| Don's profileDon's Home PagePhotosBlogLists |  Tools  Help |
Don's Home PageWhat's Happening Now 1/28/2007 Nothing new, really!It's almost the end of January, 2007 Winter has actually come to stay. Life has become quite routine. I attempt to get ahead of the game financially, but setbacks get the best of me....Last week my truck required another $600 repair. Wheel bearings & u-joints, changed the diff. fluid & oil change. This week: $600 or six months of auto insurance
 .Looking forward to spring when I can start driving my economy car-the 1971 Beetle!
I take Donnie to see his doctor this week to determine if we might discontinue his medication that controls his ADHD? 1/1/2007 It's a New Year!Hello! Lot happened since my last entry. Thanksgiving-Christmas-New Years. Got my son a new Windows XP Media Center pc for Christmas.
I became involved with a fellow employee of WKTV that purchased 200 Apple Power Mac 6500 computers from Troy High School. I was the one that researched the possibility of restoring these. The "225 mhz" processor not worth the effort. The "250 mhz" processor-maybe. If installed with Apple OS 9.1 the "250" might work. Otherwise, too slow, unable to handle websites with graphics intensive displays. Oh, well....maybe someone will want them....
Major event occurred at my place of employment-www.WKTV.com
We lost an engineer that's been there for 10 years to sudden unexplained death. Ater he failed to show up for work two days in a row, management went to look for him-found him dead in his living room. He died three days prior to this discovery. Possibl brain annurism. Pete maneen was 50. He lived alone in the house he owned so no one missed him. Major tributes to him by many current and past employees of WKTV. It will be extremely difficult to replace him as he was a very active engineer. He will be missed by all 12/11/2006 So What's New?Yesterday I did more cleaning & organizing to mom's house in Rome. The weather was uncommonly warm for December, so I drove the Bug top Syracuse to visit mom. She's doing "OK". Didn't get out of bed while I was there. I found a large number of photos dad took of Marcia while cleaning at James Street. I showed these to mom and later on my way home I delivered these photos to Marcia. While visiting Marcia I introduced her to my "spaces" websites, "Gotomypc"& "Orb". Marcia showed extreme interest in the photos I have scanned and will view Orb frequently. Marcia & family will spend New Years in Florida as one of her sons will be preforming in the Syracuse High School Marching Band during Half time at this year's Gator Bowl! Mom's Alzheimer's appeared a bit worse during this visit. I repeated my stories several times as she did not remember asking me or my telling her. Today I repaired Donnie's mom's (Amy's) Neon. I took it to Midas where they repaired a broken exhaust pipe at the catalytic converter. Last Saturday I paid her Allstate Auto Insurance which will go until June of 2007 12/6/2006 More Photos! Pole Barn ConstructionWell, today I managed to add more photos to this site. Back in 1979 my dad had constructed a rather large pole barn (which I would right now sell my soul to keep) to store his motor homes in as well as use as an auto shop to assemble kit cars. Photos added today in the folder "Pole Barn Construction 1979"
See added photos to my other site: www.elecars.spaces.live.com Recently added photos of assembly of Bradley GT Electric 1981 now in my car collection. 11/24/2006 What's new?Well, it's the day after Thanksgiving. Mom is still not doing well. She's 87 and due to mouth sores & diabetes, she's not eating properly. I spent the evening prior to Thanksgiving day at her nursing home. Three of my five sisters showed up and we had an early Thanksgiving dinner at her nursing home.
I drove the 1971 classic Super Beetle to Syracuse. Brr! Cold-no heat. Haven't driven it since then as there's too much frost on the Bug's windshield. may have to store it for the winter, next week!
Hey! Check out this new website I created: www.elecars.spaces.live.com At this site I offer tech manuals and newspaper clippings re: kit cars, electric cars, dating back to the late 1970's. Most are in pdf files. Check the "links" section of that web page. 11/11/2006 Health IssuesWas just contacted that mom is not doing well. She may have had amild heart attack and was in a diabetic coma tht required assistance in bringing her out of. She will be in hospital for observation until Monday 10/28/2006 Winter is fast approaching!Update!
