Let the air out of the front tires . Seriously, you shouldn't have to worry too much about that.

Trying to keep things consistent. I wanted to update my progress on my Rally preparations. I got my Datsun Spirit engine installed and the new tranny. I also got the Webers tuned in on this thread...

http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/thread45968.html

Further I installed new tires to make the most of the L28 power...

http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/thread47086.html

With the new tires, I have completed every single thing on this checklist! :laugh:

I feel a great sense of accomplishment to be honest. This car has made me experience every emotion from elation to depression and many stops in between. This rally will be a simply fantastic thing, and I have nothing left to do to prepare but to put miles on the car and get the engine completely broken in... More on that later, with videos to come...;)

Edited August 24, 201212 yr by Zedyone_kenobi

Excellent, gotta love that feeling!

Just an update. Today after tweaking the timing I wanted to go for a drive, but the clouds opened up. So after the car cooled down completely I decided to take off the valve cover to see how the cam was doing. Well there were no discernible wear marks, so that is good. Eiji said I should check the valve lash after the first start up and 10 to 20 miles, and then again after it has about 1000 miles on it. Well I checked it stone cold and most of the valves were pretty lose. Which makes sense since I had a bit more valve noise than I was use to. Nothing really alarming, but more than my L24 had. So I set all of them to factory cold specs.

Intake: 0.008"

Exhaust: 0.010"

I had two dedicated shims at those thicknesses, and two more no-go gages set at 0.009 for intake, and 0.011 for exhaust. I got all of them exactly spot on, which makes the OCD mechanic in me very happy. Some people hate even thinking of doing the valves. But I find it strangely therapeutic. Anyway, Still waiting to treat you guys to a video of the webers on the Datsun Spirit L28

FWIW, you should be seeing your valves tighten up as you go, as the valves wear into their seats. That wear is high in the first few thousand miles, hence the need to check them often on a fresh engine.

I will keep that in mind, and periodically check them. The car runs so much quieter now. All the clickty clack that probably hurts absolutely nothing, is muffled to a calm even noise of a smooth running valve train. I figure I will check it again after the 1000 mile rally in November.

I took her out for a 50 mile blast to Galveston Texas. Car ran so perfectly smooth it was stunning. The sound of the exhaust hum is intoxicating, and the 'go anywhere' torque is just addictive as heck. Steady state cruise at 60 mph AFR is 13.5:1. I could not ask for a better summer AFR.

BRING A TRAILER??

Well I sent in my last payment for my TEXAS 1000 rally. The new engine is well under way to being broken in. I have one more oil change left. I have fitted 205/55/15 yokohama S drives on my old Panasports which I wholeheartedly love. I have started a packing list and a tool bag that I can stash inside my tool box in back.

I contacted the rally folks and they are prepared.

I have a few more things I would like to ask?

Has anybody used a UHAUL car transporter before? I wonder if my front spook will have issues going on and off the ramps.

I've hauled a Z or two on a U-haul trailer. None had spooks, but the approach angle seemed pretty low. Jack up the trailer hitch as much as you can to lower the tail.

In the worst case, nothing says you can't back it on the trailer! Might be best from the prevent rock spray on the pretty front end point of view.

Happy hauling!

Why are you transporting the car instead of driving it?

I've hauled a Z or two on a U-haul trailer. None had spooks, but the approach angle seemed pretty low. Jack up the trailer hitch as much as you can to lower the tail.

In the worst case, nothing says you can't back it on the trailer! Might be best from the prevent rock spray on the pretty front end point of view.

Happy hauling!

You can also stick a couple 0f 2x10's, about three feet long under the ramps, to help cut down the angle even more.

Marty

Why are you transporting the car instead of driving it?

My thoughts exactly!

Driving it would be fun but having a means of getting it home in case Murphy strikes is priceless. Plus towing it means I can bring almost limitless spares, camera equipment, etc.

I have gone back and forth on driving it or towing it. Both have advantages