SWERVE - 1978 Ute (HellPatrol)

[Swerve]

Thu Feb 12, 2009 8:41 am

Well yesterday evening I was finally able to finish the clutch install on HP. Ihad ordered a pipe flaring tool as I had to cut the pipe off at the clutch master cylinder when I changed her out. Pipe flaring tool was a eBay cheapie and worked really well, was quite surprised. Anyhow bleeded the clutch, took a while to get the air out and she was working. Also put the handbrake lever back in and I have a handbrake, one thing that really pi$$ed me off was no handbrake, been using bricks under the car for the past 3 months, annoying !!! Put all the floor back in and had to steal many bolts from the Red SWB but now have all bolts in the floor (something that was missing before).

Gave her a light inside wash and put the floor coverings and seats back in and I have a car !!! I had stolen a spark plug for the 72 and I had forgotten I did this. I started her up and was thinking that is a terrible exhaust leak, after 10 minutes I worked it out, DOH. Took her for a small drive down the street and need to check the timing as she is running rough. Also need to bleed the brakes as takes two pumps for the brakes to work..

Will also need to cut some rust out for rego and also remove the LPG tank to get it inspected. But at least she is drivable again!!!

[Swerve]

Mon Feb 16, 2009 7:47 pm
Well figured I would start looking through the wiring loom and electrics to see what I need to fix. Electrics is the one part I enjoy as it’s my trade and better still these cars are easy as. (Sorry to those who don’t agree) Engines have been a learning curve !!!

Well 1st issue is my front indicators, front left doesn’t work at all, front right is intermittent. For those who don’t know electrics in sort 12v to the flasher then the switch and to your bulbs. So as my front right doesn’t work it’s either the cable (have already checked the bulb) or the switch. The fact the front right was intermittent my guess is the bulb. Still for those beginners I just need to do a check from the plug on the indicator switch to the bulb and I can check the cabling, easiest way is to place 12v on this and my bulb wil come on. As the rear are working ok all the flasher circuit which is the 12v coming into the switch are fine.

I’ll pull the switch out and test her first (should confirm the fault, HR joint) then clean her up, chances are corrosion and re-test.

2nd issue I noticed was the rear taillights work when the parking lights are on, as soon as I turn on the headlights they turn off. As the taillight are on the same circuit (or pair of wires) It is bound to be the switch !!! Again follow the same process.

HP is missing a horn but I check the circuit with my multimeter and she was fine.

Dash light were working and still have wipers, brake lights etc to check, also high beam.

Well time to go and have dinner.

[Swerve]

Tue Feb 17, 2009 7:40 pm

Well all switches working

Well after checking the front left indicator wiring with 12v that is all working from both the hazard switch and the indcator switch.

pulled out the hazard switch and sure enough 1 wire was either a HR (high resistance) joint or a bad connection inside.

Pulled her apart cleaned her up, also streched the springs to also ensure better connections, back together, tested OK, back in car BINGO she's working

I noticed on both the headlight and wiper switch on the complety pulled out position after a few pulls both were working better, also if it didnt work a very slight tap in fixs it. Problem is these switches are a molded plastic top and are glued on, not willing to pull them off. Will most likley rebuild them whilst attached to the dash. Still are working now and I think with more use they will be fine

Only thing is the reverse lights but they are not connected at the gearbox so will need to check later.
Then attack some rust repairs, do a tune up and REGO

This wire wasnt working, which went to the front left indicator



Pulled apart, love these switches so easy to work on


Streched the springs a little


Shes working !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

[Swerve]

Wed Feb 18, 2009 8:13 pm
Well got home and straight onto HP.

Had to go to my wrecking yard and steal a horn relay from the 76 SWB and horn from the 1978 Ute OJ. Hooked her up and no go, sometime having to much knowledge is bad as I never fully read the wiring diagram untill near the end and I worked out the horn switch is earthing the horn relay cct. So I wasted a good 30min stuffing around arghhhhhh. Anyhow the horn is now working YEAHHHH.

Also hooked up the plumbing after stealing more parts form the 76 and now have wiper washer water spray's working!!!

So down to

1- Reversing light - Jus need to connect it and also the speedo up
2- Brakes - Rebleed as takes 2 pumps for a gard pedal, suspect air in lines.
3- Engine running rough, need to start from sratch and check valve clearance, points clearance, timimng and we should be sweet.
4- RUST - May have to do some rust repairs for rego, but hopefully I can get her through and do these later !!!
5- New tyres - Hmm what can I steal !!! YES wheels from the GU, shhhhh
6- Drivers door stopper (need this for rego)
7- Drivers door window winder - may need to replace this for rego.

[Swerve]

Sat Feb 21, 2009 12:46 pm

Well got the brakes bleed today and no go

Will have to change out the brake master cylinder, bugger !!!!!
Steve

What's the condition? It seems odd. Unless when you press the pedal, all the fluid is coming through the back of the pump, you should have at least some brakes.

Esteban !!! HELP

Ok the problem was the brakes would need 2 pumps for the pedal to be firm.

