Had some down-time between edits on subway training materials, so I took the opportunity to get more work done on the 108 and Loader-Mutt today... Checked out the rebuilt steering column on the 108... works great, but need to shorten the drag link just a hair... turns tighter left than right. Once I've got it centered, I'll probably relocate the knuckle's drag-link hole to get a few more degrees... if I'm ambitious, I might weld on some gussets while I"m at it. Did do some carb adjustment, and it's running really nice now, so I left the points alone. Only thing left is a new clutch disk, and it'll be a winner!
Loader-Mutt got a baptism of HyTran today- I snugged down all the hydraulic fittings on the loader and steering circuits, then filled the Johnson's reservoir with precious red fluid... jacked up the front axle an inch, and started whirlin' the steering wheel... after a few turns with nothin' more than a little buzzing, the reservoir started to gurgle, so I topped it again, and few more turns and the front wheels started movin... little more purging, and now she steers totally hydraulically. Haven't hooked up the pump yet, gonna start the engine and get the initial warmup and retorquing done first. Gone for a few days later this week, but at the rate I'm goin, I'm hopin' to have a fully operational Loader-Mutt midway through next week...
