eyesore

Spoke with Mike the farmers wife (mike is out helping shawn's parents load his brat) She said she saw my car sitting at the antique shop in town most of the day (man, I hope it still runs) I contacted the local cops (very nice) to see if they can locate & secure it for me. They are supposed to call me back in a bit when they know something. I'll keep you all posted. (no Idea where Fox and crew or subiemech's car might be)

It's possible. But they weren't supposed to drive my car anywhere for that very reason. Even if they are, I have recieved no call..... Not to say they had it, or that they were bringing it back, or that they broke it. Just nothing. I'm not saying they stole it, but my car is MIA and I can't afford to have it broken, or abandoned somewhere else, or....... I'm just so upset & frustrated that I don't know what else to do other than see if the cops can find it for me. I mean, really, this is just wrong. I feel bad doing it, (but less so every minute that passes with no news) but I don't see any other way of locating my car. Sorry, guys, I think I'm going to have to.

Still no car, and no word from Miles. If I haven't heard from them in the next hour or so, I think I'm going to have to call the Onawa police to see if they can locate my car. My instructions were to leave my car at the farmers house with the key in it. I can't comprehend why they are/were driving it around, where it might be, or why they haven't called. I don't like calling the cops over this, but this just isn't right. Obviously my car ran after getting rescued, I sure as hell hope it still runs. I'm 10 times more upset and worried now than I was when it was stuck in the mud. At least I knew where it was then.

Just got a call from that farmer....The only cars left at his place are Shawn's and Tim's. He said he had seen my car and the trashwagon together driving around by the super8 (don't know what the boys from butler are doing....the cars came out at noon, that's like 5 hours ago. I have heard zero from them. ) No word on Subiemech's car...It's not at the farmers. Maybe the guys are driving them back here? They should have been here hours ago if that's the case. I'm a little worried now. I was expecting my car to stay at the farmers till I could inspect it. I sincerely hope everyone is safe, (and my car. sorry, is that petty?) and en-route here...... I told the farmer: Ian (a local) was getting Tim's car back to him (as per previous post) and that Shawn's Parents were getting his. I also apologized profusely again. He was really cool, and made it sound like nobody local was really that peeved about it. (let's hope)

YEEEHAAAWWWW!!!!! Does mine look driveable? Do you know?

We have a big patch of raw loose dirt in the lot next door......it's looking pretty dry. Just as an indicator, I'd say that road has to be driveable by now. If they wait too long, it will dry solid like cement. Gonna try to give that farmer on the corner a call.... see if he knows anything. (BTW, his name is Mike, and his # is 712-423-2756)

Does anyone else see the irony in the "before" pics? Like the graveyard in the background?

Has anybody heard any updates on today's prospects?

Tim would have gotten out too, but being the incredible guy he is, he killed his own car trying to tow others out. I'm wondering if once things dry, if some of them won't be able to drive themselves out? I don't know what they looked like today after being left to "sink" overnight.

Glad you had fun! Once my car is home safe, I'll be able to look back on it fondly. Right now I'm still stressing a bit. So what exactly happened with the cops? I've gotten bits and pieces...Apparently one of the cops owns one of those farms and basically told everybody to bugger off till it's dry? is that a correct assessment? Nobody got "busted" or anything, right? Ahh, what a fiasco. Glad to hear those that could, have made it home safely.

Lotsa photos from "before" don't know if anyone had the presence of mind to get during or after pics. (there is still time ) Anybody seen Quest for Fire? That's what we looked like walking out of there. Like a bunch of wet, muddy, beaten cavemen. (Tim had mud in his ears!!) At least nobody is hurt, and this is one meet that will be remembered for a long time to come. (so how about some commemorative "I was stuck at MWSM2" decals Mick?)

All cars still stuck. Nobody is getting out today....maybe tomorrow. Maybe Tuesday. Redlance and Miles Fox and crew are staying for the duration. (the turbowagon runs, but smokes like a chimney, and has no paperwork, and is 3 hours away. best to drive it under cover of night. Miles will not be making court.) Sounds like Tim has his car in order, no idea what Shawn is ultimately planning on...he has headed for home. Subiemech and I are waiting to hear from Fox and crew when the cars are out and/or getting rescued...we'll then go retrieve 'em. No idea on what the guys in the Legacy are doing. Shure would like to see those military choppers right about now, can't even get a tractor to the cars today. I second Tim, this is some of the nastiest mud I've ever seen. It has no bottom, and seems to be 75% rubber cement. Was (and I assume still is) one heck of a sight to behold. Hope somebody got some pics of the devistation. Jeeze, what a mess. P.S. Fox and crew are supposed to give me an update tomorrow. Probably won't know more till then.

