I just wanted to get you guys up to date on somethings we have been doing at practice. We purchased a van back in July. The thing is, we have only taken it to 2 shows. It started leaking transmission fluid coming back from Nates Sports Bar in Gulfport MS back in August. At first I thought it was just the pan gasket, so we changed that. Still leaks! It ends up being the pump seal. After a lot of beer and cigarettes, we ended up saying we are going to tackle the job to save money. WELL, we took the transmission out in Nov. and it’s still on the ground today. Haha!

On the first day, we took the transmission out and we thought we messed up the engine, but the engines going to move when you take it apart from the transmission. We got the transmission out from under the van and found out that we were going to need a bearing, so we packed up and went to Baton Rouge to play that night without the van.

The second night we were out there, to put the seal and bearing on, we found out we had to take the pump out to get the new bearing in and when it was almost back together with it, it started raining. Picture me, Ross and Paul out in the middle of the rain, Paul is holding the transmission straight up on a center block, while Ross is holding the light and helping me keep the transmission steady so I can tighten the bolts and I’m tightening up the bolts as fast as I can to get it back together, so it doesn’t get wet.

The third trip, I found out that the person who worked on the transmission before put the pump gasket in the wrong place, so we had to take the pump back out and put another gasket in the right spot. Now the transmission is ready to go back in the vehicle. This next trip should be it, but I’m not counting on it. You never know what can happen.

I will keep you updated and take some pics of the van the next time we are out there to let you guys see what I’m talking about. Till then, wish us luck!

Adam- bassist in Hamelin