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'Sup guys

mcmopar

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Been a little busy lately. My brother passed in March from pneumonia while his wife was in the hospital for another one of her mental "breaks". She is in a rehab/extended care facility in Tarpon Springs, FL atm and we are trying to relocate her over here to Orlando into an ALF. Also trying to help with estate affairs and finances as I am her POA.

My wife and I went to visit Mike while he was in the hospital on Feb 27 and while we were returning home we were in an accident that totalled my wife's '14 Challenger. Not our fault. Liberty Mutual was really good to us, though so now she has a '15 Challenger (V-6, automatic, silver). This one gets better fuel economy than the '14 but I liked the '14 better.

Haven't driven the bird much as it is too hot and it tends to overheat and vapor lock. Never used to do that. Everything in the cooling system is new so I suspect sediment buildup in the block since I don't drive it that much. Might try an electric fan in the mean time until I can get the time to drain the cooling system and pop the freeze plugs to inspect it. Will probably drop the center link and swap out the stock oil pan for my 6 qt. Hemi pan I scored at Garlits a couple of years ago when I do the inspection. Might even build a milder 400 for it with my buddy Jim (Classracer) or even sell it. Thinking about a lot of things lately as I'm not getting any younger and need to make some hard choices concerning funding my retirement in 6 or 7 years. My back isn't what it used to be although lately it has been a lot better.

I got my brother's '94 Dodge Caravan SE (3.3 V-6) since I gave him the $$ to buy it in the first place. I kinda really like it. It's got peeling paint and all but it runs like a top - I mean EVERYTHING still works. Just had the a/c system repaired and it is COLD. It still needs some mechanical work in the front end and a couple of new tires but it's definitely a keeper...

Glad to see you guys are all still here. I'll keep in touch.
 

quikbird

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Sorry to hear of the loss of your brother. I've been there as well. It gets better but you never forget. Hope you get the cooling worked out. Driving a roadrunner is good therapy.
 

droptop

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Sorry to hear about your loss. I would say the vapor lock issue is today's gas. Made for closed loop fuel injection. Evaporates at a much lower temp.
 

Basketcase

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sorry for your loss Johnny. been a tough year for a lot of guys.
hate to see you sell the car after getting it back.
 

abodybill

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Sorry for your loss.

Take a step back on the car and just look it over as things have there way of working out for the best.

We can't have the loss of another Green Runner going away...
 

ACME A12

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Johnny McMopar:

Good to hear from you. I wondered where you had been. Very sorry to hear about brother and sister in-law. Let me know if you're going to Garlits - and we'll connect. Last year we only managed a wave as you were pulling in so we'll have to do better this year.
 

Roadcuda

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Sorry to hear about your loss John. Sounds like you've had your hands full and are handling things as well as can be expected, but it's good to have you back.
 

Basketcase

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Johnny McMopar:

Good to hear from you. I wondered where you had been. Very sorry to hear about brother and sister in-law. Let me know if you're going to Garlits - and we'll connect. Last year we only managed a wave as you were pulling in so we'll have to do better this year.

sounds like well planned timing......
 

Sixtynine_Bird

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Sorry for your loss. You've been through a lot right now.
Glad to see your getting better.
 

mcmopar

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Thanks guys, and yes, Ray, I am planning on heading up to Garlits. I suspect the cooling issue may be due to sediment in the block. I need to replace some tie rod boots so I'll probably drop the center link, loosen the headers, and pop the freeze plugs to see if there is any sedimentation in the block. In the mean time it looks like I'll need to install an electric fan that I can toggle on when in traffic. I can't even drive it down to Old Town anymore due to the overheating/vapor lock situation.

Looks like we will be getting my sister-in-law relocated from Tarpon Springs over here to a place in Orlando in the next few weeks which will make it easier to attend to her. Hopefully she will like one of the ALF's we'll be showing her.

And today is our 36th wedding anniversary. My wife and I took the day off and just enjoyed hanging out together. We went to see The Secret Life of Pets today. Funny movie.
 

Roadcuda

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Congrats from me too Johnny! I've heard that a good part of the Pets movie isn't really geared to kids, that it's a more mature subject matter?
 

quikbird

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Congrats on your anniversary. I have heard pets is a pretty good movie, just haven't had time to go see it yet.
 

ACME A12

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I've heard that a good part of the Pets movie isn't really geared to kids, that it's a more mature subject matter?

Go see it. You'll be fine. Just cover your eyes during the "racy" scenes... :basketcase:


Congrats, John!!!
 

mcmopar

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Movie is fine - no problem for kids that I see. Thanks for all the kind wishes. Just spent Friday-Sat bringing my sis-in-law over from Tarpon Springs to look at a few Assisted Living Facilities. She has indicated she likes one in particular so it looks like she will be coming over here. Taking her back Sat evening was a nightmare! There were 3 accidents in a 50 mile span of I-4. Wall to wall traffic. Normally it take 2.25-2.5 hours to make the trip. It took over 3.5 hours. I as going to drive back that night but decided to stay at my mom's place in Holiday, FL instead. Stayed there Friday night, too in hopes I could get back Sat. night. Got back Sunday around noon. Man, I'm beat. Gonna have to bring Joy back over either the 12th or 19th. Oh boy, more driving! One of these days I need to put an electric fan on the runner in hopes of keeping it cool until I can find out why it overheats now. Need to get that done before Mopars With Big Daddy...
 

Roadcuda

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I know what you mean about traffic John. I fight it every day when working and it seems to be getting worse every day.
 
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