Count down to Carlisle

I got the one important thing I was going to do to the car done. I was forced by the '06 Golf's medical status to drive the Hoopty to work, and I tinkered with it in the engine bay this evening. It's cool of the boss to allow it.

I finally put the trailer light adaptor Teresa bought for the rear hatch into the electrical system. Now, instead of having four wires dangling down in the engine compartment, I have a plug-in connector that I can break to open the hatch or to remove it alltogether.

I believe Danny Piperato does the same thing with his Spyder, and since it's the same mechanism, essentially (although mine's not as cool), Teresa bought the hardware some time ago. In the first picture, the one with the whole engine showing, it's the cluster of wires dangling in the back, left. In the second picture, it's a little more contained -- and the lights all work!

That install and a maybe a little wheel polish are it for me. That third picture was opportunistic; I like posting them in threes. :

NEWSFLASH!

I have been chasing a vibration (shimmy/wiggle/something) around 60 MPH for a couple of years, and today's ministrations may have solved it. After replacing shocks, steering damper, and wheel bearings (they were noticeable damaged), I had figured out that I was going to have to get my wheels balanced again. This bothers me because I had this vibration to a lesser degree with the original chrome rims, which tells me it's in the suspension or tires. I also hate the idea of the tire folks scratching up the painted rims. Late last week a friend told me about the balancing beads that some motorcyclists use, so I did a bit of research and found this site: http://www.innovativebalancing.com/?gclid=CJKziofxlZ4CFRcjawodCUUolA.

I located a local dealer and purchased enough for all four wheels. I have only driven it once at 60 since doing the install, but it is significantly smoother. There was no vibration at all that felt like a wheel imbalance, and the ride in general felt a wee bit smoother.

The install is easy: let the air out of the tire and remove the valve insides with the proper little tool; weight out the correct amount (about 3 oz for most tires) and fill the applicator bottle; load into the tire via the now-empty valve stem; replace valve guts and re-inflate tire.

If you have a similar problem, this might be an easy solution to consider.

Lane, My big truck has this type of balancing system, works great.

Glad you finally got that sorted out, Lane.
I thought about you the other day; went to the hardware store to get some lawn stuff, and this big Chevy was on a similar mission.
Dude and I talked about cars for a long time; an hour, maybe.
He had painted rims and chromie-looking center caps -- and more wheel weights than I have ever seen on one car in my life.
It was the first '57 I've seen in a long time that wasn't all rodded out or monkeyed with.

It was Mother's Day today, so I broke a longstanding tradition and broke out a can of Mother's aluminum polish. I also took a spray bottle of Goof-Off to the chassis, then waxed the whole darned thing. It's very unlike me to do that sort of thing, but it needed to be done.

I also did a little bit of fabrication work to make tool storage -- since I don't have any of the usual Speedster stowage areas, I had to make my own. Since I like diamond-plate aluminum (and happened to have some leftover pieces from a prior application lying around), I "re-purposed" them.

I also finally got my steering wheel to line up correctly, removed my old Bosch voltage regulator (to improve airflow to my primary cooling fan) and replaced all of my existing fuses with new ones. I took the label off of my ABC extinguisher and polished it up, since I had the time, and then polished the sheet aluminum on the front half of the car.

What the heck. Something to do between calls on a Sunday. I'm on the second engine out today, and I'll bet the boys on the first-out (two house fires, a heart attack and a whole grip of other calls) are pretty mad their day wasn't as productive!

I was on that engine yesterday. Luck of the draw.

This really was a good day for the car. I got everything I wanted to get done before Carlisle done. Now, I'm going to quit messing with it and take it home to the garage tomorrow -- where it will sit until the show.

Very nice! I like the "saddle bags" idea for storage.

lane remember the old balancers back in the 60s and 70s that would clip on the wheel and an electric motor would spin it on the car. the balance was perfect,an it balanced the bearings and the rotor or drum. they are still around if you look. bill

They looked like an upright vaccuum cleaner, were great but are long gone, OSHA made shops stop using them because of injuries while balancing.

Yeah I asked all around about one in this area. No joy.

Lane,

What kind of tires have you put on? The Kumho brand on Merlot is great! They function very good without vibration or bounce...smooth as Frog's hair. I grow up working in my Dad's true service station. When the ride you described was encountered after balancing, was due to "out-of-round" tires! I even bought a set of the Kumhos for the Isuzu Rode with a so-called 80,000 mile guarantee! They were the best buy and the price was right for an 80,000 mile tire...about half the cost of major name brands at Sam's Club. Walmart, Costco, etc.

