The last day of the summer

Doesn't Destiny look inviting, does she ?

Another shot after the first time she was washed this summer. There was no need to wash her because for weeks and weeks there was no rain, only warm sunshine. Though I must admit that that not more than 500-600 miles has been added to the odometer so far. I simply have not had time to take her out as often as I had wanted. But every time I did I had enjoyable moments. You can see that there are emblems and mouldings still missing. I'll finish them later.

 

It was exactly two years ago when I started to break her apart. Is she better now ? For sure. I did not make any improvement to driveability, exept for the front Gas-a-just shocks. Their effect is clearly noticeable. Now I can do 55-60 mph on a highway and still steer her. Wheel alignment has not been checked by measurement, but it seems and feels to be near the specs. The body as a whole feels stiffer now as well.

But it's not only sunshine. First I had something with Holley 1940 carb. After disassembling, cleaning and re-assembling it started to work fine. Then appeared the tapping sound which I thought came from a leaking gasket betweet the exhaust manifold and pipe. I replaced it but obviously that was not the reason. So far checked oil quality and pressure. The valves get their share of oil and the clearance is ok. Timing, breaker points and Autolite 46 plugs checked. The sound is not such hard metallic clank as is the case if the crankshaft bearings are broken. Neither is it as rough as when caused by detonation. The sound can be heard with idle and while driving open throttle, but is most clear while reving.

So I still have to check manifold to head gasket and cylinder pressure leakage prior to deciding for stronger operations. A leaking exhaust valve echoing from the leakage in the exhaust pipe ? Maybe.  It's good to have a good analyze first. Soon the driving season is over and we'll have some six months to fix her before the start of the next season.