around here with wandering rants that usually got to the point....eventually. For the record I think at least one of my suggestions was actually correct.

Rube helped too.

We'll you know what they say, it's the thought that counts. We were missing the long winded wandering rants, and you and Rube filled in the void, but there's only one Unc(not to say your advice wasn't spot on)

Indeed there is only one..... ;)

I almost banned him when he first joined for his rambling circuitous posts, but then I began to understand that unc was just a gearhdad at heart and will be until the day he dies. Most people 1/2 his age wouldn't try the stuff he does. How many people under the age of 30 can tear down and rebuild a carb? Not many and surely not enough.

We all express ourselves differently.

Good to see you back, Unc. We'll say prayers for Valerie and hope she gets that done ASAP.

I am supplying an engine an transmission for a T-bucket. I'll probably spend a couple of days doing install work fabricating motor mounts and wiring. The engine should be a turn key package requiring no more than break in for the cam shaft which will be new.
This engine is based on a "recent" in terms of running time rebuilt motor with about 10,000 miles on it and is being inspected as to any impending problems. The engine itself has spent the last 12 years on an engine stand in storage.
I rebuild my own carburetors. I am a fan of the Carter AFB's, now supplied by Edelbrock. They are a flexible carburetor and are very tolerant to engine size and generally run very well right out of the box.
I spent some time tweaking one years ago and discovered that while you can tweak them for a specific function, in general it is hardly worth the effort.
My current V8 build is using a Carter Thermoquad. A carburetor with mixed reviews simply because both it and the Rochester Quadrajet are a bit more than complex. I've always wanted to run one and have had one on the shelf for almost 2 decades waiting for the proper application.
I have built one F.I. engine using multiple port injection and while it runs good now it took a lot of years of trying to figure out why it didn't. The biggest problem was the algorithms used to control the operation of it were written around the use of a 2200 rpm stall converter in the transmission which allowed the engine to spin up faster when moving from a dead stop.
And tech support had no clue.
Todays after market FI which in general are very sophisticated throttle body units require a wet manifold like a carburetor does so in essence they are a very complex carburetor with some of the same application problems not had by port injection systems which also exist but require new manifolds and are even more expensive. I personally would rather have a carburetor which I can buy used at a swap meet for generally about $30.00 and a rebuild kit for about $50.00.
I have 3 AFB's on the shelf and a spare Thermoquad I bought for parts that last was used on an International Truck

Man! I wish I knew you before I sold my old truck. It just needed a carb rebuild, which I knew not how to even start, so I just ran it like it was, which resulted in a stupidly rich air/fuel ratio, 17 mpg from a 4 cyl manual trans compact truck... My plan for that one was to fab up an intake using two Carter YFA carbs, or maybe four side-draft carbs from an older crotch-rocket...

Anyway, good luck with the T-bucket installation, hope all goes well...

morning to ya sir. I'm headed to bed before the sun rises and keeps me up.

Gnite.