Plan for Iowa 2010

[Kevin in Ohio]

The Hog and Pig Report for March shows that the number of swine in Iowa as of March 1 was 18.9 million. There are an estimated 3,007,856 people living in Iowa which means that hogs in the Hawkeye State outnumber Iowans by a margin of roughly 6 to 1.

One of the nicest things about the Iowa rally is that we regularly stop whatever we are doing and devote ourselves to eating.

Iowa Chops go great with Iowa sweet corn and freshly picked Iowa apples baked into an apple cinnamon pie.

On the ratio of pigs to people.... I think Washington D.C. has that beat by a LARGE margin ;)

[counciller]

I would keep trying the hotels in Fairfield. They may have some last minute cancellations.

i will certainly do that - but since its my first visit to that part of the country - i will enjoy seeing the sights. Ohio is as far as iv ever got.

[77power]

it will be my first rally this year - coming down from windsor,ontario. very excited. had to get a room in Ottumwa but thats what happens when you leave it this late lol. hope to see everyone there

Counciller,

Do you have an email address? I wanted to give you some info on hotel rooms.

77power

[counciller]

Counciller,

Do you have an email address? I wanted to give you some info on hotel rooms.

77power

counciller@yahoo.com and i would appreciate any info you could provide. thanks
Andrew

[medic1241]

Gordon, You mentioned that there will possibly be some seminar/ learning type activities. I'm new to the do-it-yourself stuff and would really like to learn to solder. Thanks, Mike

[Ron in Indiana]

Are you wanting to solder wires, pipe or radiators? I don't know that something on that subject would be covered. The repair sessions are more into mechanical repairs on the trucks ie; brakes, engines, drivetrains, bodywork etc. Soldering is not hard to master on wiring or plumbing. Radiators and such are a little more tricky. As with anything it's all in the prep of the work piece and proper equipment.

[medic1241]

Ron, I was thinking more of the lines of wiring. Thanks, Mike

[counciller]

wondering?

i realized yesterday that i have a MU2 winch on the shelf here, that i stripped down to clean and rebuild and use on my M37 - before i found out it didnt come with that winch. anyone think if i box it up i could find a buyer for it at the rally - i will never sell it up here in canada. it is complete and very clean (now) just stripped down. its just very heavy to cart around.

[Ron in Indiana]

There is always someone looking for parts and trucks. If you have the room and want to find it a new home drag it down here. How much are you asking for it? Any idea what year it is? Did you get the room at the Best Western?

[counciller]

There is always someone looking for parts and trucks. If you have the room and want to find it a new home drag it down here. How much are you asking for it? Any idea what year it is? Did you get the room at the Best Western?

i definatly have the room in the truck to bring it - i will box it up and bring it. i was going to reassemble it but no point seeing as i dont have gaskets for it. no idea on the year - i just know it has" MU2 134 " and "MU2 105253 " stamped on the housing. i am staying at the Days Inn in ottumwa. no idea on the value. if anyone wants a pic i could email it to you and you can make me an offer? if not i could wear a sign around the fairgrounds till i get an offer lol my email is counciller@yahoo.com. thanks and hope to see everyone down there.
Andrew

[Clint Dixon]

Enough is enough

Ten years ago, I buy my '51 B3PW from the original owner in Wisconsin. I check it all over, install a fresh carb, water pump, and fuel pump, and drive it 50 miles further north to stay at friends overnight. The next morning, I am letting it idle to warm up for the 7-hour trip home, and it dies just like someone turned off the key. After about five minutes of diagnosing, I find that the condenser has failed. Install an new condenser and it starts right up and drives home. Not a miss.

About two years later - I am at the Power Wagon Rally in Fairfield, Iowa and having all kinds of problems with the truck. It continually misses and cuts out completely at speed. Everything points to fuel delivery problems. By the time I give up, I have rebuilt the carburetor, replaced the fuel pump, replaced the fuel hose, and blown out the lines. I have the truck trailered home. At home, I quickly find the problem is the condenser that is failing intermittently. It really fooled me as it was practically brand new and the symptoms this time were nothing like the first time. I have carried spare condensers with me every since.

Flash forward to this morning. I am on vacation and getting the truck ready to go to Fairfield on Wednesday. I start the truck up early in the morning and back it into the driveway to give it its yearly wax and spit polish. It starts and runs flawlessly. With the waxing and window cleaning complete, I am ready to drive it back into the garage to load up all my necessities. I turn the key, press the starter, she pops once and that is all she wrote. It acts like I have flooded it which is nearly impossible seeing as how the carb has a vacuum accelerator pump and you can not get gas to squirt down the carb now matter how much you pump the accelerator pedal (unless it is already running).

So, I start getting my tools together and gathering everything else I need to get loaded. Every so often, I crank her over but no go. She is not even firing. I continue to pack up my tools and other things I always take but never need. Pull the plugs, they are all dry.

The whole time, this little annoying voice is haunting me, telling me to check the electrical. So I finally give in. Of course all of the tools I need are already packed up. After about five minutes of diagnosing, I find.....wonder of all wonders....the condenser is bad........


After about one half hour of fighting the sun at exactly the wrong position to see anything in the engine compartment, dropping the condenser hold down screw, finally finding it on the dust shield, I have a new condenser installed and she starts right up.

If anyone sees me stranded along the road to Fairfield, see if you happen to have a spare condenser with you....if you are brave....or....head the other way as fast as you can.

Junior

[Longhunter7]

Planned Route?

Clint,

I am leaving tomorrow morning for Fairfield. I was planning on taking I-80 from Joliet, west.

When are you leaving and what route were you planning to take?

I can meet you and follow you to Iowa, if that works for you?

[Clint Dixon]

Clint,

I am leaving tomorrow morning for Fairfield. I was planning on taking I-80 from Joliet, west.

When are you leaving and what route were you planning to take?

I can meet you and follow you to Iowa, if that works for you?

I will be kind of playing the weather. I am planning to get up at the crack of dawn Wednesday, put the side boards and tarp on, and get on the road by 8:00 A.M. at the latest.

I travel the shortest route - Rt. 92 to Muscatine and Washington, Rt. 1 to Brighton, then the county road back way from Brighton to Fairfield.

You make a brave offer. ;^)

Give me a call if your schedule and route fall close to mine. 309-372-8467 We have a room here too if you can make it to Reynolds by Tuesday night.

Clint

[Gordon Maney]

Maybe we could arrange to leave some condensers at rest stops or convenience stores along the route.

....with a banner

Welcome, Clint!







.

[Clint Dixon]

Maybe we could arrange to leave some condensers at rest stops or convenience stores along the route.

....with a banner

Welcome, Clint!







.

I can see it now - my name on every Farmer's Bank marquee along the way, NAPA delivery trucks parked and waiting strategically along the route. Amish buggies waiting at the ready for a quick rescue and Mennonite families waving condensers as I sput and sputter on by........

Gordon, you are the best.