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Earlier last week I got paranoid after my last auto-x event. The tech guy said there was a little bit of play in my passenger wheel. I've put maybe 600 miles on the car since I swapped out the wheel bearings, so this concerned me. Knowing that GSL-SE hubs are known to blow apart on the track, I decided it would be a good idea to pull the hubs off and examine them for cracks.
A couple of hours later, I buttoned everything back up. No cracks. Now I can drive to SS18 with a little peace of mind.
Speaking of driving to SS18, I had planned on towing the car. I may still. But our original plan was to get two cars into one trailer. It's looking like that isn't going to happen. I have a plan B. If that doesn't pan out, plan C will involve me driving it.
Now, the car doesn't have tires that are ideal for highway driving, particularly that distance. And especially if it rains (which I suspect it won't). So I decided I needed to start thinking about picking up some cheapie 4x114.3 wheels and putting some cheap all-season tires on them.
So today, I went to the junk yard to help a friend pull a hood and a trunk lid off of a BMW 535. While I was there, I walked past a respectable looking set of Datsun 280Z wheels with tires. I looked them over...one had a tiny bit of curb rash, but that was it. I wasn't 100% sure they were 4x114.3, but I took a gamble and bought them. I figured that they were in good enough shape that even if they were 4x110, some Z fan would take them off my hands. I took them home and confirmed that they are, indeed, 4x114.3.
So they were pretty dirty and unremarkable looking, but I got my circular buffer and some wheel polish and did a once over. After about 5 minutes of rubbing them out, here's what 2 of them look like.
I've got two more to do. Unfortunately, the tires are much too tall to fit in my wheel wells (at least my fronts won't fit them...they will rub the fender liners). So I'll have to ditch the tires and get a set of $50 tires. Oh, and lug nuts, as these wheels take lugs with a .55" shank.
So by the end of this week, I should have everything I need to drive the car to SS18. Except ear plugs.
i can't wait to see them on the car. i'd always had a thing for those wheels (and not just because i have a thing for Z cars) because they reminded me of the Jongbloeds that Norwood ran on his GTO back in the day. silly mental associations, i know, but i can't help it.
Made a quick 200 mile round trip to see WoodMV's project and pick up a manifold. A lovely afternoon.
It was great to meet you! Loved seeing your 7 in person. Folks, the pics don't do his car justice - the paint job is really killer. Had a great time swapping stories and checking each other's cars out. And THANKS for buying that old school manifold. I know you can put it to good use, enjoy!
I thought about it. Now I'm in California and yet it remains in Texas. It hasn't run in more than 2 years. No engine. No hope of having it emissions compliant in California without putting it back to *fully functioning* stock form, which I really don't want to do. Might build up another engine and register it in a non-smog county somehow. Anyone have experience on how to do that? I'm in Oakland so I'm close to a few non-smog counties up north.
stripped down the 85 parts car over the weekend, wifey helped out and made things go by quick. damn cold out - actually snowed. BS. still have the rear axle and quarter glass to remove, then i'm cutting it up. might use the sheet metal and make a widebody for the 83 gsl...
I bought a new 84 gsl and have been doing some detailing and buying a few things like a K&N filter and new X wheels. It's my first 12a. I like the steering compared to the ps in the gsl-se. And I like the sunbeam silver with the wine leather interior. I never thought I'd like a silver car but it is an rx7.
I bought a new 84 gsl and have been doing some detailing and buying a few things like a K&N filter and new X wheels. It's my first 12a. I like the steering compared to the ps in the gsl-se. And I like the sunbeam silver with the wine leather interior. I never thought I'd like a silver car but it is an rx7.
Nice man!
Time to REW swap one of those first gens?
10-04-15, 02:37 AM
Now I can drive to SS18 with a little peace of mind.
