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ORANGECRUSHer
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Joined: June 09, 2006
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Location: West Coast (Michigan's)
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 Posted: Mon Apr 15, 2024 5:19 pm Post subject: Re: OC's Project "Some Day" |
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Slow night at work and it's been awhile since I updated this build log.
I've made great progress in the last year. I had issues last summer with the cooling system not keeping up. I ended up blowing out my radiator on it's first outing driving it to work. Turns out that radiator was getting pretty rotten and wasn't passing air like it did new. I ended up revamping the entire setup, opting for a front mounted radiator. The added coolant capacity and location has fixed the problem so far. After doing all that and seeing the drastic improvement, I kinda wonder if I could have just gotten a new radiator and left it in the back where it was? I was able to take it out one last time very late in the season (November). It was in the 40's, so not really a great test of the cooling system, however, I drove from late morning to middle of the night with crazy guys and nary a problem.
Before the trip I bent up some body panels and I'm glad I did as they kept me warmer than the other buggies. I still need to make a cowl for around the radiator. I don't like seeing it.
The windshield was a problem at night with mud film glowing and making it hard to see the trail. I'm considering putting the wipers back on but now I have a gauge console and bodywork in the way... still thinking about that one.
My new shocks have been fine but I think they could be a lot softer. Some of the washboards tossed me furiously, but then again everybody was having the same experience so I didn't feel to bad.
The CVs have been on my mind and so I pulled them a week ago to give them a cleaning and inspection and new grease. I reused the boots. To my surprise I had a couple things put together backwards. I really thought I had taken my time when I did those. SO glad I checked that, but it kinda makes sense that I could never quite achieve the droop I should have all these years when I was setting up suspensions. I was getting to 15-18 when I should get 22 degrees.
The clicking I had on the right side has disappeared.
I did have a problem with my patented cable shifting mechanism during the ride. The bronze bushings had slid out of their holes since there was nothing capturing them there and kept me from shifting into first gear. I managed to poke it back into place a few times and keep driving. When I got home I took it apart and turned them around to face the opposite directions so they couldn't jam the mech again. I think a better solution still exists though.
The buggy has plenty of power for Michigan trails. Probably too much. I was holding back a lot babying it in it's maiden voyage.
I'm hoping to get it out a bunch this summer and have some fun with it. If you've been watching, this project has taken over ten years to get to a point where it was reliable. While that is technically still in question until I get some miles in this summer in the heat.
While putting this motor in my buggy has been very challenging and taught me a lot, I don't think it's at all worth it. I have a lot wrapped up into a buggy that probably isn't worth as much to someone else as it is to me. Now I understand the value of simplicity with buggies, and with more of my friends interested in the sand dunes now, I find I'm wanting a super light 4 seat buggy instead of this 2080lb beast. I do love me some arcing and sparkin and this buggy shows it. lol
And now for some pics.
_________________
Brian H.
I may not know everything,but I will try to help if I can
OrangeCrushER Berrien Warrior 2.4L Quad4
LAZY MARY 1970 Baja 1835cc |
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ORANGECRUSHer
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Joined: June 09, 2006
Posts: 2715
Location: West Coast (Michigan's)
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ORANGECRUSHer
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Joined: June 09, 2006
Posts: 2715
Location: West Coast (Michigan's)
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ORANGECRUSHer
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Joined: June 09, 2006
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Location: West Coast (Michigan's)
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ORANGECRUSHer
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Location: West Coast (Michigan's)
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ORANGECRUSHer
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Location: West Coast (Michigan's)
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ORANGECRUSHer
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indianpeaksjoe
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Vanapplebomb
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ORANGECRUSHer
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Vanapplebomb
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