I had this once on a mazada RX7 S2 (Hmmmm nice memories) ah well the problem that time was the rubber rings in the Brake M/C

So the HP issue is 2 pump for a firm pedal, I was hoping I just had air in the lines which after bleeding all four wheels no change.

Just took the Brake M/C out and the cylinder looks perfect, rubber rings on the dual stage pump look fine ???

All the rubbers have a nice sharp edge with no tears or nics ?

I have also taken out the GREEN MWB Brake M/C to salvage parts from. The orignal plan was to bolt this in but it is a little rustier then I remember.

So QUESTION

What is the typical cause requiring you to pump your brake pedal 2 or so to have a firm pedal ???

No fluid leaking at the MC. Havnt taken wheels off to check wheel cylinders, but if they were leaking I still wouldnt have this issue!

So change the rubbers and pray ??

[Swerve]

Sat Feb 21, 2009 5:26 pm
Well I'm really pissed off and calling it quits today on this stinking Hellpatrol.

Well I checked the drag on the wheels and only the front left was out. After re-installing the master, bleeding all wheels again. Same problem.

It is hard to explain but as the master is a two stage system I'll try.

As you push the master in the chamber closest to the drivers starts to compress. This has a weaker spring then the furthest chamber. This close chamber is the front wheels and as the pressure builds up after pads contact the drums, in theroy the far chamber will then start and rear wheels.

I am convinced, the rubbers are shot inbetween both chambers and the fluid is circling around type thing. Same thing on my RX7.

Will buy a brake master rebuild kit and re-install. Or might just buy a complete new unit as I'm so over it !!!

On the bright side I quickly wire brushed the inner guard under the Brake M/C when it was out and painted in black killrust enamel.

[Swerve]

Sat Mar 28, 2009 4:29 pm

Well you have to love egg, on your face !!! Who's face YES mine

After all that stuffing around bleeding brakes changing out the master bleeding brakes and they were stil stuffed !!!

GUESS WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS


?





?




?




?



?

The rear drums were not adjusted !!! took about 3 turns to take the slack up ! Sure enough once the slace was taken up the pedal only moved about 2". Then I tightened the fronts up !! and all movement is almost gone.

So after buying a NEW brake master for $160 odd dollars and wasting all that time it was a easy fix. I feel like such a idiot !!!


OK enough slagging me then I started adjusting the points on HP I have never ever done this before and didnt have a clue what to do gran the manual and have a read it tell you crap and was useless as tits on a bull.

I logged a HELP post but to late found a old post from John and found a few pointers, place at TDC and loosen one end pretty much well finailly worked it out and adjusted the points the electronic will go in later but was hoping this will fix my issue first before playing to much with teh car.

Well then did the plug clearances and realised I couldnt do the valves as car had no battery have put my spare back i nteh GU Patrol. Have since taken the dead one from teh RED SWB and topped her up and have her on charge. Hoping afetr a day she will come god. Fingers crossed as i really need to buy two batterys for HP and the 1972. Money money money !!!

Well cleaned the garage up and now c;leaning myself out as going to a mates for lamb wine and whatever else.

PS- Women are out on a hens night !!! FREEEEEE

[Swerve]

Sun Mar 29, 2009 9:31 am

Steve, steve , steve Mate thought you coverd this a month ago HAHAHAHAHAHAHA


http://www.rmp-o.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?p=15319#15319

i always adjust them down fairly tight spin the wheel it should stop within one revolution i like a little less 1/2 a rev to 3/4 and re check each oil change

Thats the thing I thought I did !!!I know I did the front !! But i must have skipped the rear ?

Just woke up 10:30am afetr a late night, checked the battery on charge and shes at 12.? Volts YEAhhhh looking good, yesterday is was at 8volts after 6 hours, so YEs I can slap a battery in now and see how she runs !!

I stil need to back off the brakes and I was just proving my point yestesterday.

I also cleaned up teh garage so i can get to the front of teh 72 as well !!!

[Swerve]

Sun Jul 05, 2009 8:25 am

Well I breathed life into the old girl yesterday and I had stuffed the points up. Got it running bu will need to do the points again ! Brakes are on a little hard so will need to back them off.

Really need to get her registered as a 2nd car !!! Have a few G60 chores planned today !!!

Steve

[Swerve]

Sat Jul 11, 2009 5:50 pm

Well big day after 8 hours on HellPatrol.

Had to clear out the driveway, Boat, Mr Bog, 72 chassis etc. Then unload two engines/ gearboxes into the rear of the garage.

After all that quick lunch and then old LPG removal which became a real bastard as it was a tight tight fit, real f'ing heavy and just painfull. Then changed over to my new wheels.

Also have all the brakes working well on HP, so ONLY RUST repairs and a exhuast leak and we go for rego, YEAHHHHHHH

Before I started, so wasnt looking forward to today


Taking the 72 for a quick spin (being towed by the GU)




Unloading engines (bloody heavy big bastards)


Starting LPG tank removal, Note that is the new tank on top


LPG tank removal completed, Hmmm, different size tanks both around 140 lites LPG, not sure if the new skinny wide one will fit



All done after a quick rinse of the tray and new wheels