Best Type1 Engine ever

Very entertaining, interesting and well thought-out conversation!

Signed,

Musbjim from 87,000 miles of absolutely enjoyable and relatively trouble-free miles driving all over the Western States in a get-in-the-car-turn-the-key-and-go 1835cc VS!

I get lots of pleasure from this site.  Many times, it's due to someone with more knowledge expalning how to do something.  I learn from that, and try to keep that knowledge in my old, almost-used-up brain.  However, the real pleasure for me is when someone explains WHY we do things, not so much how.

Even though for most of us, we may never meet, the human condition, and all its variations, bring us together.  I have lived and worked in a developing country for 11 years now, and I have had to learn new skills since there was no one locally who could do what I needed done.  The plus side is that I feel a sense of accomplishment in getting the job done.  The negative side is that my desires overshadow my talents.  I have watched jouuneymen electricians, mechanics, plumbers, carpenters, etc. whose work is poetry, with no wasted motion, unnecessary banter, etc.  I am not that guy.  I can now stumble through lots of different types of trades, but I will never be that master trade guy.

I have 8 vehicles here, everything from a Kato 11-ten excavator to p/u trucks, SUV's, and an ATV.   I am not passionate about any of them.  I use them as tools, and keep them running, but they are just tools.

With my SAS coupe, however, I have analyzed, thought and rejected a myriad of combinations for suspension, engine, tranny, chassis, ad infinitum.  I take great pleasure in planning every tiny detail.  Kind of nuts?  Yes, of course.  Neurotic?  Yes, of course.  Lots of fun?  Yes, of course.  In my business life, I am forced to make compromises on a daily basis, including decisions about investment, personnel, customers, capital outlay, maintenance, improvements, etc.  With my coupe, my only uniknown is research.  How big do I want my up & down pipe to be?  What size turbo?  Ball bearing, water cooled?  Front mount intercooler or in the wheel well?

My family have accepted the fact that, on this one subject, I'm way out there.  That's o.k. with me.  Some of you are out there with me, and it's nice to have the company.   

Different strains, same illness. We're all in this together.

Jim, you're right where you ought to be. I admire the fact that you have turned your life into a real adventure in Fiji. The SAS sounds like the perfect car to immerse your interest in once the challenges of a day running an eco-resort are done.

I'm in agreement with both camps.

If I had it to do over again I'd go with a 200+hp Subie in a heartbeat and never give it a second's thought.  But at this point I look forward to keeping the Type 1 engine I now have.  I'm pretty much "at one with it".  And it is running better/stronger/cooler than ever right now at 22,000 miles.

Well actually . . . . the car has 22,000 miles, the engine has seen many reincarnations.  Still, I only had to flatbed home once, and that was because of an exploded flywheel gland nut and not really an engine problem.

DAMN!!

I've been so busy since Carlisle, training on my bike and doing that bike trip thing, I completely forgot that I have to re-weather-strip my car and get my gas heater going and installed for next winter!!

It's a good thing I read this thread or I might have left it until next Fall and be in a bind (again) when I wanted to take her out.  In the meantime, she's been pretty patient with me but it's time for some quality time with Pearl.....

"Tinkering Time" has Begun!

I started reading this thread from the beginning , and I think I bruised my brain.

I'm glad SOMEONE knows this sh!t!  (go Bruins)

Blackie turned over 20,000 miles at Carlisle last month. I guess if it ever bites the big one, it could be Subie time...just for the fun of it....Heh-heh..

~WB

You guys watching the game! 4-3 Blackhawks but it's anyone's game!

This is what I love about this site.

I don't even have my Speedy yet, and every day I learn about more things that can go wrong with it.

The whole idea of an exploding gland nut sounds extremely painful.

Damn. I haven't seen this much activity on this forum in years!

As far as a failed gland nut not being an "engine problem" I don't quite see how it isn't an engine problem. If it loosens and takes out the crankshaft, it is definitely an engine problem!

I never cared for a single fastener attaching the flywheel to the crankshaft, thats why I like the Type 4 that has five bolts to handle the task. The suby is even stronger than that :-)

Jake, you'll get a kick out of this:

When I was a kid, I had a 36hp dune buggy that I ran all through High school.  Sometime during my owning it, the gland nut loosened - sounded like someone was grinding up wallnuts back there.  Pulled the engine and tightened it, only to have it loosen again (you know THAT story, I'm sure).  I sure didn't have the money for a new crank or engine, so I pulled the engine, tightened the nut (again) and then arc-welded two opposing flanges to the flywheel.  Ran it for another five years.......

That's EXACTLY why I (and I'm sure just about everyone else here) finds what you have to say valuable. And the fact that you're so willing to share. Al

Edit- I edited Stan's post for space reason's only; the whole thing is so relevant. To read again just scroll up..

Cool Avatar there, Al.....

Comes from that "Let's kick some Vader butt" episode........

Welded gland nut?? Did that when I was 12, problem was I got it a little too hot and melted the seal.. A mig works much better with less heat!

I was 9 when I invented the mig!

Jake,  I don't think the gland nut was ever loose.  If anything it might have been over-torqued.  The flywheel dropped off the dowels clean in the middle of a near red-line 2-3 shift (following a very hot-roddie 1-2 shift).  The dowels remained tight in the crank.  I replaced the flywheel just as a matter of caution.

It was a stock gland nut.  Now it is the big chromoly one.

I have experienced the rewards of a loose gland nut; which did result in the replacement crank I now have.  Like Gordon mentioned, the sound of a loose gland nut is remarkably memorable.

Glad you like it Gordon; a conversation with Jim Kelly gave me the idea... Al

I'm thinking of installing a new avatar.  Al, what do you think?

I heard that Tom received his Speedster. I think he'll have a report for us soon :-)

Jake - At Carlisle I saw the engine you built for Tom! Pretty awesome stuff and crazy detail! I know you hear this all the time, but you got some serious mad skills!! 

I just saw this! Only from the bowels of deepest, darkest Chilly Whack... go for it Ron!

Or maybe something a little off-center form the world of "Mister Potatohead".  

I give you...."Darth Tater"!!

Or......Mr. Potato-Wookie??

For now I think I'll stick with Jerry.