Mike Harman's Journal

A few weeks ago I was going for a spin to town butr first I had to gas up' Coming out of the gas station there is a drivable gutter.
Well I was trying to beat the traffic as I had to do a u turn to head in the direction to town coming across the gutter there wa aloud bang on the right rear so I stopped on the side of the road and checked there seemed nothing untoward under the car so i took off about 9 miles down the road Lil Blue started to miss and then she died. after a few minuets she started and away we went to town then on the way home the same thing happened it was just like the primary circut going hay wire in the coil. I called into my workshop but as all the hoists were busy I got my son to take her for a spin. Nothing wrong he says so I went to the local shops and home nothing wrong then a few days later I took Lil Blue out for a spin and walla she missed and died got home and checked the plugs again and they were all carboned up.
Any way after a bit of serious head scratchoing etc I thought that I would have a better look under neath and to my surprise the fuel line from the tank to the pump was kinked at the rubber connection how this happened I have know idea as there is nothing to touch it. Any way I sorted that and all is back to normal but in hindsight I should have picked it up earlier as the fuel pump was not pumping flat out when the key was first turned on.at least now Lil Blue and me can nejoy a good fast spin.

I bought some new carbon nonstatic leads awhile ago a st of nice blue ones . Well i finally got around to putting the ends on them and buying a push on distributor top entry cap as the old cap had wire leads and side entry. I used a piece of old blue oil container plastic to make the spacer for the leads and to keep them looking tidy. Lil Blue started beautifuly and runs I think alot better so I took her for a spin only 20miles but a good highway run and the difference in performance was amazing.
The other thing is her indoors isint complaining any more about the interference from the car on TV when i leave it running so as they say happy wife happy life and as summer is here I hope to use Lil Blue alot more this summer.

Nice day to lift the shed door and work un the sun adjusting the tappets on Lil Blue as they were singing a good song. Some you coulkd just about drive the car through they were that far out any way after adjusting them all hit the key and no rattle from the tappets also Lil Blue started alot better took her for another spin down to my workshop to check tyre pressure set that at 32 psi now have a good ride and better handling. so that was two jobs done today just need to change the oil grease the nipples and then will be ready for the rally on the weekend.

Well its still raining so I had to change the tops over in my shed. Got the hard top down off tyhe wall where I store it and decided to replace the header rubber. the old one was the original and 57 yrs old cracked and completely compressed so no wonder I got a shower when out in the rain. Any way getting the old one out was easy getting the new one in well that was another job. I had fead to soap the track and rubber first so this I did then the fun started I supported the top on a stool and bloicked it so that it couldnt move while inserting the seal. after much sweat and cursing it was all the way across then I discovered that it was not in the track correctly so I used the good old NZ number 8 wire mentality and made a tool out of some 10 gauge wire to push the seal into the track . this proved very easy and fast.
Next I got the soft top off and my son in law who was staying to help me lift the top on.
Fun and games here we pushed and pulled but could not get the toggle clips to close so it was time for a couple of Bourbans and to ring the experts They said it was a hell of a job with a new seal but loosen all the catches and try that.
Well this morning I went out did that and hey presto managed to get the top on by myslf as I had left it sitting on the car over night.Used my special wire tool to tuck the seal away as it should be.
As it was still raing I went out down the drive can now leave the soap at home as I dont get a shower anymore so thats one more job done ready for the trip over the ranges .

It was fine and sunny today so I took Lil Blue for a short spin down the highway to my workshop and back home 12 miles. As I was reversing into my shed I noticed a ticking sound and yes the tappets need a bit of adjustment so I will have to get onto that along with putting the hard top back on foe a long run over the ranges at the end of the month .other wise car went well.

Up early ready to hit the road for the first run of the rally. There was no set start times so as to not interfer with morning traffic this applied every day except competition day. We decided for a 8.30am start as we had to be at the lunch spot by 11.30am at the latest, the lunch breaks were held on football (Rugby) grounds to accomodate the 547 cars and keep us away from the public so as to protect us from covid. This was because all the entrants had to be vaccinated and have a covid pass no pass no entry and this proved to be the right move by the organisers. In the morning run we chose the short run so as to go accross a old swing bridge that had been especially opened for us.
after lunch we did the long run which again took us over the bridge and through a tunnel. The morning run was 31 miles and the afternoon run27 miles this may not sound very far but in NZ the roads are full of twist and turns also quite hilly.anyway after following the route book instructions we finished up back at rally headquartes to collect any updates for the next day, Then to gas up and back to the motel for a couple of beers before dinner. a very enjoyable day without any problems.