‘Blow-by’ blow by blow ~ March 23, 1989
David Heiller HMS Lorely is sick, deadly sick. That’s our car, a 1978 Ford LTD named after my wife’s mother (no resemblance), who gave it to us three years ago. HMS Lorely, our 1978 Ford LTD didn't look this good. It was the size of a boat! HMS (Her Majesty’s Ship) isn’t much for looks. The gray sides are rusting, and the vinyl roof is bare in the middle and shredded at the sides, cracked and peeling. It’s a real rag top. The loose flaps of vinyl slap the roof like a bongo drummer when she goes 50 miles an hour or more. I don’t mind that. It’s the deadly disease which our friend Jim Kephart calls “blow-by” that really hurts. I didn’t know what “blow-by” was until the car started leaking oil at an alarming rate. First it was a quart every 200 miles. then every 100, then every 50. Now it’s down to a quart every 25 miles or so. I called Jim Monday night to ask him what exactly “blow-by” means. He took a deep breath, like he does when talking to one of his seventh ...