After driving the "Bug" home last week through a snow storm, keeping in mind that the Bug has very limited heat...absolutely no defrost to windshield, I decided it was time to store the Bug for the winter.
Donnie is doing very well this year in High School. Hopefully I have no more unexpected bills for a while. Last week the Bug required a new battery, my Durango SUV required a new alternator and my two furnaces in my home required repairs.
The weather co-operated for a change whn I got home last evening allowing me to clear my lawn & mom's lawn of leaves. Of course heavy rain, sleet, snow today and for the next few days. Discovered the roof leaks at mom's garage. Need to make time to secure items there from water damage
 I managed to get the next few Sundays off from work. Didn't use up all my vacation time available for this year. Use it or loose it! Wonder if I'll find someone to share this time with?
More to add soon! 10/14/2006 Stardate 101406.1Update
The spring/summer/fall season of 2006 is almost over. I've driven the 1971 Super
Beetle several thousand miles with no mechanical concerns. Just about time to store it for the winter and begin focusing on the gas guzzling 2000 Dodge Durango for the winter.
I use AMzoil 100% synthetic motor oil in the Beetle, good for 15,000 miles so an oil change is not a concerne until sometime next summer. I am concerned about minor brake adjustment which will be completed next spring. Those are the only mechanical concerns at this time :)
I also focus on paying off the loan allowing me to restore the Super Beetle. Once that is done, next projects are new windows/carpet inside my home frollowed by building a garage allowing me to continue restoring the 1980 Jet ElectraVan & the 1983 Bradley GT Electric
To be continued next April.......... 9/19/2006 Stardate 091906.2More photos! Check them out! Mike Young with his Solectria Electric Car in Rome during the showing of "Who Killed the Electric Car" at Munson Williams Proctor Art Institute in Utica. Mike Young was interviewed on Wednesday, September 13 2006 by WKTV NBC television Link to interview: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKPepScT8vM
Check out the website: www.wktv.com
Star Date: 091906.1Good Morning.
September 19, 2006 it's rainy, I'm on my first day of vacation from WKTV and time for an update.
Well, it's been six weeks of hard driving of my 1970 Volkswagen Beetle restoration project with no mechanical concerns
 Last week was an active one. Mike Young from Syracuse area came to Rome, NY to display his Solectria electric car at Munson Williams Proctor Art Institute's showing of the film "Who Killed the Electric Car?"
I managed to attend the Wednesday evening showing and handed out literature promoting electric cars.
Mike Young was interviewed by WKTV and his interview was broadcast on the 5 PM newscast last Wednesday. I have a DVD copy of this interview as well as it being stored on my pc hard drive to share.
See a new photo folder of Bradley Literature added today, as well.
Unfortunately time to start thinking of autumn projects-leaf raking, putting the Beetle away for the season and making sure my Dodge Durango truck is ready for another season. I hesitate using the truck as the fule mileage is so poor and I will be putting about $100 per week into this truck's fuel tank  P lus it needs a few routine repairs (muffler, minor tune up)8/26/2006 Addendum to 082606.1Just got off the phone with Jim (Beetle machanic) He thinks the clutch problem has been resolved...we'll see
Unfortunately he discovered that the throttle cable is close to failure. This he must order and it may be ready Monday
What componant have we not replaced? It is for all purposes a "new" car. I will continue to improve upon delivering heat to the windshield just to keep frost off the window. I have no intention to ever drive it in the snow, but long before snow arrives, there will be heavy amounts of frost on the window.
More adventures & excitement to come re: these cars, I'm sure! Captain's Log Star Date 082606.1More setbacks!
Well, I arrived at the shop where the Bug is being restored and road tested it. The clutch fails less than half mile from the shop! Again the engine must be pulled to examine this "throw Out" bearing!
Also, my ex wife, Amy informed me that both front & rear left side tires on her Neon were flat Friday morning!
I discovered in the process of replacing these tires at Wal Mart that vandalizm damaged these tires (knife?) This has been reported to Rome Police as well as her Mayflower apartment managers....
I have yet to replace cracked windshield in Neon & inspection is due prior to the end of August. I will attempt to do this Monday morning.
