06-23-2020, 09:10 PM
(This post was last modified: 07-13-2020, 07:59 PM by Terry Bentley.)
Chapter 44
On Tuesday morning I woke up to the sound of rain. Lots of rain. It is raining cats and dogs. What ever that is supposed to mean. Felt so good to sleep in. But I still had to get moving and mom would drive me to school today. No messing around either, so x-nay to visiting the science lab. Oh well maybe tomorrow.
Now that typing class is over today, mom picked me up and we headed out to Casa View Shopping Center. First a stop at Sears to make payment for something she had put in lay-a-way a few weeks ago. I headed over to the tool section to drool for a while. I do like my Craftsman tools. But mom was back in only a few minutes.
After that we went down Gus Thomasson to Gibsons. She said I needed some decent summer clothes. Not like swim suits but a couple of short sleeve shirts and maybe jeans. I asked if plain ole tee shirts would be alright? To me these are perfect for summer attire. Especially some darker ones that dont show dirt and grease too much. I dont need to be dressed up for summer anyway. She gave in and agreed those are better than nothing. I did suggest ones with a pocket. If there was a need to dress up this summer, I could always clip a tie on the tee shirt. She just rolled her eyes and smiled.
![[Image: attachment.php?aid=4707]](https://www.vintagekartforum.com/attachment.php?aid=4707)
As we pulled out from the parking lot, I noticed a new Whataburger across the street being built. I wonder how good those burgers really are? My eyes stayed focused on it until out of sight. We took the road in front of Gibsons that lead directly down to Oats Drive. Then back to Ferguson road. Mom turns in at the Dairyette Drive-in on the corner for a quick lunch. I order a cheeseburger, tater tots and Root Beer float. Wow, those are always so good to get. Doesnt matter when either. Summer or winter.
Looking across the street I see Gasset. It is a small engine repair shop next door to an Enco gas station on the corner. They carry a full line of mowers and parts. Thats when I got a brilliant idea. While waiting for the food to arrive and mom was sitting there balancing her check book, I ran across the street to ask questions.
After some in depth explanation about why I was there, the guy behind the counter seemed interested enough to try and help out. He spent a few minutes going thru the catalogs for different part numbers of flywheels that fit Clinton 2 cycle Panther series engines. A few more numbers of some that would interchange too.
He asked me if I needed any used parts for these engines. There was a several of them in a large pile of junk back behind the shop. So I went out there and dug around while he waited on an actual paying customer. I pulled out several engines. They looked mostly complete but very weathered. Maybe I could buy these for extra parts.
I asked about buying the engines. He gave me a fair price. Except it was a lot more than I was hoping for. Then I asked about just buying one of them. He said sure no problem, but made me a better offer. If I was willing to help clean up that big mess out there, he might do some trading for labor. I was all ears.
The deal we worked out is that I would strip down the engines into parts, so the cast iron could be separated from aluminum. Then load on a flat bed trailer. They would take it all to the scrapper later for cash. I could pull out what I wanted from the pile within reason. A hand shake made the deal and I was back across the street with mom.
Lunch had arrived and we ate. These burgers are always good. I hope this drive-in stays here for a long time. After finishing the Root Beer float, we headed for home. On the way back something hit me. I had no idea of who it was behind the counter at Gasset. I didnt think to introduce myself either.
That was a stupid thing not to do. What if he isnt even there on Saturday? Or changes his mind? I was taught better than this. Sure doesnt show right now. I better bring my A game next time, or look like an uncouth imbecile.
Steve was hanging around when we pulled in the driveway. I told him the deal that was made. Then asked if he was interested in helping me out. He was all in too. Saturday could not get here fast enough. For rest of the week I had chores and some yards to mow. I postponed any future science projects. Also hopes of having some more parts to work with next time. Friday was now done and we would head out in the morning.
Steves dad decided to drive us to Gasset. We got there a little after 8 am. Early on Saturday doesnt usually happen for me very often. But today would be an exception. Steves dad introduced himself to who I thought was the manager, actually was Mr Grimes the owner. I now know who he is. He then confirmed the deal I had made earlier in the week.
After discussing the details, Steves dad felt comfortable the deal I made was fair. So for rest of the morning, Steve and I just went to town tearing apart tons of small engines. By noon, I was starving and we had about half the pile already stripped and loaded. Only a few really decent items had been found so far that might be worth keeping.