I got the wider tire upgrade from Carey. Goodyear RSA all-season performance tires - 185/65-15. Very sticky, but the lower profile throws the speedo off a bit.

Yea Lane, I'm hip to your speedo thing. Your version of 65 mph on I-81 N in Virgina was about 62 mph in my car, unfortunately right in my vibration zone. Hopefully, the beads will resolve this problem.

Maybe another convert to "The Magic Beads". My fingers are crossed.

When I think of "magic beads" I have a completely different visual :)

I was expecting Vince to be the first to go there.

Lane,
You can always have the tires "trued", but they sorta wear a little funny! You sure them ther beads ain't goin' rattle? I know that ole Tom's beads won't rattle if properly inserted! Is Tom speakin' from experience?

Lane:

Thanks.

I'm going to look into those, too, once I get back to Pearl.

Aaron:

Do you ever see daylight??

saw a new style balancer the other day ,and they use a motor to push on the tire while its being balanced, the operator says its like the tire is on the road. it should solve some problems. bill

Gordon,

I have a problem sleeping since the knee implant. Just can't do somethings that I use too! So, daylight come and I'm still going!

EIGHT MORE DAYS!

I'm having trouble concentrating at work. My wife says she talks to me but I'm not listening. I keep hearing engine sounds in my head, and I have a craving for artery-clogging egg sammiches. I think I have...




...THE CARLISLE SYNDROME!

Yes, Lane...now about the rain chant. Could you please post the lyrics and melody we should be following?

It's a Norwegian family secret of John Hallstrand. If he told you he'd have to kill you. He must be dancin' away, though, as the forecast has improved. Hope he can keep it up.

As East Coast Bruce says: "8 days"! May have to drive the MP Lafer and join up with the TD Replica Group.

I talk to the Cherokee Little People about the weather. The Lafer windscreen wiper system has a broken connecting rod. I haven't been able to find one! I just don't relish the thought of removing the wiper assembly just to remove the rod...but may have too! The solution is have it repaired by welding.

Plan B: Use lots of Rain-X

Of Course!

I've been looking forward to this trip since August, 2009, so you know that I'm excited. This is my last official vacation before retirement. My successor is up to speed, the assignments are dropping off, and this should be the most stress-free vacation that I've ever taken.

Right on, Tom!
I'm getting a little distracted myself.

Merlot may be ready...parts design kicking Carey's but!

Today: Put a Stay Fast top on the speedy and made Lexan side curtains. Tomorrow night: oil cooler and master cylinder.

Lane....Norwegian....Norwegian? Not in a pigs eye! I am 100% pure Swede. I do not resemble that remark. The "no rain" dance will be done soon, as much as my back will allow me to. I think there is some 1st nation (ne. native American) influence here.
OY YOI YOI YOI
OY yoi yoi yoi
(with appropriate drum beats or foot stomps)
Carlisle without rain is in dreamland, but I just hope we get some good weather.

I got email from Carey...I may have Merlot by this weekend!

I put more primer on my Speedster today....competing with Corey. :>)

Man, what a great day to drive La Bomba to work! Top down on the way home. Can't wait till next week. I got it all ready for the season, LOVE that flat 6, Eats Interstates for lunch. Leaving work Thursday afternoon. Should roll in around 6 or so. It will be good to renew old aquaintances, and meet new crazies!

Sorry John. I had a 50/50 shot and blew it. Mea culpa.

Um...sorry Lane. I must stand with my fellow Swede John on this one.

Calling one of us a Norwegian is going to require far more penance than a mea culpa.

You've insulted John, all his fellow Swedes (and likely the Norwegians too :) )

Better bring an extra Oban to Carlisle....although I'm really a gin drinker, or a good Aquavit!

Old story about eight Scandinavians shipwrecked on an island. After one week:

The two Finns had engineered a way to build a new boat from supplies on the island.
The two Norwegians had harvested the required materials.
The two Danes had formed a cooperative to build the boat.
And while all this was going on, the two Swedes were still waiting to be introduced.

HAR!

You guys just don't know how nice a Norwegian can be. Turns out, underneath Teresa's Georgia Peach exterior, there's "Weege" in there! Who knew?
I could'a maybe put it together; blue eyes, freckles ...

Uffda!!