• 26 Dec 2004 (72833)
    Left car with parents so it can be closer to Brooklands.
  • 21 Nov 2004 (72338)
    With a forcast involving snow, changed from summer to winter tyres.
  • 7 Nov 2004 (72241)
    Changed oil.
  • 6 Oct 2004 (72226)
    Reinstalled visors after a quick trip to the hardware store. Since NyLoc nuts hold to the thread rather than use the pressure of some outside surface, the nuts I choose should hold the visor in place for a while.
  • 5 Oct 2004 (72219)
    Using my boss as the expert, drilled out mounts in windshield so the visors I bought in May would actually fit in without rapidly working loose. I lost the nuts some time ago, so I didn’t actually install them.
  • 20 Aug 2004 (70441)
    Install new rear leaf springs. They are supposed to lower the rear end one inch, which would match the front. Not sure if it actually has had any effect in that regard, but the ride is noticably smoother.
  • 12 Aug 2004 (70353)
    Adjust valve clearances. I would have done so earlier, but the rubber grommets looked like they wouldn’t survive if they were disturbed, so I waited for new ones.
  • 11 Aug 2004 (70343)
    Changed Oil. Whoops, went a bit long. “Dirty” oil looked clean, so I am not worried. Writing mileage on filter now, shouldn’t happen again.
  • 30 Jun 2004 (68987)
    Installed 1” shorter front springs. Handling improvements are marked, but that could be placebo effects. Looks are much improved, the car doesn’t look like it is on stilts anymore.
  • 10 Jun 2004 (67772)
    Replaced rubber hoses that connect the aftermarket fuel pump to my fuel system.
  • 5 Jun 2004 (67753)
    Replaced leaking radiator cap with a spare I’ve had for some time. Will need to get another spare.
  • 21 May 2004 (67540)
    Installed sun visors, it promptly started raining.
  • 9 May 2004 (67140)
    Replaced break and clutch pedal pads. Removed pad from petrol pedal. Not sure why it was there; it looked original, but Brooklands told me the loud pedal was exposed. Brake pedal pad had rotted away some time ago, the clutch was good, but it would look funny with only a single new pad. Ordered sun visors.
  • 20 Apr 2004 (66015)
    Installed MOSS plastic battery box, replaced my over-large group 24 Interstate with a group 58 of the same brand. I still need to get the battery tied down, but I am much better off than before.
  • 14 Mar 2004 (65990)
    Changed engine oil to Castrol 20W-50, changed gearbox oil (30 wt), changed diff oil (90W gear oil), and switched to summer tires. Broke my jack, will need to get that replaced. The transmission oil didn’t need to be replaced, but I have been noticing the oil smells cooked when changing, so I felt changing early would help flush out impurities.
  • 7 Mar 2004 (65870)
    Replaced turn signal flasher unit that died between Puyallup and Tiger Summit. Fortunately for me, the NAPA in Ellensburg is open on Sunday. Unfortunately for me, it was only raining between Tiger Summit and Ellensburg (I got wet).
  • 29 Feb 2004 (65103)
    Discovered corroded wire caused my headlights to not work. Removed and thouroughly cleaned fusebox, cleaned wires. Reinstalled and added a silicon based jelly protectant in attempt to prevent corrosion in the future. Fuse box may need to be replaced, the fuse holders are losing their strength.
  • 21 Feb 2004 (65042)
    Greased handbrake (will need some more lubrication soon). Fixed windshield washer problem. I was not getting much flow, the pump was working fine. Problem was a clogged screen in the tank. Lots of floating junk. Cleaned filter, drained washer tank through a coffee filter back into the prestone bottle, refilled. Everything works again.
  • 8 Feb 2004 (65004)
    After a nearly mile 400 trip skiing at Sandpoint, I think I can safely say the valve problems are fixed. Car ran quite well.
  • 5 Feb 2004 (64660)
    Covered most of radiator and all of oil cooler with cardboard. I could change the thermostat instead, but I am lazy.
  • 24 Jan 2004 (64602)
    Reinstalled re-machined head (again). Other than a slight fuel delivery problem, all is golden. VROOM!
  • 21 Jan 2004 (64602)
    Pulled head, verified pushrod #5 is not bent.
  • 20 Jan 2004 (64602)
    Verified compression in all four cylinders. 125-125-0-125. Pulled valve cover, discovered #5 pushrod is not in place, rocker arm stuck holding valve partially open. Working theory is valve stuck, allowing pushrod to bounce. Pushrod then bounced into jamming position, which did not allow valve to close once it cooled (assuming valve is sticking due to tight tolerences). Compression returned to normal once we got everthing back in the right place.
  • 19 Jan 2004 (64602)
    Towed home. Engine has low compression in at least #3 cylinder. Too irritated to properly diagnose, will do so when I get the car off the trailer.
  • 18 Jan 2004 (64592)
    Finish tune, readjust tappet clearence clamping. Drive. Car developed miss on one cylinder coming home, sounded like lack of compression or spark. Let car sit momentarily, check connections at distributor, note appearence of water leak at thermostat housing. Restart car, no problems, drive the rest of way home. Replace host clamp and confirm water system holds 13 lbs pressure.
  • 17 Jan 2004 (64592)
    Reassemble head, replace all gaskets, refill and go. Confirmed car runs.
  • 15 Jan 2004 (64592)
    Painted head, discovered previous owner didn’t use proper shade of red. I don’t really care. Installed new freeze plug.
  • 10 Jan 2004 (64592)
    Picked up head.
  • 7 Jan 2004 (64592)
    Deliver head to Helblings auto in Moscow ID to complete head work, they replaced all 8 valve guides, cleaned with caustic tank. Shiny! Removed freeze plug, discovered block heater doesn’t fit. Nor does next smaller size. Decide this isn’t going to work, buy replacement freeze plug.
  • 6 Jan 2004 (64592)
    Took head to a shop, pulled valve. Guide is extremely tight, lots of carbon buildup.
  • 5 Jan 2004 (64592)
    Pulled head, used water to test how valves are sealing. Exhaust valve for #2 is not closing.
  • 4 Jan 2004 (64592)
    Tried to move car from driveway to clear some snow, discovered I have no compression in the #2 cylinder.