Gas Tanks and Pickups

So I know that I didn't write about it on here yet, but most people already know I finally got a truck again. My first truck was a '91 Toyota pickup and it was great. I miss that truck a whole lot. Ever since I got rid of it I've been kicking myself and wondering why I did and also looking for another one. I always liked Toyota and so I knew that is what I wanted to get again. The cool thing is that Lauren's dad had a 1982 Toyota Pickup sitting in his driveway and he decided to give it to me!

Me and my '91 Toyota

My "new" '82 Toyota

22R Motor with new Weber Carb.

Right away I noticed that I would need to do several things to the truck. First thing was the carburetor. The truck wouldn't start the first time I went to Albuquerque to pick it up. After looking over all the fuel system it seemed it was the carburetor. I bought a Weber carburetor online and my brother and I installed it. Once it was on the truck started on the first try! I immediately drove to the gas station and filled up.

The truck was running, but it still had issues. Any time I tried to go up hills the tuck would nearly die and shutter. Living the mountains is a little tough when your vehicle wont go up hills. I figured it had something to do with the tuning of the carburetor, so I tried numerous times to tune it but had no luck. I let the truck sit for a few days and the problem seemed to stop yet when I got low on gas the problem returned. I checked the fuel filter, which I had replaced just before filling up the last tank, and it was already full of a bunch of little particles. That's when I figured I needed to drop my gas tank.

I wasn't sure what to expect when I decided to flush the tank. I had already pushed the limits of my mechanical abilities when I replaced the carburetor. I have always wanted to be a mechanically inclined, especially with cars, but I was always a little too scared that I was going to seriously screw something up too. The cool thing about having this truck is that its not my primary vehicle so I am free to tinker. Even still though, I don't want to mess this truck up so I try not to get in over my head.

I also wasn't sure that the problem was really in the gas tank. I have heard several times that because of the altitude my truck is at the carburetor might need to be re-jetted. This is a real possibility because the stock carb had an altitude adjuster which added more air to the mixture via a vacuum hose and I plugged all those up as per the Weber installation instructions.

The cool thing is that as soon as I dropped the tank it was clear that it needed to be done. The noise inside the tank was not just the sound of gas sloshing around. It sounded more like someone had poured sand in my gas tank.

Another cool thing is that I was able to pull the float from the tank which is connected to the gas gauge. Even when the tank was full the gauge would only go up to just above empty and stop. I was talking to RJ, Lauren's brother, and he said the gauge had been broken on the truck for well over a decade. When I pulled the float I found the reason why.

I know the truck has spent a significant amount of time sitting around and I am sure it sat with a little bit more than an empty tank and that is when the float got rusted and the tank became dirty.

I was amazed at how much stuff came out of the gas tank. I am sure at some point the truck got some bad gas in it which contained some water and made the tank even worse.

I now know that it was a very good idea to flush the tank. The truck is running better and I now have a gas gauge which will also help me keep enough gas in it to keep from sucking up any extra particles left in the tank. Also on the plus side I am feeling more confident in my mechanic skills. I know that I don't have all the right understandings and definitely not all the tools, but I know I can take something apart and put it back together again which is pretty cool.

It remains to be seen if the gas tank was the only problem on my truck, but for now I can drive it up hills which is a major improvement.

to life

Cheaper Video Equipment

So I recently bought a Nikon D3100 to use for taking video footage. However, I soon found out that much more equipment than just a camera is needed to make really awesome shots. Things such as a follow focus, a slider, or a JIB, and a camera rig. None of these things are essential for shooting, but they are very helpful and specifically designed to get specific (and awesome) shots. In many cases the equipment I just listed is much more expensive than the camera itself. However, I found a pretty cool little website called indisystems.com They try and make good equipment which is also significantly cheaper than many other competitors. I still can't afford any of their stuff at the moment, but that's what student loans will do to you. That's not the point though; I applaud indi systems for actually trying to make quality products that many people could actually afford. I know this is a short post and I am basically just plugging a website, but I thought it was worth mentioning. to life, kf

Condor

So, I have accomplished one of my life long dreams. I finally own a scooter.

The awesome thing is that it is actually pretty vintage. It is not a new scooter designed to look retro its a legit older scooter. Its a 1981 Honda Passport C70.


I am pretty stoked about it. I put gas in it about 4 weeks ago and I still haven't filled it back up. Of course I only drive it around the camp, but still it's gonna last me quite a while.

I also have enjoyed working on it. Since owning it I have replaced the foot break for the back wheel and also fixed the idle. Right now I am in the process of painting it black. It's a fun project to work on because everything I am doing is just making it better, but it still runs this whole time.

Well That's about it for now. I hope life is treating everyone nicely.

to life

Oh Brother

01 Oh Brother by Koreyfraz
Oh Brother how I fear for you
I know all the pain that you do
I see darkness as its coming too
And it's keeping me awake

Oh Brother I wish I could save you
And say all the things I'm supposed to
I'd do anything I could do
And it's keeping me awake

Well are we meant to fight alone
When we have somebody close?
And am I just being vain when I say
I'll carry you the whole dang way?
Oh Lord of my life
Why’s it gotta be this hard?
Give us Strength to find you
Whenever we're apart

Oh Brother how I miss you
You make me stand up so much taller
Though soon I may fall a bit harder
Yeah, it’s keeping me awake

Oh Brother please don't give up
No there's so much you will know
And you'll never cease to grow
It'll keep you wide awake

Are we meant to fight alone
When we have somebody close?
And am I just being vain when I say
I'll carry you the whole dang way?
Oh Lord of my life
Why’s it gotta be this hard?
Give us strength to find you
Whenever we're apart

Lyrics by Hotel Spangler
From the album Dead and Gone

New Look

So I decided to change up the look of the blog. It was looking bland. I know I am just using a template and there are probably thousands or hundreds of thousands of blogs that look just like this one, but it's sharp.

Also, I just graduated. It is a crazy feeling to have the "new look" of a college graduate. Life is about to change a whole lot and I couldn't be more excited. For one of the first times in my life I feel like God's plan is falling into place outside of my own decisions.

In the past when faced with several possibilities which would be major life changers and when I was seeking God's direction it seemed that God was strangely silent. So, in the past I would always make this deal with God; if nothing stops me from the choice which I think best suits me then I will see that as God's will. Now things are happening which Lauren and I put into motion, but other people were responsible for keeping the ball rolling, some doors closed and others were opened for us. It is a neat feeling. There were even things which we did not set into motion which have come to us as wonderful blessings.

I am really excited to see what this next leg of life has in store. I think it is going to be good. Already I see things which will be so much fun and I already see things which are going to be a great challenge.

One more note, I was able to preach a sermon at the Wednesday night service at BFC. I uploaded the video. So if anyone wants to watch it, they can do so right here