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Lord Gruntfuttock

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Everything posted by Lord Gruntfuttock

  1. In between paint coats I thought I'd check out my torque wrenches before reassembly (both Sidchrome clickers, one newer than the other). Last time I used the newer one I could have easily boogered a thread but I realised it was WAY out of spec doing it up (just didn't feel right) so I backed off and borrowed another tool. Then I picked up an older one (long story, but basically me taking stuff as part reparation from a loser who owed money) and thought I'd compare them to get some confidence in my tools... Testing these together the older one clicked at much less effort, so something was wrong, I thought mine may have siezed up through lack of use, but couldn't see any way to get it apart without drilling out the rivet, then I realised I had lent it out, and that someone may have overwound the setting dial. Sure enough, turning it as high as it would go, and keeping going resulted in a click as it overwound. I did this twice and tested it again - felt much better... So calibration - I asked at our depot (where the proper workers live) but they send theirs out, so looked into doing it myself. Basically did maths to see what the torque relation was to weight applied at a certain distance from the socket... Torque = force applied x distance of lever arm 1 kilogram-force metre = 9.80665 N·m (actually easier to work on kg-cm) Calculate for Newton metres then convert to foot pounds So with a handy dandy excel chart and some test weights I marked distances on some tape and set to, basically hanging 10kg, 20kg and 30kg weights at certain points to see where it operated. It was still out on the first try so overwound it another click, and it went bloody well at the 10kg settings (15, 18, 20 ft-lbs were right on the button). Changing to 20kg it was correct at 30 and 40 ft-lbs, but seemed out any higher, but at 30kg it was spot on at 60 and 90 ft-lbs. So a little confused but much happier. Initially (doing some reverse maths) it was operating around 1.5 times the setting so seems some ham-fisted lunk overwound it when returning to zero, not once, but 3 times over. (lending tools - Gah)... I'll redo the tests with both wrenches as I'm not sure why some readings seem out, could just be the vagaries of hanging weights along the shaft (or my dodgy maths). Ideally, hanging a known weight from the middle of the handle should coincide with the expected setting, it seemed ok across a fairly wide range though and if I get some consensus between the 2 tools I should be pretty much right...
  2. So busy day yesterday, got a bit more painting done. I looked at getting the brake booster out, but from memory these are a bastard to get at, so painted it in situ... Came out pretty well, not perfect, but far better than it was, I'll paint the master cyl cover grey when I do the grille surround... And got lots of fiddly bits done... And the front end looks pretty good with the masking removed (did this at 5:30 this morning, visions of overspray on the guards were keeping me awake)... And it'll be nice to put this together when the paint has hardened a bit... Quite pleased with the durepox finish, although I have no idea how it'll last - should be ok under the bonnet as it won't be exposed to UV, although I expect I'll scratch it to buggery lifting the engine back in...
  3. Been putting some hrs in commissioning at work so not a lot of progress, but today I was home and weather was great so I stripped a lot of the front grille area parts. These have suffered many years of exposure to the elements plus the odd immersion in rusty radiator water... Sanded the bits attached to the car, and began masking... And laid down some epoxy, looks much better already... Also got a lot of little bits painted, will try to get another couple of coats on tomorrow...
  4. Oh and I picked up the headlight buckets. I grabbed these off the Bay as they were cheap enough for a punt (came to around $35 delivered). Donated from a F100 of unknown vintage (picking mid 70s) and arrived 90% blasted clean and very sound... And just needed a slight mod to fit, cut a shaped slot, tapped in a recess with a punch and drilled it for spring attachment... and ready for paint... They will sit around 5mm further out than the originals but that won't be noticable, and I quite like the thought of these things travelling from Robinson, Crawford County, Illinois (pop. 7000) to Invergumboot (pop. slightly more) to be used again...
  5. Checked your earths...? I always have dedicated solid earthing points on any bike build, cos it sucks replacing parts to fix a problem caused by poor ground connection...
  6. Too buggered to do much today, plus had surf to city with the kids. But did give the shed a real good tidy up this morning as it was a tip. Tools, rags, oil and rubbish everywhere (a consequence of fitting in bits of work when I get the chance). Floor is now spotless, makes it easier to find bits when you drop 'em... And put all my painting stuff in a surplus packing crate I scored from work. One of my best purchases was a bulk load of measuring cups, about 20c each and really make mixing ratios easier... And pulled some more bits off the front and waterblasted some crud off in prep for painting... And tidied up the timing cover. I was concerned about the state of the water passages, but they cleaned up ok... So now just gotta paint random bits etc while I'm waiting for parts to arrive, so's can begin the fun stage...
