Homecoming

[Tom Mandera <tsm1@domain.elided>]

Well, at 7pm Mountain time tonight the tow truck backed my beloved 1972 
Scout II into it's spot in front of the garage.. then it was time to gasp 
at the garish Yuma Iridium Yellow paint (it *does* grow on you after 
you're subjected to it for a year or so..), and take inventory of what's 
what.

Visible damage?  Aside from the floor padding torn up, the door gasket 
removed, seat not bolted down tight, and a few wires disconnected in the 
cab (all to be expected if the guy was going to fix the body mounts and 
floor), about the only thing I noticed was the rear fenders.. both sides, 
just behind the wheel well and before the end-cap, have been kicked in.  
It certainly wasn't like that when I dropped it off!  The dent on the 
passenger side has a scrape metal deep.. without rust, so it's fresh.

It seems my junk is still inside (transfered my 
brand-new-still-in-the-wrapper 3"x30' tow strap and my 31x10.5 tire 
chains to my '77).

Popped the hood to look around.. the dipstick shows dirty oil (mebbe I 
shoulda changed it sooner?.. heh), but nothing else.  Pull the oil cap, 
and I can't see any sand or other bad items inside.. 

Spark plugs appear to have remained in the motor.. haven't checked the 
gas tank.  Carb is still clean.

Battery is DEAD.  He left the cables connected, and the ignition ON.. 
moron is lucky it doesn't have a (would've been blown) Gold Box..

Is there anything else I should look for before I try to jump start the 
304 and let it breathe for the first time in 9 months?  I forgot what a 
"full" motor looked like (vs. my "half" 196).

Scheduling conference tomorrow at 10am, followed by "discovery" and a 
court date probably in April.. 

I'll probably get started cleaning up the '72 before long.. Julie is 
already anxious.  (I think she just wants a couple of the CDs from the 
changer that I can't get out at the moment..)

Oh... and she had fun driving the lifted '77 tonight.. and I caught 
myself looking at it at work today wondering, "Boy, that thing sits kinda 
low.. maybe it needs MORE lift.."

Man does my "big" '72 (304!) look awfully small sitting on 25yr stock 
springs and 235/75R15s parked right next to my "little" (196) '77 riding 
on my 31x10.5s and the 4" Skyjacker springs.. what a difference *that* makes!

-Tom Mandera, Helena MT
Very Proud owner of TWO IH Scout IIs
'72 Scout II - Home At Last!
'77 Scout II - 196,4.09s,4" springs, 31s, trac-lok, air, and other doo-dads