so close and yet so far

it seems like my posts are getting more and more depressing. they started out so carefree and fancy-free. i guess the drudgery of a long project is starting to set in. here's an update of the work from this weekend.

friday i got a day off from work and tried to spend it on the car. i ended up getting the brakes totally bled and i have a nice firm pedal. i got some nice 1/8" wheel spacers thursday for the front. now all that needs to be done is to adjust the shoes in the back and the bug will be back on the ground.

saturday i went to work on the bolts that i'd broken off. using some left-handed drill bits, i slowly ate away at them. they just wouldn't budge. even using an easy-out they just won't come out. too many years of heating and cooling and rust. i decided just to leave them and get a machine shop to fix them once i get the car running. after that decision, all i had to do was button up the intake manifold, install the new spark plugs and i'd be ready to rumble. the only problem is that i dropped a nut between the cooling tin and my #4 cylinder. i almost started crying. luckily it's not in the engine but i can't reach it, feel it or get it out. i started to rip off the fan housing but it's still stuck on something. after much frustration and tiredness (i'd already been out there all day), i called it quits. i may stop by sears on my way home today and see if they have a strong, flexible magnet that i could use to fish it out. it's so tight on that left side but it might work. it'd sure beat taking all the cooling tin off for one nut. at least i know i'll be home free after this. barring any more fumbling.