May 2nd
Rough out an alignment, bleed the brakes and got the car on the ground. Push it out into the sun light after the long winter. It fired up surprisingly quick, but sounded a bit rough. Popped the deck lid to check all the plug wires, they were ok. Went to get a screw driver to turn up the revs from 500 to 1000. When I walked back to the car, the deck lid was swaying back and forth,like an excited dog swagging its tail so hard it could not keep its hind quarters still. The old dog was just happy to be outside in the sun. Should have taken a video, you had to be there.
Did a finger test to each of the exhaust pipes, the whole left bank was running cooler than the right bank, confirmed with the pyrometer. Went for a short drive around the block, walk home distance. Brakes were a bit spongy, bled them again. Back out for another test spin, brakes felt much better. Went for a longer spin out to a quiet area, to do an Italian tune up, that seem to do the trick, much smoother running. Came back and turned the idle down from 2000 rpm.
While concentrating on feeling the brakes and what was happening to the engine, I almost did not notice, I no longer have the slowest 1-2 shift in the world! AWESOME!!! OK it is still not Toyota or Hewland quality shift but a HUGH improvement over last year.
Sunday went to the UCR PCA open house, so spent some time on the highway in new 5th gear, seemed very good, less busy at 120kph. Biggest concern with the gearbox is, it takes a bit of effort to get it out of first gear. So I think new sliders and syncros need a bit of time to get happy with each other.
Another bonus the gearbox used to leak as much, if not more oil than the engine. No gearbox oil on the garage floor.
It is starting to drive fairly well, all new suspension bushings, dampers, brakes calipers and master cylinder, gearbox rebuild. It now JUST! needs some carb tuning, suspension dialing in and major engine overhaul .............
Nice deep dish at UCR PCA open house
The following week end went to my nephew's place of employment.
www.longfieldsltd.com
My nephew has been over to England twice for training at
Classic Car Restoration Courses Beginner to Expert & Ex Forces Courses
Time to leave, when the Flathead V8 club arrive, I like my engines flat not my head.
