My Vintage Rallies Texas 1000 Thread

[LeonV]

That's what roadside assistance is for! I always keep my AAA card with me, I figure the 100 free miles of towing will either get me home or someplace where I can fix the issue.

[tlorber]

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

You are treading on some dangerous ground here, my friend.

And who the deuce is Murphy? Never heard of him.

[Ben's Z]

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.

Buddy, I gotta believe it will based off of my experience.

[Ben's Z]

While your at... renew your registration... 7/12 you rebel you!

[Zedyone_kenobi]

Yeah, that registration has to be done, she has been in my garage for so long getting going I just have not had a chance...

'break'n the law... break'n the law... break'n the law..."

tlorber, I am sorry, have you not heard of Murphys Law....

Do a google search.

AS for being a trailer queen, not ever going to happen.

But your warning is not unheard by my ears my friend!

Edited September 7, 2012 by Zedyone_kenobi

[tlorber]

tlorber, I am sorry, have you not heard of Murphys Law....

Do a google search.

I was being facetious about Murphy. I've met him, I know him, and I really don't like him.

[Zedyone_kenobi]

tlorber,

you and me,

we gotta work on our communication!

that picture physically makes me ill. Is there a story behind this poor injured Z?

[d240zx2]

As for the U-Haul car trailer.... Just jack up the hitch end a bit. That'll lower the ramp end and you can drive right on without scraping anything. I did that with 721 once and it went without a hitch (no pun intended).

[Zedyone_kenobi]

55 days and counting to the Texas 1000. I am finishing off the fine tuning, adjusting, cleaning and prepping the car. I am making a mental list of everything I need to check out. I have the car on four jack stands once again, and I am starting to get ready for the last round of fixes.

Yesterday I replaced the passenger outer tie rod which split its boot 2 months ago when I put it on. I found out why. I filled it with grease prior to installation and it was very full already. If anything I overfilled it. So when you put the 40-55 ft lbs on it you compress the rubber boot even more. Combined with age, this is what made the boot fail. So, note to self, never overpack a rubber seal with grease.

As you know, the engine and transmission are new. The gear oil in the diff has less than 2000 miles on it. (royal purple) So fluids should be okay.

I installed new brakes on all four corners within the past 700 miles. Wheel bearings have all been replaced within the past 2 years. New brake fluid.

I have redone the fuel system. I have redone the cooling system. I have brand new tires. So I am okay on that end.

This is my first 1000 mile rally. And I want to be sure that the car makes it the distance. I DO NOT want to be the only japanese car there among german, italian and british cars and have a mechanical breakdown. That would be unthinkable!!

I feel like I am representing the classic japanese car folks here.

Can I get you guys to throw some things out there I should double check now that the car is up in the air on jackstands?

No suggestion is too small. I have this sinking feeling that while I have the major components in great shape, I am forgetting something small that can sideline me.

[tlorber]

My suggestion is to drive the car...HARD! Then drive it some more. Break whatever you are going to break now, while you are close to home, and then repair whatever breaks.

There is no substitution for actual mileage on the car. You also need to get used to the limits of adhesion so that you'll be more comfortable on the rally.

Its like Dirty Harry said (before talking to the empty chair) "A man has got to know his limitations."

[Zedyone_kenobi]

I have been taking your advice to heart. Every time I take her out I push her harder and harder.

Great advice...may seem like common sense, but those are wise words!

[LeonV]

I just did about a 1000 miles on the Z over the weekend. Only thing that went bad was a slave cylinder (which was new a year ago), and my Z has not been gone through like your car! Just have some key tools on hand (wrench set, screwdriver set, flashlight, duct tape, etc) and at least a spare water pump/alt belt and you should be good to go. I'll second the drive-the-wizz-out-of-it comment!