Well, I have not logged in a long while. I hate to start with a personal note, but for those of you who I know so well I will offer a personal update.

I have basically given up on finding another job in my dying industry. I took a job as a Service Advisor at a very good, high volume Chrysler Dodge dealer about 60 miles outside the Dallas area. Except for the terrible antiquated Unix based computer system we use, I'm enjoying this job very much. It's not near as much money as I was making in the software industry but it is paying much more than I thought it would. The auto industry has changed for the better since I was in it last.

I am enjoying this so much because I'm finally away from the fifteen years in the pressure cooker of the software industry. The people where I work now are just as dedicated to their jobs, but much looser and a lot of fun to be around. And besides I'm now involved with cars instead of software on a daily basis. For me, the eternal carnut, that is a very good thing.

Because of the reduced income I will be selling my C240. My 300E is on the road and reliable but needs some going over. What I have decided to do is get back on my 240D and repair the original engine and put it back in the car and do a little sprucing up on it. Not a restoration, but just getting everything cosmetically and mechanically "ship shape."

The original engine is on one of my engine stands in the shop. It lost oil pressure, but I got it shut down reasonably quickly. It only had about 120,000 on the rebuild when this happened, so I will; turn the crankshaft, do a valve job, use new rings and bearings and, of course replace everything oil pressure related including the fuel pump and the drive gear pieces.

The 240D is really good to drive on country roads and that's all I drive now. It's 35 miles to work, 20 on narrow, winding, hilly farm roads and 15 on an ultra wide two lane with a 70MPH limit.

Once I'm done with Ol' Silver, then I will put my stick shift 300E in my shop and do some cosmetics, suspension work and a few various things that are not life threatening but need attention.

I have missed logging on as often as I did. I have greatly appreciated the private messages of help and encouragement that I have gotten from everyone.

I will be posting from time to time about my 240D project. I will be starting by stripping the engine the rest of the way and cleaning out all the debris from the oil pressure loss. I will have to remove the valve galley balls so I can scrub and brush all the oil passages. I posted a question about that some time ago, so I guess its time to search the answer and get started.

Have a great day,