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2 Attachment(s)
Re: Intro and Update: Slugmobile and Mean Mini! (long read, but worth it)
Ok, today I think i can say I finally closed out this latest chapter in MeanMini's saga..
Back on her own four wheels, instead of jackstands.
I finally took her for an inspection, because it came due while she was broken. Ran pretty good, but that was her test ride so i took it very easy.
Attachment 62686
Attachment 62687
But with the heat today I think i will try changing out my modified water pump. I think with the underdrive puley and the modified pump, i might have shorted myself too much flow at idle. It takes too long to cool down when over the tstat temp even with the fan on.
Also i still need to change the timing belt because it keeps wanting to tighten when warm. It has been weird ever since the intermediate shaft gear loosened and walked off into the A/C bracket.
And I have new struts to go in and all new brakes too.
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Re: Intro and Update: Slugmobile and Mean Mini! (long read, but worth it)
Nice to see you Turn that page! :clap:
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Re: Intro and Update: Slugmobile and Mean Mini! (long read, but worth it)
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Shadow
Nice to see you Turn that page! :clap:
Thanks Rob!
I'm still a long way away from where i wanted to be by this time this year. That failure really set me back, as well as dealing with my poor wife's medical issues.
I wanted to have my re-tune from scratch competed as well as these suspension mods, and brake rework, and fuel system mods... and the list goes on.
Now the heat and humidity of summer here in NC is in full swing, and I don't even think I'm going to make SDAC because of the home situation...
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Re: Intro and Update: Slugmobile and Mean Mini! (long read, but worth it)
I'm not gonna make SDAC either, due to trying to catch up from being out of work for a few months with the surgery.
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Re: Intro and Update: Slugmobile and Mean Mini! (long read, but worth it)
Quote:
Originally Posted by
wheming
Thanks Rob!
I'm still a long way away from where i wanted to be by this time this year. That failure really set me back, as well as dealing with my poor wife's medical issues.
I wanted to have my re-tune from scratch competed as well as these suspension mods, and brake rework, and fuel system mods... and the list goes on.
Now the heat and humidity of summer here in NC is in full swing, and I don't even think I'm going to make SDAC because of the home situation...
This is always how it was with the Charger. No matter how well things seemed to go as far as what was accomplished it was never in the vicinity of what I wanted to get done on the car.
Always several things left off the list and always delays in time it took to get to where we were going.
Now that we've taken a break I had hoped to do all of those things and more before she runs again (at the track). We'll see how that goes because 6 years this fall and I haven't done a thing yet.......
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Re: Intro and Update: Slugmobile and Mean Mini! (long read, but worth it)
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Shadow
This is always how it was with the Charger. No matter how well things seemed to go as far as what was accomplished it was never in the vicinity of what I wanted to get done on the car.
Always several things left off the list and always delays in time it took to get to where we were going.
Now that we've taken a break I had hoped to do all of those things and more before she runs again (at the track). We'll see how that goes because 6 years this fall and I haven't done a thing yet.......
Yeah man, you really need to get on the ball!
;)
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Re: Intro and Update: Slugmobile and Mean Mini! (long read, but worth it)
Quote:
Originally Posted by
wheming
Yeah man, you really need to get on the ball!
;)
Agreed! :banghead:
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Re: Intro and Update: Slugmobile and Mean Mini! (long read, but worth it)
Wayne, I dont have my glasses on but is this you and your brother installing the trans??
Thanks
Randy
https://i.imgur.com/DMRKLmU.gifv
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Re: Intro and Update: Slugmobile and Mean Mini! (long read, but worth it)
Quote:
Originally Posted by
GLHS60
Lol!
Yes, I think it is!
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Re: Intro and Update: Slugmobile and Mean Mini! (long read, but worth it)
Whew!!
When I saw the vid I immediately thought of you and your brother, in a good way.
I'm sure glad you weren't offended in any way, how times have changed.
Thanks
Randy
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Re: Intro and Update: Slugmobile and Mean Mini! (long read, but worth it)
Wayne, your axle deal reminded me of these axle stabilizing bearing/seals.
I've never used them or know anyone who has but do you think they may have helped with the axle jamming??
Maybe no help with the axle snapping but possibly keep it straight after snapping.
Did it jam because it broke or did it break because it jammed off center.
Just thinking out loud, anyone ever use these??
Thanks
Randy
http://www.fitzall.com/32125LRB.php
Attachment 62694
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Re: Intro and Update: Slugmobile and Mean Mini! (long read, but worth it)
Quote:
Originally Posted by
GLHS60
Wayne, your axle deal reminded me of these axle stabilizing bearing/seals.
I've never used them or know anyone who has but do you think they may have helped with the axle jamming??
Maybe no help with the axle snapping but possibly keep it straight after snapping.
Did it jam because it broke or did it break because it jammed off center.
Just thinking out loud, anyone ever use these??
Thanks
Randy
http://www.fitzall.com/32125LRB.php
Attachment 62694
I'm not sure Randy if those would have made a difference. It might, and I guess it couldn't hurt.
That does remind me, since we had been busy with installing the trans, I don't think I posted better pics of the parts carnage.
I posted a pic when I got the diff out of the visible crack in the shaft. On closer inspection when the parts came back from Gary Peloquin, it looks like that crack carries is way back to the break and you can see the twist. So that break and the crack just jammed that axle in there good. Almost like using an easy-out, the more turning the tighter it got.
In hindsight, I think I should have just run it out, might have been a new PB for the 1/8 mile! Lol!