Today is Saturday. Jim Carmody said he would work on the Beetle this morning as he is normally closed Saturdays & Sundays. We will see....I already paid him $350.00 yesterday for all the work accomplished so far this week rebuilding & installing engine!
So far, I've spent $7000.00 on this Bug project. What would it have cost for me to keep it an electric Voltswagen? It is less expensive to drive than the Durango (maybe...) 8/24/2006 Captain's Log Stardate: 082406.1Arrggggg!!
So close!
Well today I spent most of the day cleaning Donnie's room at Amy's apt as she does little to keep up. Lots of laundry, lots of trash.
I take time to do some work on the Beetle. The new engine is all installed, modified, absolutely perfect. It purrs like a kitten!
While adjusting the clutch we discover the "throw out bearing" is not compatible with this engine. Only way to coprrect this is to rmove the engine from the car, lol!
It should be ready by the time I finish work at WKTV @ 3:30 tomorrow afternoon! I will tow it home behind the truck
Time for bed as I get up at 3 AM tomorrow for work!
My tenant, Mike, continues to suffer from horrible bouts of diarhea. He didn't make it to work this afternoon due to another episode. He did manage to deliver one sample to Centrex so Dr Goel can acess the problem. Dr Goel asked for two seperate samples. 8/23/2006 Addendum to Log Dated 082306So I accomplished today taking Donnie to his dentist. I was told Donnie is doing excellent job brushing his teeth.
RE: Beetle project. I went to Mangino Auto Supply and purchased for Jim Carmody (mechanic at Foreign & Sports Car Shop in Westernville) Amzoil engine flush. I also went to Ace Hardware & purchased dryer vent hose for an electric heater meant to keep frost off the windshield of Beetle. I have no plans of driving the Bug in the snow but there will be days that frost will be on the windshield long before we see snow....
See new folder of photos (below) added documenting this progress.
I'm taking Donnie to NY State Fair next Wednesday or Thursday. Most likely next Thursday Captain's Log: Star Date 082306Many things occurred today.
After getting about 4 hours of sleep I was off to my dentist. Dr. Peck, periodontal specialist, was very pleased with this follow up visit. Substantial improvement of the conditioon of my teeth. Dr Peck is a pilot, owns a private aircraft. We talked about his recent flying activities.
Using my Master Card, I paid the $208.00 balance due on my account with Dr. Peck. Any remaining balance due on this account will be paid by my insurance carrier.
After this visit, I went out to visit my Beetle at the shop. I left several quarts of "cheap" oil for break in and flushing purposes of this third engine until it's ready for the expensive Amzoil synthetic oil. Engine # 1 from parts car requires extensive rebuilding. Engine # 2 overheated and suffered severe damage last week. This is engine # 3
I plan on having one of the other engines rebuilt in the coming months.
After leaving the shop, I went to fill the fuel tank of my Durango SUV and was reminded why I'm making the Beetle function....The fuel tank in the SUV was not completely empty, yet I spent $48 filling it. I can drive the Beetle the same distance for less than $20 in fuel costs. Although I was suprised when I calculated out 15 mpg on the SUV today
The total $ spent on the Bug project is quickly reaching the $7000.00 mark I chose to goe with ICE (internal combustion engine) rather than battery power as ICE would have been the less expensive alternative....I wonder?
My energy level for the rest of the day was marginal from the lack of sleep so I didn't accomplish much more. Baby was brushed and cleaned. I cleaned up around the house.
I did secure a third garage to rent from Dr. Lappin. Before I take it, a new door must be put on as the original is severely damaged.
Donnie is with me and I entertained him until we went to bed about 8 PM. I had a conversation with his mom (Amy) that I would attend the NY State Fair with them next week. I also must have her car (1998 Dodge Neon) inspected and oil changed prior to this (part of "child support") I am concerned about possibly needing the windshield replaced due to a small crack in the glass. Upper left corner. I did locate replacement glass from Don's Auto recycling for $75.00 if this is necessary.
I recently discovered my niece, Adrienne Rundell, currently living in Tampa, FL is quite an established pro photographer! Check out her website: www.clearlyinfocus.com Very impressive indeed! I will always be jealous of her success. At 24 she's also a pro pilot!
