Tech day at Casa de Drake?

I'm in, Cory.

Some of you guys remember the 18-month process of creating my car. I recall posting pretty much every day that something new was happening, being added or deleted and eventually that lump of crap became a pretty cool car.

I had an awful lot of help from some really VW- and Porsche-savvy people to make that happen, but with a couple of exceptions my help has pretty well dried up lately -- each for a different reason.

I have been doing pretty well everything my car has needed over the last year. I've historically taken it to Sean Dowdle every spring for a freshening up, but he closed his shop last year and I haven't been over to Maryland's Eastern Shore to see him yet.

This year, I've been reading up and trying different methods of approach to all of the little things he usually does for me, from the carburetors to the shocks, and I'm pretty sure I've gotten everything right.

This week, I did the freshening up from start to finish without having to call in a professional. I'm only mentioning that here because there are a lot of us who either muddle through and break things while trying to fix them, or who are afraid to do exactly that, so we don't take after our cars with wrenches without somebody standing over our shoulders.

I've been fortunate enough to make good changes based on Muir's book, and another VW performance manual for hot-rodders, and I have a pile of notes which have been helpful to other folks over the last few months. I'm feeling pretty good about being able to lend a hand to several guys in my area, especially now that I've developed a pretty workable garage at the casa.

I'd like to host a pre-Carlisle gathering at my place for local guys who might want to tinker with their cars before the driving season starts. I have enough parking that we can get 10 Speedsters in front of the house, and there is a good possibility I could get Sean over if it's a weekend when he's available, or even Tif from Annapolis. Both guys are replica-friendly, and both have air-cooled skills like nobody's business.

If y'all are up for it, let me know here, and I'll try to come up with a date and an expert.

Sounds interesting. I might be in, let me know when you have a date.

I'm in. May not have a speedster in the road by then.

Count me in depending on date.

Copy that, guys. I'll see what I can do.

I'd like to come. Needing carb adjustment; more brains is better than none.

Cory,
I would like to make it as well - depending on dates etc.

If only I were closer or could make Carlisle this year. Never ceases to amaze me how people on this site are so helpful to one another.

Bob

I spoke to Sean today. He's a possibility -- unable to promise for certain -- on the last Saturday in March.

Rain date to be determined, but let's gun for that anyway. I have a small-ish Weber grill, so let's think about some kind of pot-luck lunch thing (or whatever).

To update the local celebrity possibilities, I have asked Tif if he might be able to make it on March 30 as well. He's also a possible now. We'll have the barbecue grill out for burgers and dogs, regardless.

Saturday the 31st is the date.

I was using the Mayan calendar. Oops.

I wonder if Gerd can make it?

Cory - What can we bring?

Well, Rob, pretty much whatever you'd like. There's only one eatery here, so I had figured to break out the Weber and grill outdoors while we poke over each others' cars. If you want to bring a dish to pass and some soda or beer, that'd be great!

If Sean and Tif can make it (and I'll be following that up NLT Wednesday), cool -- but otherwise lets bring what tools we need to tackle our last-minute or 'sooner-or-later' projects!

Who all is still planning on coming?

Me. What tine and what's your address?

Great. I will bring what I consider the appropriate beer considering the host, and one of my favorites. Hook & Ladder Backdraft Brown.
http://www.hookandladderbeer.com/Public/default.aspx

For GPS purposes, 372 Hall Road, Crownsville, 21032.

I'm a pretty big fan of that Hook and Ladder, Rob. Good stuff!

I'll have that hood badge for you, BTW. Bring a drill ...

Cory

What time again?

Hook and Ladder sounds great - can a civilian drink it?

I am going to try to get there - I got the engine reinstalled and started it today. Have to try it tomorrow and seat the new rings. Then I'll know for sure.

Paul

Any time after 10 a.m. is good for me, until five-ish? We can cruise somewhere for dinner, if that suits everyone. There's a Ram's Head about five minutes away on Generals Highway.

Forecast is rain.

I'm in unless it's blowing a gale.

Yikes!! That is this SAt. I could do w/ a carb tune up. No good if raining though, eh? After 10:00? Could do that, I 'spose . . .

I'm there, unless it's raining.

I will be there in spirit Cory. You helped me on some things that got me going. I know I appreciate the help a lot. Thanks!!!

Hey Kelly, get yours tuned up so you can drive it to dinner next week. See "Let's try this again" in the Events forum. See if you can convince Dory and Teresa to come too.

Odds of rain are now down to 40 percent for the region, with precipitation likely to concentrate in the mountains to the west and north to Fredneck.

I think we're going to be good, gents!

Anybody got a snail gauge? Mine was a casualty over winter.

Weather is going to be fine. See forecast valid at 11am. Rain is gone.

I have one each snail and Uni-syn

Lane in town?? RUN FOR THE HILLS!!!

I'll check out the events thing.

Seeing rain all day in Baltimore Saturday. Mid 50s and "few showers."

Sounds like a fine day of wrenching. Maybe get to test the new wipers & Rain-X combo.

I'll be here regardless ... I suppose we'll play it by ear.

Guys, I'm calling this off.

The weather forecast is getting gloomy, rain and 50s, and I don't think our guests are coming.

do not dispair, we can run this another time. I'll call you tomorrow when I free up, and we'll just see. Will be in the PM.

And cool is right. I liked the 70s we had recently a lot better. Home today doing taxes and such. Had the wood stove blasting all day.

Cory

I sure understand - it is dreary and cold. I hate driving when it is below the 60's. Let's try again another day...............but we are getting closer.

Called my tax man to see what he was doing and then made another trip to the wood pile. I'm with you Kelly.

Paul

Bummer..okay, will watch for a reschedule.

Bummer! Was was just getting ready to head down there.

Ah well. Looks like a day of damp landscaping instead. Will watch for the reschedule.

So nobody believed my forecast of no rain!

Bummer

The sun is out here and it's about 60 degrees. :+(
Paul

Checked my timing; looked good. Got my idle set to about 850 rpm & test drove her hoping I'd cured the backfire thing. Not quite. But now it makes this pop-burble noise on the downshifts. Runs fine. I think I got it a lot less rich now. We'll see what she does when it gets hot.

Spent the balance of the day with CR-6 crush-run, #57 stone, a tamper & a bunch of big EP Henry blocks. Made progress.

And it didn't rain a drop.

Think I got more done today than I would've,but I miss you guys.

Also: no beer.