2019 One Item A Day For Burning Man

[maladroit]

Purchased a 1994 GMC ex-U-Haul 14' truck (gas, big block 454, throttle-body injection) for $1000. Had new tires but wouldn't pass smog, passenger inside door handle missing, transmission selector pointed to wrong letters and would randomly pop out of park into reverse, driver seat stuck leaning forward, windshield wiper motor didn't work, engine rough and shook the whole cab.

Transmission, wipers, driver seat: Free fixes, were only problems due to previous owner idiocy and were fixed with 5 mins of wrenching and some penetrating oil.

Engine shaking: Turns out a V8 will run pretty rough if three of the spark plug wires are broken or just lying loose on the exhaust manifold.

Passenger handle: thanks Amazon

Smog: Some serious wrenching, replaced most emissions electronics (EGR, canister, purge valve, idle kicker valve, O2 sensor, engine temp sensor, vacuum and purge lines. Also disassembled, cleaned, and rebuilt fuel injection system with new gaskets and O-rings (no thanks Amazon, they won't ship new TBI injector pods to California). Failed first smog test with CO above limit and 14 times above average...cut off old catalytic converter and clamped in a new one and it passed smog re-test doing better than average across the board, CO at 0.00, just water and hot CO2 coming out of the tailpipe.

So we have a working truck now, and probably saved 2-3k in labor by getting dirty

[Molotov]

Transmission indicator pointed at wrong numbers...check your motor mounts, The 454 has a lot of torque and if the motor mounts are broken, the whole engine can rotate just a bit (until the fan hits the shroud) which can move the indicator off one point. Had that in a Dodge PU with a 360, but the motor mounts failed suddenly starting up from a stop light on a hill (maximum torque) with fan hitting shroud but not the radiator, transmission shifted to neutral, shifter indicator off, etc. Lots of drama!

Simple fix. Put wood block under engine, jack it up a few inches, move it back into proper alignment with an Armstrong bar, and replace old broken motor mounts.

[maladroit]

Transmission indicator pointed at wrong numbers...check your motor mounts

The problem is fixed (just needed to adjust the pushrod an inch) and the mounts look OK, but will check them again. For some reason there is an extra piece of broken and badly-welded transmission selector linkage rattling around on the passenger floorboards, so I assume they tried to fix this and failed. I guess that if the engine was kicking around in the compartment due to three broken spark plug wires, it could have worked the transmission selector out of adjustment too. Someone has removed the shroud and put it back on with zipties so it's possible An Event happened and not fully repaired.

Oh and the first time I went under the truck I saw the selector rod had no cotter key and was loosely hanging out of the transmission lever...maybe 1/2 inch still engaged. They drove it like that!

[Ratty]

Making a chalkboard sign for the front of our camp. (Chalkboard paint is the best.) It's farther along than this. I guess you'll be able to find us? 4:45 on F.

[Ratty]

Bike ready to roll. The bike co-op did my bottom bracket. I did the coaster brake. Yay.

[Strata]

Purchased and packed-- my 12 pack of 5-hour energy. Not that I go through that much, but it's good to have around.

Washed all the dishes, repacked into more compact storage (yay), bought and packed our decadent breakfast stuff-- oatmeal, dried cherries, pecan halves, evaporated milk. Might not seem decadent to some, but it does the trick for us!

Tickets & vehicle pass came in the mail yesterday, they are now in my heart-pattern zipper case with our playa-specific medical ID bracelets (tag lists contact info for each other).

[Ratty]

Everyday it's one more thing added onto the list. I'm trying to keep up. Bought more lag screws, Made nylon flags, Set up tent and sewed it a bit, made more patches for Census and LEOs. Packing bins for 'burner' yard sale as I go. Prep is suppose to be fun.

[mgb327]

Installed new chains on the trike, received my tickets, bought more blinkie stuff, finished 1000 laminates/lanyards, trying to explain to my burgin WTF to bring. Next: the camper. Still dusty from last year.

[Strata]

Added little cans of v8 (me) and spicy v8 (him) to our drinks stash. Went up to Sacramento to see a shortie school bus that didn't turn out to be right for me. Called a guy about another shortie school bus and made an airplane reservation to go see it. It's a long shot to get it registered under CA DMV form 265a housecar conversion in time for the burn, but if you don't try, you can't do, right?

[Ratty]

Fuck with em a bit.

[Joeln]

It's been a whirlwind lately;
built a spreader for camo net shade out of an old shower enclosure
got warning tape, poles and signage sorted for fuel storage
rigged an old computer fan inside the trailer fridge to circulate air in there
ordered all my meds
went over both bicycles
oil change in the generator

and throwing time into my art project, I'm not a programmer and arduino . . .

[evathedefiler]

Took my furry bike to the shop for some lovin’s.

[FlyingMonkey]

I actually built a hush box that works reasonably well for my Honda Knock-off. I was at a regional last weekend & didn't realize that it was running. It's not the loudest generator around but it's no Honda either. The only problem is it weighs a ton (not literally). I still have to come up with some kind of filter for the intake but I'm happy with it so far.

If anyone cares, it’s a box made out of 2 layers of drywall with green glue between the layers. Additionally & used 80 mil automotive butyl and foil sound deadening material on the inside & since I had room some fiberglass insulation on the sides. I cut a hole in the front for a 12v radiator fan & 6 x 2” holes for the exhaust.

