In a message dated 5/27/01 10:12:23 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
awboat@intelos.net writes:
> > I will let others tell the story better as I just sat around and drank a
> lot of beer,
> > turned a couple of bolts and watched some amazing people do something
>
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Well, not exactly. I was only there for the Saturday work, and Andy pulled
the radiator to flush it. (That was the easy part!) Then he worked and
scraped his knuckles and bumped his head trying to get the thing back in!
The right wing radiator shroud was bent beyond recognition, but we weren't
going to try to remove it to fix it, we just wanted to bend it back into
position in situ. There were only two bolts holding the radiator in and the
strap around it (that holds the fan shroud in place that is attached to the
radiator) was loose on the bottom. A quick trip out for some acid core
solder and that was fixed, then we re-tapped the captive nuts and found two
more bolts so we could attach the entire radiator.
Re-installation was NOT the opposite of removal! (Right, Andy?!?!?) Andy
worked a LOOOOONG time trying to line everything up, and the frustration was
getting to both of us. Finally, Larry came over and gave the last bolt a try
and was able to get it started before Andy and I started shooting at the darn
thing.
While we had the radiator out I showed Amy how to replace the fan belt. A
good thing to know, and she picks stuff up quickly, so she will be
self-sufficient in no time.
Even though I couldn't stay for Sunday, I had a great time working with Bob
and Andy. Bob and I shared responsibilty for the brakes, with Larry bringing
up the rear (brakes, that is). New rear wheel cylinders, but the rear shoes
and front pads were still like new. I started with rebuilding the MC that
Amy bought on eBay (the World's Online Marketplace). I guess the car didn't
have one when she bought it.
We replaced the flex lines, and Bob and I each pulled a front caliper,
cleaned it and tested it. We found one piston that was reeeealy sluggish, so
we decided to rebuild both calipers. I had one extra piston in my box of
tricks and that was exactly what we needed. Even the handbrake worked OK, so
we all feel confident that Amy has good brakes all 'round.
No one mentioned that the gas tank was pulled and the fuel pump either fixed
or replaced. I was amazed at how easily Frank got the engine running smooth
and strong. (I'm glad he is relatively local to me!) Our good buddy chuck
made the most noise with his body grinder and sander. I was amazed at how
well that body repair to the boot and left rear turned out in less than a
day. chuck is talented! Keep in mind that chuck brought an air compressor,
a Mig welder, and a generator (just in case).
I put 900 miles total on my Mitsubishi this weekend, with the trip to Amy's
making about 600 of those miles. I feel good!
Allen Hefner
SCCA Philly Region Rally Steward
'77 Midget
'92 Mitsubishi Expo LRV Sport
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