Conquest History - August 19, 2005

July 21st will henceforth be known as Black Thursday. Power to the electric radiator fans inexplicably failed and left me with a cracked cylinder head.

I flushed and replaced the oil after a couple of days. Coolant did not need to be drained, as there was none remaining in the system. Then the car sat in one place for four weeks while I attempted to find a willing repair shop in my area, and to procure numerous parts.

In the end, I was left with little choice but to have Sabrina towed 140 miles to Terrence so that he could bring her back to life. The effort was successful, but at a terrible monetary cost.

Besides replacing the head with a new Clearwater casting, he removed the radiator fan assembly, and installed a 17 inch aluminum PermaCool FlexFan. (This has subsequently proved to be inadequate, and must be augmented with additional cooling.) He also replaced the entire front suspension and ball joints, so at least I am a bit further on than I was before this all transpired. With new suspension on all four wheels, plus fat aftermarket sway bars, the car has probably never handled better than it does now.

So, I have traded the frustration of a broken car for the worry of being able to maintain it until the incurred debt can be paid. Only time will tell if it was the right decision. But for now, I'm driving a StarQuest, and that is a rare and special experience which cannot be measured quantitatively. Why else would anyone put up with them?