Rolling rustoration on a '77 Spider.

[124JOE]

yes but you must keep an eye on this because gas eats silicone
the other alt is to cut some threads inside it so a bolt will fill that hole

[injunjoe535]

Joe, I was concerned about the silicone being sucked into the motor. I'm sure it would hold, but you bring up a good point on the effect that gas would have on it. I too had the thought of tapping the inside diameter and inserting a grub screw of sorts using red lock tight if I couldnt find a suitable replacement, heck even JB Weld might be the answer. Ive got some of that as well as a stick of soft putty something or other that reacts when you knead it together and forms a rock hard metalic like substance. Impervious to gas, oil and chemicals is what the package says. It's just that lately I've been busier than a three legged cat in turd kicking contest, eventually I'll make it to the local NAPA and hopefully they'll have the plug I need for it. Besides, the car really isnt going anywhere soon, it's got four flat tires........I dare it to run away! And to think that when I first brought it home I was hoping to have it on the road in a month.


What is it that book says........the best laid plans of mice and men.

[injunjoe535]

It's been a little while since I got to work on the car. Life, and a car turning left in front of me while I was on my bike last weekend in the NE Ga mountains, got in my way. Fortunately I got away from the wreck with just some road rash, bruises and lots of sore muscles and joints. Unfortunately my bike didn't fare as well as I did. I await the insurance adjuster to deliver the bad news, which I suspect will be a complete total on the bike.

But enough about me, your here for the car.

Saturday I finally found a replacement for the hollow bolt where the EGR line plumbs into the intake manifold. A big thanks to Tractor Supply Co. as nobody else had it locally. It's an oil drain plug; I put a little teflon tape on it and snugged it up for a perfect fit.



I also purchased a new battery for it and got it put in today too. I still haven't finished cleaning the gas tank yet so I poured some gas into the carb and tried my luck; the engine turned over smoothly and ran for about 10 seconds before the gas ran out. I did this "prime and start" drill three or four times and it started without issue every time. Sounded very good, no odd noises and metallic thunks so that's always a plus. I feel confident now that once I get the tank finished, installed and add a little gas it should run. I did notice that the oil pressure gauge didn't come up so I'll be looking into that but I also noticed that the low pressure light didn't stay on either. As I understand it from several posts here the gauge has a habit of not playing nicely so hopefully that's the case and not something far worse.

So I got some joy today.

[ga.spyder]

Where were you at when you had the bike crash? You know I live here in the mountains outside of Blairsville.We had several bad accidents last week..one fatal,Sorry to hear about the bike,but really glad you are ok!I had a feeling that car was gonna' be a runner.

[injunjoe535]

Craig, I was on SR 60 between Dahlonega and Suches. In fact we ate lunch at Rib Country there in Blairesville before returning. I heard about the fatality too, very sad. In fact the wrecker service that retrieved my bike also picked up the one from the fatality and I saw it when I picked up my bike. If you can believe it, that bike was in better condition after the wreck than mine was. I'm very thankful and grateful to have come out of it in the shape that I am.

I've been up in that area quite a bit, we try to do the "square" from Suches over to 129, down to Turner's Corner and over to SR60 again several times a year. I had rolled 137K on the bike during this trip, a short ride for me seems to be around 300 miles. We're going to have to get together sometime, I'd love to see your cars and get some ideas on what to do with mine from you.

[dmwhiteoak]

Your a lucky man. Glad you were not hurt to bad. Seems to be alot of bike wrecks lately here too. More bikes on the road. More people on cell phones. Not a good combo.

[ga.spyder]

Next time up here,Joe,send me a private message or email from the site here before yo leave.I could meet up with you somewhere,and show you my car or go for a ride on the bikes.
Craig
nuker598@yahoo.com

[fiat218]

Thanks Joe, I would've wondered why the timing marks didnt line up when cylinder #1 was at TDC. Whoda thunk it would be timed on Cylinder #4. Crazy Italian engineers........

Isn't one and four the same ,on the timing ,should be or not be

[injunjoe535]

@ Dennis: You ain't lying brother.

@ Craig: You've got a deal. I'll let you know when I'll be in the area next time and we can meet up. Here's a few quick pics, while it doesn't look bad the list of parts is high as is the cost of those parts. The frame is 2 grand alone. Don't ask me how but somehow the tank didn't get as much as a scratch, even though the bike flipped at least once.



Complete front end needed, from fender to the handlebars and everything else in between.


Engine guard, rear fender and both saddlebags too.




@ Jim: yes, they are at TDC at the same time. But one is TDC Compression stroke while the other is at TDC Exhaust stroke, 360 degrees apart. If the engine is timed on cyl #4 TDC compression then all the timing marks (Exhaust cam, Intake cam, Aux shaft and Crank) should all line up where they're supposed to. On Cyl #1 TDC Compression the timing marks on the cams would be off. Now this is for static timing, making sure the cams are timed correctly with the crank and auxiliary shaft as if you were replacing the timing belt or reassembling the engine; essential to ensure pistons and valves don't shake hands. If your using the timing light to set timing while the engine is running, then I don't think it matters if you use #1 or #4.

[ga.spyder]

Damn Joe...those are some ugly pictures!! Glad you werent hurt.As you know the roads here this time of year are full of motorcyclists.The problem is it is also full of flatlanders and ''leaf-lookers''.While gazing at the views they tend to come out of their lanes.Especially the one with the oranges on their tag(Flor-idiots as they are called here)