It occurs to me that I never updated this thread for some "closure", so here it is August 5th. Status of the car is that it has been driven several times successfully (!)
and I couldn't be happier.
Ok, maybe "relieved" is a better word.
Ok....both of those.
You get in it and run it a few minutes (after the engine re-primes on fuel, which it has to do every time it sits more than a day - thanks for the crappy gas EPA!), then take off after a little heat is in it (no choke, remember).
It goes down the highway really well and runs very cool (like less than 180F cool).
Once I'm stuck in traffic, that climbs probably 20 degrees or so; appears I need to do more work on the shroud/fan area, but it's nothing concerning.
In short....it's a car again.
A major chunk of getting my house in order is now at hand.
In regards to the yoke/bushing issue, Beekeeper came over with his tool for the bushing and things went absolutely flawlessly in pulling the old one out and installing the new one.
It was readily apparent it wasn't his first rodeo and his help is GREATLY appreciated!
We went for a test drive afterward, so he is now a witness that the GTX is roadworthy.
That seems to have cleared up the vibration quite a bit as well; it's not noticeable much at all anymore as I've began shakedown trips with it.
Longest so far was a couple hours last Thursday; it performed as my company vehicle for the day:
View attachment 497721
She did great all the way down there and back.
I made the company fill the tank, too. Hey, used for company business, right?
The only issue now is a bearing type noise coming from either the water pump or alternator once it gets warm. Sounds almost like a tiny supercharger.
The alternator is charging fine; the water pump is obviously pumping fine, too.
Both are new.
I took the belt off and tried to find any sign of play or binding in either.
Nada.
No signs at all that either are failing or malfunctioning.
Only thing I can come up with is that the water pump seal is fussing because of a lack of lubricant (remember, distilled water and Water Wetter in there).
I'll toss a couple bottles of water pump lubricant in tomorrow to see if that helps.
It's going to be changed over to 50/50 mix before winter anyways.
By the way, I am LOVING this Centerforce Dual Friction clutch. It takes some getting used to but MAN, what a blessing to have half the pedal effort in a 11" clutch!
Who'd a thunk it?
That's about it for now. From here, I fiddle with the car like old farts are supposed to, putting in a radio and antenna, chasing down exhaust rattles, things like that.
Knock wood, nothing major will need addressed from here on.
Lord knows the car could use a break after the last decade of hell it's been through....
and so could I.
