So the Ratty T was taken into the doctors, Blackwood Motors, A well known V8 man. So dropped it off this morning, was running rougher than it was Saturday .... not good. So I get a call as 4pm .. Hmmm you better come in for a chat. Now when it comes to cars that is not a good thing.
So with a large amount of trepidation I head back it to discuss the Ratty-T. Chris gave me the lowdown, The timing belt keeps throwing off, and its mainly due to the bottom pulley not been setup properly. The pulley has just been put on without proper adjustment. It needs to have the boss plate cut back to have the pulley run in line with the other pulleys. So he wasn't able to take it for a good test run as the belt kept coming off. To correct the problem it would require the removal of the radiator and a lot of time. So the translates to $$. So we are going to try a new belt and see if that corrects the problem. Here's hoping.
The main part of the coughing and farting around wasn't tuning, but the ignition. It would seem that the Mallory ignition has an electronic eye sensor that had gone on holiday. So once that was fixed Ratty-T ran a lot better, But now it was running better a full throttle blip threw the belt. So we have to wait for a new belt now this one has stretched. Read $$
Then comes all the little bits, The dual carbs are setup wrong, and will require complete removal to correct. It is not a large job, just requires time which equals $$$. Then once that part is fixed a proper tune can happen. The issue is that someone set the carbs up wrong and we cant adjust the idle speed enough, so it idles way to fast.
Then the oil pan is wrong for the block, So there is no dip stick. The oil breather wasn't done right so when it ran OK it built up back pressure and sprung an oil leak at the back of the intake manifold.
The speedo is now stuck on 80km, and when you put the lights on full the rear lights go out. An the temp gauge isn't working. That is just the items found to get it running, let alone getting the darn thing through a WOF.
There was some good news, the engine seems to be in good nick. So the bill will be larger that I had hoped, (read way more) but if it gets it running reliable, and potentially a WOF, I can then start on the other stuff I want to do. I don't hold great hopes for a WOF
All this work will take about a week due to shipping times & parts, maybe longer. I asked if there was any chance of getting the pulleys & belt changed back to something less bling, to reliable old school, Chris was going to see what he could find. Would rather have a more reliable runner than a fussy beast.
So plenty of time to research this week and also start on the new logo. But my next purchase will be an idiots guide to 302 Ford engines. :)