What's everyone up to?

[pbrown]

Are you busy working on your car? Let's see what you're working on?

[pgermond]

It has been hot here, too hot to crawl around the car. We try and get out in the mornings when it's cool for breakfast and a quick drive. You?

[pbrown]

Time to add AC to the garage.

I've been working on a VW Vanagon Syncro (4x4). I'm doing an engine swap and suspension rebuild now. It's too tall to fit in the garage. I may need to get eight foot doors.

[pgermond]

It gets hot in Seattle?

[pbrown]

It gets hot in Seattle?

Time for AC in your garage.

Seattle is terrible. It rains every day. Please don't move here.

[pgermond]

LOL Don't worry, I don't have any plans to move to Seattle anymore than I plan on going to San Francisco. I understand its a race to the bottom for booth.

[Jim Harding]

Got around to working on 9512 that has been sitting in the garage while I recovered from surgery. Almost 2 years. New hip replacement for the one that I received in ‘92....got my dimes worth out of that one. Brakes were really poor...wouldn’t lock up the wheels. Checked the brake fluid, and found the color resembling coffee....with a nice addition of cream....light brown. So, ordered two master cylinders and will pressure wash out the lines. Calipers drained pretty much clear, so hope they will function normally.

[pgermond]

Hey Jim, Sounds like the same thing I had through with my clutch. When I drained the fluid there was a pudding like sludge in the m/c. I need to do what you have done with my brakes this winter. I had a hip replaced a few years ago, so I hope I get the same mileage out of it as you have!

[Slither]

The gang at Unique is working on my car... I am trying to find some time to start my build forum. I do have the beginnings of a post, but I have been so darn busy! Will try to get something in there before too long...

[Jim Harding]

Started swapping out the brake master cylinders....wasn’t very easy. First, the brake lines where they meet the master cylinder....the fittings were “frozen” and even with the proper line wrench neither one budged...had to cut them...so now will need some new brake lines. Front wheels pretty easy....rear not so much. It became very clear that the rear brake lines were installed before the body was put on. Getting to one of the clamps required unbolting the clutch slave cylinder, and using a very short Phillips head screw driver. After all the clamps were disconnected and separated at the rear, it slipped out. Will be easy to duplicate the lines, and should go back in pretty easy....maybe a problem finding the holes to screw the clamps back on. Hope to have her back together by this weekend.

[pgermond]

I'm going to do the same thing you are doing in the fall. When I built my car I discovered that one of the rear caliber's leaked and I had to replace it. That was NO fun. Those rear inboard brakes are a bitch to work on. I hope you have better luck with yours.

[Slither]

When I built my car I discovered that one of the rear caliber's leaked and I had to replace it. That was NO fun. Those rear inboard brakes are a bitch to work on. I hope you have better luck with yours.

I went with the outboard brakes on mine, as it is period correct... and will be a lot easier to deal with should the need ever arise. Granted, you could certainly argue that the need would be rare and unsprung weight, but... you never know.

[Jim Harding]

Back around 2000, I wanted to replace the brake pads and rotors on 3004.....looked things over and decided to drop the entire read end. Made it a lot easier, but what a chore getting it back up there. She's 37 years old now. Could use some updates, but she's still running and fun to drive.... Trying to upload pic of the master cylinders from 9512, rear one is on the left and the front on the right. Probably could have kept the rear one, but for under sixty bucks, worth the change.

[Slither]

That's kinda icky looking!

[pgermond]

Interesting color. Mine was black!

[Jim Harding]

I’m thinking rust....I’ve heard of moisture getting inside of the cylinder, so that might be the reason for the color. Swapping out master cylinders is a two man job....but got one in by myself.....don’t ask how long that took.....asking for help to finish up

[Aggressor]

Aggressor here - As many of you know and as fate would have it my McLeod hydraulic throw out bearing decided to start blowing fluid on my clutch on my way to Unique’s 2019 Homecoming. The clutch started slipping at Chattanooga and gave up as I pulled onto a lift at Unique. The Weavers extended every courtesy to me as I located parts and repaired my car over the next week. This fall I will be going over every detail of my car as I expect participate at future events without similar inconvenience.
- Geary

[Aggressor]

Hey Paul
You gotta get goin on that build forum. Lots of detailed images and descriptions.
Looking forward to it.
- Geary

[pgermond]

And that is why I don't have an HTO. Hope it stays together for you.

[Slither]

Hey Paul
You gotta get goin on that build forum. Lots of detailed images and descriptions.
Looking forward to it.
- Geary

OK, first posts are up...