The truck was performing better than expected, but I was losing a touch of oil. Travelling the interstates at ~70 mph, and given tire size and gearing, the old truck was revving about 2850 rpms. Perhaps some oil loss was expected. The transmission housing did have some oil on the outside, so I suspected valve covers. A rear main seal was ruled out as there was no clutch slippage or drips at the front of the bell housing. We were in Nebraska and heading to Hastings. Scenery a bit flatter than the neighboring Wyoming.





I've always considered 3 my lucky number, so I had to capture this....





My stop in Hastings on Friday was at the World Headquarters of Imperial Wheeling Machines. My good friend Pat Brubaker, the owner, dug up a ratchet, extension, and socket so I could snug up the valve cover bolts. The rear bolt on the drivers side proved to be the (a) culprit, with a good two turns to snug up the bolt. After talking shop with Pat, he suggested (as did others) that I stop at the Speedway Motors Museum of American Speed in Lincoln, NE. Quite a bit to take in...











I did find an engine I could use for the new shop truck...





and what is likely the first ramp truck in existence.











Next we headed into Iowa, and a visit that has been on the bucket list for quite some time...

















Quite a step back in time.....and the visit would not be complete without a picture in front of the mural...




I could have stayed for a day or two, but didn't want to wear out Joe's hospitality. That, and there was a storm heading in and I wanted to stay in front of it..

I headed the more southerly route on I-74 to bypass Chicago and head towards Cincinnati for our next shop tour, set up for Saturday morning. I drove into Indiana and found a rest stop. And set the alarm for 430.