Chapter 2: Fun Problems
4 July 1999: I ventured to Santa Cruz, ostensibly for some Independence Day merriment with family, after a big Clamless Clambake/Housewarming party. I had but 2 precious hours in which to spend with the beast. I had a very specific plan-- to remove the heater assembly (blower, control, and core box) from the firewall. First Garryowen and I had to move his 1954 Chevy pickup from the street to a carport in nearby Capitola Knolls. A very handsome truck, it looked just great sitting there out of the sun and rain.
We then unbolted the heater and I got it home. It's in great shape. All the broken and missing parts can be replaced-- except a missing defroster damper. That's going to bug me. Hey, I just know myself.
6 July 1999: Problems. Chevy sent me a replacement restoration pack. Chevrolet has a wonderful service where if you call them and give them your VIN # they send you a package with all-- and I mean ALL- the specs and info for your classic car or truck, along with a resource book with every old part dealer in the Western Hemisphere. The only problem is they forgot to duplicate page 73 from the original -- the one discussing model 3105, 1/2 Ton Panel Delivery. This is the second time, too. Can't complain, though-- it's free!
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| For no particular reeason, here's a peek at the right step. It's going to have to be replaced. |
Also, the response from the frankly annoyed-sounding people at the Clovis Public Library (talked about in detail in Preface part 1) throws my research into the truck's early history into doubt.
I was telling these things to Eileen, as we were driving back from the hardware store. She said "are these real problems, or fun problems?" Kinda threw the day into perspective.
