First Go-Kart

We took the roadster around the block for the first time today.  First, I took it to the corner and back by myself.  Then, I took Sharon and Rachel out for rides.  Thank you Curt for loaning me your GoPro.  That thing is awesome!

Seat Install

Permanently mounted the driver and passenger side floors and installed the seat bracket bases.

Passenger side seat with the harness installed.  Can't figure out how to rotate it on the blog even with the pic oriented correctly.

Rough alignment is DONE

I really like math.  I took a few measurements and figured out the calculations for checking the camber and caster on the front and the camber on the back and used a string setup to check the track and toe on both.  Then I just needed to see what each adjustment would do.  It took me three tries to get the rear (including the test) and again only three tries for the front.  I got the rear track set and I think the toe is close.  I have the rear camber at about -0.6 deg.  My measurements have the front camber both at -1.0 deg the casters at +6.5 and +7 and the toe at 1/16" in with the steering wheel centered.  It went faster than I expected, but still need to be professionally done.  For that I will need to tow it to a shop.  The place I am probably going to take it is up in Brighton though.

Here are some pics of the string setup I used.

Seats and Roll bars mounted

Here is a pic from a few days ago.  The seats and roll bars are temporarily mounted.  The driver side exhaust side pipe hangs about an inch lower than the passenger side.  After some research it looks like I'll need to shift the engine on the mounts a little.

 This is the mount plate for the driver's side seat.  It is adjustable 4 positions.  I have it set so that there is a good spot for both me and Sharon.  The passenger side is also adjustable, but I don't think it will ever be moved.

Side view of the seats.

Seats in position with a good view of the roll bars.

From the back.

Back from Vacation

We just got back from visiting family and friends in New York.  It was really great to see everyone again.  Before we wheeled the roadster and got it tuned up a little.  We were able to get the coolant filled, set the idle and fix a few leaks.  I wasn't able to check the timing because it was too bright outside for my ancient timing light.  I think I may need to get a new one.  We had a power steering leak on the hydroboost unit and a small leak at the carb.  Both were fixed with a little snugging up.  There was almost a much bigger issue though.  The car was out of the garage and I decided I could just drive it into the garage.  The seats were not bolted down and nothing was aligned, but I figured I was just going to let the clutch out a little and cost it in.  Everything was fine until I went to hit the brake and hit the gas instead.  The car lunged into the garage and I barely stopped it before I hit the wall.  The pedals were too close together, so I lowered the gas pedal a little.  I was very impressed with how much the car wanted to take off though.  Very exciting.

First Start!!!

I don't really have any pictures sorted out for posting, but here is the First Start the happened on 1/20/14.  Very short run.  The fuel rail to the carb has a place for a pressure gauge hook up, but I didn't install one.  The plug that was installed was not fuel tight and started to spray gas.  I tried to fix it a couple of times, but it just wouldn't hold.  I ordered a new tee without a plug and installed it today.  The fuel leak is gone.  I also had a valve cove gasket leaking oil.  That is fixed as well.  The last problem is the choke.  When I got the engine and carb the lever for the choke was unhooked.  I had to disassemble the choke to fix it.  Well, I put it together wrong.  I figured out how to do it correctly today.  I still need to get the fast idle (idle with choke on) set and tune the carb up.  The final adjustments will probably have to wait until it gets warm again

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYy6yyQhhuY