October 17, 2011

500 miles

...minus about six miles.

Incredibly, Ludwig's engine has been installed for 100 days and we've only put 494 miles on him since. Fewer than 5 miles a day. With gas being so pricey maybe it's a blessing in disguise, but it still would be nice to trust him again.

Issues:

  • Stalling when coming to a stop (likely a fuel-air mixture issue)
  • Backfiring at idle (ibid.)
  • No thermostat (we late bay owners are well aware that Type IV thermostats are No Longer Available; running it without one like this slowly but surely adversely affects engine longevity)
  • Seems so hot (this is probably just my imagination; btw, all you gauge watchers enthusiasts can call me a stupid fatalist if you like but no, I don't run a CHT gauge and likely never will)
  • Transaxle leaking at the seams (wtf? All I did was drain the old and put in new, just for fun, when I had the transaxle out. I didn't even use synthetic oil, a well-established no-no)
  • Front tires unevenly worn (front end needs attention)
  • Starter makes a really funny noise (suspected worn bushing)
So that's where we are. It'll get better, right? Right.




4 comments:

Terry said...

...right!

Big Blue's Driver said...

Let's both hope so.

BellePlaine said...

Of course Mitch. In lew of a CHT gauge (just get one dang it!)is there another neighborhood bus that you could use to compare engine heat? Two buses (ideally T4/stock carbs) driving down the same stretch of road and then compare temps. You need peace of mind.

Ludwig's Drivers said...

Colin and I part ways about plenty of things (tires, the existence of a creator, hot weather, politics), but something we agree on is that for neurotics like yours truly, a CHT gauge is just another damn thing to obsess over.
I like your idea of a Type IV/Type IV comparison in principle, but in practice Ludwig's closest late bay neighbor is at least eighty miles away on the other side of a 6,300 foot pass, and not owned by anyone familiar to me in any case. As for my peace of mind, see an upcoming post.

Alright,
Mitch.

Post a Comment