Also that axle had been in service since early 2015. The long side had been replaced last Fall, but this side wasn't. Probably should have changed both.
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Re: Intro and Update: Slugmobile and Mean Mini! (long read, but worth it)
Every day the internet takes the lives of cars whos owners refuse to listen to simple science. This time ONE car had both things I warned about happen to it. Simple science, not internet tool boxes.
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Re: Intro and Update: Slugmobile and Mean Mini! (long read, but worth it)
Quote:
Originally Posted by
GLHS60
Wayne, your axle deal reminded me of these axle stabilizing bearing/seals.
I've never used them or know anyone who has but do you think they may have helped with the axle jamming??
Maybe no help with the axle snapping but possibly keep it straight after snapping.
Did it jam because it broke or did it break because it jammed off center.
Just thinking out loud, anyone ever use these??
Thanks
Randy
http://www.fitzall.com/32125LRB.php
Attachment 62694
I thought somebody got one a few months ago and threw it in due to persistent axles seal leaks? Never saw an update on it, though?
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3 Attachment(s)
Re: Intro and Update: Slugmobile and Mean Mini! (long read, but worth it)
Small victory on Mini today. Found my vacuum leak on the hvac.
Attachment 62972
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A/C still not working correctly, when it first cycles the compressor on, it shuts off after just a few seconds.
I think my charge is still off, but not sure.
Now to put this rats nest back together! ;)
I did remove some excess wiring. But I'm afraid to do too much right now as I don't want to mess up something before dragweek.
Still have alot on the to-do list, but making some progress.
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Re: Intro and Update: Slugmobile and Mean Mini! (long read, but worth it)
At first guess, I would say you're probably low on refrigerant.
I like your use of the jack stand!
Sent from my SM-S903VL using Tapatalk
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Re: Intro and Update: Slugmobile and Mean Mini! (long read, but worth it)
Quote:
Originally Posted by
turboshelbys
At first guess, I would say you're probably low on refrigerant.
I like your use of the jack stand!
Sent from my SM-S903VL using Tapatalk
Thanks! I didn't want to flex it too much and hear a dreaded snapping noise!
On the A/C, i thought i might still be low, but i added some and hasn't changed.
I think my problem is either the aftermarket universal condenser may be too small, my fan doesn't pull enough cfm's (just the factory radiator fan, and condenser is in front of radiator), the 94 van expansion valve with the temperature switch, and using the stock 89 evaporator core. I've got the 94 van r134a compressor and line set.
I swapped in a 89 r12/r134a expansion valve, thinking that might help. I've jumped out the temperature switch, and the compressor will stay on when i turn a/c on. But didn't run it long enough to see if it would cycle off.
I'll test it more when i do the next test ride.
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Re: Intro and Update: Slugmobile and Mean Mini! (long read, but worth it)
Wow, been almost a year, and spent alot of it broke!
Haven't updated since before Hot Rod Drag Week 2018.
I scrambled to get back together and never could get to test&tune before dragweek.
In the end, dragweek was very costly. We got hot by an ambulance on the highway while driving to track #2 Darlington, SC. That is a long story all itself. It was a true miracle we weren't killed quite honestly, as if they hadn't have turned at the last possible instant the ambulance was headed straight for my driver's door. And even more of a miracle the damage to this beloved van was not more than it was.
Because of the accident we made it to the track late on day two, with only time enough to make one pass at low boost and it was only a 13.05. That was our first pass of dragweek and our first test pass since reinstalling the new trans. (The day 1 at Atlanta we got rained out.)
The rest of the week we did better and I felt better about persevering after our low point. By the end of the week, I started increasing the boost and running a mix of racegas added to the tank.
But, as my luck would have it, and since it wasn't bad enough that the outside of the van got ruined, I had to push my luck looking for an 11 second pass. I hot lapped after what should have been my last run and then knew right after my launch something wasn't right. But that damage was done, and I saw my coolant temp spike.
After easing off the end of the track the engine was hot and noisy. It was done.
So fast forward now to after the van was dropped back off with Brian for him to find out how bad things were. He checked out and determined bad compression and excessive leakdown.
Internal inspection showed too lean and detonation. My nice JE pistons are yet another set of ashtrays, and I don't even smoke.
Since this block has had some issues, and was again out of round, we opted to build with a fresher block.
Head, crank, and rods and other incidentals still good. Head did take a bit of a beating, but was still useable thankfully.
While at SloweSpeed and since this was an involved repair, the trans is getting the billet A904 style spline input shaft and converter is being modified for that. Also switching back to .91 transfer gears for dragweek 2019.
The fuel tank and delivery system is being replaced with a custom tank and larger capacity pump.
Also on the list is installing a new aluminum radiator, as well as a couple more small items.
I'm getting anxious and stressed about dragweek coming up and my window of tuning being so short before attending. I hope I can get some in beforehand, and if not I'm going to force myself to be safe and run easy during dragweek.
When the van is back home, probably around the end of July, I'll be able to post more pics and info.
I'll still have the body damage to address, but that won't be until after dragweek at this point. I have at least put a deposit on a complete parts van for the needed repairs to Mini. Hopefully that all goes smoothly. Stay tuned!
Sent from my ONEPLUS A6000 using Tapatalk
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Re: Intro and Update: Slugmobile and Mean Mini! (long read, but worth it)
Wishing you and the van the best!
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Re: Intro and Update: Slugmobile and Mean Mini! (long read, but worth it)
Sorry to hear about the misfortune Wayne, but really glad it wasn't near as bad as it could have been!