Ivy Branch August 2024 update:
TS Debbie moves into eastern NC Thursday morning - same day we leave for West VA. We towed through it most of the day. Jeep and 4 runner ok the trailer were pretty soggy when we arrived at 11:30 pm Thursday night. My view while driving:
Stayed at the cabins at the Ivy trailhead. I think these are the nicest accomodations we've ever had while wheeling - we usually camp.
Friday morning breakfast, find some fuel, buy trail passes when they open at 9 and Venture out on the trails.
Making out way up a green a black then another black to get to the "90's double blacks". While on black trail 71, working up a very dusty incline theres a few small rock shelves spaced the same as my wheelbase. Procede to "bump it". Then more throttle ... BANG CLANG SLAP FLAP FLAP FLAP. Tore both motor mounts apart and the 440 is leaning to driver and the fan is self clearancing the shroud. (Fortunately this is the shroud out of the donor Dodge that is in about three pieces now and held together with tie wraps so it's rather "flexible" and the only other casualty was a few tie wraps). Ease it back down, take some greens back to camp while calling local parts stores. Find a pair of mounts up in Charleston so head out to pick those up and an engine lift. My son, Johny, has the genius plan to use the neck of the goose to hoist the engine so we can return the lift unused.
We had four or five straps at various angles and lift points and he was under it telling me which way to lift. He's always been a good wrench, but I was very impressed with his ambition and MacGuiver skills
These mounts were about a year old. Replaced them with the same stock junk and were back on the trail by 2. However the new mounts are about shot again, I really need to fab mounts that use leaf bring bushings instead of these.
Find BJ's 4 runner and his BIL in his SXS at the bottom of trail 68 I think. BJ's runner is on 38's and up to the doors in a mud hole. Winch is out but not able to do the deed. Hook the jeep and a few sling shot womps and he's out again.
Now back to the plan and drop into double black 92. Fun creek trail, get hemmed up and wedge in section enough to pull cable to get to this point and then drive out. Fun little waterfall ledge at the exit requires a bump and throttle to get out.
Then the new sniper fuel pump has a new sound and eventually lost fuel pressure. Struggle to reprime and search for leaks. Pulling the outlet hose off results in a fuel shower, but it does reprime. Do this three times to get back to camp.
It's about 6 o'clock another member of the crew is about to arrive with his boys and dirt bikes so we call it, head back and make fajitas.
Make another parts run for fuel hose and clamps because it sounds like the pump is pulling air. Get back and my son Johny straightens out some hose that was getting softer with heat and kinking, causing the fuel to cavitate. So that's all straightened out, pump sounds like it should and fuel pressure is now constant 55 psi. Ready for another day of hopefully more wheeling and less wrenching.
Got to go make pancakes - another update after today.
