David. My mail got kicked back again, so I will just post to the list. I
might have forgotten to change to your new address.
Aram
From: Aram
Sent: Tuesday, August 15, 2017 7:08 AM
To: David Young
Subject: Eclipse
Hi David. Hope plans are going well and the weather will cooperate where you
are going. It is starting to look less ideal where we are headed, depending on
which weather service you want to believe. I know the people who were going to
western Oregon are going to be very disappointed.
It was beginning to look like we were not going to be able to go ourselves. We
had a “new” engine put in our van. Took it in June 27 and it was suppose to
take 3 days. We picked it up July 11, a bit more than 3 days, and had it long
enough to get on the freeway, turn around and take it back. The engine would
buck when you slightly let off on the gas at highway speeds. They said they
would get right on it, but that meant 7 days and $250 more to replace the old
transmission mount. Picked it up and got to the freeway again and same
problem. I was going to take it right back, but Margie said no. Instead
decided that maybe they did not get the transmission linked up properly and the
tranny was due for some service anyway. Took it to a tranny shop and he gave
it a good going over (Another $250) and declared it good. But at least he had
gone with me for a test drive and knew how to get it to buck. He decided it
was running lean and perhaps backfiring. He even took it out with the cowling
off to watch the engine. Noisy and hot drive. He called a friend who came
over and had an idea for us. Told us he thought the distributor was not phased
properly. Made a firm appointment to have it done as it would only take an
hour. Got up early and drove there only to be told he had just put a rig on
the large rack and he could not do it for 3-4 days. So much for an
appointment. Well, it goes on and on like this will things the first guy did
wrong and things I have tried to correct on my own or with another shop. We
finally felt it was safe to take it on a run last weekend and went to
Ellensburg for the day. It is running much better now, but hotter than the old
engine. Sunday while replacing the break-in oil with real oil, I just
discovered a leak of tranny fluid behind the engine. Small. The engine guy
replaced the front seal on the tranny when the engine was out since it was
easily accessible and was 23 years old. I suspect that is the problem, but
will take it to the tranny guy and pay for the repair rather than take it back
to that shop. What a nightmare. I thought I had given it plenty of lead time
so we would be good to go next weekend.
I know we had discussed the possibility of you maybe swinging by for a visit
on your return trip. I have been silent because on our end so much was up in
the air. Margie’s sister had said she was coming up for the eclipse and we are
camping together in Sumpter, OR, but she was vague as to how long she was
staying. We could never pin her down to a time frame. But recently she said
they would return to our house and stay, but still not sure if that means one
day or one week. I did not want to invite you and then have no place for you
to stay. Not sure if you are planning a direct retreat home after the eclipse
or will be taking some time before you would reach us. I a sorry as I was
looking forward to a visit from you and Rose to try to return the hospitality
you showed us on our trip north. If you will be on the road for a while before
heading home, it might work out and I can keep you posted as to her plans.
Happy viewing.
Aram
Aram Langhans
(Semi) Retired Science Teacher
& Unemployed photographer
“The Human Genome Project has proved Darwin more right than Darwin himself
would ever have dared dream.” James D. Watson
