NYC Journal

I am known to draw out the crazies according to Snarky Joe and Devil Christian.

By example in this thread it seems I have also drawn in a few crazies and have had to cast some “shade” in an otherwise open thread.

Crazy can be good, but it also can be bad.

Also I say I kinda annoy people. If you read through the thread it seems that also happened. My intent was not to provoke or upset people, but it happened anyways…

”I was just minding my own business,” I say.

Then I want to point out to Snarky Joe, make a point, and in fact stress that it was Snarky Joe’s idea of converting the C-10 to an E-10. The point is that I’m not the crazy one here, and like I say, “It takes one to know one.”

Cal the “Gas-Guzzler”
 
Peekskill temperature expected on NYC Marathon Sunday is 76 degrees. The updates seem to be a rising temperature and of course Peekskill is a little more than an hour north of Grand Central by train, so NYC at a lower altitude will be even warmer.

It will be an interesting and very tough Marathon. I would expect a good amount of heat exhaustion will take place.

Cal
 
WOW. I finally had a 24 inch wheel built out of a 36 hole BMX racing rim and a black White Industries M15 hub (Ti cassette body) that was back ordered. Double butted, alloy nipples and weighs only 2.08 pounds. Anyways a wheel that is light, but also kinda overbuilt still for a 140 pound rider.

So the steel IBIS is now a 23 1/4 pound bike, and maybe I will get a titanium bottom bracket to see how much lighter I can get this bike that is a 1x11 with a front suspension.

Anyways the bike climbs and accelerates very well with the undersized smaller wheel, and because it weighs so little the flywheel effect is very small.

The geometry and this bike is built for agility and acceleration, perhaps like a short wheelbase Jeep with a suspension lift.

The 1x11 is modern, but the bike is mucho retro.

What is remarkable is that this bike weighs so little despite have a heavily built stout frame that includes oversized tubing.

Cal
 
One thing that makes the “Connect and Cruise” EZ-PZ is that so much of the Chevy Bolt is used (90%). This should contain a lot of costs.

Talk about a sleeper: pretty much my E-10 as a rat-rod and being an EV will be mighty cool. From the outside an old truck in OEM condition, but with a hidden EV update.

The three-on-a-tree tranny gets utilized for forward and reverse gearing as well as the clutch, but for cruising pretty much it is “Golf-Cart mode where the throttle is also a brake, and then you also have the regular brake peddle as a secondary brake.

This truck will be mighty “sleepy.”

Cal
 
I wonder if there is a correlation between happiness and craziness?

There are many unhappy people out there, and it seems happy people seem to annoy unhappy people. I think that happened right here in this long thread.

I like to think of myself as kind, but I know I can be cruel, ruthless, and mighty mean, generally for good reason, but with some people that are unhappy these behaviors can’t be moderated or controlled.

Pretty much I performed a research experiment, and in a ways it was framed like street photography where anything can happen and you just let things “play-out.”

Here at RFF we are somewhat a focus group of sorts, and there is the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Certain people have displayed bad behavior in other threads, the world is not so big, so I anticipated problems. Also the Internet is a strange and wild place…

So eventually things played out. People revealed their “evil-ways” and pretty much they exposed themselves for what they truly are.

So for entertainment purposes, somehow I created some real life drama. Took some skill I think that got developed as a photographer. Also included was some of my performance art, and somehow I created some real life drama.

So do happy people make unhappy people more unhappy? Do happy people make unhappy people crazy? Do happy people annoy unhappy people?

I kinda think so.

BTW “Maggie” reported to me this morning that I was laughing in my sleep last night. LOL.

Happy-happy.

Cal the Gas-Guzzler
 
I was pretty happy envisioning Santiago's marlin strapped to the side of a big old twin engine charter boat with Cap'n Pete at the helm and a iced cooler of beer at the ready for the trip back to port. I mean the irony was killing me. I was also thinking about Santiago setting up his own little fishing business, and his motto being "Deep Sea Fishing: If It Ain't in a Dingy, It Don't Count". That one about cracked me up.
 
Perhaps Snarky Joe is not so crazy.

His idea for a C-10 to E-10 actually makes a lot of sense.

As I mentioned 90% of the conversion are factory produced parts already made for a Chevy Bolt EV. Mass production and economy of scale might support lower costs.

I looked into a Chevy Bolt and it weighs about the same as my Audi, meaning a Chevy Bolt EV weighs more than my C-10’s 3300 pounds..

A Ford version of the electric motor only weighs 205 pounds, so I could save at least 200 pounds on the front end, maybe 300 pounds. I know the batteries weigh a lot, but I can place that weight in the bed right over the rear wheels for a better weight distribution and traction.