  7. So masked up the block and gave it a decent clean... And removed the stuck oil pressure switch. This was really stuck, tried sockets, spanners, vice grips, heat, and finally got it to move with a cold chisel/punch. Really didn't want to have to drill this as would have got swarf in the wrong place... And threads looked ok... And hit it with rattle can engine paint. Used black because it will look good against ally heads - and because I had a can of black... Tape off and looks pretty good... And I'm finally close to being able to start bolting new/cleaned bits back on...
  8. Oh, and found this number on cam (CTRV1A). No idea what that means, was a 351 grind and was supposedly mildly warm, but can't recall where it came from...
  9. Being time-poor (as well as poor-poor) I was up at sparrows this am getting some time in. Was dark and almost frosty when I started but was rewarded with this about an hr into it... Made up a harmonic balancer puller (the benefit of welding on cold mornings is you get nice warm hands, wifey wasn't so pleased with me using a cut-off disc at 6am) Just a simple pulling bar pressing against the partly threaded in main bolt. I used heat gun on balancer and a lot of grease but had fears my main bolt was a bit girly... It was, stripped out almost immediately so upped the ante a little... And great success... Timing cover off and the chain seemed really loose, but was still within spec, go figure... And ready to slide the old cam out... Might try to mask off and paint the block today if I get the chance. Nice to make some progress by 8am...
  10. Oh, and it appears my replacement headlight buckets have arrived. I'll call past my mum's on the way home to pick them up...
  11. So another update, in a nutshell:. NZ post – pretty useless. Jegs – fucking awesome. The lady from NZ post sent me an email this morning basically telling me it could be ages till they sort out the issue (damage assessment team/reports/sufficient packaging determination etc etc) and I’m prob better off ordering a new one. She also advised me to contact the merchant to advise how it was packaged (when it is in a Jegs branded carton and was opened/inspected at the Youshop warehouse)… So. I placed an order for another cam, with a note saying it was a replacement for a broken one, that I was dealing with the carrier at this end regards redress, and asking if this had happened before. Within minutes I had an email from a Jegs rep saying they had noted my repeat order, they were sorry I had been inconvenienced, they would refund me immediately, and there was no need to send the thing back (all based on a message with no photos)... So after running round town yesterday, repacking carton, arguing over tracking fees and sending it to Aklnd, it seems today I could have saved myself the bother. Being an honest chap, I have advised the lady from NZ post that it is being refunded, that I expect the new one to arrive post-free since I have already paid once, and that since I’ve saved them loadsamoney I would like the thing back for my shed. We’ll see how it pans out…
  12. You're spoiled for choice with the sbc. Tons of cheap bolt-on parts for 'em. Just try to match components so they work together. And yeah I'd look at the likes of the msd ready-to-run dizzy. Bolt on reliability and curve tuning out of the box. And if you get the air gap we'll have the same intake setup (albeit mine on the smaller 302 furd). Race ya...
  13. I'm no chebby expert but 600 should be ok on a warm 350, really depends on how much flow your system has. Mechanicals are cool but suck more gas on a daily driver, and a well set up vacuum secondary set goes pretty well. I've got the same carb and bought a set of variable springs and quick change system for mine so's could tune the secondary operation. I used to think you had to feel them come on like an extra gear, but properly set up they should just open up smoothly rather then a sudden surge of power. Car looks great incidentally, good value 70's Mericana and should be a good honest driver. Just out of interest, when did these things go to the horrible 305 boat anchor?
