We're back to the Future
We, Cleveland, and I are back. Yup, I have decided to name the Supra Cleveland, since it's from that area.
I posted up my trip report and findings on celicasupra.com, but here it is if anyone cares to read:
I made it back without any issues. Except for a little bit of whine from the rear end at about 72 MPH (per gps not speedometer) the car ran flawlessly. I had the rear diff fluid changed at NTB and they put an additive in it for LSD, but the original fluid was probably from 85 and had 63K on it so it was broken down. I am going to watch and listen to the rear end to see if it gets better or worse. I have read the threads on crush sleeves and solid spacers and I went through this with my 4runner. I have also found that on my 4runner, that if you tighten the pinion nut back to specs, it can fix the problem. When I get it up off the ground for a thorough inspection, I will check this out and change the fluid to amsoil and see if the new fluid has any shavings after the trip.
Here we are meeting for the first time:
It reminded me of the scene in Better off Dead when he rolls out the Camaro. However, I found out that buying a car over the internet is much like internet dating. Before I met my wife, I did the Match.com thing. It was fun, but I realized that the problem for me is that I would read a profile on match, see the photos, and then you form this perception of what the person would be like. When you meet, they could be "just as described", but the reality does not fit the "idea" of who they are. The car was just as described, low miles, mint interior, runs great, body is straight but paint is rough and needs some trim pieces. However, I pictured the paint just needing some elbow grease and trim pieces replaced. The reality is that the rocker panels and the bottom of the rear corners are rusting, as well as that area around the gas filler and the edges of the spoiler.
It stunned me for a bit, and I wasn't really sure about my purchase. Had I jumped the gun? What did I expect, a $8000 car for $2000? The problem was me, not the car, and my getting to know you trip made me realize that.
The trip:
Getting a water pump to have on hand. Of course the rain held off until 2 minutes before we set off to go.
The rain pounded on us at times, but we were cozying up to each other. She may have been rough around the edges, but she had a heart of gold, and it's what's on the inside that counts, right?
Here we are stopped for the first night on our first date, and my first time to a White Castle.
The next day, I had to take her to one of my favorite places. I like to eat "healthy" but that's hard to do on the road and on a schedule. My friends at work give so much **** for eating here, but their regular sandwiches are not that bad for you:
We arrived home just before 1 PM yesterday. It was going to be a "meet the parents" kind of thing. I think they got along nicely.
and even Bubbathecat came over to say hello. Finally, something new to lay on.
Sadly, I had to go to funeral service 2 hours after we got home. I changed and drove her over. On the way back, with the windows down, and going in stop and go rush hour traffic, I could hear a buzzing/thwipping noise. It was in relation to the rotation of the axle, meaning the timing of the noise was in sync so that the faster I drove, I would hear it more. When I hit highway speeds,the thwips were so close together it blended in. It had the sound of something being wedged on the dust shield of the brakes. By the time I got home, the sound was gone, but I will have to inspect it.
END of trip report.
The more time I spend with the car, the more I like it. It's amazingly quick for a NA straight 6 car. Thanks again for being on the lookout!
