Old men and children have short attention spans.
The day started according to plan with a new ignition switch, new starter(s) and grounding straps. That’s enough new whizz bang pieces to make even the most jaded torque wrench crusader smile. Yep, I was going to replace the Mules whirly starter and be done before dinner (old folks eat at 1700). Well, that was the plan anyway.
I removed the air cleaner assembly to free up some light in the 2 Stall dungeon I’m working out off. Bedsides a copious coating of dust, debris and a stage one of a patina thread, I found the nesting place of an ice age species of wooly mice.
Ok, note to self. Clean and polish air cleaner assembly.
Its a bit dark in the garage. Reminds me of the heady days in the storage building teaching Fred how to remove old bed liner. Those were defiantly the “salad years”...but, despite the low light conditions, I managed to remove the steering wheel housing and install the new ignition switch. Plug and play. I was going to be done in no time.
I‘d removed the old starter, REMAN Napa offering, a few days ago. Had a clear shot to success. Installed the new grounding strap on the frame without issue. This was going smooooth. A little too smooth.
Piece of cake so far. Easy one banana job.
Now the hard part...squeezing my aching back-bulging disk-semi arthritic-can’t see-deteriorating motor skills-and give a sh#t attitude under the Mule, sans creeper. OK mission accomplished....Except the starter was lying on the garage floor about 4 ft out of reach...I did manage to reverse engineer my way from under the Mule and retrieve the starter.
Ok, one more time repeating the old man shuffle under the mule. 17mm socket in tow I start with the lower bolt and add the grounding strap. Just a few turns to hold it in place and then....the door bell rings.
Serpentine low crawl out from under the Mule, grab machete hanging on the back of the door, formulate plan to dispose of the body. Put on war face, open door. It’s the UPS man. Demeanor changes, happy face goes on.
Now this is where it goes off the rails.....Its a long over due package from H.S. Precission. It’s a custom stock for the Weatherby 06. That’s almost as good as a new T-case..Almost. Well, you can’t leave that
kind of eye candy in the box. One hour later, the Weatherby is sitting pretty with a new Vortex mounted.
better eat some lunch....With lunch under my belt I’m ready to re-engage. Phone rings, it’s my taxidermist. I have him on speed dial and a standing retainer.
”Jeff”?
“Yep”.
”Your deer is ready”.
”I’ll be right here”.
Sooooo, looks like I’ll be finishing up the starter swap on Wednesday.
