Rally Wairarapa

[NZTiger]

Finally after 3 years it was time to get out in anger again. Last rally (Otago Classic 2008) resulted in an off-course excursion and bent Rh frt suspensions and chassis rail.
As the rebuild needs to made improvements as well as fixing the damage I needed to sort a good 5 spd gearbox. I didn't want to go the Type 9 route so after a chat with a friendly transmission mechanic I when home with the casing for a Toyota T50 to measure up....so after a bit of work I now have a T50 with TRD close ratio insides.

When we finished Otago after fixing the suspension bits and re-entering day 2, the engine was using a bit of water, on taking the head off a few months later I discovered a small creak in #4 bore. So a new engine was built, 98% the same as before, but with some mods to piston tops and combustion chamber.

The last 2 weeks leading up to the rally had a couple of last minute problems getting Frt susp geometry sorted and then the frt brakes were were pulling to the R and not fully releasing, I had run out of time to get it sorted so got a mechanic to do the work, releasing problem was the booster rod adjustment and the pulling required rebuilding the calipers with new pistons and seals, all good, but he couldn't get the front circuit to bleed properly so he bypassed the shuttle valve (but leaving rear going through shuttle valve) When I got the car back he reported the brakes had good stopping power and pulled up straight, but the peddle was a bit low...

So we started the rally and yes the brake pedal was low and a bit spongy. First 3 stages went OK, very rusty driver, brakes working but not giving confidence but engine and gearbox were great including pulling 180k (on GPS speedo) on gravel (about 6.5K in 5th). But we were getting a little overheating. A check at the start of ss3 revealed loose fan belt. On touring down the road after SS3 we went round a gentle Lh corner at about 60-70 k and the Rh frt stub axle broke...





As it happened at low speed the wheel was held in place by the caliper and we stopped without anymore damage.
Fortunity the next car along had the son on the man I purchased my 2 door off as service crew, so we went to his place later in the day to get the front struts, refitted and re-enter day 2.

SS2 on day 2 showed the overheating return, when we arrived at the start of ss3 we discovered the overheating problems was a result of my special small Dia frt pulley coming apart (its 2 piece and the bolts were failing) I decided to drive very slowly through the stage as the touring after the stage went past the farm where the 2 door came from and there were heaps of parts there so I could get a replacement pulley, but it only went 2 k before all the bolts failed. We retrieved the car, replaced the pulley and then did last 2 stages in which we caught the car in front so I ended the day very happy with the cars performance, but with a little work to do the get the problems fixed.


http://www.kiwirallyfan.com/Motorsports/Rally-Wairarapa-2011/17276006_Hg3pZC#1311725658_rxzQkv3

[JoKer]

The Wier's are great for parts

most my bits and my car came from them

great to see it out and about! was all I heard about from mates who went to watch

[avenga]

Awesome to see the Avenger back out rallying. Makes me want to get my Avenger back and racing.

Your Avenger sounds like it hauls ass with the new engine etc. 180KPH on gravel must be fun.

Shame about the breakdowns but I guess that is part of the joy of racing old cars. Lucky that wheel stayed on after the stub axle broke. Could have been much worse if it happened at speed.

I had that same problem with the brake booster pushrod in my '75 a few weeks ago. Caused both front brakes to jam on. One of my mates helped me find the problem, now my pedal is also much lower and spongier but much better than before because it used to be rock hard.

How does the T50 go? what were the reasons for choosing the T50 over the Type 9. Got any photos of the gearbox conversion? it would be great to see how you did your so then others can see how to do the conversion with both the Type 9 and the T50.

Keep up the good work and look forward to hearing about your next event.

[avengertiger]

mechanical problems aside "did you enjoy it"

[NZTiger]

Yes, just need to sort the problems and do more

[avengertiger]

whats your next event? i went on a gravel hillclimb today got a passenger seat in  if780 an rs1800 and the guy im friends with has a little fwd starlet which is good fun.
did you intend on more mods or upgrades and how did the new engine go?

[NZTiger]

A ride in IF780...a famous rego
http://www.showroom.co.nz/news/rally-legend-the-driving-force-behind-quake-auction-1517.html/vatanen-1977
Probably driven a bit slower on this outing

No mods planned, just fix the broken bits and make it reliable. Engine went great, it blow the the exhaust manofold gasget so need to sort that and I used a std head gasget so that needs changing. I will get a few 1700 ones from Skip Brown and then I need to get it properly dynoed.

[avengertiger]

thats the one and there is jf 780 down here to sitting in a workshop awaiting the bda to be rebuilt.i will send you a pic of her lieing in the corner.
thats good you had no real engine troubles,i look forward to catching you out on a stage someday.