I might be in. Considering I'm 20 minutes away.

 

hope you can make it out!

 

UPDATE: since we will be spending some time shooting, please make sure you bring hearing protection. i have only one set currently (broke the other set at a carbine instructor school). i may have a pair or two of foamies and that's it.

 

Y'all have a good time and take lots of pics, wish I could be there!

Dave, those bullets are expensive, you should be sinking those funds into the rotaries!

 

wish you could make it out Ray. yes the bullets are expensive but i've been stocking up and if i can convert a few more people to gun toting meat eating freaks, its worth it, lol. i've been stocking up since i became a state certified firearms instructor and teaching CCW classes.

 

Dave, I'm bringing a new steering box on the chance that we could replace the one in my car. As I am really only a bicycle mechanic I have no idea whether this is doable at your place today. If not it will just come home with me for another day. I'll be leaving my house around 9:00 and will check here before I go in case you are up this early.

 

i'm up and you can feel free to bring the steering box out. its doable for sure. i have experience replacing them. and feel that it can be done in about an hour. there will be plenty of hands to help.

 

Dave, I just rolled back into Pittsburgh and wanted to thank you for yourwonderful hospitality and generous sharing of your skill, knowledge and time. I had a great time even though the steering box took so much time to figure out, only to realize that it was incomplete. I know that all of the time we spent on that prevented us from taking a group drive. I also want to extend my thanks to Pedro for his assistance with my carburator.

I invite you all bring your Mazdas to Pittsburgh the weekend of July 20-21 and join the West Penn Mazda Club for the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix. Registration for your car is $30 for the weekend. Below is a link to the weekend car show information page followed by a link to the Asian car show page. This is a spectacular show with over 2000 cars of all types.

International Car Show at Schenley Park | Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix

Asian Car Show | Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix

Some years my car is the only example of an FB. I'd love some company. Ed, your stunning SA would surely be a standout at the show. I hope you can make it down from Erie. Dave, if you bring a car I will cover your registration fee as I easily got that much work and more out of you today.

 

Another great get together! Dave thanks for the hospitality. I don't know of any other place on earth you can tune your RX-& and get a hedge hog. Attached are just a few images from the day. Nothing like wrestling with some repairs on a 90 degree day at 90% humidity. For those who ever thought of going to Dave's get together I highly recommend it. Good food, great people, and more Rx-7 knowledge that one can handle.

Now where di d that piece go?
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps11049cb2.jpg

some of the cars
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q...psb457eb63.jpg
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps63d307f0.jpg

 

Ray, I think we have another OGTA in Ohio. We need to make it up to this someday.

Having lived in Pittsburgh for 20 years and having attended many of the VGP events
its not to be missed if you are within driving range. Its so cool even my wife liked
to go to it. Bring a picnic basket, libations and some chairs and you're set. That
$30 is to park your car on the grass in the infield but its free if you park on the
streets nearby. Also keep an eye out in the neighborhoods, as there are some nice
rides that park there as well.

Great pics and would love to see more. I fixed the links here:

 

Sorry I missed it, just couldn't get the planets to line up for me. Sounds like I missed a great time...

 

Looks like a ton of fun! I wish I'd have known about it sooner as I could have made it.

 

looks like a good turn out.

 

I am advised by the parts guy at Malloy Mazda that the steering column/gearbox is sold as a single assembly for $596 + shipping. Apparently the piece that prevents the steering column from sliding in and out until it collapses in a collision is not separately available. Does anyone know if that part from a sloppy steering column can be put into the new one? The lack of that part is what prevented the installation of the otherwise brand new column that has been sitting in my garage for the past 4 years.

 

That does look like an OGTA meeting for sure, real nice turn out, good to see people getting greasy.

Nice work Dave!

On the steering column, it sounds like it's some kind of sheer pin. Seems like in principle at least you should be able to transplant one from a used unit.

More pics! I want to see the shooting range!

 

i'll take some pics of the "range" today. we did some shooting but it was dusk so we only shot for about an hour.

it was a GREAT turnout and i had a blast!! i wish we could do it more often!!!

 

I actually spoke with the parts manager a day or so ago and he advised me that the steering column is no good. The parts which prevent it from collapsing are internal and not serviceable. Thus I was either sold a defective part or it was damaged in shipping. Because the box it arrived in was just barely long enough to contain the steering box/column I am forced to conclude that the column was already collapsed when it was packed for shipment. I don't mind spending the money for parts I need, but $475 for a part billed as new and mint but which is actually damaged beyond repair sets my hair on fire.

 

I read about a repair involving drilling a hole in the shaft cover down near the pedals, then drilling a smaller hole in the shaft itself and using an aluminum rivet to secure the shaft. Can't find it anywhere. Here's a thread about the same issue with a nylon bolt as a cure.
http://www.ausrotary.com/viewtopic.p...=56556&start=0

 

Looks like it was a blast! If I wasn't 12hrs away I would have made it out!

 

Larry, i hope we can get that column working for you. i saw your pm and i'll shoot you one back here tomorrow afternoon when i get up!

to anyone that missed the meet that would like to attend one in the future, i am already planning a meet for early september. about the same deal as this time, but with more range time and better burgers. also, i have that 12A for us to tear apart and play with. should be a little better next go around.

 

I have good news and bad news. I took the car to a dealership to ask if they could install the steering box on my steering column.

The good news is there is nothing wrong with my brnad new steering box. The ignition cylinder and surround holds the column in place.

The bad news is they wanted $750 to put it in. I told them no and that cost me $140.

Are you having another get together on the 14th?

 

I guess I missed the the early Sept. meet too. I will make one of these meets one day hopefully.

 

I'm originally from Columbus. Where is this in relation?

 

The meet is in Vermilion, OH, which is between Cedar Point and Cleveland. The September meet is this coming Saturday, September 14. For more information go here:

Ohio Rotaries • View topic - Dave's Fall Meet 9-14-13