Caffiene and Octane 12-2-2012

[Bill Musarra]

I have finally become adventursome with DRB#5. I have had it on the road and off the road and now on the road for good. First outing was for 5 miles as the shifter would only give me 1st and 3rd. Made the adjustments and a week later, out for the second drive and got about 15miles before some trash in the fuel line locked up the high pressure fuel pump and had to tow it home. After repairsthe following Sunday, made it out to a local cruise in for a shakedown run without any incidents. Made plans for one of the biggest cruise in's in the state that happens every 1st Sunday of the month, held in Alfaretta off Windward Parkway. It was a long drive just to get there. It was a great drive though, and just taking in the enormaty of the cruise in was something else. It runs from 7AM to 11AM. I arrived around 7:30 and barely got a parking spot in the main parking area. This cruise in was enormous. It took up 3 office parks. More people there than I imagined and the number of cars was in the hundreds.
I was amazed at the crowds that surronded the car practically the entire time I was there. They were all full of questions. Lots of kids who thought it was a Ford GT, and lots of people wanting their picure taken with the car and things like that.
I held out til 10:30 and on leaving I was surrounded by people taking videos of the startup and drive off. At the entrance of the Park there had to be over a hundred people there, videoing all the cars leaving the park. I was not foolish enough to give them a speedy exit as the local police were around. Drove up to Marietta to visit with friends and then off to Woodstock to give my son his first ride in the car. The acceleration nearly scared him to death! After that returned to downtown Snellville around 5 or 5:30. An exillerating trip considering the car still needs a final tune up and suspension setting, and people driving by taking pictures. I consider it one of the best days of 2012. Driving with the 6 point harness on is harder than one wound think as you can't move around at all, and you have to use pure arm strenght to turn the wheel. I wound up agrivating an old shoulder injury from the small steering wheel. Still pretty sore but well worth it. May have to rethink the electric steering assist.

Bill

 

[Ian Anderson]

Congratulations Bill.
I still remember my first drive that came home without problems, but it was not as good as this.

I am sure you will remember this for years.

Ian

 

[Jimmy P]

Bill, a great story with a great end. Your car look great too! Did I note that you drove the car without side windows? Wasn't it kinda cool that weekend?

Your post reminds me of a few drives I've had in this area. The car does attract a lot of attention and frankly caught me out the first time I took the car in for a refuel. So many ask what is it, how fast and how much money. Everyone wants a photo too. I'm happy to allow young kids to sit in the car and let their parents take a snap of them behind the wheel recalling my days as a youth and being told by so many to stay away from the car. I'm sure this is the first of many Great Drives. Enjoy.

 

[Bill Musarra]

Thanks guys,
I am glad to accomodate the kids. I love to see thier faces light up,and their parents as well. My best friend that I went to see is in poor health now but he was glad to see the car. He gave me some advice that I will probably follow to some degree. His advice was that since I had spent soo long in building the car that I shouldn't worry about repainting the car for now. Just finish the interior and paint only the things that need painting like the underside of the rear clip, the paint blisters above the exhaust etc. His reasoning was that if I repaint it I will become obsessive and would not really enjoy the car. When I get a ding in it, I would be rather upset. I tend to agree with him with that. To get the money to do a good paint job will take a little time to say the least, and if something did go wrong, I would be upset. So I am going to follow that advice with the exception that I will continue the "Experiment" with the plastic coatings. It will become a rolling palate for the colors that I like. This will help me decide what I want to be the final color. I really like the copper strips, so I think that will stay(for now).
The first cruise in that I went to locally was only 6 miles from the house and I didn't use the side windows. Yes it was a little chilly. Interestingly enough, there is little wind turbulance in the cabin as I drive. A welcome environment. This last trip was a good 20+ miles to the cruise in. So I added the side windows for the trip up there. Temps at 6:30 in the morning were high 30s to low 40s. By noon it was into the high 60s low 70s. So I removed the drivers side at the show. I am using electronic door openers for now and the ones I ordered aren't strong enough to open the doors. Their pull strenght wasn't listed and I had no idea what strenght I needed(til now that is). So I have to be able to reach into the car to open the doors for now, til the new ones arrive after the first of the year. I plan to work on the mechanical aspect of this also. Gotta get some of my wifes medical bills out of the way first.
The trip after the show was very comfortable and didn't experience any heat build up from the radiators at all. One panel at the front edge of the cabin is out til I am satisfied with the clutch settings, which allows free flow of air from the front slip area to enter the cabin.
Intesting also was the water temps. While driving with only the pump running the average was 150-160º at 2000 rpms. To get it higher I have to turn the pump off for about a mile and then it doesn't stay above 180. May have to put a controller on it. Oil temps got to 160º but would keep falling as the thermostat opened to the cooler. May have to up that as well. Trans temps never registered due to placement of the thermostat at the pump rather than the exit of the trans. More "projects to be done".

Built a dam of heavy sheet rubber behind the nostrils.

As you can see the water lines are not at the best placement for now. This is due to the placement of the water pump which may get moved this winter.
I have a folder on my lap top that is "Project to consider". Lots of ideas I have collected but not acted on due to the slow build. Will have to go through and see what is possible.

Bill