Dave Robsons Challenger R/T

andyrob · Post by **andyrob** » Tue Jun 09, 09 6:58 pm

see ya tomorrow night then

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Wed Jun 10, 09 8:45 am

Well maybe not.

I got the car on the road at 10pm last night and had a run up to the coast and back.

No sign of leaks idling in the garage.

Water and trans temp a steady 165 degrees (evening air temp was on the low side). Oil pressure OK. 14 volts in the charging system. Overdrive working OK.

But on my return I noticed a couple of small drips when I parked up. After switching off I could see the back of the sump was wet and there were drips all along the back edge. 5 mins later I checked again and there was a puddle about 10 inches diameter.

So when I get home tonight I will have to see where that is coming from and try and sort it. My last leak started small like that which is disheartening. But it does not look like it has dripped from the bellhousing this time so hopefully it is one of my trans cooler line fittings or the sump gasket.

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Wed Jun 10, 09 8:48 am

Blimey Dave, lets hope this is the last niggle and its easily sorted. Looking forward to hearing that the car is ull fettled and running nicely and above all, putting a smile on yer mooey.

We're all staying tuned mate.

Ivor · Post by **Ivor** » Wed Jun 10, 09 9:01 am

Ten to one it's the sump gasket Dave...unless you have a rubber one fitted!

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Wed Jun 10, 09 9:06 am

Bloody cork rubbish was all I could get last time.

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Wed Jun 10, 09 9:12 pm

Sun has been shining all day today. Really nice day for the wednesday night cruise.

Got home from work. Had a look at the trans.
Looks like possibly oil leaking from sump and also from bellhousing again.

Drained trans.

Removed sump.

Removed and snapped knackered cork gasket.

Applied thick smear of copper silicon sealant to both sides of gasket.

Put it back on and tightened very evenly and carefully.

Refilled with fluid.

Got changed and fired her up.

The moment I got outside it started to rain.

But I didn't let it put me off and I drove down to the Metro Centre for the cruise.
The rain actually made the paint look better.

Forgot to take camera.

No issues to speak of. No sign of fluid under the car at the Metro Centre.
One small drop of fluid under the car when I got back home just now. Looks like it fell from the bellhousing. But only one drop so far.

I will check again later.

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Wed Jun 10, 09 9:49 pm

Just checked under the car again. Still just the one drop of oil.

I will settle for that.

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Wed Jun 10, 09 9:50 pm

Glad you got out in it today Dave, I'll see you at the next one with mine hopefully. Just couldn't get it done in time for this month.

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Wed Jun 10, 09 9:52 pm

Dukerich wrote:Glad you got out in it today Dave, I'll see you at the next one with mine hopefully. Just couldn't get it done in time for this month.

I think I said that at the last one I was at. A year ago!

I hope you do better.

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Wed Jun 10, 09 10:20 pm

I'm doing the best I can.

Glad yours is moving though

You must be chuffed.

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Thu Jun 11, 09 8:41 am

good to see the car out at last Dave, even if it was in miserable weather.

Certainly created a stir on arrival. Loved the electric cut outs on the exhaust

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Thu Jun 11, 09 9:13 am

Thanks for those Neil.

Hopefully some sun on Sunday at Morpeth eh?

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Thu Jun 11, 09 9:20 am

Hoho, not THAT is a lovely car. So how is it rinning Dave? Had a chance to give her a little throttle yet????????

Really looking forward to seeing it in the metal.

Well done mate, its a credit to you

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Thu Jun 11, 09 9:31 am

Drives and sounds like more like a Hot Rod than a Muscle car Clivey.

Rumperty rumperty rumperty.

Really flat on the curves though. Even in the wet you have total confidence in its cornering as long as you are not more than tickling the throttle under 3000rpm.

Not sure if it is making the power it was. Or if the power is just smoother in its delivery. It seems to accelerate effortlessly without any drama. It does not feel as fast but boy racers on your tail just vanish in the rear view mirror with no effort.

Converter seems looser. Which makes the trans seem like it is slipping under 3500 rpm. Headers sound like they are blowing but I can't see any evidence for that. Tappets will need adjusting up now it is run in.
Lots of rattles and squeaks.

Don't care though.

Ivor · Post by **Ivor** » Thu Jun 11, 09 9:42 am

An absolutely epic performance Dave, bloody well done, it looks amazing, despite you looking a bit pensive at the wheel!