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Can we HAVE any more setbacks? (Post #609) 4/30/2023

Apparently, yes, yes we can.

So if you’ve been a fan and reader for very many years you have probably heard me refer to the Okierover Rules. There are a few rules I try to live my life by, let me hit the top three:

  • I will not live where I am not the highest tertiary consumer on the food chain.
  • I don’t play with electricity.
  • Don’t date girls with dagger tattoos.
  • There are others…but lets stop there.

Unfortunately for me, I bought a welder that requires a 208 volt plug. My shop is only wired for 110 volt. You know that saying from Mr. Mom (1983) starring Michael Keaton:

Well that’s about the sum of it. I’m just about that clueless when it comes to the magic of powering our homes and shops.

According to a review on InboxQ.com:

“The Pro MIG 180’s convenient switch knob easily allows users to choose between output levels. The 120-volt option allows you to connect to any household power source and is perfect for working on light steel and thinner metals like aluminum sheets. If you want to work on thicker metals, just flick the knob opt to change to the 208-volt/230-volt option.”

I must have missed that day in shop class when they explained how to wire 110V like 208/220V. And that’s another thing…I’ve been around a few years and never have I ever heard of 208V. So again, I’m sitting here thinking, “I wish Mr. Murr would have let me take shop class like all the other kids.” In his fine evaluation of my brain power, he thought I was better suited to “go to college”. I had to get special permission to enroll in Vo-tech! Electronics never-the-less. This was before the Personal Computer revolution (think Fall of 1980). I can tell you for certain, electronics was not an “easy” class. I had to work at it. And frankly, college was unaffordable for me. I went anyway, but let’s just say, the trades probably would have been a better idea.

I asked the Evil German Dude what he thought of the wiring in the shop. He DID indeed go the trades route and worked for the electric company in Germany as a young man and understands the magic of electricity about as well as anyone. Seriously one of the smartest people I know. He did not believe the wiring from the house to the shop would support 220V. So, it looks like I need to get a professional opinion and probably get a quote to get it upgraded.

Yay! more money I don’t have today.

So I know a lot of you are keen to see SPARKS flying and welding of rust panels and fixin’ them holes. As am I, I’m ready to see some return on investment for the welding class and the welder expenses, but this is going to be put off for a little longer while I get the electricity supply sorted out.

I need to review the “just flip the switch” and use 110V. I didn’t see any of that in the user guide but that doesn’t mean its not in there. I just need to read it again and probably do more googling.

Thanks for reading and Happy Rovering.

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Site Issues (Post #608) 4/8/2023

Me sitting in the engine bay.
Back in the day when we fixed the head gasket issue.

I had some issues with the site since I upgraded to the “fancy” theme. What I have learned is this managing of a WordPress site and all the plugins to make it secure and backed up is really hard. So instead of learning how to use my new welder, today I’m working on the site.

I guess I’ll need to seek some outside assistance. I’ll probably look for one of those public support groups. Anyway, hopefully the site is back up and you can find the content you are looking for.

Thanks for reading and Happy Rovering.

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Sill Rust (Post #607) 4/4/2023

Sill rust

Rust. The ever present issue in every Land Rover. While investigating the rust in the rear floor board I found some really nasty rust on the sills. So much so in some places that additional cutting and repair will need to be planned.

The passenger side B Pillar is rusted out. This will need some major work to rebuild. I have prices for the steel and a welder. I just need to pull the trigger on them both. I also need to source about a case of zinc based primer like Seymour 20-1675 PBE Professional Primer [Amazon.com] More research is needed for this. I’ve seen and read some things that give be some doubt about this process.

For now, I’ve coated the bare metal with some primer. Now on to the video…

You can support me on Patreon.

Thanks for reading and Happy Rovering.

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Wiper blade reset (Post #606) 3/28/2023

Wiper reset

When I last repaired my windshield wiper motor I did a terrible job getting the wiper blades set in the correct position. I was pretty frustrated with myself when I finished that job and realized I did it wrong.

I lived with it for several years. When I started this recent restoration I decided I would get that sorted out. The job has a couple of benefits:

  • I get the blades set correct on their home
  • I have the cowling off so I can replace the windscreen seal when I get the windscreen replaced.

I made a video of the job and explained several of the more complicated points to getting this job right.

Hope you enjoy it and it’s helpful.

You can support me on Patreon.

Thanks for reading and Happy Rovering.

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Door Card Refurbishing (Post #605) 3/21/2023

Door cards

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery that mediocrity can pay to greatness. – Oscar Wilde.

I’ve put together a video of me assembling the refurbished door cards for the Range Rover Classic. I didn’t record an intro nor did I record an outro. It’s just me assembling the cards. If you watch the Working Axle YouTube channel [YouTube.com] you will see some of the prettiest videos. If you aren’t watching him, you are missing out. His videos are simple, cinematic, and yet informative, and he doesn’t say a lot. So this is my homage to his brilliant work. Unfortunately for you, my videos aren’t as pretty or well shot, suck to be you, never-the-less I appreciate you visiting me and sincerely hope this content assists you.

So there’s no pithy commentary. I had to stop at one point and run to the hardware store to get more nuts and bolts. Just some assembling of door cards.

Brown is back!!! I think these door cards look great now with a new coat of paint. The dark brown is very similar to some of the interiors of modern cars today. I seriously looked at getting dark brown seat covers. But in the end I went with the Knightsbridge seat covers so they ain’t going to be brown.

You can support me on Patreon.

Thanks for visiting and Happy Rovering.

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Transfer Case Knob Repair (Post #604) 3/14/2023

Shift Knob

Looking for the thread specification was pretty easy with a Google search. I stumbled on this thread on Rangerovers.net. “Tex” from Italy states its a M10x1.5. “LanceL” had a novel idea to use a M10 Rivnut.

https://www.rangerovers.net/threads/transfer-case-knob-thread-pitch.345708/

I decided to use a M10x1.5 nyloc nut. I also bought a bolt to go with it which provides a clean threaded path to the nyloc nut. I also used some of my supply of Dr. Crafty Clear Epoxy Resin [Amazon.com]. As you will see in the video. I cleaned out the shift knob. I also carved “channels” in the knob to provide “keys” to keep the resin from someday rotating inside the perfectly cylindrical knob.

I then placed the bolt with the nyloc nut on it down inside the knob. Mixed up my resin and poured it in. It took 72 hours to cure. I let it sit for a full week, due to work, and a living history camping trip I had planned at Ft. Towson [Oklahoma Historical Society].

This project turned out great. It was easy, didn’t require any tools that most Land Rover owners don’t already own. I was genuinely surprised this actually work as I had hoped it would. Now I can turn to the rest of the 3000+ things I need to do to the Big Whit Bus to get her back on the trail.

This project was a 1 on the Difficulty Scale.

Support me on Patreon if you feel moved.

Thanks for visiting and Happy Rovering.

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