Donnie has a dental appointment today. Not sure what will be accomplished today. Stay tuned! 8/20/2006 More DisastersMajor engine problems again today with the Beetle. Almost didn't make it to work.....Back to shop tomorrow 8/19/2006 Disaster!This week I came close to total meltdown of the engine in my 1971 VW Super Beetle that I spent more than a year restoring due to an old dry rotted fan belt
 On Thursday of this week (8/17) I was returning home from a trip to WKTV to pick up paychecks. I had my son with me in the Bug when the fan belt broke. instead of stopping immediately, I drove as far as the Bug would go before it over heated and quit.
Fortunately it quit near a home of some very helpful and supportive individuals that gave Donnie & me a ride home. Also fortunately the Bug is designed with a towbar for towing it (originally behind a motorhome). This has saved me countless towing charges back to the shop each time the Bug had a mechanical failure.
Managed to tow it back to Jim Carmody's shop (Foreign & Sports Car repair-Westernville, NY)
We determined that plugs & wires completely disintegrated due to the heat and valves were stuck in the cylinder heads.
We replaced plugs, wires and freed the valves and replaced the engine oil. The only thing that saved the engine from total failure was this AMzoil synthetic oil that has an extremely high buring temperature. Had I been using conventional oil the engine would have siezed completely.
I drove it to work this morning (Sat. 8/19) and it appears to run. It is not running as smoothly as it did and I hear valve tapping. Possible future winter project will be to do a more complete engine rebuild. This is actually the second engine used in this project. The first engine had severe vacuum & oil leaks.
It will take time to access long term damage after I fill the gas tank and determine the current fuel consumption. Oh, well...at least it runs. 8/9/2006 Storm DamageMy sister & cousin from the state of Washington visited today.
My sister owns a cabin in the woods near Andes (Delhi) NY
There was serious flood damage due to heavy storms this summer of 2006
See Photos in my folder of photos 7/24/2006 Shame on me! No entries for almost a month!A lot has occurred since my previous entry. I hope I can recall everything!
After many trials the Beetle is finally finished and I have been using it routinely as my second car for the past several weeks. This past weekend the fancy new JVC stereo I had Sound Factory in Rome install less than a month ago failed. I plan on having that resolved tomorrow morning. I will meet with Mr. Rich Williams, manager of Rockford Auto in Utica Wednesday morning to attempt to resolve a leaky sunroof on the Beetle. Yet to be fixed is recovering the driver's seat and replacing carpet, possibly Mr Williams thinks he can locate a rear bench seat for the Bug.
Also tomorrow at 7 AM I will take my tenant, Mike to Rome Hospital for a colonoscopy. Mike begins taking his meds for that procedure this evening.
I had an enjoyable conversation with Mr Tucci of Tucci Automotive in Marcy this afternoon. He came over to mom's house at James Street in Rome to inspect the car kits in the garage. If only I could convince Mary & Patti to focus on selling the kits. I've informed them repeatedly that I had individuals interested in purchasing the kits yet they refuse to acknowledge this. Oh, well....
I'm on vacation this week allowing me time to get caught up on overdue activities. Updating this blog is one of many.
I've done all I'm able to organizing items at mom's home. I finished the attic this past weekend.
Due to excessive rain in the area I was forced to replace a section of my home's roof. I had Joe Macri (contractor) do the work. The concrete floor of my patio was in such bad condition I elected to eliminate it and replace with dirt & grass. Cost of this project: $2200.00
Also included with this project was repair of the steps leading to the downstairs apartment entrance as well as repairs to all iron railing outside the house and I added a hand rail to the entrance to downstairs apartment entrance as the tenant, Mike has difficulty walking due to his diabetes.
I will meet with my cousin, Michelle (mom's sister's (Carolina) daughter, very soon to assist with my family archival project. I find that I need another larger computer hard drive to continue storing these images..
I have researched having a "shed" placed on my property (large enough to store a car). This will be required to begin my next project of restoring my 1980 Jet Electra Van. The shed will be a $5000.00 expense.
See photos for current updates of my projects.
