VW Kombi(07.06.2006)

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Attention: My camera is now lost so I can't take any more pictures for now.

• I own a Alaska State registered 1972 Volkswagen Kombi (AKA Microbus AKA Transporter). It's got 40-65 horsepower. I still haven't figured out yet because it's on it's second engine which is Type IV. It came from Maryland and made it's way to Juneau. Yes that's right, it survived the Alaskan Canadian Highway.
  
  Here's a picture from the side with the sliding door open:
  
• Here's the front:
  
• Notice all the soot on the back, it's running a bit rich.
  
• The engine is a 4 cylinder air-cooled boxer. That's right, there is no "radiator" or "water pump". It's a rear engined beastie.
  
• The steering wheel is big because it's manual steering. I hate power steering personally because it can be a point of failure that renders a vehicle stationary. I drove my 1996 Chevy Cavalier and the power steering fluid pump seized. This caused the main belt that powers the alternator and water pump to snap. The vehicle then quickly overheated and was unfit to drive until the belt and fluid pump were replaced. Manual steering thank you.
  
• Here's the view from the driver's seat:
  
• It's a 4 speed manual with reverse on the left. Manual steering and manual transmission is the only way to go.
  
• It's also equipped with my custom LM555 oscillator-relay turn signals. Two summers ago the kombi didn't have the turn signals because somebody snapped off the turn-signal tree. I didn't understand the manual switches so I designed, built, and installed this replacement. You flip the left "light switch" up for left or the right "light switch" for right. As you can tell I like manual, that's why these turn signals are manual too. When you are done turning you have to turn them off. The turn signals oscillate while the two lights indicate direction on the dash. There is also the familiar clicking sound that the relays make. For emergency situations I installed a red hazard switch on the dash that activates both lights in sequence for hazards. If you flip both "light switches" up, the lights are not in sync and the kombi looks like it's going schizo. The left side and right side will blink at different times in the ultimate amalgamation of confusion.
  
• These intakes are on the rear on the sides. They suck in fresh air to try to keep the engine cool enough to run.
  
• Pure VW.
  
• The rear bumper perspective:
  
• Proof of ownership:
  

Alaska Trip Trivia

• The answer to last weeks trivia challenge is parsley.

• Andy's Boiled & Baked Tofu Supreme

  • Buy a package of firm tofu and put it in a freezer.
  • When it is an ice block, or later at your convenience, boil a pot of water.
  • When the water boils, put the tofu in the boiling water.
  • Check it with a knife, try to poke through the center. If you can do this easily then you are ready for the next stage. Usually this takes 15-25 minutes.
  • Preheat your oven for 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Drain your tofu in a colander. Then place the pot you used to boil the tofu on top of the tofu in the colander. Put 3-5 heavy soup cans in the pot. This weight will drain the water and condense the tofu.
  • Wait a good 10-15 minutes or so for the oven to preheat and the tofu to compress.
  • Inject some marinade into the tofu. Some soy sauce or brags liquid aminos works well. Take care with the quantity and distribution of the marinade into the tofu. N.B. Tofu has no salt or taste so you need to provide all of this via the marinade injection.
  • Grease a pan with some of your favorite vegetable oil.
  • Lightly coat the tofu with a little vegetable oil.
  • Bake for 20 minutes, flip tofu.
  • Flip twice more at 10 minute or so intervals.
  • Remove from oven, let cool, and enjoy. Cut it up for a nice tofu burger.

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