@Rob and Scott - the harmonic on the mirrors during today's test drives did make all three mirrors shake. I had to put a finger on the inside mirror to make sure I wasn't seeing Eric Blair in the rearview.
@Andrew - I am only repeating what I was told at the Ottawa Tulip Festival MV convoy chin-wag.
Yesterday I picked up the Temporary licence plates and paid the 13% Retail Sales Tax. Did some more inspections. This morning, feeling slightly dehydrated after the Mess Dinner but that is another story, I added fuel and removed the spare engine and transmission from the back end. Found the windshield washer switch and tried to get the defroster blowing. Still haven't found the deflector plate behind the heater.
The inspection station was an education. Bruce Anderson (Allright Automotive Repair Inc) is an ex military vehicle tech and Bluebell wrecker crew! We talked Deuce and a Halfs, M37s, M38A1 and 5-tons. He told how he'd been a test driver at LETE. We had a running conversation about the M151A2, like showing the slave cable inlet and what years it served, as he watched his mechanics work.
The garage is a '60's vintage service station that couldn't sell enough gas to stay in business, but now fixes the neighbourhood's cars and minivans. The owner ran the show, a younger woman was doing paperwork in a tiny office, 4 suitably filthy wrench benders were all over cars in 2 bays and out on the yard. A tow truck dragged in a job. A nervious driver limped in another. Working drivers dropping off stuff. A serious operation that got my respect right away.
The M151A2 did not pass the first inspection. Some chatter between the mechanics about rotted cross members, and a grease "leak" from a wheel bearing. The weather cracked tires got some chatter, but they were passed. There are no seatbelts for backseat passenders, so the seat was removed on the spot. But the problem was where the rubber floor mats had concealed gaps in the floor, and rot in the battery box floor. I have 10 days to return to the garage to show my repairs. Bruce told me exactly what he wants to see done.
No body said these things would be effortless. Good thing I noticed 3' sheets of stock at Princess Auto for $25 at Princess Auto yesterday.