These cell phone pics and video aren’t the greatest.  I think I’ll go back to snapping pics with my real camera.  But my phone, a Samsung Instinct, is really handy for snapping quick pics and uploading them to my computer via bluetooth (much easier than an iPhone — and that’s from a Mac guy — which will only awkwardly upload photos one at a time via email).

As you can see, my sons were excited to help me.  My oldest, Karson, who turns 15 soon, has been wanting to learn how to do everything, so I’ve taught him how to use the drill press, grinder, cutter, portable drill, sander and even the arc welder.  That’s been a priceless joy for me.

I’m hoping to get it running on my return from Seattle (Monday June 29 – Friday July 5) before my kids leave in mid-July.

I’ve been a little side tracked from Gus due to a recent neighbor’s problem with a mail box — her son hit another neighbor’s mail box with her car, damaging the mail box (it’s actually two mailboxes and paper boxes that sit on a single pole).  By now, the whole neighbor knows me as the ‘guy with a jeep’; so, it was only a matter of time before it was my welder to the rescue (ok, it was a bit more complicated than that).

Now, back on track, I’ve made some progress on some trivial details.

Oil Filtering System: When I bought my V6, the seller included an external dual oil filter system.  I decided to install the system because (1) I would increase the available oil in the system, (2) having the filters external of the engine would reduce engine oil temperatures, and (3) having two oil filters would help with the engine oil temperatures even more.  Since I’m of the opinion that my last engine blew up due to oiling problems (though that was a much older 225 engine), I’m hoping this helps stalls potential problems.  I’ve also been on the phone with TAPerformance and they suggested the use of a specific pressure spring for use in buick engines with high pressure attachments.

In the image, you can see how the oil filters will sit above the filter base and the hoses will wind down to the oil filter and the forward, passenger side of the engine.

Combination Valve: A Combination Valve is simply a proportioning valve and a pressure differential valve that is combined into one unit.  I got one from a junk yard early 90s cherokee.  I grabbed the valve, the valve bracket and some of the lines.  The lines between the valve and the master cylinder were long enough that I can attach the valve to the frame.  So, I welded a small bracket to the frame and now the valve bolts to the frame.

In the image, the valve looks very close to the front of the tranny, but fortunately, there’s plenty of room.