  14. OK, cam update. This was the message I left NZ post last week: Hi. I have a package that arrived damaged today from the Portland US Youshop warehouse. This is a camshaft, heavy steel and it is snapped in half, so completely useless. The damaged goods enquiry page seemed to direct me to courier post, I have talked to them but am not happy with this, as my contract is with NZ post/Youshop and I expect to deal with them (you) to deal with any issue. I have attached photos. I have used Youshop many times without incident, I trust this will be resolved quickly and with no cost incurred by myself. Regards, etc… Heard nothing from courier company (as expected) but did hear back from NZ post yesterday: Thank you for your enquiry. On behalf of New Zealand Post I apologise for the situation that has occurred. In order for us to assess the damage to your item, we require you to take the item and all of its packaging material to your local PostShop and send it to the address below: That’s fine, but I told them I needed this part asap, and I wasn’t happy with the lack of information. Hi, I will return the package to a NZ post shop tomorrow. I am still unsure of the process however. It is disappointing I have had no explanation of the process to follow or likely timeline. This is a part I need urgently, the engine is out of the car awaiting this part, and I had intended to fit it over the weekend. As I cannot afford to wait for an assessment and bureaucratic delays, do I proceed with ordering a replacement and deal with redress later? As of this morning the package has been returned and I am none the wiser as to what happens next. I asked for a tracking number so I know when they receive it (which cost ME, despite my protestations, so I am already out of pocket) and I’m a bit grumpy knowing it will probably be a fortnight before I can get a replacement... I have also contacted Comp Cams just asking if this has happened before, and what kind of force it would require to do it, just out of interest… I was sort of hoping pics would be enough evidence so’s I could add the snapped cam to my pathetic ‘OFFERINGS TO THE GOD OF SPEED' shelf Which, at the moment, consists of a slightly scuffed FA50 piston. Burt Munro I aint…
  15. Busy day on the paint. As the kids were being brilliant (amazingly playing nicely together/not fighting) I made the most of the weather by stripping down lots of bits that could do with a smarten up (mounts, pulleys, cross member, starter motor etc) as well as recoating the bits I did yesterday. Again, no easy way of doing this, just hard, dirty graft... There were so many parts I tried hanging them on the washing line, but had visions of it snapping and biffing my freshly painted bits on the (overgrown) lawn, so I have thirty-something bits hanging off any available point in the shed... Plus resting on what looks like granny's old duvet. I tried fitting the sump in the oven incidentally, not even close, so will let it cure without baking... Anyway, a good days work, and reckon I've broken the back of this task...
  16. Just read your build thread. I am in awe of the amount metalwork you've done. bloody good effort bloke...
  17. Lady Gruntfuttock is away to watch maradonna, or someone, so bit more kid-time than usual this weekend. Did get a little done today between child minding and rain showers though. Gave the bits I had previously stripped a week or so ago another clean... Then it got a bit rainy, so I cleaned up the water pump and sump bolts. Lot of silicone on the sump ones... And used the engine paint spray bomb on some bits. Debating curing these in the oven while home alone, or just letting engine heat/time do it... Until it cleared enough to use my outdoor spray booth. Having a clean gun made a HUGE difference, learned a lesson there. Actually learned a couple, as I had neglected to replace an o-ring in the air trigger system so had air pissing everywhere till I stripped and assembled the gun again... Think the driveshaft is the biggest thing I've painted... And quite pleased with the spring stretchers I cobbled up to get paint in... So a lot of little bits got their first coat, weather permitting tomorrow I'll get another couple on, and they'll be ready to go back on the car in a week or so. Good to make some progress while waiting to hear what's going to happen with that snapped camshaft...
  18. That's what I'm telling myself, better finding it like this than it lunching itself in the engine... Haven't opened it so no idea if there's any metallurgical clues at the break. And yeah, tis a nice old chuffer, one of my favourites - 32 Blue Star, 350 hand change thumper...
  19. Yeah must've had a decent whack all right. Will be interesting to see what the procedure is from here. Have sent pics and pretty clear indication of what my expectations are to nz post (helps that I'm hungover and grumpy). I am not expecting to wear any costs...
  20. Cammy goodness has arrived, Joy... Confusion... Despair... Currently fighting with nz post regards redress. They are insisting it is a courier issue and I (after speaking to a disinterested foreign lady on the courier post help line) see it as me taking a contract with Youshop to deliver my goods undamaged. Gah. Could do without this. Biggest fear is any replacement incurring customs charges...
  21. So looks like the cam/lifters have sneaked through without attracting customs. I was nervous as, cos depending on the exchange rate the total (incl postage) came to either just under or just over NZ$400 (literally a dollar or two either side) and anything attracting more than $60 gst is liable for costs. Thought I'd be well under, but postage came to higher than expected ($79) and the added 'high value surcharge' (cough ) nudged it right on the balance point. Would have been gutted to have been hit with extra costs again. In other news, tried out my bargain tools. Got a rattle gun for $19 at supercheap last weekend and a set of sae impact sockets for $19 (delivered free) via the tard. The harmonic balancer retaining bolt came out beautifully using them, wish I had one yrs ago now. New toys = Happy shed bloke...
  22. That's a good idea. I pretty much just use mine for motorbike parts and pushbikes etc, so a touch up gun would be fine, probably better suited to my wheezy compressor actually... Just back from Repco, picked up a gun kit that has nozzle, needle and air cap, for all of $10. That, plus the cleaning kit I grabbed should see me right for a while (all I do is lay down primer). Especially if I actually clean it properly, did some youtubing and I've been a bit slack in that dept...
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