Since I've been more of a lurker than a poster lately,
I thought I'd take a bit of time out & update you all
on my 1993 LBC progress.
On Sprite (Redcar); with the Audi's clutch now
requiring sufficient pedal travel such that I have to
scoot the seat up just to get it into gear, something
told me I ought to render Redcar roadworthy enough to
commute in while the Audi's down for the count. The
only real thing needing to be done was re-set the Weber
so that it would return something better than 17mpg,
and 4 fouled plugs/tankful. Then I took The Trip.
A sunny day and a jaunt to Morgan Hill to celebrate a
friend successfully surviving his first child's first
year were good enough reasons to make me think I ought
to take the Sprite. I still thought so even when it started
getting cold and drizzly about half-way there, but I
began having my doubts when the rear generator bearing
started chattering. I was pretty sure this was a bad idea
when one of our drought-buster thunderstorms appeared,
and while frantically attempting to put up a top that had
shrunk to the size of a dishrag, we managed to put a nice big
tear right above my head. And then when driving home, with
the generator making so much noise I was sure at any
time I was going to see it jettison itself thru the
bonnet, and a steady stream of water cascading thru the
hole in the top, directly into my face, I was sure that
driving the Sprite today had been a Really Bad Idea.
Thankfully we made it home, and managed to pull
off the generator before the rains came again. I'd
already had the rear bushing handy, so I just pulled
the end caps off and replaced the bush. Re-installing
the generator the next day however, yield quiet
operation but no charging. Thinking the voltage
regulator simply wasn't closing, I popped off the cover
and closed the points. SSSSZZZZZZSSSSS!!!!! (the car
said as smoke was released from its generator)
WhaaaaAAA !!!!???? (I said as I frantically began
tapping the regulator to unstick whatever I had stuck).
And then the smoke stopped, and there was much
rejoicing. Only when I attempted to start the car and
have nothing happen did I get a sick feeling that I had
completely melted down the new wiring harness. A few
prayers and feverish studying of a schematic later I
realized I'd only burned on the the tracer contacts on
the regulator. I jumpered it and it started up.
Leaving this alone for awhile I attacked the ill
Weber. In the short course of an evening, myself as
grunt and Neil Senz manning the Exhaust Gas Analyser we
managed to bring the emissions to acceptable levels,
but as of yet haven't logged enough miles to check
mileage.
Back to the generator, I then checked the output
as the manual says, and noted no voltage at the
terminals. Daunted by my recent streak of electrical
bad luck, I deposited it on Frank Battaglia's doorstep
who promised it good as new within a week. True to his
word I retrieved it today, diagnosed with a bad
armature and a grounded brush. I think that was $60
well spent.
So tonight I'll put it back on (I'm getting very
proficient at this), swap regulators, and cross my
fingers that I don't screw anything else up.
Since this has gotten a bit long as usual, I'll
save the Riley report for another time.
ciao-
dstone@sc9.intel.com
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