UGH, see: midwest meet thread.

Too tired to go into all the details..... Cold, and heavy rains today. At the moment my car is abandoned in the mud, too deep & sticky and far for even a tractor to get in and free it. Also stuck are: Chef Tim's hatch (with a fried clutch) Shawn W's Turbo brat, Trashwagon 6, Subiemech's Gen2 wagon, A 200? Legacy belonging to a couple of guys from Des Moines, Another Brat (daves' ? can't remember....sorry) Redlance's 2wd van, more? can't remember. Brain is fried. McBrat is free, but thinks his front diff is shot. Everybody else was lucky enough to get out. 1 mile of deep sticky gumbo mud in front and behind us. We walked the mile out, and got rides to nearest town. I made it home (thanks mom) Most everyone else is hold up in motel rooms or in a rented cabin for the night. Supposed to continue raining all night. MIGHT get them out tomorrow, if things dry up....might be monday. Everybody cold, soaked, and covered in mud. Think good thoughts for us people.....several of us really really need to be home safe by Monday. Hopefully, I we can all get free tomorrow. Must go sleepytime soon. I'm soo used up.

fox and the gang showed up in trashwagon 6 early morning to head out

Deal. Ummm, now what do I want on it? How about WAR WAGON Maybe Subie emblems on either side? Black vinyl. I have a grinder, but no disk.... If you want to bring a sawzall & swing by on your way to/from the meet and grab it, that works for me too. It's waitin' for ya. (and I hadn't forgotten, just....no disk.)

maybe nobody has $10? (like me ) Helluva good price, if you ask me! C'mon, step up people.

Most just deal with the discrepancy and/or get used to it. There are shops out there that can re-calibrate spedometers, no idea of the cost or work involved. An aftermarket speedo is an option also, but a pricey one. Getting used to it being off costs nothing

Unfortunately, nobody makes a true off road tire in a 13". There are a very few companies that make a 13" rally tire, but they are very pricey. The Winterfires have the most aggressive lug pattern/depth I could find in a 13".

I searched for some time for an aggressive 13" tire. I finally went with Firestone Winterfire 175/70's (biggest I could get). Yes, these are snows, and as such, they have a shorter on road lifespan, but I have been quite happy with their wear so far. AND, they were $33 each from Tire Rack. They are great in snow, and pretty decent on slick mud and deep sand. (ask Miles Fox & crew...they saw Eyesore in sand.)

Just starting it occasionally is not necessairily a good idea. An engine that is idled will will experience extreme wear due to the leingth of time to build operating temps, along with the rich air/fuel mixture during warm up. As the engine is idled, carbon deposits form on the valves and piston crowns at a very high rate. If the car can't be driven for 15-20 miles fairly regularly, this is not the answer. So.... Run the fuel tank, Carb or EFI system out of gas. Using duct tape, seal up the tailpipe(s) and carburator throat to prevent moisture entry. Change the oil before storage to remove any moisture that may be hiding in the crankcase. Grease the front end and all zerks to displace moisture. Place the car on jackstands, but with just enough weight on the tires to keep the springs compressed to a normal ride height, do not let the wheels hang free. If the car will be outside, park it on a thick plastic tarp so that moisture doesn't attack the undercarrage. Put black plastic trash bags over the tires to prevent ozone deterioration from the sun and, cover the car with a breathable car cover.

Hey, Shawn... Perhaps you can photoshop the pic of the map you took, and place an "X" on where we are to meet so everybody knows exactly where the picnic shelter is? Just a thought to simplify things a bit, and maybe prevent anyone getting lost/confused.

Cool, sounds good. Other than a L/F fender, I can't really think of anythin else eyesore needs.

How's the clear plastic lens that covers the guage cluster? is it clear? (haze and scratch free) If so, I'd be interested in that. How's the heater core? (both in the '79)

Hope this isn't a hijacking, but: What about the other way around? any ea81 bits that would improve an ea71? (and will direct swap?)