Hayden's U11 Bluebird.

[WhangareiKE70]

Well there ya go. You learn something every day.

[WhangareiKE70]

I would like to say something has happened with this. But basically it hasn't. I'm still very much looking for an auto for this, may have to look at getting the old one reconditioned, have one last place to hit up so will do that tomorrow afternoon.

Other than that, I have finished the sound install, and will put the seats back in etc soon. I will be potentially heading to Auckland on Saturday, so might hit up pick-a-part while down there.

[WhangareiKE70]

As I said in apost ages ago, I have the auto out. Here's proof:

More to the point, I dropped it off at Advanced Automatics in town on Monday, they said they wil be back to me by Friday as to what the problem is. This was meant to go in a while ago but things that wanted my money more kept popping up. Anyway, once they get back to me I can decide whether or not to repair it/get it repaired/whether or not it's even worth repairing.

Speakers in the rear:

Also re-assembled the rear seat after those pics.

All done basically in the interior, apart from getting the headunit to sit in right which I will do once it is off axle stands as it's awkward to get in under the dash at the moment with the car being in such a confined space in the shed. It won't go all the way in to the dash pocket which I'm 99% percent sure is just becasue of interference from wires and stuff at the back of the headunit.

Still need to suss a passenger front bumper indicator lense (will just hit up wreckers) and a rear middle lap belt, the one out of it as been 'borrowed' for use in another vehicle by the previous owner while this was sitting unused in his shop. Pretty sure they are universal in all cars but one out of a U11 would be choice to match.

Once I have this whole gearbox saga sussed out it should be all go from there.

[WhangareiKE70]

Advanced Automatics didn't get it checked over by Friday in the end.

Apparently the guy that was meant to look at it Friday took the day off so it didn't get done. However, I do have assurance that it should be done by Tuesday at the latest if not tomorrow (hopefully I can trust them). After I hear back I can decide whether or not to repair, if not I may have to look more seriously at a manual conversion as autos just aren't available.

Though this seems the logical first choice I am not 100% sure on whther or not my knowledge and skill levels are sufficient to pull it off just yet.

Also, have found a replacement indicator lense on TM and should be finding out about the seatbelt tomorrow.

Lame update.

[WhangareiKE70]

Auto has been pulled apart and diagnosed. Wsa only a minor problem so I gave them the go ahead and they will be fixing it, should be done by the end of the week. My wallet is sad, but I suppose I'm mostly happy that it was only a minonr problem and can be repaired for about the same price another auto would have cost me if I had ever managed to find one, and this way I get peace of mind too.

Will be buying the indicator I need off TM this week as well, and probably ordering the seatbelt too. Waah waah wallet.

Other than that I will take it through warrant and hopefully it will go smoothly. Technically it should fail on the ctack in the windscreen (bottom corner on the drivers side, will get aphoto next time I am with the car) but if he lets it sneak through I know of a replacement screen in Auckland for a lot cheaper than buying one locally. So will drive it down and get it installed down there/bring it home, whatever's easiest.

Because picturelss updates are lame, here is a picture of a chur Nissan 910, because it is impossible to find a picture of a slammed U11 (I would appreciate it if someone could, for motivation). They are basically the same shape.

[WhangareiKE70]

Auto is fixed.

Just put payment through for it on Friday, but they aren't open on weekends at all, so will be picking it up next week and taking it out to my parents where the car is. Should be in come next weekend. Then will bring it back to my place and get it a warrant hopefully on the Monday.

Also got the front indicator lense and put it in. Boring but it's all progress.

No pics of anything important so here's one of me using the bonnet of my ute as a workbench for fitting the speaker spacers.

[WhangareiKE70]

So, the Bluebird is no longer here...

Because it goes! Sunday saw the gearbox all back in as well as all the ancillary bits back on the engine. Gave her a service with new oil, filter and ATF. Started her up and she ran. Will be doing coolant, spark plugs and fuel filter (bought one but was the wrong type) now that it's all good. Also may need a water pump in the future but not urgent.

Only minor problem is a slightly slipping power steering belt, just needs tensioning. At this point Mum said dinner was ready (and you don't turn down free food) so i only took it for a quick test drive and she goes super chur. :happy1:

Anyway after dinner I had to go back to my place in the ute as I had to get it home somehow.

This is where it sits now.

Will hopefully be getting it a lift out to their place tonight which means I can drive it back in, and start looking at getting it a warrant.

After that's all sorted it's just rego and insurance.

Chur.

[WhangareiKE70]

Bugger. Seems I spoke too soon about it being all simple as go get it a WOF and drive off into the sunset. Alternator crapped itself today. Sooooo... need another one of them to continue. Also it doesn't seem to have a windscreen squirter bottle under the bonnet, does anyone know if they are hidden somewhere sneaky on these or is mine just missing? Also need two front tires but will just get second hand cheapies as they will be replaced when new wheels happen anyway.

Waah. Hoping to get it road legal ASAP so I can start work on the ute, after that will look into low + wheels. THEN just drive and enjoy.

Anyway, questions.

1) Can I swap another alternator from a different car on? Will one from a CA18S likely fit? (the carby version of my motor).

2) Is there places other than under the bonnet where I should look for the windscreen washer bottle?

Please help. If I can sort out those two problems I will hopefully be sorted for a WOF next week.

