<VV> English paper (un petite peu Corvair)

[BBRT]

Neat!
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Dennis Johnsey USN (ret)" <dilligras at yahoo.com>
To: "virtual vairs" <virtualvairs at corvair.org>
Sent: Tuesday, June 03, 2008 8:47 PM
Subject: <VV> English paper (un petite peu Corvair)


>
>  This is the paper that's due for Eng. Comp. tommorrow.  The assignment 
> was to write 600 words describing a process in the third person. It's 
> called an informational narrative, or some such thing.
>
>  D. Johnsey
>  Eng. 1301
>  6/4/08
>
>  Restoring a Classic Car
>      The painstaking process of restoring a rusting old vehicle to 
> useable, if not pristine condition is an experience one should definitely 
> seek to add to their resume', albeit perhaps under the heading of, 
> "childish endeavors".
>
>      Even though occasionally frought with those episodes of anxiety and 
> terrifying consequence which have all too often characterized man's 
> history with his machinery, the feeling of pride that comes with 
> completion and the admiring stares of fellow car enthusiasts is a pleasure 
> to be enjoyed without the slightest tinge of guilt, being derived as it is 
> from honest effort and personal sacrifice.
>
>      As with many projects, one approaches the problem of restoration from 
> the end, and plans backwards to determine the best way to get there. In 
> doing so, they are able to avoid having to take things apart once they are 
> together, thereby proceeding smoothly from start to finish, without 
> unnecessarily repeating any step two or three times. For example, it makes 
> sense to save painting the body and re-attaching chromework for last, in 
> order to avoid damaging it while working on the suspension or drivetrain.
>
>      Naturally, attending to rusty metal and dents -- involving the arts 
> of welding, sheetmetal work, and possibly the application of an epoxy 
> filler -- must preceed final painting. Because there is often rusted 
> floorboards and kickpanels underneath the carpet, the sheetmetal and 
> welding must sometimes be done before those areas are covered with carpet 
> or trim.
>
>      Following that same logic further, one can easily determine that the 
> wiring is best installed before the interior, but sometimes after the 
> welding, especially if routing of the harnesses takes them near rusted out 
> areas which have to be cut out and replaced. Many times, the relative size 
> or location of a system or part will determine the best order -- as in the 
> case of the brake and fuel lines -- which often need to be installed only 
> after the suspension systems are in their final position, to avoid 
> damaging flimsy tubing while flailing about with awkward, heavy steel.
>
>      Oftentimes, even the engine and drivetrain are entwined with 
> suspension components in such a way that the order of their assembly is 
> dictated by their orientation to each other. For example, the removal of 
> the engine and transmission in the rear of my '62 Chevrolet Corvair van is 
> greatly facilitated by the prior removal of the rear axles, as is the 
> removal/replacement of the rear springs and shocks.
>
>      The engine and it's associated systems are by far the most complex 
> chore, involving exacting measurements, careful attention to detail, and a 
> high level of organization. Privacy, combined with the profligate 
> application of the vernacular of a stevedore suffering with genital poison 
> ivy, have invariably been determined to be singularly conducive to the the 
> type of cathartic release most beneficial to the process, as well.
>
>      If the engine has been sitting out in the weather for long, one would 
> do well to assume that it may be frozen up with corrosion in the 
> cylinders, and treat it with Marvel Mystery Oil poured into the spark plug 
> holes, before trying to get it to turn over-- unless one plans to 
> disassemble it anyway. According to all reasonable accounts, Marvel 
> Mystery Oil is the high colonic of the internal combustion universe, 
> having a veritable plethora of benefits that qualify it as the sole 
> pretender to the throne of, "Nectar of the Automotive Gods."
>
>      As always in the automotive world, an integral part of all these 
> steps is the threefold cautions of safety, safety, safety -- in that one 
> is dealing regularly with the unforgiving Newtonian tendencies of an 
> elevated object of sufficient weight to turn one's eyeballs into deadly 
> projectiles, should it land on their backside due to some unfortunate 
> failure of equipment or consciousness.
>
>      And last but not least, one should always keep a fire extinguisher 
> handy whenever any hydrocarbons are introduced, as the anecdotal evidence 
> of man's one hundred year relationship with gasoline will readily attest. 
> I know of one fellow who got burned so badly once while priming a 
> carburetor, that he's considering petitioning the local crematorium for a 
> discount. <<place rimshot here>>
>
>      There can be no denying the long hours and late nights involved in 
> the restoration of an old, rusty hulk; the dirty fingernails and the 
> ruined clothing; but -- if one pays attention to details of order and 
> organization, and does not ignore the obvious potential for injury -- when 
> all is said and done, much will have been said about what one has done.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>  Dennis Johnsey
>  '62 Corvan
>
>


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