[The Art Doctor]

Time for an update. I put another 75 miles on the car. I put the re-clocked pitman arm on and the steering wheel is almost centered. It drives much better now, a lot less fighting of the wheel. It is very close to being perfect, but I know it can be better still. It is now clear to me that the left front steering arm is indeed just a bit bent which is limiting the ability to be 100% dead on. Its good enough for now but is on the list for perfection.


On the exhaust leaks, well I still need to permanently address that. I simply used the aluminum high heat insulation/ducting tape to seal up the worst of the holes. Its holding for now but its just a stop gap to allow me to use it without coming out woozy and stinky.


I have the insulation the car came with back on the front floors and that has helped a lot with the in cabin heat that was getting too much as it gets warmer outside. I have 1/4" of foil faced jute down but the passenger floor over the exhaust was still warm to the touch so I have another layer of 27oz jute on order to install before I put my new floor matting in place.


I was getting a slight left pull under braking, so I backed off the left front adjuster one click. I think I should probably have instead added a click to the right front as the braking power seems to be a bit down now. I need to find a place to do a skid test, not much gravel road in the concrete city jungle.


I found a nice level road to do an idle test. In first gear I can maintain a GPS 4.5mph at idle which according to the manual is on the low side so I think I am good now on that issue. If I turn it down anymore it stalls. I have not adjusted the needles, they are where I started and probably should try and lean it out as the exhaust smells a bit fat. Will probably have to do idle again afterwords as they can affect that somewhat.


I worked her up to 60mph for about a minute and she did not complain. Not ready for the interstate but its there if I need it.


Overall I'm pretty happy. Its is reliable now starting easily and drives OK if you slow down and smell the roses. I sometimes get into a corner a bit too hot and she reminds me that the steering is heavy in return. I am still getting used to shifting, its a real challenge for me not to make some noise when shifting. I'm about 80% there. The rumble area rattles constantly. The lower seat is not attached and the upper became loose the other day, need to investigate that. The list never ends but I can hop in it and go anywhere locally right now.


Pic: Gathering at Rottenwood Garage, a local community shop where we meet up to wrench or just kick tires and BS after breakfast most Saturdays.