A 1962 C-10 converted to E-10 showcased a truck in 2019 at SEMA that had two electric motors stacked together that created 450 HP. Two 400 volt battery packs were located in the bed. High 13’s in the quarter mile, high 5 second 0-60.

Do a search on Chevy E-10. Another test vehicle was built using a 1977 K5 Blazer.

Of course my build will be a practical 200HP 265 foot-pounds of torque with only one 400 volt battery pack.

Understand that my stock 250 I-6 only makes 155 HP and 235 foot-pounds of torque. Almost a 25% increase in HP, but the big deal is actually the huge flat torque curve that an electric motor can provide.

Cal
 
I started to write this yesterday but RFF locked up before it was posted...

From an ecological point of view the best idea maybe to leave your truck as is. With electric cars (or trucks) there is an ecological cost of production, that is paid off on the back end. Even if you live to be a 100, driving the truck once a week 10-20 miles may never get you to the point of breakeven.

Sometime not changing is the best change.

The ecological impact of you little truck is not like you'r buying a new gas powered F150 and driving it 250 miles per week.

Joe
 
jszokoli said:
I started to write this yesterday but RFF locked up before it was posted...

From an ecological point of view the best idea maybe to leave your truck as is. With electric cars (or trucks) there is an ecological cost of production, that is paid off on the back end. Even if you live to be a 100, driving the truck once a week 10-20 miles may never get you to the point of breakeven.

Sometime not changing is the best change.

The ecological impact of you little truck is not like you'r buying a new gas powered F150 and driving it 250 miles per week.

Joe
Click to expand...

Joe,

It was fun and exciting running with the ball. The GM E-Crate kit costs about $20K and Home Cheapo is only 7 miles away.

At best I would drive it there a few times a month, or just drive it a bit local to enjoy or keep it going.

Still is a cool OEM truck that is a lucky barn find with a wonderful patina.

Austin’s link spoke of the back end, and a lot about funny numbers that were built on some hopeful assumptions.

Still is fun looking into capabilities.

So your idea was crazy after all.

RFF is mighty wonky lately.

Cal
 
I guess I miss my Jeep Scrambler with a Corvette engine. Pretty crazy and a lot of fun.

That truck was not big, but because it was so non aero, the big heavy tires, and the motor it got 15 miles a gallon wether I took it easy on the gas or if I stomped all the time and at every opportunity. When I stomped pretty much you could not stand on it too long because of the speed and acceleration it caused.

I guess I miss that part of my life.

Life is good, I’m happy-happy, but where is my edge? I loved putting a Corvette engine in a Jeep Scrambler, I loved running the NYC Marathon on a day’s notice, I loved printing big and getting good at it, but I guess I need to do something bold and crazy to feel truly alive.

Maybe it is my ambition to be good enough guitar player to be a solo performer.

Anyways as great as life is somehow I’m still searching for something that is missing.

Someone recently told me, “If I’m not struggling, might as well be dead.”

I wonder if my retirement and my security has displaced struggle.

I do like the progress with the house, but it lacks that element of crazy that perhaps I seek or need. Don’t get me wrong, I love my little house and I’m bonded to it, but…

Anyways when I do something crazy I have this sense of accomplishment because maybe I know that I figured it out and did it all on my own.

I’m happy-happy, but something is missing.

So I’m not disappointed that the C-10 remains a C-10. Actually I think I need it for what it is, a cool truck, a barn find, a truck with a wonderful faded green patina, an original truck that still is OEM.

I guess I now understand that growing up as I did that being crazy commanded respect. I now see the correlation of my behaviors and why I did things that way.

I guess I need something crazy in my life, something to drive me forward, something that is distinguished, something that is part of me and only me.

Cal
 
I have an idea for something crazy in your life Cal...

Your 250 stovebolt, if original to your truck, is one of the greatest engines ever made. Chevy kept that same basic engine in production some 70 plus years. The V8 hasn't even caught up to those years yet I think. What I'm saying is you have something mucho cool.

So here is the idea...how could it be even more mucho cooler? Well put a 2 barrel Weber carb on it. Put some 307 flat top pistons in it they'll drop right in. A high lift solid lifter racing camshaft. A steel crankshaft secured with studs. Some headers and dual exhaust cherry bombs. Update the distributor to hei maybe get a MSD ignition. Finally a 3 speed Muncie and 10 inch rear end with 383 gears. Might need some good disc brakes and maybe some drag radials.

Now that's what I'd call happy fun crazy! 🙂



​​​​​​​
 
Contarama said:
I have an idea for something crazy in your life Cal...

Your 250 stovebolt, if original to your truck, is one of the greatest engines ever made. Chevy kept that same basic engine in production some 70 plus years. The V8 hasn't even caught up to those years yet I think. What I'm saying is you have something mucho cool.

