Crow Mountain Race Report
by Dave Hester

      Chattanooga had several folks represented at the First Annual Crow Mountain Hillclimb in Scottsboro, AL. On the way down, with David McDaniel following, we had an axle bearing go south at the Alabama/ Tennessee line.... Ok, the WHOLE trailer was going South, but bearing burned up.
An hour in the parking lot of the South Pittsburg NAPA dealer and we were back on the road.
      First run up the mountain and I noticed steering was getting difficult in the turns. It seemed strange, as I had checked the fluid level before we left. About 1/2 way up I looked in the rearview mirror and noticed a BIG blue Vortex of smoke coming off the last corner. I was wondering if Ford had used a Lucas Steering Pump, since I noticed it wasn't working after I unknowingly let all the 'magic smoke' out of it. (See the 'Magic Smoke' for yourself):
 http://www.rocketcityrockcrawlers.com/trailpicts/CrowMountain/IMG_4807.JPG_s.htm
      A quick trip into town... Well, as quick as you can make a 12 mile journey-one way- on a 49cc scooter, and I was back with a quart of Valvoline steering pump fluid. A quick start of the engine revealed, not a bad pump, but a small hole in the high pressure line. DUH!
With David's help we got the line off and headed off to see if anyone had a way to patch up the hole.
We decided to cut the old line and put a metal tube connector in the line.
      Someone asked J.K. Jackson if he had a barbed tube. " Like this?," he asked, and held one up for all to see. Well close. "What do you need it for?" We told him it was to patch a 6 - braided power steering line. "You mean like this?" and he brought out a 24 inch - 6 braided line with AN fittings on each end. it was exactly what I needed. I'll never make fun of English cars again... Maybe."Yeah!" I asked, "How much?", He said, "Oh, just trade me some beer... a case of beer.... make it Natural Lite." Twenty minutes and a case of beer later, I was back up the mountain.
      Special thanks to David McDaniel for all his help. Of course, J.K.. All the CRSCCA workers, Bill, Gail, Will, Jamie (belated Happy  Birthday!), Mike, Janice, Ruthie, Art, Chuck and Peyton. And...a 'Special' Thanks to Chief Cat Herder, Linda. Also thanks to Mark, John, George, and All the other many workers that made the event possible. We had area car clubs, (there was even a 4x4 club on the corners!!), radio hams, fire fighters, EMS, wrecker folks, local high school band and host of others.
All in all, a very interesting weekend.