A Sort-of Milestone..
In less than a week I plan to drive this car on a 200 mile round trip.. I'll have just a handful of tools and a AAA card, but I'd really like to not need any of those things. I don't yet have the confidence in the build to be venturing too far from home, but at some point, you've just got to do it; it either runs, or you find your next point of failure.
So today (May 9, 2021) I thought I'd put it to the test, albeit on a smaller scale.. Could I take it up the coast at will, for say a 50 mile round trip, and have it get me home? I set off with said tools and AAA card to see. It was a beautiful day out here; I took surface streets for awhile, then got out on the highway; Avila beach was the turn-around goal. I'm happy to say the car did great! The way she's geared, her revs match her speed (i.e. 70 mph = 7,000 rpms), and that got old quick, but other than the noise, she was a joy. (Aside: noise-cancelling headphones saved my but on this one, and they work really well.. I've got the beginnings of tinnitus, so I'm trying to be more careful with my hearing now).
A few things of note... At 65+ mph, the front-hinged hood really wants to float open at the back edge (up by the windshield.. I plan to eventually reduce the grille opening and create some vents/openings for the under-hood air to better flow out. I also have an issue with heat getting into the passenger area, but this was expected. I have not yet taken the time to close up some GAPING holes/seams at the firewall.. For it's part, the motor (coolant) never got hot.. in traffic she'd go up to 218, the fan would kick on, and the temp would come right back down.
A good outing all in all.. it's a little intimidating to drive among the 'normal-sized' cars at 70 mph, but just like when I rode street bikes, you get used to it, and you keep your head on a swivel
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Dean
1972 Honda N600 Restomod "ccrunner's N600 VFR800 repower"
1963 Volvo P1800 Restomod
http://locostusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=36&t=163091959 Berkeley SE492 Restomod...
viewtopic.php?f=36&t=19397"ccrunner's 1960 MGA coupe Restomod" found on MGExp.com