Enough snow melted that we could take the blown '85 out for it's first drive. Everything went well up and down the street a few times, so we took it out onto the road and took it up to the gas station to fill it up. Suspension and steering definitely need some work, but all in all a successful journey. The brakes were quite mushy, and when we got home we found the reason. The right rear wheel cylinder had come apart and made a mess inside the brake drum (see attachment), so I have to clean that up. I also need to work on the linkage for the clutch pedal...it's releasing very near the floor.

Here's a video of the maiden voyage:
http://media.putfile.com/85rx7_20051226c1

Rich

 

Good progress, congrats. . Looks mighty cold up there. Any first impressions on low end torque?

 

No, I'm being very, very careful to keep the rpms under 3000 and stay out of boost until it's broken in, so I don't know about low end torque yet. From what I hear from those that have blowers, it should be a nice little kick in the seat of the pants. Although I'm only looking for 5 or 6 pounds of boost right now. If all goes well, I will probably experiment with smaller pulleys for more boost.

Rich

 

Yea I could tell you guys were being easy on it. Thats the right thing to do, specially with all the snow and ice around. Its tempting Im sure to wind it out but dont take the chance. Break it in, then wait for good weather to test her out. Good luck and hope to see some good vids in the future.

 

I can tell ya what they'll do. I've tried the #6,7,8 and 10

 

Congrats!!!

 

I've tried several times, but I can't get the video to play. Anybody else having this problem?

 

I've only been using putfile for about a month, but so far, I have to say it sucks. Can't complain too much since it's free, but man, if you're going to provide a service, it should work. It requires a Windows Media Player plugin, but as long as you have that it should eventually work.

Rich

 

Looks great man. I know how you feel about the snow and man it is a pain.

 

Finally saw the video. Had to download it directly:

http://upload3.putfile.com/videos/35913325337.mpg

The Car sounds great!
Boy, I am sure glad it doesn't snow over here!!

Want to hear something funny?

For some reason, I've always thought it was
your MGB that was rotary powered, and now converting to S/C.

 

Sweet! Have you driven it more now that the weather has been a bit nicer? Or maybe that is just down here that it rained and all the snow went away...

 

Watching the vid, the car diasappers and I keep thinking, 'Where'd he go Doc, Where'd he go?'. Great exhaust note, love the tone of your setup. Keep up the good work and get that baby broken in so we can see some full throttle runs.

 

Congrats Rich,

she sounds awesome, but who was that driving it the second time around? I get anxious at the thought of someone else driving my car with me in it, let alone by themselves

Kenn

 

Thanks Kenn - that's my brother driving in the second run. I trust him completely. He's helped me so much, I have to give him the privelage of driving my cars now and then He hasn't helped all that much with this car...just a couple of things I wasn't sure about so he came out and helped me out. But he did a ton of things for me when I restored the MGB, including rebuilding the rear end and the transmission.

Rich

 

anythings cold compared to a bad day in orlando...lol...come and visit me during the winter up here...I think you car would go into shock...we hit -47C for a joke here just above main in new brunswick...lol

 

More brake problems I got the new wheel cylinder for the passenger side, got it installed, put new shoes on, bled the system, and took it for a drive. It seemed to be ok, but got worse as I drove. I went up to Wal-Mart and when I came out I saw a puddle of brake fluid under the driver's side wheel! So I ordered that cylinder today...should be in Friday.

I think the problem is my inexperience. I rebuilt the cylinders, but I think someone that had done this before would have been able to see that they weren't in good enough shape to be rebuilt and should have been replaced. Oh well, live and learn.

Rich

 

It took me a full large bottle plus a small bottle of brake fluid when i did my brake master cylinder. It was a huge PITA.

 

Hey - I tinkered with the video and improved it, and finally got Putfile to accept it this morning. In this one, the audio and video stay in sync and I cut out the dead sections.

http://media.putfile.com/85rx7_20051..._00_704x480_a1

Rich

 

I suppose I must say congradulations. Looks and Sounds nice Rich.

 

very nice. i especially like that exhaust note. nice and deep with a hint of aggression =D

can't wait to see some runs in warm weather.

 

for future reference it is usually way cheaper just to replace a whole wheel cylinder then it is to try and rebuild one.