Its been a while since i updated here the happenings. For starters there was a set of work that was pending after last Palar event. So soon after Spidey came home, it went back to Suraksha for the repair. Main issue was the rear axle set up. The tube was bent like a banana, axle also had some wounds due to the extreme set up and finally the leaf springs.
So out goes the banana
and in comes the spanking new diff tube, needed to add the traction bar clamp etc and put the lockers back in. Unfortunately locker is still giving some issues.
Many of the smaller niggles were also attended to and took delivery of the vehicle. Drove around for a week or so, but then it never felt right. Issue no 1 vehicle is tilted to right, front felt too soft always looking for opportunity to give a topple feel. Some amount of R&D revealed that the new CFL up ahead might be giving away.
There was a small local event coming up, so decided to get them (CFL) checked. And we were right, the front CFL had cracked! Again! This time it was decided that this R&D with front CFL is over, somehow the SPOA and larger wheels were not going well with the CFL (many other imported leafs dont also). So back went the leaf spring set up, but this time around added an additional short leaf and re-cambered the whole set. Results were good, vehicle had a better poise.
The front CFL cracked.
Surprisingly this added leaf helped quite a bit with handling onroad. Spoke to the CFL manufacturer and they agreed to replace the damaged pair for a new set of rear CFL. Which can be kept as back up.
Vehicle ran well in the event but proved the point that this is not a speed event machine. Its for serious crawling stuff. Nevertheless had fun.
The Bangalore annual OTR was coming up and could manage to do one recce with Spidey and the BODA boys, usual relaxed BODA kind of fun. I had to skip the actual event due to various reasons and Khan wanted to enjoy the walk, so Spidey was parked at home.
Summer was setting in and all i needed was an excuse, always a topic of conversation during our longer trips - AC cabin. Spoke to Tobias at Wecool and a saturday was blocked for the job.
Sanden 505, Bridgestone pipes and rest all local but new stuff. Wecool managed to get the compressor and the clamps (which was a concern from availability angle) and the install went well. Some pics.
Had added some "imported thermocoal" which does not absorb water to the firewall and transmission tunnel first half. These are the major heat seepage area's in a gypsy. The old additional electric fan was replaced with a more compact high power unit connected to AC circuit. Have added a parallel direct switch for any extreme OTR weather so that fan can be switched ON without the AC compressor also ON. So far i never had to switch the bypass ON since temp is rock steady at around 1/2 mark. Removed the OE blower unit, though it looks much more elagent its an absolute waste when it comes to cooling efficiency. Point to note, never forget to put the "timing markings" on the new pulley. I did it myself and saved a bit of TDC search afterwards.
Result- AC was super chilling, grill temp going to -0.x deg before cutting off. Power loss was almost nil unlike a typical 507 set up. Hardly any difference in FE also. I am
Still the itch was on.... after the engine grooving job a slight pinging was noticed in the engine. Nothing serious (Palar was conquered with this) but yes not so minor that it can be ignored. Trip materialized to Mysore and so Spidey went back to Somender Singh for some tune up. Adjusted the valve, set the timing to 8 deg static and took a test drive. Pinging persists. We figured out that a colder plug is the only solution. Did not have much choice there in Mysore, but out went Denso 20's "made in Japan" and absolutely crappy looking Champion 8's goes in. Some respite found and we returned.
Back to garage (Khan says Spidey has never spent so much time at garage's while it was with him). Rear CFL's had arrived and the older ones were sagging thanks to all the pounding and twists it had received over the years. So out goes the old one (as a spare set) and new stiffer, wider ones installed.
Oh bonus was a stereo which was originally part of the vehicle going back in where it belonged.
Some more scratching head and picked up a set of Denso iridium plugs (2.6k! but paisa wasool stuff) for the engine. Pinging issue seems to have been finally resolved 99.9% and vehicle is smooth as silk. Did a compression check and i was not surprised to see 220 psi reading and that too with a press fit connector (threaded hose was leaking so could not use).
This should explain what really has gone into the engine rejuvenation + groove job and the naging pinging we suffered i suppose. Anyways issue has been rectified and along with starter overhaul, radiator clean up, door hinge replacement etc (i can go on and on, last work shop visit list had 20 jobs) finally Spidey is ready!
Ready?! Well almost, Spidey is almost Perfect! A free reving torque monster which keeps the occupants air conditioned and excited with the odd bounce or two. Once the rear locker set up is set right it will be 101% ready to rock and roll.
Eagerly looking west wards for the monsoon.
cheers
jaggu