I thought when I cut the hole in the front for the intake air that I would totally lose any sound deadening but I was presently suppressed.

Holly Crap, the Man burns in 37 days.

[Strata]

We put both the bikes up on the stand today and did misc maintenance-- lubing the chain, adjusting the brakes, testing the EL wire, etc. Learned WAY more about adjusting persnickity v-brakes than I ever wanted to know.

[Joeln]

Up to 11 lists so far.
Comparing shit in the pile, checking off on the list . . .

[Lonesomebri]

The pupil has become the master. Camp members are starting to rise to the occasion.

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[ACfromSAC]

Heavy Metal Happy Hour approved!

[Savannah]

Hotel reservations made! Whew. It always makes me so unnerved.

[Joeln]

The last couple pieces of truck maintenance;

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[lucky420]

Snow cone syrup for bad asses ^^^

[Ratty]

Shit I forgot to buy a couple quarts of oil when I filled the cart with wine.

[Ratty]

Updating my lists. what the hell list is this?

???...How can we be expected to help if we can't see your tits?
???...Next year was better!
???...Show us your tits
???...Those who plan, Burn.
?????...Welcome to Eplaya. A sustainable, natural resource.
?????... I want to be candid with you, for candor is a compliment, it speaks of trust and assumes good faith.
48_love...Too much projected 'fun' and 'joy' makes me suspicious and unable to fully engage
AntiM...Beautiful people, my ass.
AntiM...These are not my fuckos.

Bbadger...It's called fucking google it.
Box Burner...Dance in the heart of chaos
Boyscoutgirl...It makes sense if you don't think about it.
Crypto...Fuck, I'm such an asshole sometimes...
Eric...Burn Shit And Blow Shit Up.
JK...I'm sorry, but just the thought of a non-controversial thread on ePlaya is controversial.
McStrangle..."Snark away, ePlaya, you magnificent bastards."
Mojojita...Yep, I know I enjoyed watching you climb Yggy like he was an oak tree!
Ratty..."If you can't say something nice, shut the fuck up"
Savannah...It sounds freaky & wrong, so you need to do it.
SimonofthePlaya...I'm a motherfucking skeptic tank
Tamarakay...When the only tool you got is a hammer, every problem looks like a hippie.
tatonka...Grow some facial hair it may help with the gender confusion.
TomServo...Shut the fuck up! You're in the desert! You're lucky if you can text out.
Unjonharley...I'm the contraptioneer your mother warned you about.
VultureChow...I a recovering swagaholic. I have to resist my grabby nature
ygmir...Everyone loves you there, and no one cares a shit about you..........all at once. and vice versa.
BBadger wrote..."Holy shit, are you a Burner? No. But I did stay at a Holiday Inn last night."
Jovankat...I'm entirely confident I know more than you on this topic and that I'm right.
Savannah...don't lead with need, lead with your skills
Savannah...Bitchy Fruition is my new drag name.
A-RockLeFrench...The only really dead horse around here is the claim that someones horse is dead.
TT120...What if I really am burnier than thou? What then?
Life is tough. It's tougher if you're stupid" John Wayne
Bbadger..."I must've lost it when I was twerking at the trash fence."

McStrangle..."Snark away, ePlaya, you magnificent bastards."
Ratty...Eplaya is foreplay for a week-long orgasm.
We don't accept Visa or Mastercharge. only 'Discover'.
pretty monster...i was still ready to suck dick for a fresh salad come Friday, though.

[Lonesomebri]

Made sure Point 3 was up for The Last Bar on Earth. Wanted to see how it feels working the other side so I zoomed back and forth kicking up dust for no rational reason, though I realized after the first pass that the AC wasn't cranked, so I had to make another pass to capture the full feel.

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Now all that's left is the waiting...

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[ses2sus]

Heavy Metal Happy Hour approved!

possibly the best f'n thing ive ever seen

[ACfromSAC]

Heavy Metal Happy Hour approved!

possibly the best f'n thing ive ever seen

Awesome, I’m glad you dig em. Drop by Heavy Metal Happy Hour at Slayer Camp and getya one!

[Ratty]

Packing, sewing, finding, lists, shopping, humming while I work. All the things must go in the tent. Then and only then can they go in the van. Today was clothing day. Not my favorite. I think I'll just bring too much. That is the norm.

[son_of_mars]

Heavy Metal Happy Hour approved!

possibly the best f'n thing ive ever seen

Awesome, I’m glad you dig em. Drop by Heavy Metal Happy Hour at Slayer Camp and getya one!

Bad. Ass.

When/where is this epic sounding Heavy Metal Happy hour???

[ACfromSAC]

Bad. Ass.

When/where is this epic sounding Heavy Metal Happy hour???

Monday - Friday 5:55 to 6:66 (7:06 for the layman) at Slayer Camp. We’ve never put in for placement -regretting that this year with the minimal open camping area- but we usually aim for somewhere between 6 & 9, I & K. Look for the four black Slayer flags waving proudly over our shade structure. Heavy Metal themed drinks & face melting riffs served daily.

[Jackass]

I'm not much of a Slayer-head, but we used to blast that Seasons in the Abyss album like a mofo back in the day...

I'm pretty sure I can still headbang and throw elbows though

[Elorrum]

I got a haircut and got postcards printed. More than I expected, since my home is an explosion of mobile trike stereo parts and pieces. The one item today really should be attending to this mess. Clothes, food, furniture, bedding, housing, all ready.