Accomplished
While J. and the older boys went to the Rainforest Cafe' for a combined cub scout/girl scout event, I watched the little guy and had a friend of mine over to work on the Jeep. So while Bright Eyes ran around outside, my pal and I replaced the battery cabling with wire of proper gauge and terminations. 6 volt batteries require thicker cable than 12 volt, and it looked like the previous restore had used the incorrect gauge of cabling. This cabling also had terminators and cloth insulation proper to the year that the vehicle was used, rather than rubber insulation of modern cars. We tested the starter, but unfortunately it looked like the battery I had went bad over the winter, so I have to get to Sears to get a new battery.
We also charged the brakes, which means we could actually take it for a spin when the engine starts. We found that debris had stopped up the T on the front brake line (remember this is a single-reservoir brake system), so with a bit of brake cleaner and compressed air we cleared the block, re-installed the line and finished charging the system with nice, clean, clear brake fluid. If, after installing a new battery it still will not turn over under load, then we will have to drop the transmission and replace the gearing on the flywheel. There really is not much wear so it should not need to be replaced, but it may in fact be the wrong gear, which is a common problem for Jeeps with starting problems.
I also did some normal chores, such as dishes and laundry. I also mowed the lawn, spread the weed-'n-feed, as well as Grub-ex. The big effort was the planting, I mixed in manure, plant food, and new soil then, with the help of the older boys, I planted the two vegetable gardens and the flower garden. They were very helpful and I fear that they over did it a bit, so I had them drink a bunch of water, eat some nice, salty pretzels, then we got some ice cream as a reward for a job well done.
I finished up some cleaning at home and helping The Boy repair a nerf-like dart gun. A post inside of the charging action snapped off, so I drilled out a hole and installed a machine screw with two washers and a nut to reinforce the area considerably. I was very pleased that he was able to rebuild it without any help. In fact he has taken to modifying his nerf guns as inspired by YouTube videos and, other than borrowing or absconding my tools, is doing all of these things on his own.
It was a good weekend. Now I am looking forward to a week off starting Friday, hopefully to get even more done on the house, including finishing up the gutters.
We also charged the brakes, which means we could actually take it for a spin when the engine starts. We found that debris had stopped up the T on the front brake line (remember this is a single-reservoir brake system), so with a bit of brake cleaner and compressed air we cleared the block, re-installed the line and finished charging the system with nice, clean, clear brake fluid. If, after installing a new battery it still will not turn over under load, then we will have to drop the transmission and replace the gearing on the flywheel. There really is not much wear so it should not need to be replaced, but it may in fact be the wrong gear, which is a common problem for Jeeps with starting problems.
I also did some normal chores, such as dishes and laundry. I also mowed the lawn, spread the weed-'n-feed, as well as Grub-ex. The big effort was the planting, I mixed in manure, plant food, and new soil then, with the help of the older boys, I planted the two vegetable gardens and the flower garden. They were very helpful and I fear that they over did it a bit, so I had them drink a bunch of water, eat some nice, salty pretzels, then we got some ice cream as a reward for a job well done.
I finished up some cleaning at home and helping The Boy repair a nerf-like dart gun. A post inside of the charging action snapped off, so I drilled out a hole and installed a machine screw with two washers and a nut to reinforce the area considerably. I was very pleased that he was able to rebuild it without any help. In fact he has taken to modifying his nerf guns as inspired by YouTube videos and, other than borrowing or absconding my tools, is doing all of these things on his own.
It was a good weekend. Now I am looking forward to a week off starting Friday, hopefully to get even more done on the house, including finishing up the gutters.