Ryan's Words » Car Stuff

MR2 Update

Ryan — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 21:36:19 +0000

I sat in the car Monday morning, and went to push the clutch pedal in to start and it just slammed to the floor. Doh! I had to recently bleed the clutch and refill it with fluid (I figured it was leaking somewhere). Yesterday I knew it was out of fluid, which means it’s now a major leak. When the engine was out of the car I rebuilt the slave cylinder, but never touched the master cylinder. I’ve now ordered a new/rebuilt master cylinder for the car, a new slave cylinder hydraulic hose, new clutch pedal (mine wore down and broke off), and a new horn.

While i’m excited about replacing the master cylinder, i’m really most excited about the new horn It’s a high output, high tone, universal replacement horn. Hopefully my car will now sound like all the new cars on the road, and have people actually notice me when I honk.

Car for sale

Ryan — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:14:06 +0000

We are selling Bonita’s Pontiac Bonneville. If you or anyone you know needs a car, let us know!

Cars.com Ad

I can never think of a clever title…

Ryan — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 15:26:21 +0000

The car is still running well. There’s almost 100 miles on the engine, with 65ish of those on the second oil change. I’m down to half a tank of gas, so I think today i’m going to fill it up with 93. The mixture of 87 and 93 should put me somewhere around 90 octane. After i’ve filled the tank with all 93 we’re going to adjust the timing again (it’s a few degrees retarded now).

In other news, the scale showed 218.5 again today. At least from last week to now i’ve maintained. Yesterday I ate about 97% healthy. So far today i’m on good track again. Once I stay on track for a couple weeks I should see a scale change. I need to start measuring again, that is always the best way.

I’m going to set a goal publicly: 210lbs by July 1st. That’s 2 pounds a week, I need to start busting ass. I just set a reminder in my blackberry to remind me every day. Hopefully that will help.

It’s running!

Ryan — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 03:28:57 +0000

After many hours of work yesterday and a lot of nervousness, the car actually started. I’d like to give a huge thanks to Mark, Jake, Rob, Allen, and Adam. Everyone helped out in some way (no matter how big or small!).

I have pictures uploaded to my Flickr account: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dingodingo/

More to come!

Engine updates

Ryan — Tue, 27 May 2008 15:16:54 +0000

Last night, Rob and I went out to the shop for an hour and a half on a whim. In that time we put on the last couple of parts I was waiting for (Drain cock assembly, oil pressure switch, oil pan banjo bolt), as well as the transmission.

Using the engine hoist to hold the entire assembly, with the motor propped slightly backwards on a board, proved easy to align the transmission and get the bolts threaded. At this point the motor is ready to go in the car! The engine should be sitting in the car in the next couple of days. After that, I can start connecting the hoses and the rest of the wiring harness connectors.

So far I think this is the worst part. I have a few things running through my mind: Will it start? Will it break? Did I forget something major? At this point, each new item I attach on the engine or transmission is just one more step to that critical moment: Turning the engine over for the first time….

Project update

Ryan — Tue, 20 May 2008 19:07:21 +0000

Yesterday I purchased camshaft seals, oil pressure switch, spark plugs, and two cheap oil filters. The seals and switch were overnight delivery (via Advance Auto). The cheap oil filters are for the break in process.

Last nights installation included:

Spark plugs
Transmission side oil galley plug
Flywheel
Clutch + pressure plate
Painting the oil pan and touching up the block

Tonight’s install will be:

Cam seals
Cam seal cover caps
Cam gears
Setting TDC for both cams and distributor
Cam covers
Crankshaft timing gear
Main crankshaft pulley + crank key
Timing belt
Timing belt tensioner
Maybe transmission…
Maybe install it in the car!?

I’m scared.

Bolt bolt bolt, all day long

Ryan — Thu, 15 May 2008 17:32:37 +0000

Last night the intake manifold was bolted on. Thanks to Allen, it looks amazing! He put it through the washer for almost a week said, cleaning out carbon and gunk. He also glass beaded the outside surfaces, effectively making it look brand new. I also got the additional water routing pieces bolted down, including the second coolant pipe that runs along the intake side. Hopefully i’ll have pictures to follow soon.

Engine building has begun

Ryan — Wed, 14 May 2008 16:27:58 +0000

Last Friday night (5/9/08) we assembled the rotating assembly in the block. Oil tolerances were within spec to slightly loose. The smallport head is done, and it was bolted down last night. The next items up for bid are:

Install wear sleeve on rear main lobe
Install rear main housing + seal
Clean oil pan baffle, sump pickup, and pan
Install baffle, pickup, pan
Paint oil pan and touch up paint on block
Measure shims
Set valve lash
Attach additional head components (water routing, sensors, etc.)

Engine goodness

Ryan — Mon, 05 May 2008 15:32:23 +0000

The large port head from my existing bluetop block had some issues. After talking over and considering the problems on that head with Allen (machinist friend), I’ve decided to buy his small port head and intake. It was my eventual goal to buy a small port head (Phase 2 of the overall project), however it’s just worked out well I can do both phases of my project at the same time.

At this point I have all of the parts to begin assembling the bottom end. However there’s a polished, stock crank I may be able to get at another shop, so we’re waiting to see if that pans out.

More to come!

4AGE Updates

Ryan — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 18:57:23 +0000

Yesterday I dropped off the rods, new pin bushings, new rod bolts+nuts, and new bearings to my machinist friend. He said he should be able to work on them today. The work to be done is:

Weight match all rods
Install new pin bushings
Check specs on main bearings
Bore main rod connector if needed
Install rod bearings
Demagnetize one rod bearing cap
Check rod bolts stretch point for proper torque

Once all of this has been done, next it’s time to assemble the block. With his help on checking clearances and assembly, I can take the project from there and finish the rest myself. I pretty much have most of my parts and accessories cleaned. There is still a small bit of disassembly needed on the block that was originally in the car. However, I figure at that point i’ll be swapping things on a 1-to-1 basis from the old block to the new block.