The weather was just a bit chilly this morning but the big
difference was all the morning dew on the Model A’s. We haven’t noticed this much humidity in the
air for a long time. We chatted with a
few hotel guests as we cleaned the bugs off the windshield and then pulled out
of the parking lot with a final destination toady of Memphis, TN.
Our planned route was to follow RT 64 across Arkansas. This road paralleled I-40 so most of the
traffic was on that road which meant it should be an easier drive for us. The first order of business was to stop for
gas, but no corn free gas was available, oh well no big deal. I was leading and tried to keep the speed
between 45-50 mph since that is where my overdrive seemed to give me the least
trouble. Not much to do but just follow
the road but we did start to notice as we drove further east the landscape was changing
to more flat farm land, which was different from rolling hills the western part
of the state. These farm were rice and
cotton, with many also having cattle grazing in the front yard. The drive was pleasant and everything was
going smoothly.
Our lunch stop was at Sub-Way, which are good places to stop
since the menu so consistent. Off again,
and more driving lead to another gas stop.
As we left the gas station I heard a distinct noise in the engine that I
knew was not good. I did some driving tests and sure enough the noise was
engine related and I finally got on the CB and told the guys that I had to pull
over. We did some more testing to
determine what was happening and shorting out #2 cylinder stopped the
noise. I have had engine with this noise
in the past and it was a connecting rod.
The best decided was not to go any further and have the
Model A towed to our hotel in Memphis where we could drop the oil pan and check
the rods. I had the guys travel on and go
to the hotel while Nan & I would wait for the tow truck. While waiting for the tow truck, three huge
combines stopped in front of the Model A to let a long line of traffic that had
built up behind them go by. These units
were on their way to harvest another cotton field, as I mentioned cotton is a
major crop around here.
The other continued on to the hotel and crossed the mighty
Mississippi River and made their way through all the highway traffic to the
Hampton Inn. They made it and got
checked in and waited for us.
The tow truck arrived and loaded the Model A and we all headed
off to meet the guys at the hotel. Once
the Model A was dropped off we got the tools out and dropped the oil pan. We did a check of rod #2 and it was a little
loose. Rods 1 and 4 also were about the same. The rod bearing looked perfect, so peeled off
one layer of shim on one side of each rod and reassemble the rod cap. This worked and the rods tightened up
nicely.
It was now dark and we decided to call it a day and finish
reassembling the engine in the morning.
Keeping our fingers crossed as we do some reassembly this morning. Everything looks good on the bottom of the engine. Just a couple of loose rods.
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