DAD

So that all came out pretty easily... Bit of space to fill now: Getting there: I've since swapped the fuel banjos over and routed the fuel line behind the engine, that's all working well, definitely getting fuel to the carbs now. Went for an optimistic test-(cold)start. Set idles to 2.5 turns from closed, gave it a bit of a crank and met with some mixed results. Occasional popping/signs of catching but no proper start. Not surprised at this really, but need to get to the bottom of it. I'm ditching the vacuum advance (have been advised it won't work properly with the carbs anyway) and planning to increase base advance instead. Was working on that when the heavens opened so retreated inside. Could stock timing alone cause failure to catch? I bodged up a temporary mechanism to hold the choke levers out on both carbs and tried with and without that with little difference. Help gratefully received! New to-do list: Make up throttle cable bracket (easy) Catch can? Muck about with choke cabling? Order trumpets/socks Get running!

Been a bit tardy with the updates, sorry guys! Since last time: I've moved to a farm cottage down a 4km gravel track. This is FUN, but each ping of a stone bouncing off the bottom of the car fills me with a teeny tiny bit of remorse. I've reconciled this with myself under the justification that this car needs paint at some point in the not-too-distant future, so it'll get the few small areas of rust repaired then, along with some thick underbody protection. Been driving well, failed it's WOF a couple of weeks ago on rear brake balance (I think Sparkle mentioned the rears would probably need doing at some point when I bought it). I replaced wheel cylinders and shoes on both sides and it flew through a retest, so I'm a happy bunny. Excuse the wanky instagram photos. I've also been gradually working my way down the carbs/extractors route, and have accumulated the following: -Twin 40mm Dell'orto DHLAs -Jets that will maybe-sorta-kinda be appropriate for a cooking-spec 4k -Fiddly linkage bollocks -Fuel hose -Inlet manifold -4/1 tubular extractors -7k triple metal layer manifold gasket Should be enough to get me started... Teaser: (this was before I put together all the new linkage bits). Current aim: Have running well enough on carbs to be able to drive up to Nats in March.

Constructive criticism welcomed and valued

Discussion here Hi all, bought this yesterday from Sparkle and his Mrs. Previous thread here, have a peek if you're interested as I'll be continuing the saga from where he left off. Bit of background on me: I'm a Pom that's been in NZ since August, I came over looking for a holiday with half a mind to work and ended up getting a full-time job. Since I'll be here for the foreseeable I decided it was definitely, definitely the right time to immediately spend all of my money on an old Toyota. I've loved Japanese cars for years and had to sell my AW11 MR2 last year. A sense of hollow loss ensued. I was drooling over this KP on TradeMe when one of my housemates mentioned that she was planning a trip to Palmerston on Saturday to visit some old college friends. A plan was hatched, the numbers on my bank account were turned into weird folding plastic Monopoly money, and a roadtrip playlist assembled. Met up with Sparkle in a fast food car park. I think there's probably a rule somewhere that says that cars and burger chains need to be brought together regularly, and I was hungry anyway. Had a bit of a poke and a prod, tried to make the obligatory concerned noises that you're supposed to do when looking at buying an old car, but couldn't really fault it on much. Properly gen-you-wine unbuggered Sprint. Test-drove even sweeter than it looked, I was hooked. Worked out a mutually acceptable deal and I disappeared off into the sunset. Mr and Mrs Sparkle seemed pretty emotional to see her go, but I hope my monetary contribution to "Operation Make-E21-Have-Awesome-Engine" softens the pain over time. She managed city traffic, winding hill roads and open highway all the way back to the Wairarapa on her best behaviour. Stopped off for some snaps at the Te Apiti wind farms en route: There are hardly any of these left back home because they all ended up on the stages or dirt ovals (usually with a Pinto and minilites!), and I've lusted after them for ages. I was originally looking for a slightly tatty Starlet to turn into a rally-esque weekend-fun car, something like this: ...but I reckon that would be sacrilege with something this original. Well then. The old girl was about due an oil and filter change, so I had a nice run out this morning to Upper Hutt to get some tools and supplies. There's a weird mix of annoyance and excitement at being in a new country and not having any tools. Of course the excitement is because you have the opportunity, nay, obligation to buy some tools. I checked first, but there were no more free service vouchers in the bookpack. Shame. Stopped off at the local dealership while I was in the area, just 'cos: ...and popped back home. Nice sunny afternoon oil and filter change. Plans: -Weekend car, just enjoy it for what it is over the nice summer months. -Investigate how best to protect the thin paint. Car will be undercover for the most part, but still... -Re-cover sun-damaged parcel shelf and get it seated properly. -Sympathetic, reversible mods over winter? Think rorty carbs, fast road cam, tubular extractors and a pretty skinny 'zorst. The 4k is lovely and is staying put!