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Tuesday a week ago I decided to drive my truck to work since my driver was in storage, swapping it for our RV which was at home, loaded up for the Topeka trip on Wednesday. I got $20 in gas and when I fired the truck back up, white smoke blew everywhere from the exhaust and the truck seemed to be missing. I limped the 1/2 mile to work, put in a 1/2 shift as planned then fired up the truck again to go home (after checking the fluids and a check under the rest of the engine compartment-nothing amiss). The truck started but again ran rough, and smoking all over. I thought that maybe the vendor put diesel into the underground fuel tank but decided to try to make it home since it was around 2am. It took 45 minutes to go the 8 miles (and remember I have those 10% grades to climb as well). By the time I hit the top I was in 1st gear and 4 mph, and now overheating to go with the miss in the engine. I parked on the street since the truck was so hot, hoping the cool air would let me get it started later in the day. No go-I had to rely on the starter to limp it in gear the 25 feet into the garage. This just sucks, and the timing couldn't have been worse since we were hitting the road = no time to check it out, other than to now find coolant in the oil!
Anyway, 2 days later we arrived in Topeka, late, and some of the MVPA guys were outside in the dark parking lot, just winding down from Day One. Among them was John Bizal of Midwest Military who I first met in Topeka in 2010. After renewing acquaintances I explained my dilema-John identified the problem as likely a blown head gasket which was a relief to me as I figured the engine gave it up, having last been rebuilt in 1969.
So, Veronica and I found our RV space (thanks here to Bert who got the space for us-more to follow on that meeting
). We got settled in for the night, then had to ride out a tornado warning at 2am, rockin' and rollin' in the RV, and the 24/7 Security guys stopped by to let us know where the shelter was at the Convention Center (about 100 yards away). We also have NOAA Weather radio in the RV and it alerted us to the situation. So that passed without further incident.Friday we hit the convention floor-not much M37-wise, and only 2 or 3 M37s, although John had a pair of pristine front fenders for sale that would have made someone very happy. I did get a few odds and ends, but none of the priority stuff was there (front winch bumpers, wheel clips, etc., and I was also on the lookout for a head gasket, of course. It was also a pleasure to meet David Doyle and pick up a pair of his new Dodge books (which are still in the boxes and cellophane).
AND THEN THERE'S BERT! Veronica and I met Bert and his wife Cathy after they returned from the Ft Riley tour. We took some time getting acquainted then swapped some parts, pulled off a pesky steering wheel using my puller, then fired up our PRC 77s to do a commo check on mine (which works but doesn't receive on the high side). We shared some additional time before they left for the BBQ, and I must tell all that you will not meet a nicer couple in your travels! To Bert, hope you and Cathy enjoyed the visit as much as Veronica and I did-glad to call you our friends!
So, finally (because I know Bert will ask
here are some pictures (I will start a post over in the Tech section when I get to work on the head gasket), and oh, for you Air Force guys, I did get a picture of a Strata Blue M38 that really pops-let me know if you want it posted:
NOTE: It was blowing in thru the air conditioner.......not actual flooding. 
