Builds Ryan’s 40 AKA "Bandit"

[rfitzpatrick]

I have an odd looking wiper switch on my dash and the wipers don't work. I bought a new wiper switch and I took a peek under my dash yesterday during my lunch break to see what I'm dealing with. When I was under there, I noticed that the steering shaft is leaking/greasy where the horn wire comes out. What could be causing this?

 

[rfitzpatrick]

I completed a compression test earlier today. A little bummed by the results. Not sure what the next step is (aside from a leak down test) but I’d love any feedback and recommendations about best next steps.

1 - 120
2 - 125
3 - 110
4 - 95
5 - 95
6 - 105

 

[Sky King]

Did you add a small amount of oil to the cylinders for a wet test? Wet's the most accurate compared to dry. A leak down test will also tell you much more than a compression test.

 

[rfitzpatrick]

Did you add a small amount of oil to the cylinders for a wet test? Wet's the most accurate compared to dry. A leak down test will also tell you much more than a compression test.

I did not add oil. I will do one more round of testing and then research how to do a leak down test

 

[pb4ugo]

Yea, dry then wet tests usually tells what needs to be done.

 

[Sky King]

A leak down test will also tell you how well your valves are sealing, even to the point of being able to tell if it's the intake or exhaust for each individual cylinder. Leak down testers can be bought for a reasonable price. Some auto parts store loan them out for free.

 

[rfitzpatrick]

I have wipers! The original switch on my 40 wasn't working and it had some weird switch knob on it. I wired up a brand new switch from City Racer and now I have working wipers. I'll take the little win while I'm waiting to get started on all my gaskets and seals.

 

[Green Bean]

I completed a compression test earlier today. A little bummed by the results. Not sure what the next step is (aside from a leak down test) but I’d love any feedback and recommendations about best next steps.

1 - 120
2 - 125
3 - 110
4 - 95
5 - 95
6 - 105

Run a few tanks with Seagram the try again.

 

[diesellibrarian]

Run a few tanks with Seagram the try again.

I assume you meant Seafoam?

Do NOT put rum in your fuel tank haha.

 

[middlecalf]

I suspect your compression numbers would look better - or at least different - if you consumed a few tanks of Seagrams .

 

[rfitzpatrick]

I suspect your compression numbers would look better - or at least different - if you consumed a few tanks of Seagrams .

Haha. I’ll bet you’re right! Either that or I just wouldn’t give a damn because I was blackout drunk…or dead

 

[rfitzpatrick]

I tried adding some new gas struts to my back lift gate, but when I went to install I realized that the diameter of the ball stud was too big for my stock mounting brackets. I really don’t want to drill out the holes so I either need to find new ball studs with a smaller diameter stud or, luckily for me, they are the right size to put into my stocks housings so I could do that.

 

[rfitzpatrick]

I started to disassemble my steering wheel this afternoon for a couple of reasons:

1. I don’t have horns, so I need to figure that out
2. I’m going to rebuild my steering box

When I got the steering wheel cap off and the pieces to the horn removed, I noticed that I may be missing a piece to the horn. When I referenced the documentation from @Coolerman I noticed that my horn horn brush looks different than in the picture in figure 4A. My spring doesn’t have the piece attached at the end and the end of the spring appears to be soldered to the horn contact seat. Additionally, the rubber spacer disintegrated upon removal. Are these pieces available anywhere?

 

[Chungas Revenge]

Run a few tanks with Seagram the try again.

Brother, I’m not sure it would help but it sure as $hit wouldn’t hurt…

Thanks “Bean” I needed that.

 

[firemanj92]

@rfitzpatrick

@red66toy is in the middle of reproducing the horn parts. The grommet is nothing special. I cut one out of flat viton rubber and had previously cut one to size from SOR for a different model ("horn spacer)". The spring is just that-nothing really special. I also bought a Corolla horn "Steering Wheel Horn Contact Plate Plunger Pin Kit For Toyota 8431220011" which worked too with a little filing. Others just bought an electronic contact from Amazon for the brush.

 

[red66toy]

@rfitzpatrick

@red66toy is in the middle of reproducing the horn parts. The grommet is nothing special. I cut one out of flat viton rubber and had previously cut one to size from SOR for a different model ("horn spacer)". The spring is just that-nothing really special. I also bought a Corolla horn "Steering Wheel Horn Contact Plate Plunger Pin Kit For Toyota 8431220011" which worked too with a little filing. Others just bought an electronic contact from Amazon for the brush.

Yeah, trying to get that plate to the finish line!

 

[rfitzpatrick]

I got started disassembling my steering box over the weekend. To my surprise, I found mine was filled with grease instead of oil. At some point this box was either rebuilt or the PO had it filled with grease after all the oil leaked out. I was a little afraid that if the box had been rebuilt that there wouldn't be any shims left (or too few to reduce the play in my steering wheel). However, I found that there were still 2 shims in addition to the spacer. I initially pulled one of the shims and I think that made the steering play much better. I still need to pull the pitman arm so I can accurately measure the play with 1 or both shims removed. I can't wait to get the steering finished up as it will be much safer to drive.

 

[secretsquirrel]

I assume you meant Seafoam?

Do NOT put rum in your fuel tank haha.

Seagrams is Blended Whiskey made 20 miles from my house. Commonly used in a 7&7. Better down the gullet then in that gas tank.

 

[rfitzpatrick]

By the way - my steering column was filled with grease when I removed it. Is this normal? If so, how much do I add to it when I rebuild it? Or do I just add a little grease to the shaft when putting it back together?

 

[firemanj92]

Grease works as a good substitute.