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Progress: engine and wheels connected again!

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drooartz

drooartz

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A small project, but a major milestone. Tonight after work I fitted the driveshaft, and put the Tunebug back on his wheels briefly to make sure all was working as expected. For the first time in well over a year the engine is now connected to the rear wheels!

I used the masking tape trick and with a fair minimum of fuss got the splines lines up and everything connected.

driveline.jpg

<span style="font-style: italic">Driveshaft in place</span>

It was nice to roll the car in gear (with the spark plugs out) and watch the crank pulley move around.

driveline_in.jpg

<span style="font-style: italic">Testing the connections</span>

Making good progress now, and checking things off the list. Next up is the fuel system -- I need to install the new electric fuel pump and pressure regulator and get everything wired in and plumbed up. Then it's on to the engine ancillaries and starting up!
 
WOW!!!!!

I'm impressed Drew.
Nice car, good job.
Keep goin', there's miles ahead of you with wind in your hair.

Dave :bow:

P.S. Did I mention I love bugeyes?
 
Electric fuel pump is next -- once that is done then the rear of the car should be wrapped up other than adjustments and brake bleeding. After this I should be just at the bolt-it-on stage, other than figuring out a few exhaust hangers.
 
I hope you can still remember how it use to perform/drive. It's going to be a whole 'nother experience.
 
It's been a while for sure, Trevor. I barely put any miles on it in the original configuration, so this will be a new experience for me. I'm ready for it!
grin.gif
 
Durn it drew the driveshaft is supose to be black. Sigh.
 
There's some black under there, Jack!
 
I wuz gonna comment but held back... would it not be a good time to put new U-J's in that thing? :shocked:
 
Oh I'm sure that's the "test" drive shaft. Drew wouldn't want to get the nice pretty shiny one all dirty by hooking it up under there...

:devilgrin:
 
Y'all are killing me!

Right now I just need to get the Tunebug running so I can keep my motivation up. Rear suspension really needs to be redone as well, so I'm planning on doing the driveshaft at the same time (spring project). I need to do a little driving this year so I don't loose the faith, as it were.
grin.gif
 
J/K Drew, definitely get it put together & drive it!!
 
Looks great!
I just fitted "your" RHD rack to my A35 the other day. You're <span style="text-decoration: underline">way</span> ahead of me.
By the way, my race cars is still using the original 1978 driveshaft U-joints that came in it.
grin.gif
 
Yup, as long as the U-joints are not totally shot, try the drive shaft and see if it works. You may get many miles out of it and it only takes an afternoon to pull it and get them replaced if needed.
 
My concern comes from that shiny-new Happ'd-up engine output thru old U/Js.

...but I understand the anxiety of gettin' some stick time, too.
 
I'll be taking it easy this year, Doc. Got to get through the break in period, then I'll be going back over the car to tidy up some of these less-than-ideal systems.
 
jlaird said:
Durn it drew the driveshaft is supose to be black. Sigh.
Click to expand...

Here's the trick - don't roll the car an no one will notice :driving:
 
Wise advice, JP.
grin.gif
 
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