What are we driving?

So...

I ran out of time with the BMW 2002. We did get it started, but didn't have time to finish up the following:

- Connect throttle linkage

- Connect vacuum sources

- Bleed clutch

- Happy Test Drive!!!

- 500 break in kms

- Oil change

Considering the number of contingencies and problems overcome to get this far, I'm really proud of myself, of Cameron over at Holliday Motorsports, immensely grateful to Brandon for the engine trade, and to Don at Engine Technology for all of the work.

We will have that car driving under it's own power in the next week or two now that the pressure is off.

I'll instead be bringing my back up car. A 1972 Datsun 240z...

Engine is back together and ready to go in the car

To do:

- New Pilot Bearing
- Mount Flywheel and Clutch
- Mount Transmission
- Drop in from a safe height
- Mount exhaust manifold
- Connect speedo cable
- Connect clutch line
- Connect shifter platform
- Connect the drive shaft
- Plumb for coolant
- Mount intake manifold and carbs
- Plumb for fuel
- Install distributor 
- Connect engine electrical
- Connect throttle linkage
- Connect vacuum sources
- Fill with coolant
- Fill with break-in oil
- Time ignition
- Happy Test Drive!!!

It takes a village to build a car...

The outgoing engine and my old engine measured 0.022" and 0.024" bore taper respectively. To hit the target date we needed to find another engine!

A friend's engine suffered a catastrophic head failure after only 500 km when the camshaft locked itself on some debris. The head was destroyed, but the engine and its +1mm 10:1 pistons were in immaculate condition. We wound up trading and his engine is being washed, honed, painted, and re-assembled with new bearings, rings, seals, and oil pickup, as well as all of my old parts.

My new head had wear on the rocker shafts, indicative of oiling issues, but the cam was perfect, so we moved it over to my old head which was being used on our EFI/ITB test stand and known to be good. That head will be investigated and likely relegated to test stand duty with fresh rocker shafts.

Once the engine is back we should be able to reassemble and install that same weekend.

Good chance we're upgrading to either twin Solex 40s or Weber 45s to support the higher compression!!!

Where there's a twill, there's a way...

Getting behind the wheel for The Distinguished Gentleman's Drive

On Sunday, September 29th 2024, I'll be taking part in The Distinguished Gentleman's Drive. Together with thousands of classic car enthusiasts around the world, I will be raising funds and awareness for prostate cancer and men's mental health for the charity, Movember.

Before the dapper day, I'll be looking to raise as much as possible for the cause, to help men around the world live happier and healthier lives. With men's chances of developing prostate cancer later in life increasing, and one man dying every minute by suicide, we must do all we can to prevent more men from suffering.

This is something that affects us all and together, we can make a change. Please give what you can.