So here is the idea...how could it be even more mucho cooler? Well put a 2 barrel Weber carb on it. Put some 307 flat top pistons in it they'll drop right in. A high lift solid lifter racing camshaft. A steel crankshaft secured with studs. Some headers and dual exhaust cherry bombs. Update the distributor to hei maybe get a MSD ignition. Finally a 3 speed Muncie and 10 inch rear end with 383 gears. Might need some good disc brakes and maybe some drag radials.

Now that's what I'd call happy fun crazy! 🙂
Click to expand...

C,

I have been looking into Stovebolt.com. Seems the head is a bottleneck as far as breathing goes. This guy Tom has these things that are called “Lump-Ports” that create a curved better flow for good breathing. He built a 320 HP motor and has a video of this engine getting run up on a Dyno. The engine is a screamer, has a crazy mean tone, and is very musical.

Anyways a lot less expensive than a E-10… Cooler in a different way… and since this 1966 C10 is so OEM doing what everyone else does (swapping in a V-8) is not so appealing.

I love the sound of “Flow Master” mufflers which pretty much sound like a straight pipe. Pretty much my Jeep Scrambler in second gear (NV4500, 200 pound cast iron tranny, 3-speed, with a 6.31 under drive, and an over drive) sounded like a NASCAR on a straightaway whenever I stomped the gas. I had headers, dual 2 1/2 pipes to the rear, and Flow Masters.

Mucho nasty. My friend Steve taught me that you can ID a fast car when the time between shifts is very brief. Fast cars that have a lot of power redline a gear in just a moment if geared right.

The tranny I like is a SM 465 and was available in later C10’s and other Chevy trucks. Of course cast iron. The old Jeepster in me likes having a granny just in case, but my experience is if you have the right gearing in a drag race all you need is two gears (a high and a low), and that 3 speeds is enough. This tranny is like the 250 Stovebolt in that it was used for a long-long time.

Anyways 4 wheel disc is only complicated if I want to try and retain the OEM steel rims so I can use the “Dog-Dish” hub caps to keep this truck a sleeper and OEM. Also there is manual steering which I wast to preserve that limits at least front tire width. My rear end gearing is 3.73 and the rear likely needs to be upgraded to a posi.

The body and paint is well preserved and it will turn heads parked or driving because it is clean and factory OEM.

First I have to pull the head and have it sent out for a valve job and new valve seats. Unleaded gas destroyed the old OEM seats.

I have to replace the rear main seal on the engine, an ugly job, and then also put in a new clutch because the OEM one is likely oil soaked.

I need to replace the dry rotted tires.

Cosmetically all the truck needs exterior body wise is a new wooden bed. Cost for a red oak kit with hidden bolts for a clean look is about $1.5K. I’d use a red gel stain and then put poly over it. A green truck with a deep red bed would be a bit loud and have “Calzone” factor.

This morning I woke up and I figured out what is missing in my life, the part of me that some say is crazy, and now I know that I need “Passion” to feel alive, where I’m not like everyone else, otherwise I feel deadened.

Thanks for your kind help, but I kinda figured it out after 10 hours sleep.

My core is sore from pushing a jogging stroller yesterday. Spent some time in Blue Mountain Preserve. The “Critter” loves being outside.

Cal the “Gas-Guzzler”
 
Calzone said:
This morning I woke up and I figured out what is missing in my life, the part of me that some say is crazy, and now I know that I need “Passion” to feel alive, where I’m not like everyone else, otherwise I feel deadened.
Click to expand...

I hate to break it to you, but you are not crazy. You are like everyone else. We all need passion in our lives to feel alive. Some find it in rebuilding antique trucks, or changing out the gearing on titanium bicycles, or playing guitar, or photography. Others find it in collecting butterflies or reading 19th century literature. It is what makes us diverse and interesting. It can be unsettling when passion fades. The challenge is to rediscover it.
 
Disclaimer: The two links below I’m sure will annoy some people or at least someone. Do not click if you are a boring person, lack personality, or have a life that embraces mediocrity. THE LINKS MIGHT BE UPSETTING.

www.stovebolt.com is a community and support group for owners of pre 1973 trucks.

www.12bolt.com is about a man who specializes in I-6 Chevy engines that developed the “Lump-Ports.”

Of interest to me at 12 bolt is the inline 6 video section titled “Bob’s 250 Dyno Pulls.” Over 310 HP, a flat torque curve, and a redline around 6300 RPM.

Alert: sounds like a WWII fighter airplane. In the video they advance the timing for more power. Also the Edelbrock 4-barrel used seems to be the restriction that is limiting the output.

