January 2018- The 1,000 Miles Update..
The sorting/shakedown process can take a long time.. I make a list of things that bug me, fix them, then I find myself writing an all new list of other, usually lesser things that bother me, then do it all over again.. I'm in the middle of doing just that, and realized that I've just gone 1,000 miles.. not very far really, but with each passing mile I gain a little more confidence in the car, and I learn it's quirks and 'personality'..
In no particular order, here's where it is...
---The oil leak problem that plagued the engine is magically gone.. at first it seemed to be the front main, then the rear, and for quite a while now, no engine oil leak at all.. I chalk this up to dried out seals from disuse, and now that it's being daily driven, the seals have swelled and are happy- I know I'm happy
..
---The brakes still aren't what I want, but I'll go back after them later..
---I need to fab in a left foot dead pedal and hidden cup holder- it's the little things
---I'm 99% sure the overboost issue has been solved.. with much back and forth datalogging with Trifecta, it seems the issue was a poorly adjusted wastegate rod (some PO surely thought there was some free HP there).. I'm still making tiny adjustments on it, trying to adjust it right up to the point of overboost, then back it down just a touch.. As is, the car is a riot to drive; gobs of torque, and enough power that I won't let my teenage daughter drive it's just too much power, and she's a newer driver.. I scared myself in the rain the other day- when it's wet you have to really drive this thing like a little old lady or it will bite you.. I think I'm pretty near done adjusting for power..
---The front and rear suspension is pretty much dialed in- she has minimal body roll, and a respectable ride.. smooth, nice ride on the freeway.. just glides along nice at 70/80 if traffic allows.. it's a pleasant little car to drive.. If I get greedy for handling, I might swap in an IPD front sway, but I'm pretty happy as-is..
---I need to pull the headliner and apply a 'headliner' directly to the inside of the roof skin.. I'm 6'2" with a long torso, and I could use the hidden 1 or 2 inches of clearance to be found up above the stock headliner.. It won't be correct, but it will look clean and will keep my head from brushing the headliner
---AC needs to be charged up for the first time..
---Waiting on the interior to come in from VP parts.. should be here in a month or so.. Will be nice to install it and the stereo and have this feel more like a 'complete' car..
---Has a minor transmission leak, I think at the tail/output seal.. I'm experimenting with a sealant/oil treatment, but if it doesn't bring the seal back, it's still a pretty easy fix..
...Surely other things will pop up as this goes along, but overall, it's coming together nicely.. I've actually begun collecting bits for my next project as this one is phasing out of being an active build and becoming a daily driver.. I'll start a different build log on the new thing within a few weeks/months as the 1800 action winds down..
--ccrunner
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Dean
1972 Honda N600 Restomod "ccrunner's N600 VFR800 repower"
1963 Volvo P1800 Restomod
http://locostusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=36&t=163091959 Berkeley SE492 Restomod...
viewtopic.php?f=36&t=19397"ccrunner's 1960 MGA coupe Restomod" found on MGExp.com