Ok this may get long....sorry.
Saturday, well all weekend was beautiful here in Southern Ontario.
Saturday morning my little guy and I set out in the cuda for a little trip. 30 min or so drive out to my favorite speed shop for some carb tuning parts.
He and I have been going on a few evening cruises, as he calls them, the last few weeks, as I tried to dial in the timing and carb. Usually 20 min drives or so around town. This was going to be the first time I really got a chance to take the car out for an extended drive this year.
To be honest, I was a little hesitant. Over the last few years the car has not been that fun to drive for a number of reasons. Last year it was primarily the steering. The car sort of wandered and required a lot of wheel input going down the road. Truthfully I looked for excuses not to drive the car more than reasons to drive it the last few years and I found myself having more fun working on it then driving it.
Over the winter, I rebuilt the steering box, as most of you probably know given the views on my thread detailing that process, and have really worked to dial in the steering box, new pitman and idler arms too. Although not totally happy with it, the car goes down the road with very little steering input now and is a huge improvement overall.
The last few weeks, the short drives have been mixed with the different timing and carb tuning combinations.
So anyway, Saturday was fantastic...I truly found myself enjoying the car for the first time in a long time. We took mainly back roads home, which took longer then expected. It was hotter then I expected, both the weather and the car (running at 220, which is not bad, but does get a little toasty in the car). I would be lying if I said I did not have a little grin on my face the whole way home.
It was not perfect, still a little rich when you go WOT and at cruise and has a little too much steering boost...but it ran good, It was not overly smelly, eye burning rich, and hit 140 KPH in what felt like seconds going down the highway. Overall it was just a great drive. I was enjoying the moment and happy that I had kept tinkering with it to fix some of the little things that made the car unpleasant to drive. Oh and I got to spend time with my son, who also enjoyed the drive, which counts more then anything.
I am looking forward to working out a few more bugs in the hopes the performance will continue to increase a bit, and looking for excuses to drive the car.
Anyway just wanted to share, in though hopes of inspiring anyone that is struggling with their car!
Oh and of course here are a few pics from later in the day, had to make a parts run for the wife.