[Taistorm]

You can swap an alternator over from another car. Just make sure it mounts on the same side and the pulley lines up with the other pulleys. Will be easier to get one that has and internal voltage regulator so there's less wiring to deal with and will pay to get one with the same amperage.

Also easier to go second hand than new as it's cheaper plus you can normally get the plug that sticks into the back to make life simpler.

[WhangareiKE70]

Hey Taistorm,

Cheers for that, my neighbour said he has some in his workshop so will go have a look and see if any of them are suitable. otherwise will have to go to a wreckers or something.

Joy of joys. =P haha

[WhangareiKE70]

Hey Taistorm,

Cheers for that, my neighbour said he has some in his workshop so will go have a look and see if any of them are suitable. otherwise will have to go to a wreckers or something.

Joy of joys. =P haha

As luck would have it, turns out my neighbour had a spare. Just put it in, plugged it in and tensioned it up.

Obligatory FU old alternator pic.

New alternator in place.

Gave it a jump (because the old alternator ran it flat).

All good. Still have to look at whole windscreen washer bottle thing though. I have the Haynes Manual at my place now though so make look through and see if I can suss where it is/should be

Also I think the battery may be no good. Will try it again tomorrow arvo with the battery from my ute. Gutted as it' basically new (reconditioned second hand). Been dead flat a few times though, and when I turned it off after running it for 20 mins or so it didn't even have enough juice to crank. Will give it a good charge tomorrow night however after I borrow my Dads battery charger.

If I can sort out those two problems I will take it for a WoF this week.

[durty]

follow the hoses from the windscreen squirters?

[WhangareiKE70]

follow the hoses from the windscreen squirters?

That would make sense. However they lead to nowhere. Which is what makes me think that the bottle is missing. Just don't know where it would go though, there isn't a whole lot of room where the hoses lead.

[maloney]

i used to hav 1 ov these a widetrack model tho slamd on 15/9s lookd sick go with sum widened steelys

[NaN]

NaN

[WhangareiKE70]

hahaha it's a Bluebird WideTrack, model, or as we used to call them "The Wide Flight" at higher speeds the front end gets light, eventually they just 'take off' ... so many people have died because of it. Sure it looks like the driver just drove off into a field, but eventually around 1991/1993 evidence came out which indicated after 130kph these cars really are quite dangerous.

I wonder if you have driven one of these with a CA18E and auto. Haha don't think I will be getting close to 130km/h often. =P

Also after 100km/h that stupid little bell in the dash starts going 'ding, ding' and so as well as being dangerous it's plain annoying to speed in these.

But yeah, got to get it on the road first anyway.

[WhangareiKE70]

Warrant list is as follows:

• All tyres except R/F (lol)
  
• Hi-stop to work (simple fix, don't think I plugged it in or something, maybe a bulb).
  
• Secure R/F brake hose (Easy fix).
  
• Gearbox mount fractured (not an easy fix. Waaaah).
  
• Replace rear disk pads (will try and get that done this weekend, have the pads already).
  
• R/F top shock mount cracked (looking into getting some struts from a guy in Auckland, he says he has the fronts but has to find them).
  
• Untwist R/F seatbelt (easy, pop off cover and untwist).
  
• Fit rear centre belt (doesn't have one, will buy one).
  
• Reduce handbrake cover travel (Goes up too high, will need adjusting, will do tat while I have it jacked up for rear pads).
  
• Tighten power steering belt (easy).
  

So a bit of a list. Haha. That shock and the gearbox mount are going to be my biggest problems because of money.

Will hopefully get it done in the next month, cash dependent.

EDIT: Also picked up a new (second hand) windscreen for it while in Auckland yesterday for $50. Old one has a big crack in it, warrant guy was going to let me off, but seeing as it was cheap and flatmate starts work at Smith and Smith monday, I though why not.

[WhangareiKE70]

Warrant list is as follows:

• All tyres except R/F (lol) (Not as lol when they cost you $420. All new nice and new though. Haha, Cheers MACKAZ/Deon for the hook up, GC)
  
• Hi-stop to work (simple fix, don't think I plugged it in or something, maybe a bulb). (Light is on but dim, will check the bulb to make sure it's a 12V.)
  
• Secure R/F brake hose (Easy fix). (Getting brake hose retaining clip tomorrow arvo from pick-a-part across from work)
  
• Gearbox mount fractured (not an easy fix. Waaaah). (Actually easier than I thought, but about another $100)
  
• Replace rear disk pads (will try and get that done this weekend, have the pads already). (Done)
  
• R/F top shock mount cracked (looking into getting some struts from a guy in Auckland, he says he has the fronts but has to find them). (Ordered a new top hat for the strut, but not paid for yet.)
  
• Untwist R/F seatbelt (easy, pop off cover and untwist). (Done)
  
• Fit rear centre belt (doesn't have one, will buy one).
  
• Reduce handbrake cover travel (Goes up too high, will need adjusting, will do that while I have it jacked up for rear pads). (Will do tomorrow)
  
• Tighten power steering belt (easy). (Done)
  

Updated warrant list above.Will be ready for a re-check once I get enough money to buy those last few bits.

GETTING THERE.

[WhangareiKE70]

YAY! WARRANT!

Will get photos tomorrow. All legit now, will be driving around as the daily now, while the ute finally gets some work done on it.

Chur.

May look at slam some time in the near future depending on whether or not I can find a job now that my current one is over (end of school year).