Apologies to all for lack of activity over the last couple of weeks. We know you are on the edge of your seat every morning clicking refresh just waiting for a new post. 😉
A minor update to let you know we have not forgotten about racing! How could we? Alas, life does get in the way and in order to support our racing addiction, we must also support our pocket book. Not much has been done to the Booger since our last update, other than the front clip is fit and we will begin the preparation to marry it (weld) together with the green half of the car. We decided to reuse the hood and doors to save time (and stickers that we don’t have yet) so you will once again see the thumbs up at the USA 500. New doors and a hood will be painted at the same time as the new clip though, so we will start the prep on those and have them for later. The engine will be coming out and freshened up next.
In other parts of the shop, big things happened. A custom tranny change/conversion on a 1998 Jetta, successfully firing a ’90 Jetta after it sat in a field since 2005, the sandblasting of two Karmann Ghias (don’t even try it, if you ask me…it’s hardly fun), Larry G wondering if a third Ghia should have twin turbos, and working in 105-111 degree heat. I also don’t recommend that (the heat I mean, twin turbos are okay). Or deciphering how to put together the fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh Ghia to make one good one. It’s never a dull weekend here, apparently.
And because a post here just isn’t complete without pictures, we have here a ’86 Syncro Vanagon engine. This was our daily driver, and we love our van. It’s the Jack of all Trades in the auto world. You may remember former posts of Larry G driving it on three wheels towing the mowing deck our steep property, or it dressed like a monster for trick or treating kids in 2011 at the VORRA Halloween races. In April, it developed a loud knock in a matter of a couple miles, and amazingly made it all the way to the shop. To be honest, we expected it a lot sooner than it happened. We were finally able to pull the engine this weekend and it did indeed self-mutilate the #3 rod bearing. We are astounded it did not throw the rod through the case, but it wobbles all over the place. This van is tough and has a will to live – it drove 340,000 miles and after taking the engine apart and seeing what the former owner had done to some things, we have no idea HOW it made it that long. It has defied all laws that pertain to autos.
While I certainly love the power of 454 big block, I will be pleased to not have the Suburban Beast as a daily driver any longer when Larry G can drive the van again. That 30 gallon tank always drains faster than you hope.
If that’s not enough engine for you, there’s also this. It’s just a stock 1600, and had been in a customer’s car for years. I was dismayed at the nasty plastered all over this engine – not because of the dirt and oil itself obviously, but rather that the sticky, putty-like and drippy substance underneath filled my sockets and dripped all over the torque gun. Larry G informed me that this engine had been to Burning Man at least three times. Ah yes, fine NV desert silt, oil, and condensation! That made sense. A word to the wise – always Superclean and pressure wash (preferably steam clean) your engines when you come back from the desert. Unless, of course, the substance is what’s keeping your engine from leaking hahaha! An oil bath filter or an UMP is your friend as well. This engine is in decent condition to be rebuilt as a stock 1600 (street car).
As a teaser, we finally have the turbo engine back in Sleepy 64. This car will have its own page on TLR, but for now you can view this photo and dream of what is to come (including video). This car is FAST. And it puts a smile on everyone’s face. It will also receive the royal treatment while with us to make it shiny like the Booger.
Not pictured is the turbo engine for the Turbotastic Oval Rag, but they have been mundane preparation things that don’t really make for a good photo given the random nature of it all. Don’t worry – there will be a big update on that soon as well! It does have its own page up there in the menu ^ if you needed a reminder as to what the Turbotastic Oval Rag even is.
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