Hello list,
I would consider it a personal favor if everyone would take a moment sometime
today and turn towards Huntsville, Alabama just to give a nod of respect to
Kerry Pinkerton. Kerry embodies the best qualities of this list, helpful,
thoughtful, and wonderfully friendly. I bought my Imperial from him 15 months
ago.
My daughter finished her sophomore college exams Friday and I had planned to
drive up to Sewanee, Tennessee (about 300 miles) to bring her home for Mother's
Day. My '73 LeBaron (known as Silent Bob) was thoroughly checked out and ready
for the trip, so son Jamie and I set out Saturday morning at 7:00--a lovely
drive, a terrific car, and fresh R134a in the A/C system for when the
temperature began to rise.
We had some difficulty with overheating after about two hours on the
interstate, but I expected that. (Has anyone tried "Water Wetter" or similar
products in a 440?)
After negotiating the interstate bypass through Huntsville, Silent Bob died in
traffic, exhibiting symptoms of vapor lock, fuel pump failure, or out-of-gas.
The gas gauge is inop so I carry a 2.5 gallon gas can in the trunk. Two gallons
in the tank and a splash into the Edelbrock eliminated diagnoses (1) and (3),
and being in a strange city on a Saturday, I called Kerry. He showed up in
about 30 minutes with tools and a fuel pump from O'Reilley's and quickly
changed out the pump with some help from Jamie.
The car was still no-start, so Kerry checked the fuel pump pushrod and
determined that it was worn. A few calls determined that no pushrod was
available on Saturday afternoon, though just about any parts house could have
one by Monday. Kerry then offered to trailer the car to his home and lend us a
pickup truck to complete our mission. We gratefully accepted, and quicker than
it takes to tell it, Kerry was back with the trailer and his son Chris driving
his "spare" pickup. We loaded up Silent Bob, tossed our overnight bag into the
truck, and motored on.
Of course, when we arrived, daughter Lauren had not packed, so we spent the
evening packing, moved her things that she planned to leave at Sewanee to a
storage locker, and finally loaded up and drove home in Kerry's truck Sunday
morning so Lauren's mom got to see her on Mother's Day. We will make a run next
Sunday to return the pickup and bring Silent Bob home. Kerry called this
morning to make sure we had gotten home safely and to say that he had gotten a
pushrod and would be changing it out this week.
It has not (yet) been my pleasure to spend much time with Kerry, but from our
phone conversations and his honest assessment of Silent Bob when I purchased
him, I know Kerry is a good guy and a straight shooter. His helpful response
this weekend went far beyond the norm of "acquaintance-ship." He saved our
bacon on a hot, difficult day, and I owe him a debt of gratitude.
Thanks, Kerry! I hope you are never broken down on the side of the road in
Meridian, Mississippi (or anywhere near), but if you should be, I would be
honored and happy to return the favor!
Jay King
Meridian, Mississippi
<a href=mailto:j_king@xxxxxxxxx>j_king@xxxxxxxxx</a>
Honey Gold 1973 LeBaron 4DHT
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