[RHClarke]

Grant, Bob and I spent our first real full day in a long time at the barn today. The dusting of snow made everything look clean and neat. Bob and Grant plugged away at Bob's tranny. After solving the assembly puzzle (using one Alex Blair manual as a guide) they finally got it buttoned up.

I continued my brakeline quest - turning eight feet of coiled line into small scraps (poor flares, too short, too long but not long enough to use, flattened bends, wrong bends etc...). BUT, the front axle now sports new brakelines, hoses and wheel cylinders. The rear axle will have to await another day.

We solved the mystery of the ill-fitting rear brakeline by taking the banjo bolts of my spare 43 HUP axle. They fit the wheel cylinder properly, where the new banjos went in hard. After measuring the thread, we found they were the same size as the old banjos, but somehow different enough...

Following the brake and tranny sessions, we cleaned up a bit. Bob tossed out my templates for my front clip metal repair job...and I thought I was going nuts trying to remember where I put my HUP stuff! Bob's idea of cleaning up is somewhat less discrimating than most...Fortunately, Bob remembered where he tossed the templates and we cut out fresh metal for the wheel wells and the passenger side kick plate. It is amazing what an air powered shear will do.

It was a good way to finish 2006 - with some actual progress. Next week, we will be spot welding some of the holes in the clip and welding in the new panels.

Bob, thanks for the use of the barn - it beats a snowbank anyday! Grant, thanks for the help, the common sense and good sense of humour.

Here's to more CMP fun in the New Year!