Stay tuned for my next entry. 6/24/2006 Set Backs and moreLast week the steering failed on the Beetle project which required replacement of the shaft. Then followed a series of fuel flow related problems from gas tank to engine. All has been resolved. I have yet to locate a rear bench seat and a shop to reapholster the seats. This car has now been used routinely to commute to work as an alternative to my Dodge Durango SUV.
My dog, Baby (hodesian Ridgeback/Chow mix) has suddenly fallen ill. It appears that she has serious arthritis in both legs and a possible dislocated disk in her back causing here extreme mobility difficulties. I took her to vet this week and she had all her shots updated and was given a prescription of steroids to hopefully help this issue. 6/3/2006 The Battle was worth It!After many months of planning and several trials, the Beetle renamed "Mosquito" has been tested and initiated the past few days. So far it passed with flying colors.
Phase one consisted of removing all prior componants used to make it an electric vehicle.
Phase two, located a "parts car" with a usable engine, fuel tank and misc. needs
Ran into difficulty with resolving electrical issues with the emergency flasher/turn signals.
Engine installed, drove it briefly and then John Mudge took it for a week painting it.
After the paint dried, discovered more problems with the lights. Also not happy with engine as we discovered a severe vacuum & oil leak. This convinced me to locate another engine. This installation was completed Thursday afternoon (June 1). I drove it to work yesterday with no faults. It has rained quite heavily and the Mosquito does not leak. Future fix will be adding some heat from the heater boxes. Primary concern is defrosting windshield.
Total cost of this project just shy of $5000.00 To complete the project would be to have interior reapholstered. Someday locate an HD radio.
Next project (after this loan cleared) purchase the Electravan from dad's estate, return loan to Charla for Bradley, place garage on my property and begin Electravan restoration project. 4/30/2006 Time for another updateIt's been awhile. Last week I hired a tree removal service "A Cut Above" to remove several trees from my yard to clear the C Band Satellite Dish antenna and to make room for planned garage to be placed in that area. The tree cutters did an excellent job of removing trees-lousy job of stump removal and did nothing to clear brush from lawn after job completed. Owner will return tomorrow (Monday, 5/1) to complete the stump removal.
The 1970 Volkswagen Beetle restoration continues. It took all of last week to complete the wiring harness. Most light sockets required replacement.
Until garage is placed on my property, I am unable to continue with the EV restoration. Next project will be the 1980 Jet Electravan.
Saturday, May 13 I plan on attending this year's Tour de Sol EV & alternative energy car show at Saratoga, NY
Saturday, June 3 of this year is a Seaplane meet at Speculator, NY I'd like to attend. 4/4/2006 SS United StatesReceived note from one of my father's sisters, Aunt Shirley. She sent me article re: SS United States, the boat mom, my sisters & I traveled from Germany to NY on in 1959 when dad was transferred to Griffiss AFB in Rome NY. I was born in 1957, as I was only two years old, I hve no memory of this trip-boo! See additional "photos" of this newspaper article Shirley sent me. 4/2/2006 GE EV1 SCR Controller DocumentationJust added 133 pages of the GE EV1 SCR controller to "Photos" originally used by Bradley for it's GT Electric car kit. Available for reference. This GE EV1 SCR controller also used with the Jet Industries 1980 ElectraVan. Although I plan on upgradeing this controller used in these cars to a more efficient controller. 3/31/2006 Latest Update on VW Beetle Restoration ProjectYesterday, Thursday, March 30, 2006, I paid Jim Camody $300.00 for labor to transfer ICE to Beetle. He continues to insist that new parts are not necessary. Transferring these items from "parts" car to Beetle are all that's necessary. The shaft on my transmission was cut to accomodate the electric motor, so we are transferring the entire transmission from the parts car. If you recall, I lost the left rear wheel whle towing the electric Beetle out to the shop. this damaged the bracket that holds the ashock in place so this part must be transferred from the parts car as well. The wheels/tires from the parts car will also be transferred. Once the engine is transferred, it will be tuned and modified as necessary. Once completed, I could drive it "as is" but would like to have it painted and a custom stereo installed first.
|
|||||||||||
|
|
