shavenYak

Well, I still own this thing. Since last update it's gone quite well, drove it fully loaded all the way from Auckland to Palmy with no issues. Handles bloody well actually, especially once there's some weight in the back. We lived in it at a campsite for the first week or so, then found a place with a double garage and parked it up. About a year passed, then wagnats 2011 happened and I thought I'd drive it the 40km to the Vinegar Hill. After about 10 minutes of driving it overheated. I stubbornly refilled with water and kept going. Overheating got worse and I noticed the radiator had developed a thin crack on the inlet. Judging by the frothing from the radiator it seems it has a blown head gasket. I parked it up for the evening and drove the suzuki to the rest of the way to wagnats. Later that night I drove the van back home very slowly with radiator cap off. Made it home but engine now has bad knock from one of the (three) main bearings. So here's the plan: There's a cheap 18R and box on trademe which Richie is kindly bringing down from Auckland. I will attempt to get this into the van. The modifications needed to fit this will then allow me to fit an 18RG (twincam) at a later date if one becomes available to me. The 18R is 2000cc, which should give a bit more power than the 1600 12R that was in there originally. Stay tuned.

We hired a cat trap from a local hire place (hirepool or something similar) was pretty cheap and worked well. Check your local hire places they should do them. Or ask the SPCA, they may be able to lend/hire.

sounds delightful! Will textify you if I head down.

tell me about it. first world problems amirite?

Yeah probably on the dirt/grass. I'll let you know what happens - motivation levels are low, and I'm trying to downsize the fleet / collection of belongings anyway so maybe I shouldn't be buying things. Maybe I should just fix the 12R instead.

it is exactly here: http://g.co/maps/n5t4h May come down this weekend. Still haven't decided what I'm doing with the van, but figured I might as well get a $50 gearbox in case I do go with an 18R/18RG at some point.

A cool fiddy, engine was $200 plain old 18R but goes well apparently.

Nah, might do it later this week though.. I'll flick you a text if you're keen to come along - I take it you'll be working all week?

As above - am thinking of coming down tomorrow and pulling a gearbox out of a hiace. Keen for someone who knows what they're doing to give me a hand / stand around and tell me what to do. FANKS!

if I get the day off work I will make an appearance on old slow and steady

there's a 1st gen Corona mk2 which looks whole, but I bet it's swiss cheese under a thin layer of paint.

and it doubles as a lampshade!

why is it your last monthly meet Sprakels?

We will probably join at Hunterville, or I'll text you in the morning Sprackle and meet in town.

holy shit yeah laps round a very busy bunnings/beachfront was awesome. The amount of horrified looks we got was priceless.

I also hear if you drop ball bearings into the combustion chamber through the spark plug hole you increase compression and get lumpy idle. Legit as.

I LUST THIS

I'll drive down friday day, and stay till sunday. So I'm thinking, maybe friday evening on the drome? I'm guessing saturday will be all booked out by softball or lycra freaks..

Lusher than a rainforest

Coming down for a visit this weekend, if I bring my bike, is anyone keen for an impromptu velo meet?

^^ yeah, I had to crop that pic, was way too NSFW

some photos from the night before and on the day

can confirm lineup looked amazing IRL - well done chaps & chapettes! Dinner was fab, thanks for calling us - I had completely forgotten this was on! derp! Had sweet night in Feilding, looking forward to welly/palmy OS picnic.

Will be attending in spirit. Race on, brave souls.