New Gantry Crane

Looks like Nancy has added some music to the Blog.

Yesterday I went to Davenport,Iowa to pick up a new 1 ton Gantry Crane, I figured it would be kind of hard to get 4 fat guys with strong backs together each time I needed a lift on the truck, so I opted to go this direction. Besides, the crane doesn't drink beer.

No Job Johnny came down this morning and I had all parts off the trailer and out of the crate. The whole thing weighs about 600 pounds. Bob helped me put it all together and also brought me a pulley system to use with it. Had it all together in a couple of hours and I thought that would be it. Bob said "I want to see that cab come off", so we set the crane over the truck and lifted the cab off. Worked great. Next I will use it to pull the engine and transmission.

Marian, My neighbor across the street came over and I told her she could help pull the engine and transmission.

I got the crane first, so I can lift the new compressor off the trailer (loaned by Dean Long) That i'm going to get next week. Lot's more to do before I get started with the sandblasting.

I ordered the new front IFS suspension and rear suspension from Chassis Engineering in West Branch Iowa last week. Should be hearing from them soon to come pick that up.

Nice to have good weather again and back on this project.
Tomorrow i'm gonna ride my Harley.
Boogie til ya Puke.

Engine stand

Well, got the engine stand done today and will be pulling the engine and transmission soon. I also finally brought the Miller 211 MIG welder from my wood shop to the toy barn. Still haven't tried it yet but the wiring is ready and will do that soon also.

Finally Back

Well, I'm still alive. Back is okay now and had to go back to Washington State for family business. Got back Late Sunday night. As an update, I bought a Miller 211 automatic mig welder in Febuary. Haven't had time to try it out yet but finished wiring the plug for it in the garage today. Going to buy the big ass compressor for sandblasting and other chores within the next two weeks. It will be a 5 horse Quincy. USA made just down the river from me. Just to let you know what direction I am going with the F1, It will get a new IFS front suspension and new rear suspension from Chassis Engineering located in West Branch Iowa. It is an all bolt in kit made specifically for the F!. I got a great deal from great folks at Chassis Engineering with the help of 2 guys here in burlington that went with me two weeks ago to do the preliminary ordering. Thanks to Dave Aldershof who has delt with them before and Bob Ertzinger I got a great deal. Also got to meet Roy Lewis, the founder of Chassis Engineering back in the early 60's, and now retired from the business but working his dream. He holds the single diesel engine powered land speed record at Bonneville at just over 306 MPH. He drives the car and I think is older than me. He is adding a second diesel engine with two turbo's for each engine to see if he can break the two engine record at 317 MPH. What an interesting guy. I will final order the stuff from Chassis Engineering probably within the next two weeks. Got to get all this done before Nancy gets back from Washington and finds out what i'm doing. I am going to start building the cart to hold the engine and transmission tomorrow so I can get it pulled out. I will add more pictures when Nancy gets home with the camera. More later.