For the past week, the bus has been parked in the camping area of the East Tennessee Crank Up. I have attended at least 25 of the 41 shows (8 do not count since I had not been born yet), and do not plan to miss any in the near future. I have been working on the show grounds doing everything from carpentry (building a new engine shed) and plumbing, to major electrical repairs and design engineering (making a new bronze bushing for the clutch pulley on the Mogul engine I will be using to power my wood lathe).
All of these engines have been sitting idle since last October when they were winterized by draining any water to prevent freezing damage. It is a great feeling when you hear them take off for the first time in 7 months, and you see the spiders and mud daubers fly out of the tired exhaust pipes.
I hope to be able to make several videos of the starting process of these engines. There are some similarities in starting methods, but they all require a little tweaking to make them run. I will also be turning wooden bowls on my antique lathe, which is something I have loved doing since I practiced the art in college.
I grew up oiling and fueling these engines, now I am one of the operators that makes it possible to run these for the show. Unlike most other shows I have attended, this is a small and very close knit show. If you show up and want to learn how to start and run these engines, we will be happy to show you. I love getting greasy and keeping these awesome historical pieces in working condition, and I love passing on my knowledge to anyone who is interested in learning.
Admission to the show is $4.00 per person, kids under 12 are free.
If you are in East Tennessee this coming weekend (May, 31 – June, 2nd) head on over and check out the engines. I will be easy to find, look for the big greasy bald guy with a smile on his face.
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| From Johnson City, take Exit 27 off I-26-Left to stop sign-Left on South Roan St.-(0.1 mile)-Right on Okolona Rd. (1 1/2 miles)- Right on State Route 361 (4 miles)-Right on Sciota Rd. (1 mile) to 2045 Sciota Rd. Elizabethton, TN 37643
From Boone, NC area take Hwy. 321 to Hampton, TN-Turn left on 19E-go approximately 1 mile-Turn right on Gap Creek Rd. (TN 361)-(2.5 miles)-Turn left on Dry Creek Rd. (TN 361)-(2.6 miles)- Turn left on Sciota Rd.-1 mile on right |
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