Gav's 101.

New vac advance in, and what a difference. As expected, it now idles much better, and slower than before, started easer too, but not sure if that was just a fluke.

Also bought some other spare parts like a new reductor coil as the current one in the dizzy has a small hot spot on it and may be on borrowed time. Also a new ignition coil. I already had a spare BIM021 module and I have borrowed a fuel pump off Mick - thanks mate, so now I have a complete set of electrical bits for the 101, so I can fix any electrical fault that may occur on the side of the road. :)

Just need to take it for a road test to see if it still pings under full throttle.

Not strictly 101 related, but I consider it part of the package as I have nothing else that will tow it, so here is an update on what I've been doing to get it ready for its big trip North.

You know how a simple job can spiral out of control? Well, this one sure did, and it took a lot more effort than expected to get the result I wanted, but I'm very happy with the outcome.

While looking for new tyres for it, I called up Boof - a member here who does us Vic members proud on sales and service related to anything tyres.:). The trailer had some VERY old 650/16's on it that belong in a museum somewhere, so new tyres were a must. Mick also helped me out here and let me go through his collection of 750/16's in which I found some tyres, but after going over things with Boof, decided to keep one of those as a spare, and bite the bullet and buy 2 new tyres. Big thanks to Mick as well.:)

So, some 235/85R16's were selected as these are very close to the same diameter as the 750/16 I now have as a spare. This size tyre also make the trailer sit level with the 101 as it was slightly low before. Now, these tyres sit a bit wider on the rim, and there is very little clearance between the old tyres and the chassis of the trailer - even less with the new rubber fitted - I'm talking just a couple of mm here, the wheel would turn, but it wouldn't need the suspension to move much and it would rub or get caught somewhere. I knew this before I started, so the solution to this was already brewing in my mind.

Now, before I go any further, I procrastinated about putting this up here, as I know there are going to be knockers of what I have done to remedy this, but in a nutshell what I have done works very well, is strong and safe. No further correspondence will be entered into here....:D

Solution - spacers... Yes, yes, I know - hold your tongue until the end....:D. I made up a 12mm spacer for the wheels, and this also meant I needed a 12mm spacer for the spigot, and 12mm longer wheel studs. All of which I have done. So here's a few pics...

Before.
http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/...ps9167170e.jpg

Bits used - having access to a CNC plasma cutter helps when you do jobs like this...
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...016/02/656.jpg

During.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...016/02/657.jpg

After.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...016/02/658.jpg

As you can see, if it wasn't for the shiny bits, you would never know what I did. The new wheel studs are just some grade 8 bolts, and I got lucky and these sit dead flat on the back of the hub, and just snag a casting rib when you try to turn them, so you can get the wheel nuts on and off fine.

I will need to get something bent up to act as flares for the guards as the tyres stick out a long way now - they stuck out a bit before, but now they are WAAAY out there...

While I had the hubs off, I checked the bearings and regreased them, but they were all in good nick anyway.

I also resolved the issue of where to put the number plate. I have welded a small bracket on the back of the stabiliser and screwed the plate to that.

http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/...ps507cb5a7.jpg

So, all in all, the trailer is now 100% mechanically ready for the trip, and registered, so that should keep NSW constabulary at bay.:) I just have to do some wiring for the solar panel and fridge that will be in there, and I'm done.:)

Norty boy.:o

I used some washers as spacers on my old trailer to get that little bit of extra clearance that I needed. :) Shuush - don't tell anyone - the RTA authorities even gave it a roadworthy with them on.

Excellent work! Just a thought tho... Would LWB rims not have done the same job? Having access to a plate cutter is very useful.. Currently drawing up my new bumper on a sheet of 3mm as it'd cost too much to go find a guy to load the drawing in and then cut it out! :)

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Originally Posted by Sitec

Just a thought tho... Would LWB rims not have done the same job?

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Maybe, but I was working with what I had. The rims on the trailer, and the spare rims I have from my Series III - one of which is now the spare for the trailer are all the same, so it was easier for me to do this rather than go looking for different rims.:)

The total cost all up for this mod (not including tyres) was just $40 for all the bolts I had to buy, so it was cheap too. If you had to pay for the spacers to be made, then maybe it would have been a different story, but I'm a tight arse and I'm always looking to do deals and barter, so the guy who owns the machine shop owes me quite a few favours for things like new power points, etc installed in his workshop over the years that I have never charged him labour on. :)

That makes sense.. Things are always better when they're free or you can do it yourself! It's been a good day today... Finally got back to mine! The first time in a week!

So, my 101 has a name!!!!!

As we were finishing packing, Mrs HH asked if anyone had come up with anything to which I replied no. A short discussion on how a 101 should have a tough name and how the HH's 'Herc' had been named followed.

Then, Pedro hit it straight away - CHUCK, as in Chuck Norris, because nothing is tougher than Chuck Norris...:D. Or it could be CHUCKY - as in this likeable fellow...
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment...1&d=1381308087

So there you go - Chuck or Chucky it is.:)

Thanks Pedro.

The cat dragged this into my front yard today.
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...psea31c558.jpg

I gave the owner a drive of a real 101, but he needed to eat extra spinach to steer my 101 with the wider rubber but other wise seemed to be happy.

I see you found your camera.:)

Yes, Your machine certainly does have Armstrong steering. It took quite an extra grunt to get it around the corners.:D

It is a very well set up and sorted vehicle, and there are lots of ideas and advice you gave me that I will be doing.

The first thing will be a pair of those marine vents you have in the front - they are fantastic, and a real simple solution to getting air into the cab. They just push all the hot air out the windows, and I really could have used those on my last couple of hours in the car today - it got quite hot this arvo and I did start to cook a bit.

Thanks heaps for taking so much time out of your day to show me your toys - I really did appreciate it mate.:)

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Originally Posted by bacicat

I see you found your camera.:)

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Yes and in focus for once :wasntme: