[Wayne 962]

Okay, I just had to vent......the garage that is. I have to drop the 356 engine, because the clutch went out on it, and needs to be replaced. Never quite done this one before, but the sources tell me that I could do it in an hour. No problem, except that I accidentally miscalculated how much clamping I would need on the gas line.

Can't say I enjoy having gas squirted into my mouth and face. Anyone agree with me?

The first reaction is to get the hell out of there. Then, after taking large gulps of air, you think, ok, how stable are those halogen lamps on stands that the gasoline is now flowing past?

Okay, grab a big gulp of air, and run inside the garage to the toolbox. Grab the visegrips (all of them, don't make the mistake I made tonite, oh, I only need one more...)...run back out side. Gasp, gasp, gasp. pant,pant,pant.

Assess the damage...about a pint to a quart, and still coming out quite quickly.Grab a big gulp of air, run back into the garage, carefully grab the FLOURESCENT lamp, and dive under the side of the car. Where the **** is the gas line, I can't see it...lungs really wanting air, take a sample small breath

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Okay, blackout almost, run back out of garage...where the heck is that line. Run back in (after taking a big gulp of air) and dive further under the car. There's the line. Clamp down and run back out.

Still streaming out. Crap (and assorted obscenities). Consider calling FireDept. Potential embarrassment = HIGH. Risk fire instead.

Run back into toolbox, grap visegrip. Run out gasp, gasp, gasp. Run back, dive under car, clamp down. Crap, guessed wrong, too loose. Adjust, clamp, crap, breath coming. Damn, lots of fumes under here, must get out.

(repeat previous paragraph three more times).

Check to make sure that the gas was turned off (ooops, it was on RESERVE, crap, I wish I could read German (handle is written in German)).

Gas has stopped flowing. Smells like gas wherever I go because...you know...

Get large roll of paper towels, and start mopping up spill, run back outside, gasp, gasp. Getting slight headache now...

Head inside to check the room kindof above the garage (wife sleeping). Doesn't smell any worse inside than in the hallway, although I probably can't tell being somewhat smelly myself.

Carefully mop up the rest, and carefully pull electrical cords out of gas puddle. Good, it's stopped now. Come upstairs, take long shower, come out sit down and write BBS about my stupid mistake...

-Wayne


[This message has been edited by Wayne at Pelican Parts (edited 06-08-2001).]