We come inside the shop to ask if it is ok for us to cut out for a quick lunch break. Mr Grimes sternly said no way. You are stuck here for the whole day. That was the deal. No work, no deal. Telling this in a rather harsh sounding voice, he ushered us over to the office immediately and demanded we help the other guys right now. He says there was too much pizza and pop for just them to finish up.
Me and Steve look at each other and just grinned ear to ear. Yes sir! But first go wash up. You two are covered stem to stern in dirt and grease. Then you can help get rid of this pizza. I dont want any of it left over either.
About 4pm, Mr Grimes older son James, tells us to call it a day. We had done more than what was expected and to thank us for exceptional work. After finishing up the pile of old scrap motors, we had also swept up the place and tried to clean, best we could, the oil slick from these engines sitting out here for so long.
We ended up putting aside a lot more engines than I had first realized. Also several boxes filled with anything and everything that looked useful. Then went to the shop trough and got cleaned up. We relaxed a few minutes and grabbed sodas from the icebox there in front. It was well worth the five cents a piece.
Steves dad had just pulled up out front and we got started with moving everything from our big little pile to his truck. As I was picked up a couple of engines, Mr Grimes yelled in his gruff voice and called me into his office. I followed him in there still holding my newly acquired junk.
He set a full box on top of the two engines I had in my arms. Here is a small bonus for you guys. Then held up two nickels and stuck them in my shirt pocket. The engines were heavy enough. But the box just made things a lot heavier. At least now the sodas we just finished were comped.
We loaded up, shook hands, then said thanks and good bye. Steves dad drove us back home in his 1959 F-100. He bought it new and kept in the garage all the time. It still had that new car smell inside too. In the bed he already had tarps laid down and covering everything up, so not to move around denting the wood bed or scratch the paint.
Back home I go inside to let the folks know we have returned. No sooner I walk in the door, there is little sis with my Kodak camera. She says smile and clicks a picture. "Wow you are a mess! Since you didnt smile, dont blame me if it broke your camera." She giggles and runs out of the room. Oh well. I wonder how Steve puts up with his two sisters. Maybe thats why he is always over here. Sure makes sense to me right now. Blah!
![[Image: attachment.php?aid=4693]](https://www.vintagekartforum.com/attachment.php?aid=4693)
I head outside to the garage. Steve has already gotten most of the junk unloaded by the time I make it back there. Steves dad tells him to make sure he gets home shortly for dinner. Then both of us sit down there somewhat quiet for a moment and look over our spoils.
On Tuesday morning I woke up to the sound of rain. Lots of rain. It is raining cats and dogs. What ever that is supposed to mean. Felt so good to sleep in. But I still had to get moving and mom would drive me to school today. No messing around either, so x-nay to visiting the science lab. Oh well maybe tomorrow.
Now that typing class is over today, mom picked me up and we headed out to Casa View Shopping Center. First a stop at Sears to make payment for something she had put in lay-a-way a few weeks ago. I headed over to the tool section to drool for a while. I do like my Craftsman tools. But mom was back in only a few minutes.
After that we went down Gus Thomasson to Gibsons. She said I needed some decent summer clothes. Not like swim suits but a couple of short sleeve shirts and maybe jeans. I asked if plain ole tee shirts would be alright? To me these are perfect for summer attire. Especially some darker ones that dont show dirt and grease too much. I dont need to be dressed up for summer anyway. She gave in and agreed those are better than nothing. I did suggest ones with a pocket. If there was a need to dress up this summer, I could always clip a tie on the tee shirt. She just rolled her eyes and smiled.
As we pulled out from the parking lot, I noticed a new Whataburger across the street being built. I wonder how good those burgers really are? My eyes stayed focused on it until out of sight. We took the road in front of Gibsons that lead directly down to Oats Drive. Then back to Ferguson road. Mom turns in at the Dairyette Drive-in on the corner for a quick lunch. I order a cheeseburger, tater tots and Root Beer float. Wow, those are always so good to get. Doesnt matter when either. Summer or winter.
Looking across the street I see Gasset. It is a small engine repair shop next door to an Enco gas station on the corner. They carry a full line of mowers and parts. Thats when I got a brilliant idea. While waiting for the food to arrive and mom was sitting there balancing her check book, I ran across the street to ask questions.
After some in depth explanation about why I was there, the guy behind the counter seemed interested enough to try and help out. He spent a few minutes going thru the catalogs for different part numbers of flywheels that fit Clinton 2 cycle Panther series engines. A few more numbers of some that would interchange too.
