I did clean my air filter, it didn't look that dirty but I blew it out with compressed air and to my surprise, wasn't that dusty. Taped up my solenoid wires where some of the wire was exposed due to burning, but I didn't replace them. I had 18 ga and 10 ga wire, so I'll wait until I get some 16 or 14 to do that. Starter wires where just burned on the outside but the cover was still somewhat flexible and no exposed wire, so I left it alone. Changed oil. Oil was last changed in October of last year. According to my odemeter, that was 3,962 miles ago. Not bad considering it leaks a little oil so I have to add a quart every so often, usually once a month, maybe two depending how often it was driven and I add a quart of Lucas about every 6 months. The oil felt fine, still slick, black as black, no metal was found on the plugs so that's a plus and the oil didn't have anything I could feel when I rubbed it between my fingers. All I've used is the cheapest oil I can find, typically Travelers from TSC or Supertech from Walmart, 15w-40 or 30sae and one gallon of Lucas.
I also plugged the line that went to the flame heater, no one has a 1/4" plug around here. Not napa, O'riellys, Menards, Lowe's, no one! 3/8" yes, not 1/4"
. I ended up cutting that line to a support and plugged it with a screw that I cut down and it actually fits the line perfect, added some fuel resistant sealant to the base of the screw and a little on the threads until I can get a plug to put in the IP. I know, that's some jerry rigging but it keeps the air out, and no fuel is able to sleep out.
Removed the crankcase breather tube, added new gasket and cleaned the tappet covers off. Repainted dipstick since it was covered in soot. Of course my new wire for my temperature gauge to the sending unit was burned, the rubber plug even melted but it's still connected and working, so I retaped that, zip tied the wire to the air line and breather hose so it no longer makes contact to the engine. Drained primary fuel canister and only fuel came out, no water, so that's a plus. Checked passenger front wheel, boot looks to be intact, nothing melted from the heat of the brake sticking, no leakage either that I can tell, but I won't be surprised if it develops one soon, especially if that axle seal was compromised in any way by that heat. I'll probably change the fuel filters tomorrow and then it should be all set to go. Hopefully it makes it down to Indiana and back with no issues, but at least I do have a friend coming so I'll have a support vehicle if something does go wrong, but let's hope not!
