Blue Mule resto in Malawi

[M5driver]

We're into the part of the work these guys know well.

 

[M5driver]

A few of the small bits...

 

[M5driver]

And a small disappointment - the spare tire carrier without the bottom hinge. Still haven't been able to find a replacement pin for it. I've posted in classifieds, been looking everywhere I can think of on the net - eBay, etc., checked with CDan... no joy yet. Anyone??? I just need the pin and the two nylon bushings. I'd buy a whole carrier, but would not be able to get it here through the mail pouch, so....

Anyway, overall, pretty happy with what I'm seeing here.

 

[M5driver]

And.... (drum roll) - the box of small parts I was waiting for arrived today. I'm headed to the garage with an alarm clock. Without that, I tend to work way past my bedtime

 

[tmarx]

Glad to hear it is going so well, Dan !

 

[tlc_4play]

Dan

If it is only the pin then, maybe, , , , ,

If you have the dimensions of the pin I could ask a good friend to machine you a pin on his lathe, then we could post it up to you.
Or I can identify the specific pin on mine and use that for a sample and dimensions.

You can contact me here or via PM on LCCSA

 

[M5driver]

Keith,

Thanks for the offer. Finding anyone to do metal work here is difficult, and finding stock is even harder. I've included a photo of the pin. It's from the lower hinge of the tube-type spare tire carrier. The hinge has to have the welds cut to get the pin out. Unfortunately, this one got the BFH treatment when putting it back in after cleaning and coating with Rust Bullet. The hinge is still good, but the pin and bushings are not.

Dimensions: 82mm long; pin diameter 15.75mm; head (large diameter) 25mm, head height 6.25mm. I think it's just mild steel, judigng from how it bent. If I could get this in stainless, that would be great; otherwise good steel and RB

 

[M5driver]

Had time for a little more work tonight, so I put the manifolds together. They are looking pretty good

I decided to use some of the "orange insurance" mentioned elsewhere in the forum. I don't want to have any leaks between the manifolds or behind them. I was able to get a tube of this shipped in along with a few other parts a month or so back. It looks like it will work well together with the new gaskets.

On advice from the forum, I trimmed the heat riser flap so it would clear and added the stainless plate to protect the intake manifold - insurance against cracking it.

 

[M5driver]

Then I bolted the two manifolds together with all new bolts, and put new studs in for the exhaust pipe, the EGR pipe, and the carb. I think it looks pretty good

 

[tlc_4play]

Dan
I'll get the dimensions off to my mate so he can get started on it
I'll keep you informed, once ready, let me have your address and I'll send it off to you.

 

[M5driver]

Super, Keith! Thanks! I'll order up a new set of bushings. When the pin is ready, I'll PM you my address for shipping from ZA.

 

[M5driver]

Well, another good (busy) weekend I put the manifolds on; might have used a little too much orange gasket maker, tho. Then I got the timing gear cover and crankshaft pulley back on. The "bake at 350F for one hour" trick worked nicely. The pulley slipped on about one third, then I took a soft hammer to it to knock it far enough to put the large nut on. Then I used the impact wrench to drive the nut on and push the pulley into position. That Ingersoll Rand battery powered impact wrench is nice!

 

[M5driver]

Bolted more parts to the front of the engine, and got a lot of the smog gear back on. I had to take the alternator off to get the fuel lines in place. I thought I would just be able to snake them through the opening, but I was wrong. :whoops: Oh, well - three bolts and ten minutes - no problem.

 

[M5driver]

Finished off with the new clutch and bearings, the new starter and the tail lights. Not a bad weekend's work.

 

[M5driver]

Oh, yeah - the tail lights

 

[handcannon]

This thread is one of my favorites! You have been through a lot of frustrations, but , what I am seeing now looks GREAT!!!

 

[M5driver]

This thread is one of my favorites! You have been through a lot of frustrations, but , what I am seeing now looks GREAT!!!

Thanks! There are still some head-banger moments, but not as many as before. It's nice to be ing again. As long as I don't hose something up badly myself, I think it will be mostly forward motion now.

My friend Chris is coming round to help get the gearbox back in next Saturday. I'll be checking on the body panels and tub this week - hope to get the new glass and rubber installed before those pieces come home. The panels should be ready late this week or early next and the tub by the end of the month.

 

[M5driver]

Anyone know a good way to remove excess RTV sealer from ummm, say, a manifold gasket? Just on the of chance that somebody, who shall remain nameless, overdid it a little? Actually, I put it on the gasket rather than the manifold before bolting it back up. :whoops: TIA.

 

[tlc_4play]

Great work Dan

I'm so glad my 2F doesnt have all that anti smog crap

 

[M5driver]

Great work Dan

I'm so glad my 2F doesnt have all that anti smog crap

THAT would be nice!

It has to be there when I re-import the Mule into the states, or it would have gone to the scrap heap Still, getting it back on and renovated counts as progress, right?