End of an Era??

[Steve Kerswell]

                             Many of you know that for the past 12 or so years I have been fighting a brain tumor, Major surgery and follow up surgery has kept me alive, but at a reduced rate. 80% deaf and failing, unable to blink or move the right hand side of my face, now scary blood pressure fluctuations. I have worked in heavy engineering for the past 45 years and that too, has taken its toll. From working among 16000 fellow ship yardies, to being self employed working alone for the past 12 years making ends meet.

                             Today, I have ran out of my welding qualifications, no more ASME9, no more BS numbers are beside my name. Plus my Gas registration is about to expire. To renew all these at my time in life with my health issues I'm looking at the wrong side of £1500-00, Cannot warrant that sot of expense anymore.

                             I already miss the banter and wind ups, the tea breaks, the arguments about who was the better welder/fitter on the day.

                             Still, chin up ole guy. Life goes on, so be warned, I'm spoiling for a fight as I have loads of pent up energy, you could run a light bulb off me. The wife is dreading having me around. May finish loads of unfinished projects. Fed up welding for 10 hours a day anyway, who needs it ? :-)))

[Adrian Southgate]

Surely the extractors should be sucking out dirty air... 

[Paul Sheridan]

HAPPY WEEKEND !! those words were the kiss of death ..... how am I supposed to spay a car when the workshop extractors are sucking in cold wet air Grrrrr.  Glad you got yours sorted Steve.

[Adrian Southgate]

The Devon Dog barks again, well done Steve. Got to have worked out cheaper than binning it?

[Steve Kerswell]

After a long night and some early morning spanner clanking, throwing, the crossflow breathes again. Bit stuttered and spitty at first, but seems to have settled. Compression all good around 11 bar. Must have been going down hill before I had it, it's a different beast now, revs easily like only a crossflow does, and pulls well, in fact, better than its ever done. I like it, all is forgiven, sweetness and light, serene and calm. Now watch something, someone, come and ruin it. Happy weekend.

[Steve Kerswell]

Valve seats were kaput. Someone had done No. 1 so now it is all done, bit rushed, I am not bothering with new guides unless some or something wrecks them during  the night. I'm running out of favours to call in so May have to start paying in kind, Argh.

[Steve Kerswell]

Finished welding up the valve seats today, mate on nights will try to cut the seats and get it back to me in the morning. Hopefully quick grinding paste job and reassembled by lunch. Then stick it back on the block, hopefully finished before dark if it's dry. Phew, I m knackered, all this rushing about, finding hard face welding rods then trying to find grinding paste, time for tea :-)

[Steve Kerswell]

Ahh! I do remember it now, thanks Pete, wonder what gearbox he runs? Still, good to see some other motors appearing, I have to wonder at what to do with the Sierra, I have a MT75 gearbox and prop, so I could go Pinto or Zetec,but, big but, is it really worth it. I have to sit and ponder this on a sunny beach while eating an ice cream 99 and watching the girlies go by. I do all my best thinking then :-))

[Pete Clayton]

I think it's an 1800 nissan turbo in Paul's one Steve

[Steve Kerswell]

Hi Paul Thomas, Just trying to think of what engine and box you are running in that very smart Dutton??

[Steve Kerswell]

Yeah, I gotta have a look. Damn thing just started first time and sounds fine, but just pulling it into the drive you can tell its sick, hardly pulled up the hill, standing start means clutch slip and lots of revs to get forward momentum. This is worse then the 1300 I binned :-))