yaleman.org

Yet another update where nothing really happens. I just got a call from Bryant Engineering updating me on where they were up to with regards to the engine rebuild. The connecting rods are fine, no cracks – though they did have to clean them up a little bit, but nothing major. The crank’s big ends needed to be ground to -0.020" because there was a small radius on one of the journals. Again, nothing major – so that’s wonderful. The block turned out beautifully according to the rep that called me, and if they are saying that, then it must be good. Now all I need to do is wait for them to source bearings and complete the balance, and then I’ll be able to pay for it and pick it up.

One step closer to the build finishing! On the weekend I hope to start playing with wiring and fuel system layout ideas – I should have the money to start buying all the lines etc that I need for that after this pay day.

So, I was driving home from work with Mitchell and Lauren in tow – and lo and behold, driving out of the valley, I got pulled up! The only reason they could give me a ticket was the fact that I didn’t indicate while I was sitting in the right hand turning lane, waiting for a green arrow. So I had to blow into the little machine, and establish the fact that yes, while I was at work, and while walking from work to the car, I had not gulped down a large amount of alcohol and then decided to break the law. Not only that, but when they spent a good five minutes sitting in their car playing with each other, they couldn’t find anything in their computers about the fact that I killed all those little old ladies at the old folks’ home. Apparrently his carputer was broken, I still think it was masturbation – either way, there was some wanking going on that wasted my time. Thanks Queensland Police!

Maybe it’s because I drive a big purple van? No way, that can’t be it – I must look like a drug dealer, driving slowly and carefully.

Ok, so going by the topic, you’re thinking that either I’ve gone mad, or my hoarding skills have been redirected to another goal. Well, I’m already mad, and a little bit of the second part is coming into play here, but there is method to my madness (no, really! there is!) Basically, I’m spending over two grand on a G180 engine for the gemini – and that’s just the motor, not including fuel system and other stuff. Pistons, block, all the rest of it – lots of money to go down the drain if it’s not run in properly and looked after from the get-go. So for the princely sum of $100, I sourced myself a “spare” G161 motor, minus accessories. This means that I can put that one in the gemini, put all the EFI and other goodies on it, and then get them working. Then after that, when there is less likelyhood of it running lean/like crap, and I have a base map for the ECU, and spark control etc is working, I can take out the cheap motor and put in my nice shiny new expensive one and not do damage to it while I’m trying to run in the rings, bearings and
other assorted things that need to be run in.

See – there is method to my madness, and for $100, I see that as a cheap investment for a better start to my engine.

So, there was a weird smell coming from the van when it was warm, which was nearly a clutch smell, nearly a hot brake smell, and nearly a whole lot of things. The weird thing is, it wasn’t coming from the driver for once, it was the car! Seems that the automatic transmission needed a good service, so that’s what we did last night. Full flush of the auto trans fluid and new filter/gaskets was the order of the night, including checking the settings on the bands. After all that, there’s no more smell, and it seems to run a bit better as well. The reason for the smell is the fact that the auto fluid was frothing (don’t ask me why or how, it’s probably something to do with overused/old fluid) and venting through the top – trimatics have a little vent at the top so they can do that.

So, I’m spending all this money on a car that I’m building, and I didn’t check to see if it was actually going to be legal for me to
drive it on the road – good going me. Luckily (as you’ll see if you read below) it seems that the modifications that I’m going to do are fine, as long as I don’t turn it into a big polluting crazy machine. Which is fine – because I’ll be tuning it for best efficiency, which also means best burn/least emissions (normally.) Below is the final response including the other bits I sent/received.

From: ana.c.halesworth@transport.qld.gov.au
To:yaleman@ricetek.net
Cc:Trevor.M.Stade@transport.qld.gov.au
Subject:
Fw: Vehicle modification and registration contact
Date:
Tue, 23 Aug 2005 14:53:36 +1000
James,
As per advice received from Vehicle Standards, the modification that you intend to do is acceptable provided your vehicle will continue to comply with applicable Australian Design Rules for vehicle emission when it was manufactured in 1983.

Regards,

Ana Halesworth
—– Forwarded by Ana C Halesworth/cp1/qdot/au on 23/08/2005 12:55 PM
—–

James Hodgkinson yaleman@ricetek.net
To ana.c.halesworth@transport.qld.gov.au

23/08/2005 11:47 AM

Subject
Please respond to Re: Vehicle modification and registration contact
Fw: yaleman@ricetek.net

If I can email you (and get everything effectively in writing) I’d much rather do that.

I’m planning on modifying the TF Gemini (1983 Build date) that I’m building with non-standard fuel delivery and management. The factory system is a single carburetor, with exhaust gas retention and a crank driven exhaust gas air pump system.

I am planning on running an EFI system based on an aftermarket fuel and ignition control system. It incorporates a wideband oxygen sensor to control fuel delivery and mixture, maintaining a stoichometric fuel mixture to reduce emissions. The ford-designed Electronic Distributorless Ignition System (EDIS-4) will be utilised to maintain optimal spark timing.

I plan on retaining the positive crankcase ventilation system, modified slightly so it vents from the rocker cover to a catch can to filter oil vapour, which vents to the intake manifold (not to atmosphere).

What I need confirmation from your department is that this is allowable under the applicable ADR’s, and what other measures I must take to conform with them.

Regards,
James Hodgkinson

On Tue, 2005-08-23 at 11:30 +1000, ana.c.halesworth@transport.qld.gov.au
wrote:
> James,
>
> Thank you for your e-mail.
>
> Can you please ring Modifications Section on 3253 4851 or e-mail to discuss specific requirements.
>
> Regards,
>
> Ana Halesworth
> Asst Policy Officer
> Policy Advice
> Land Transport & Safety
> Queensland Transport
> Ph: 3253 4851
> Fax: 3253 4030
> —– Forwarded by Ana C Halesworth/cp1/qdot/au on 23/08/2005 11:23 AM
> —–

> Hi Ana,
>
> We received this in our Fast Information Email Box today.
>
> Can you please advise on this one.
>
> Thank you,
> Erin.
>
>
>
> James Hodgkinson < yaleman@ricetek.net> on 23/08/2005 10:28:48 AM
>
> Please respond to yaleman@ricetek.net
>
>
>
> To: fastinfo@transport.qld.gov.au
> cc:
> Subject: Vehicle modification and registration contact
>
>
> I was wondering if this was the correct contact point with regards to
> verifying information on modifications allowable under the Queensland
> Transport registration requirements. If it is not, could you please
> advise me as to who is? Otherwise, I would like to enquire as to whether
> some modifications on a car I am repairing and intending to register are
> allowable under Queensland’s road laws.
>
> Thank you in advance for any help you can render,
> James
>
>
>
>
>
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