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July 31, 2008
Posted: 05:46 PM ET

We bugged out of Hoover Dam to get breakfast, pick up a FedEx package ( more on that later) and arrange our next biofuel fill up. It gets hot here fast.

scout.haycock

We filled up at Haycock before heading to Arizona.

Earlier, when we arrived at Hoover Dam at sunrise, it took less than an hour for the sun to reach scorching intensity.

And the next few days don’t look any cooler. My iPhone weather outlook shows triple-digit temperatures through early next week.

Meanwhile, as we attempt to drive from California to Georgia on biodiesel fuel, our 1978 Scout is thirsty, and Haycock Petroleum came through for us. Haycock is a wholesaler to area Sinclair stations, which in turn sell B5 to retail consumers. Although we aren’t a retailer, Haycock let us fill up the Scout and a fuel can with their higher-blend fuel. Maybe this will get us to Grand Canyon.

C ya,

Cody

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Filed under: Environment • Road trip


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Franko   July 31st, 2008 10:55 pm ET

See if you can fry an egg on the hood.
If not, then you have disproved Global Warming !

Gene   August 1st, 2008 8:23 am ET

“Earlier, when we arrived at Hoover Dam at sunrise, it took less than an hour for the sun to reach scorching intensity.” ? I think the sun’s intensity did not change. Only your perception of it.

Same with many other things human. We believe our perceptions, rather than the realities. It makes rational decisions difficult.

Eugene   August 1st, 2008 9:15 am ET

The answer to the energy crisis and the immigration answer may be the same. Lets not sell gas to illegals. We can probably save 5 million gallons a day. On the reverse side, if they cant get gas, they will all go back home!

Sandra, Wadley Georgia   August 1st, 2008 9:38 am ET

Good morning Cody and Brian,

Thank you for your report from Hoover Dam; it was great. However, at that height, I would have been speechless. Good luck on your way to the Grand Canyon. The view from the skywalk will be absolutely breathtaking. There is so much beauty all around us; I would like to see the beauty of the rainforests with its inhabitants survive as well. Thanks for trying to search out answers to our energy crisis. Try and stay cool and drink plenty of fluids. God Bless you.

Nic "Scoutman" Hawker   August 1st, 2008 10:14 am ET

Hi Cody, I left some tips on how to stay cool in a Scout on the “Desert Heat” blog comments.
Good Luck and Happy Scouting,
Nic

Franko   August 1st, 2008 2:01 pm ET

” I think the sun’s intensity did not change” - Greater attenuation at horizon.
Technically correct. Feeling warm, not a chainlink, to Sun’s temperature control
Feeling warm, at noon, perception or real ?.

“Lets not sell gas to illegals”
Lucky that aliens are picking fruit and doing the jobs US considers inhuman.
The International Tapeworm favors US, aliens fleeing US imperialism effects.

Dieselscout   August 1st, 2008 11:40 pm ET

Good luck on your trip. I’ve been running a Diesel Scout for 21 years, and enjoy its reliable torque and smooth, steady power. Since biodiesel has been available around here for the past few years, I have been buying it. I’ve thought of putting in some equipment to process Waste Vegetable Oil into a motor fuel, but there are health and property (safety) concerns.
Be sure to keep plenty of fuel filters. A primary filter could be helpful too.
If your temps creep up going through the desert or the Texas panhandle area, just slow down. Pushing for higher speed on a hot day causes excesive heat which the Scout can’t dissipate if the ambient temp is too high.

Again, good luck and happy Scouting.

Dieselscout

Nathan   August 3rd, 2008 2:02 am ET

Might want to check on what ever fuel line you purcase as a replacement. Autozone sells bulk line pretty cheep but ask and make certain you wont have the same problem with it as the surgical tubing. With a 1978 disel motor I predict problems for you in the near future, unless it has been rebuilt recently with a conversion kit. Last I checked the seals and such in the engine were rubber back then so part of your problem might be those deteriorating rather than just the fuel hoses. Once you get the hoses and filter replaced you might check and see if puting in a bottle of STP Disel additive would help or not. Good source of information for you would be http://www.journeytoforever.com (I think thats the url) They had a similar trip back in 2003 when I was researching Biodisel.

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