Monthly Archive for December, 2016

Tools for Trannies

p1060995So update on the rally FX16. I spent a day getting the broken axle spud out of the transaxle. I first tried to drill and tap a hole in the broken piece. I was able to drill a decently deep hole to start, but when I tried to go up to the proper size for the tap I wanted to use I didn’t go anywhere. Tried to use next size down tap, ended up snapping it. Oh well, there was enough of a hole to insert a bolt then hit it with the MIG welder. It was proving difficult, I was doing this with it still in the car. Finally dropped the transaxle out and got the bolt welded, a slide hammer on it, and the piece extracted. Unfortunately it looks like there’s some damage.

So now I need to open up the tranny to get the diff out. Another roadblock is the need to extract the 5th gears which are really tight clearance. My common two arm adjusty arm puller is too thick. Bunch of searching found straight arm pullers look like it would work. Further searching and I found Grainger stocks the right size Proto, at a premium price, ouch! I don’t mind investing in tools, this was a bit steep, but it is USA made. Of course that is not end of story. It’s too thick, so here I am taking a grinder to a brand new expensive tool! Ah well, it works.

Beer Is Good – North Coast Old Rasputin


On tap on nitro. Creamy strong head. Pretty strong hop, but mitigated by dark roast. Butt kicking 9% ABV does give it the alcohol presence in the middle, but its pretty sneaky. I am thoroughly enjoying this.

4 out 4 Russian monkeys.

 

 

Beer is Good – Sam Adams Winter Lager

Pours a dark amber with medium head. Bright aroma of the orange peel without being identifiable. The adjunct spices are unidentifiable also but lend to the brightness and warmth. A little bit of bitter gives way to a nice malt grain finish. Carbonation goes away quickly giving it a medium mouthfeel.

Im finding myself enjoying this quite a bit. Easily 3 out 4 spice monkeys.

Beer Is Good – Kizakura “Flavor of Sake Brewery” (Kura no kaori)

p1060992The last of the Kizakura brews I’m trying ends up being one of the first the company made. Kizakura us actually a sake brewery, so I guess it shouldn’t be a shock to see that this beer is brewed using sake yeast. That claims to give it a more sake flavor. Pours a light cloudy amber with light head. No really strong aroma, there is a fair amount of tang that come to the brink of being sour. This has ended up being quite a light beer, light in body and taste. While not horrible, not one of the more interesting brews.

2 out of 4 sake brewery monkeys.

Beer Is Good – Anchor Porter

p1060991Usually see Anchor Steam so when I came across this at Foodland, had to get it. Pours black, heavy head. Roast malt aroma, but not smokey. Balanced hop gives it some bitter, but well moderated. Medium thick mouthfeel. Gets better as it warms. Am I just too happy to find a nice dark?

3 out 4 dark monkeys.

 

Patagonia Black Hole Snow Roller 167

p1060987OK, I know everyone calls it Patagucci, but I have to admit that the Patagonia clothing I have is well made and is worth what I paid. I’ve been looking for a snowboard bag with wheels and this came up. Even at discount, still some good chunk of change. But it is well constructed, heavy hypolon like material, padded panels on all sides, stiff plastic sheet on lower third where wheels are does allow bag to be folded in half when empty. Continue reading ‘Patagonia Black Hole Snow Roller 167’