Author Archive

New Veins

After discovering my brake lines had almost worn through by touching the driveshaft, I felt some new lines were in order.

I picked up some ADR approved HEL stainless brake lines. Sleeved in some as-factory-as-possible looking ‘carbon’ sleeves with black banjos they’ve been finally seamlessly integrated into the car.

Had some issues waiting for them, but happy with the result, though I feel the threaded section at the upper mounting point could be a little deeper and closer to the factory arrangement.


Pure Peace

If only this were me. Lost in his slumber my little nephew is obliviously
the envy of us all. Read More…


Amsterdam Enlightenment

Amsterdam is indeed a place of enlightenment. Wandering the streets, the city walls divulge a treasure of truth. A deep lesson we must all ponder.


Final Rest

Its once proud service ceased, this old Zephyr accompanies venerable companions amongst the grass and cattle near the Hunter Valley NSW


Walls and Chains

Is God just way too restrictive?
Read More…


A new clutch

12.30am found me sitting in the rain at the very end of Cobbity Road with a torn spline from the clutch plate.

A 60k tow home saw me crashing into my bed at 2.30am with a mammoth job ahead of me.

Thanks to Kevin at Penrith Specialised Clutch for providing me a modified TRD pressure plate and sprung ceramic/metallic button friction plate at such short notice.

The engine was out over the weekend, however, I’d forgotten to order a rear main seal, so everything was delayed.

However, after about 18 hours the job was complete.

I have used a fully synthetic Penrite oil and Redline Lightweight Shockproof gearbox oil (not cheap!) and am so far exceptionally happy with the result.

Starting the car the first time, had a huge scare when clutch was depressed, a grinding/chewing/whirring noise.. after sheer terror gripped me, a friend suggested that perhaps the forks were collecting the friction plate. I recalled the last vestige of the previous owner’s mechanic’s debacle of a maintenance job.

A horrendously modified clutch master pushrod to pedal fork adapter.. forcing the clutch further than it was originally designed to go. 5 minutes later with a spare original I had obtained in light of this a while back, noise gone and everything’s operating beautifully! :)


Useless?

I’m doing it.  Reading the Psalms slowly.  I’ve decided not to move to the ‘next’ Psalm till I’ve seen something new and beautiful in each. Something about my Father in heaven, something about me too I pray.
Read More…


Fuel Filter

So, after a few years I’ve finally fixed up the disaster that was the fuel filter.

Seems the previous mechanic had broken the fuel line and/or rounded off the flare nut under the filter – and thought a good solution would be just to slide some hose over the pipe and hose clamp the heck out of it.

So, I finally took it all apart, bought a flaring kit, got the whole assembly down next to the firewall, bought $80ish of fittings and hoses, attached it to the $60ish filter and spent $30 on some 3mm aluminium sheeting to make a new bracket up.

It’s all sitting pretty tight now, about 2cm higher than it was before, but very tight, and no leaks.

Real relief to have that done.

Busted up old naked end of the fuel line

Busted up naked end to the fuel pressure line

New filter, braided line and fittings

Old filter with hose and clamps

New filter test fitting - haven't put the bracket on yet or turned it around etc


New Exhaust on the Group-A

Quick snap with the iPhone here at the Exhaust Shop (Carline Seven Hills – can’t recommend enough, Stephen there is a legend –  ph 9838 9999/carline.com.au) Finally finished the exhaust with a 3” mandrel rear pipe and straight-through muffler and little dump.

Has a great growl now and doesn’t resonate really at all, so pretty happy with the result.

Going to show how effective a flowing exhaust is, this simple replacement of the stock (collapsing) muffler and rear section has resulted in about 12% reduction in the boost controller’s duty cycle and about a 35-40% reduction in the gain setting (Gizzmo EBCMS II) for the same boost (I aim for around 15.5psi)


Black and white birthday party


“Dear God, help me to live for you today.”

I can’t pray this anymore.
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