Great- could have been connections- lets hope so! Also, just for the sake
of mentioning it- the ground straps-as we shared stories before!
We are leaving for Spain tomorrow morning. Camellia is an exhibiting artists
in our Sister City Exchange (Columbia-Tres Contos). Tres Contos is a suburb
of Madrid. we will also be going to Toledo, Sergovia, Cordoba, Seville,
Malaga, & Granada. I am an 'at-large delegate, 5 artists, 14 of us total are
going, on the Planning, Education and Cultural/commissions. We have finally
packed, and gotten most things together.
Wouldn't you know Camellia's Dodge Caravan all of a sudden (51K miles)- has
produced a horrible screeching noise- which I traced to a bad water pump
pulley at the shaft . (i.e. - the pulley is tight on the mounting, but the
mounting is wobbling- ie new water pump. She had to take her XJ12C today to
take care of 'obligations', at the school, final prep of her art
work-framing, etc. In the rain- I'm saddened, but it was the only real
choice for her. The others are not at home (Dodge Daytona, XJS, Fiero 2M4)
or 'secured' already(XJR)(double wrapped)- or not even an option
(TR4,E-Type, GT).
Hope you and Sandy are fine- we often think @ you guys and our wonderful
visit.
On Sat I got the oil changed in the GT. Couldn't break loose the oil cooler
hose fittings at the cooler, I really wanted to flush it. I solved a temp
and fuel gauge problem, as with the high temp gauge readings I decided to
find and checkout the voltage regulator. It was up in the dash, mixed in
with a bunch of wiring (obviously-not stock placement)- not grounded (so not
working), (DPO as the list says). The temp gauge now reads just below center
with heat valve open on a 65^ day.
Also, I did find the trans fill plug under the grease. I cleaned it up and
made a template of it. What is the tool used to get the trans fill plug out?
Its a recessed hex- maybe 5/8" (11/16 is too big) I'll try to find a 5/8"
bolt (head = 5/8") and see if that and vise grips will do it. Was there a
'special tool'?
At least I degreased the oil pan, undercarriage front end and trans. Also
the rear brake linings are 'contaminated' as the manual says meaning not
dry and obviously with brake fluid- so that's one of the next projects. I
got the threads cleaned up on the LR wheel, swapped what I found was a bend
rim with the spare. Degreased, cleaned up and painted the insides of those
wheels for the time being, and did some 'painting at the LR suspension
quadrant. For now- its research.
TEST ride to 4000-4500 RPM (85 mph) = no more vibration and no shimmy- so
the flat spot on the rim was clearly a major contributor to the previous
hiway speed vibration.
If you say my post about 'discoveries'- finding the extra recirculating
vent- and with the insulation I encapsulated on the blower- the A/C and the
heating is much much better!!!! A little Restoration Engineering from
'Taffel Engineering'. Now I've got to address the wind leaks at the door
pillars. (Maybe after the painting).
I also discovered, while I was under the engine- that three of the lower
header studs are sheared- no sounds of leaks there- but that will make it a
lot easier to get the old header off. With the 'rebuilt head' (in progress
at the machine shop), I'll fit a new Delta header and exhaust system. Then
we'll have a spare header for us or 'the list'.
My next concern (other than a brake rebuild job) is the 'hard steering. On
the Fiero (Also no Power Steering), I've learned that frequent front end
lubes are essential to kep the steering 'easy'. I think I'll plan a good
'degreasing and WD-40ing of the Sterring U-joints, take the car over to get
a high pressure greasing at the ball joints (My hand grease gun is not
always as effective I've learned), and see from there. In the book they talk
about spring load on the rack and pinion- have you ever adjusted this
tension via the plate held on therack by the two bolts?
Well that's about it - I hope to get a parts order in today before we leave!
With all this Jensen content I think I'll copy the list! Well its British
Car Week- and we've been enjoying the British Cars. Wonder if I'll find any
LBC's especially Jensens in Spain!
Sherman
|