And so the grand adventure begins. I heard an excellent interview, today, with Phillip Petit, the man who walked the highwire between the twin towers in New York in 1974. Mr. Petit, who is now 63, is a proponent of "surprising yourself". He continually challenges himself with new projects and experiences, and sounds like someone who ought to own an aircooled vehicle, preferably a bus. He struck a chord with me, and I ordered a copy of his new book, "Creativity, The Perfect Crime." If you are wondering what this has to do with an engine build, it is my current surprise to myself. The last time I rebuilt an engine, it was that of a 1959 MGA Coupe, and I had pulled the engine two weeks before I was to go into the US Army, October of 1967. Talk about pressure. I got it back together, and returned two years later to learn that my girlfriend had sold the car for 60 dollars. Arrrrrggg!
Here is what is on my barn floor right now. The Mini Cooper now goes faster than my bus, and has better paint. I picked up an engine stand, and have ordered the VW yolk as suggested by pals on this forum. I've bought some tools I did not have, in order to facilitate the work. I read Tom Wilson's book, and I have even watched Raby's video on a type 4 rebuild, which I rather enjoyed. I figure every tip I can get will help me with this thing. The one important point I have gleaned is the importance of cleanliness. I now start the task of devoting and developing an area of my barn workspace for this foray into Pellucidar. I shall keep you informed of the journey...let's see the extent of damage that this spun thrust bearing may have wrought. Hang on.