I had a lot of fun dialing in the Jeep without a Dyno. I would advance the timing, reset the idle, do full acceleration runs, and jet the Holley double pumper (no vacuum secondaries) manual choke, for smooth application of power and for maximum vacuum.

My friend Phil’s advice of utilizing a vacuum gauge for monitoring engine efficiency is very valid.

I had a problem with wheel hop with the Jeep that was pretty serious because that truck was so overpowered.

BTW “Don’t tell Maggie.”

Cal
 
Calzone said:
Disclaimer: The two links below I’m sure will annoy some people or at least someone. Do not click if you are a boring person, lack personality, or have a life that embraces mediocrity. THE LINKS MIGHT BE UPSETTING.
Click to expand...

Those links look like the woodworking forums I used to frequent. Passionate members communicating over modems. Just the place to go for woodworking advice though. Everyone is happy, happy, except the occasional post about a guy who cut his fingers off using his new table saw. Who knew you could stack your fingers in a McDonalds french fry container, take them to the ER with you, and they could sew them back on. Then you are really happy.

There are two things that are making me unhappy at the moment. The first is that RFF has decided to go with the budget web hosting service and it is almost impossible to log on. And when you are able to log on, and you try to respond to a post, the screen says "working" but really isn't. So you have to exit out, and then you can't log back in. Basically, I am unhappy that I can't log on and tell you I am happy. How crazy it that?

The second thing that is making me unhappy is that it is Medicare open enrollment season. Every company that offers an advantage plan, a drug plan, a dental and vision plan, or any other kind of take your money and run plan, has hired call centers in foreign countries to call you up and give you the hard sell. The problem is you can't understand what they are saying. In fact, it sounds like they have about 100 people in a bathroom making calls, so there is so much noise, you don't even know if the guy who you think is putting the hard sell on you and you can't understand is even talking to you. The only thing to do is to fill up the bathtub and throw your phone in. Then you will be happy. Particularly because your favorite family members won't be able to call you either. I am about half expecting Hallmark to come out with a series of Medicare open enrollment season sympathy cards. How crazy is that?

But me? I say don't worry, be happy. And I don't even own an old truck.
 
Spent some of the afternoon harvesting fallen leaves my neighbors leaf blow against fences that border public land. Pretty much free clean fill to be harvested that is EZ-PZ.

Last year’s leaves composted into a topsoil without me having to turn it over. I also learned that I can’t be lazy because the city vacuumed up the leaves just after Thanksgiving.

I use a one-ton bag that they use in construction that holds a cubic yard and my Gorilla Cart to move them to my back-backyard to fill in the slope before the landing I built just before the marsh.

Rather rapidly I basically am creating a cliff of sorts as a slope is being backfilled with logs and leaves. A half buried chain link fence holds and retains the leaves like a retaining wall.

Only moved 6-7 cubic yards before I had to go food shopping and go out to eat dinner.

Did some tweaking of my steel IBIS. What a fun bike. Thinking of going for a ride tomorrow and then some more leaf harvesting. The temperatures were very spring like. Knickers and a t-shirt weather.

Looking forward to Monday. The compressor for my mini-split system will be installed. Only took 11 months… Now we have central AC on the first floor, but it is after the heat waves… Oh-well. Now I can use the mini-split for heat until it gets really cold, then oil heat.

Let’s see if we have a mild or cold winter…

Tuesday a contractor will come by. We need the new front door to be installed along with new side lites on our enclosed porch. We also need another estimate for our upstairs bath, and we want to connect the tower room to the front bedroom to create a master suite. The door should/could be delivered any time now.

Our thinking is that inflation will continue, and the prices of raw materials will increase. De-globalization is underway and the disinflation, a term Alan Greenspan created, will no longer persist, and will unwind. Prices of commodities will remain high.

Prices will increase even on cheap goods. I/we see it as a window of opportunity because as time goes on people will get priced out. It’s now or never…

It is a tale of two economies. The affluent continue to spend, demand is high, but there is a limit.

Meanwhile prices are still increasing. Eventually something has to give.

I don’t see deflation lowering prices anytime soon as supply remains short. These supply disruptions don’t seem to be improving. Well maybe there is no toilet paper shortage anymore, but you get the point.

Anyways my thinking is like the rich guy. I don’t want to waste money, but I want to spend it on something durable and lasting.

Cal
 
Cal, I'd just rebuild the I-6. I watched a Youtube video where a guy rebuilt a 225 Slant-Six and wound up with it putting out 250 HP. As the Slant-Six was down to 90 HP in 1974 from the 150 it'd had in 1969, there is a lot of horsepower to be unlocked in old I-6 engines.
 
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