Philip A On the way to Cape York

miky · 15th August 2011, 10:32 AM

Thanks for all the info. Just shows how conditions change over a short time.
Two defenders and a disco just completed the OTT currently at Umagico camp ground, good site with grass on beachfront $10 per person per night well recommended. Off to TI on Wednesday.
We slid into Palm Creek and on to camp on the bank of the Jardine River. No problems, we walked every crossing and used a bra on the deep ones, "deep" being subjective of course.
Nolans was the deepest, water over the bonnet.
Heard horror stories on the way up to Palm Creek and decided to ignore them and take each crossing as they came and make an assessment for each one. Lots of BS from some people, I think some had never even been there.
Photos will have to wait till I get home. Didn't bring a laptop, this is from my iPhone.

I am posting this in case anyone is about to try the Telegraph Track to let them now it is easily doable even if you are dragging a trailer behind. Just get out at each crossing and walk it and of course look for the easy track through.

**nicho** · 19th August 2011, 01:02 PM

Thanks for posting so much info Phillip I'm currently in the states and still have to pop on to read up how your going.. Sounds like a challenging but very rewarding trip I can't wait to do it myself.

**PhilipA** · 19th August 2011, 04:23 PM

Just another problem that reared its head is that I noticed the seal on thewater pump leaking. now I have always thought since I first fitted the pump in Derby three years ago that it was suspect and leaking a little , however I think the broken fan blade finished it off. changed it at Cape Hillsborough. I am now an expert at changing water pumps in caravan parks.
Currently at Yeppoon and the noisy tappet I have been plagued with intermittently has now agreed to shut up for the moment. Its got me boondoggled.
The steering box leak has slowed down with the sealer I put in and the front main seal also seems to have slowed down. One would even think that the old car doesn't like castrol Magnatec as that is all I could get in Cooktown, and I have now topped with Valvoline 15-40.
Tomorrow to Rainbow Beach.
Regard sPhilip A

**POD** · 19th August 2011, 09:30 PM

Making me very envious here Philip, sounds like a fantastic trip. What's a few oil leaks, just don't let the nissota drivers see you with the bonnet up in the caravan park.
I had a very unpleasant drive from just south of Coober Pedy home to Gippsland back in 1991 when the RR threw a fan blade, could not budge the hub to remove it and wasn't confident to try removing an opposite blade given they have an odd number. The vibration kept us below 90km/hr. Should have just bitten the bullet and attacked it with the hacksaw it seems.
We had one of those black headed pythons, about a 7 footer, interrupt our breakfast at Bell Gorge in the Kimberley a few years ago. Memorable.

**nicho** · 21st September 2011, 08:39 PM

No update for a while mate. Did you make it home safe??? How did the landy hold up overall. I'm starving for more info.......

**PhilipA** · 22nd September 2011, 06:44 AM

yes I have been home for 2 weeks now after staying with friends in Buderim and Kirra.Luxury.

The old girl did not finish the trip well, as I chronicled in another post.
She became weaker and weaker in the final KKs and is now on the operating table for a new camshaft to replace the cheap pom one I installed just before going. The parts arrived yesterday PM so I am soon to begin installation.

There are two other major problems in a leaking sector shaft seal in the steering box and the rear output shaft seal in the BW. The BW seal was replaced just before going on the trip so I suspect I may be up for a BW rebuild. The steering box will probably also need replacing for reliability.
Ah well nothing lots of money and time cannot fix.
However it has to be considered that the car now has 207KK and has done most of Australia on dirt in the last 4 years.
Regards Philip A

**nicho** · 14th October 2011, 02:28 AM

Sorry to hear she suffered some injuries but she did make it there and by the sounds of it home too through some of the roughest terrain our wide brown land can offer.

**PhilipA** · 14th October 2011, 08:46 AM

I have now replaced the cam , timing chain and lifters, and also fitted yellow Bosch gen111 injectors.
The old girl is running better than it ever has which is a bit puzzling, as I have had trouble keeping the idle down( it has no leaks) . But maybe my old Bosch pink gen11 injectors were a bit blocked and the cheapo cam I had was not to spec, because it has gained a seat of pants 5-7% in power.

I bought a new stepper motor which seized on first use! I am waiting on another. When the idle goes to 1000RPM the Unichip adds 5degrees advance and so it adds another 100RPM. I am using a very old stepper which I also butchered trying to ensure it was free. Just be aware DO NOT TRY TO FREE A STEPPER. THE ONLY ANSWER IS A NEW ONE.I pulled 1 apart and it is not really feasible to dismantle them to clean.

Still to do the transfer and streering box, and I also found the engine mounts which were new at the start of the trip have died by the LH splitting. They were Britpart and the rubber too soft. Gary at CLR has sent me OEM ones FOC which I much appreciate.

I have had the flu for 2 weeks and now all my knuckles are beginning to heal so looks like time to start spanner twirling again.
Regards Philip A

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