Another 750 miles racked up..., for the Eggplant! Options

[Rusty]

On Thursday, I finished bolting the transmission together and put the clutch & gearbox back in the car. Friday I put the muffler on and checked for leaks on the transmission... none! (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/beerchug.gif) So, after driving around town for 20 minutes, I changed the gear oil again in case of contaminants while I had the box apart. Then, I started my drive into Oklahoma and back this weekend. Only a couple of minor automotive hiccups on this adventure.

On 9pm Friday night, after about 90 miles (and no cell coverage), the oil pressure light started to flicker. No power problems, no funny noises.

I called Ginter who advised me to call Clay. Clay was out, but Curt was home. He told me to check the wiring and fuses. Working in the dim light of a parking lot, I cleaned and polished wire terminals, grounds, fuses, etc.

Rather than turn around, I figured that fortune is a lady who favors the bold... and I kept pushing forward. And except for one stop for gas when the light came on for a second at idle, the light has been out. (Yes, it still comes on like it should when I turn the key to run.)

Leaving the parking lot, I'm very happy to see the light acting properly. I hammer down the accelerator and hit 68 mph. I'm futzing with my new Sirius unit, trying to plug in my headphones as I haven't installed the new stereo yet.

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/headbang.gif) A cop is behind me... coming up fast! Geez! For three mph over? I pull to the side on a very dark two-lane road. This is getting a little creepy, and Dueling Banjos start to play in my head.

This guy has had a lot of time in the local donut shop. He waddles up to my window, and I'm sweating as I scramble for what papers I have on the car (no registration yet... still waiting.) He claims that right outside the parking lot is a 45 zone that increases to 65 at the bridge, and he tagged me doing 59. I wasn't paying attention, dammit... he was probably right! I was polite and explained that I didn't see the sign. He let me off with a verbal warning. (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/smilie_pokal.gif)

Once I got down to Oklahoma, I realized that the oil level was just a bit high. So, might as well do an oil change. Time to change the crush washer anyways, as it had a slight drip. When I pull the plug, out comes a helicoil!!! (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/mad.gif)

Another call to Clay... cause this never happens to me. He tells me to go get a self-tapping drain plug. (I had no idea there was such a thing.) A 15 minute trip to Autozone, and I've got a new plug. Slowly tighten it in, and... victory!! So, I pulled the new drainplug out and dumped another quart of oil in... and watched that drain out. Just in case there was a metal shaving or something inside, ya know? (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/idea.gif)

On the way back, the car hummed along at 80mph the whole way. What a beautiful day it was to drive with the top off... 73 and slightly cloudy!!

-Rusty (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/smoke.gif)