May 17 -- nothing ventured, nothing gained

Well, the day did not go as planned.  The plan was to go biking, instead "stuff" was accomplished.

I started off by removing engine parts in the way of even seeing the alternator in all its glory.  That was mainly the air filter box but extends to the breather at the front of the engine.  I decided then that I might be able to do this, and started calling around for the alternator.  My first call was to Napa Auto Parts in Sudbury, figuring that if they actually had it in stock, Sandy could pick it up.

Well, they didn't have it but would be able to have it by first thing this morning, i.e. Saturday 18th.  He wasn't sure which style was the correct one, so I went online and looked at them while he was on the phone.  We still couldn't nail it down but he said that he'd be able to bring both ones in and we could then pick the correct one.  I'd have to pay in advance, of course, for one of them. 

Ok, says I.  I'll get back to you.  I talked to Sandy who said that she could go into Sudbury one day later and I looked more closely at the alternator in the car, comparing with the pictures on pelicanparts.com.  I could see a difference in the snorkel / air intake with one being squared off as it comes out of the alternator.  Looking at the one in the car, that's the one that matched.  I called Napa back and ordered the part.

So ... it was then time to go past the point of know return, so to speak.  I disconnected the radiator hose, necessary to get a wrench in there, and dumped a little coolant on the tray below.  David was up, so he was helping me and proved to be invaluable.  With the hose off, I then used the allen key with an extension and loosened and removed the serpentine belt.  Hey -- I know how to do that now ! 

The next part was difficult, removing the freewheeling pulley from the front of the alternator.  The bolt for that is one of the two supporting bolts.  The problem was that I couldn't get the wrench in there because it was backing into the electric fan (there is no motor-driven fan).  However, I found a shallower 16mm socket and with a little elbow grease, got it moving.

Long story short, that bolt plus the one down below it, took some fiddling to get out.  Once out, the alternator would move but it's a very snug fit.  David pulled at the alternator while I used a screwdriver to give it a little boost and it loosened up and wiggle, wiggle, wiggle, we got it past the various hoses.  

Victory ... or at least 1/2 victory !  Installation will be at least as difficult, but at least we know that it's do-able.  Sandy should be back with the alternator today and tomorrow will be re-installation day.

With a chunk of the morning gone, I decided that I'd do other projects around here and save the riding until Saturday.  So ... with David's help ... the Muskoka chairs came out; the traveling storage bins were put away along with the hitch rack; the snow toys were put away (left in the boathouse at Christmas); the Whaler was put into the water, started right up; a bunch of wood was moved from the woodshed to the woodbox by the house; the driveway was semi-smoothed out (ruts from Spring softness during final plowing); etc. etc.  The day went by.

I also went into town and picked up gas, mail and minnows.  David and I will go fishing tonight.  It's too cool in the morning -- 37F right now.

We had a beer / glass of wine in the gazebo with Jason & Lorraine around 5pm ... hey, it's summer, right ?

Well, it's not quite summer.  The water temperature is way down -- 58 according to my depth finder.  A couple of years ago we had the water temperature over 80 this weekend, which turned out to be as high as it got all summer. 

I swapped computers , which was relatively quick.  Later in the evening, I also re-jiggered the TV setup, bypassing the Harmon Kardon 60hz hum (long story).  I don't need surround sound in the den anyway.  I do need an HDMI cable, because the inexpensive 32" flat screen TV here in the den has a limited number of inputs.  I ordered same to be delivered to Jeffrey's.

We had what-Sandy-calls-veal-sausage for dinner, but it's actually Bratwurst, no veal involved.  Green beans and roasted potato wedgies completed the picture.

Abby is enjoying being back at the cottage.  Chili stays busy chasing rocks in the cover.  Today Noodles will be there too, since Mike and Jill arrived last night.  Kyle also arrived, so they'll have a house-full.

Onward ...

The sky is turning a rose colour.  Soon the sun will be up and another day will be upon us.

Onward !