He asked me if I needed any used parts for these engines. There was a several of them in a large pile of junk back behind the shop. So I went out there and dug around while he waited on an actual paying customer. I pulled out several engines. They looked mostly complete but very weathered. Maybe I could buy these for extra parts.
I asked about buying the engines. He gave me a fair price. Except it was a lot more than I was hoping for. Then I asked about just buying one of them. He said sure no problem, but made me a better offer. If I was willing to help clean up that big mess out there, he might do some trading for labor. I was all ears.
The deal we worked out is that I would strip down the engines into parts, so the cast iron could be separated from aluminum. Then load on a flat bed trailer. They would take it all to the scrapper later for cash. I could pull out what I wanted from the pile within reason. A hand shake made the deal and I was back across the street with mom.
Lunch had arrived and we ate. These burgers are always good. I hope this drive-in stays here for a long time. After finishing the Root Beer float, we headed for home. On the way back something hit me. I had no idea of who it was behind the counter at Gasset. I didnt think to introduce myself either.
That was a stupid thing not to do. What if he isnt even there on Saturday? Or changes his mind? I was taught better than this. Sure doesnt show right now. I better bring my A game next time, or look like an uncouth imbecile.
Steve was hanging around when we pulled in the driveway. I told him the deal that was made. Then asked if he was interested in helping me out. He was all in too. Saturday could not get here fast enough. For rest of the week I had chores and some yards to mow. I postponed any future science projects. Also hopes of having some more parts to work with next time. Friday was now done and we would head out in the morning.
Steves dad decided to drive us to Gasset. We got there a little after 8 am. Early on Saturday doesnt usually happen for me very often. But today would be an exception. Steves dad introduced himself to who I thought was the manager, actually was Mr Grimes the owner. I now know who he is. He then confirmed the deal I had made earlier in the week.
After discussing the details, Steves dad felt comfortable the deal I made was fair. So for rest of the morning, Steve and I just went to town tearing apart tons of small engines. By noon, I was starving and we had about half the pile already stripped and loaded. Only a few really decent items had been found so far that might be worth keeping.
We come inside the shop to ask if it is ok for us to cut out for a quick lunch break. Mr Grimes sternly said no way. You are stuck here for the whole day. That was the deal. No work, no deal. Telling this in a rather harsh sounding voice, he ushered us over to the office immediately and demanded we help the other guys right now. He says there was too much pizza and pop for just them to finish up.
Me and Steve look at each other and just grinned ear to ear. Yes sir! But first go wash up. You two are covered stem to stern in dirt and grease. Then you can help get rid of this pizza. I dont want any of it left over either.
About 4pm, Mr Grimes older son James, tells us to call it a day. We had done more than what was expected and to thank us for exceptional work. After finishing up the pile of old scrap motors, we had also swept up the place and tried to clean, best we could, the oil slick from these engines sitting out here for so long.
We ended up putting aside a lot more engines than I had first realized. Also several boxes filled with anything and everything that looked useful. Then went to the shop trough and got cleaned up. We relaxed a few minutes and grabbed sodas from the icebox there in front. It was well worth the five cents a piece.
Steves dad had just pulled up out front and we got started with moving everything from our big little pile to his truck. As I was picked up a couple of engines, Mr Grimes yelled in his gruff voice and called me into his office. I followed him in there still holding my newly acquired junk.
He set a full box on top of the two engines I had in my arms. Here is a small bonus for you guys. Then held up two nickels and stuck them in my shirt pocket. The engines were heavy enough. But the box just made things a lot heavier. At least now the sodas we just finished were comped.
We loaded up, shook hands, then said thanks and good bye. Steves dad drove us back home in his 1959 F-100. He bought it new and kept in the garage all the time. It still had that new car smell inside too. In the bed he already had tarps laid down and covering everything up, so not to move around denting the wood bed or scratch the paint.
Back home I go inside to let the folks know we have returned. No sooner I walk in the door, there is little sis with my Kodak camera. She says smile and clicks a picture. "Wow you are a mess! Since you didnt smile, dont blame me if it broke your camera." She giggles and runs out of the room. Oh well. I wonder how Steve puts up with his two sisters. Maybe thats why he is always over here. Sure makes sense to me right now. Blah!
I head outside to the garage. Steve has already gotten most of the junk unloaded by the time I make it back there. Steves dad tells him to make sure he gets home shortly for dinner. Then both of us sit down there somewhat quiet for a moment and look over our spoils.