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Post by centralvalleygter on May 29, 2012 0:26:10 GMT -5
I've been wearing out my Bradley faster than restore/build in the last couple of years, so I hope to do some fixin' this summer. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Summer to-do list on Bradley I¡¯ve been trying to write this to-do list for months. If I cannot find time to make the list, how am I ever going to be able to do the things on the list? Oh well, I¡¯ll just do what I can.
In no particular order:
1.) Move mirrors back so they are adjustable from driver¡¯s seat. While their placement on the fenders allows for good rear visibility, they are a pain to adjust. Since I now have a permanent wing window, I do not have to worry about them being hit when opening the door.
2.) Move front turn signals into headlight well.
3.) Relocate fuel filler to top of tank (tired of taking 10 minutes to fill the tank).
4.) Install ventilation scoop at front center of passenger roof.
5.) Fiberglass in all the holes created by items 2, 3 & 4 above plus make other minor repairs in body.
6.) Replace black trim on headlight covers (covers had uv shield which allowed black trim to peel).
7.) Replace license plate cover at front.
8.) Replace glass cylinder fuse boxes with modern slot fuse boxes. Do other minor wiring modifications.
9.) Revise fold-down dash panel (make slimmer & improve dash lighting over switches (3rd time is a charm!)
10.) Move front speakers from side panels to visor area above windshield.
11.) Insulate and close in bottom and rear area (already done front, behind front wheels) between interior and exterior wall at sides.
12.) Close in area between rear tires and tail light panel.
13.) Finish making second-effort doors. Figure out and fabricate removable Lexan or convertible clear side windows (want doors/windows that I can keep in car or on luggage rack when not in use).
14.) Coat new doors and rear window housing with truck bed liner material.
15.) Find/fabricate Naugahide/vinyl seat covers or replace seats with ones that can be recovered.
16.) Locate and fix minor oil leak on engine, fix/replace alternator.
17.) Replace worn carpet at interior.
18.) Start Design/Fabricate rear apron
19.) Locate matching paint so I can touch up scratches in paint on body, paint new scoop, etc.
20) Locate/fabricate/install front bumpers.
Yeah, well maybe I will have the time and money to do some of them.
Just thinking out loud....
Warmest Regards....
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Post by centralvalleygter on May 25, 2012 23:23:27 GMT -5
If you do put on an external cooler, get one that is built like a radiator as opposed to the more common ones that simply have the pipe pass through fins several times. I know they work a lot better because I designed an oil based heat exchanger type interior heater in my baja bug and the effectiveness of the radiator type was an hundred-fold greater. Just my 2 cents....
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Post by centralvalleygter on May 25, 2012 23:16:30 GMT -5
I am enjoying my Bradley again as my daily driver, since the weather is nice. Love driving it. Yes, I quickly decided that I would be fixing any levers on the steering column often, so I went for a totally smooth steering column and even put the turn signals on the dash. True, no automatic cut-off, but my fingers are always right there to shift anyway, so it has become an automatic action to turn it off after turns. Sure makes entering and exiting the car a lot less worrysome. Warmest Regards....
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new guy
May 13, 2012 23:23:46 GMT -5
Post by centralvalleygter on May 13, 2012 23:23:46 GMT -5
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Post by centralvalleygter on May 9, 2012 10:56:47 GMT -5
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Post by centralvalleygter on Apr 28, 2012 12:05:14 GMT -5
One of my staff members ran into someone with a Bradley from Lompoc, CA last week traveling from Chico to Lompoc (I believe at an "In n Out Burger" in Kettleman City). I was just wondering if he is a member of this message board club.
Warmest,
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Post by centralvalleygter on Apr 18, 2012 10:46:14 GMT -5
I also have State Farm, they seem to be the only conventional insurance company which will insure kit cars without much hassle. There are a couple of specialty insurance companies (such as Hagerty) that are available. Warmest....
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Post by centralvalleygter on Apr 12, 2012 16:10:52 GMT -5
One other "heads-up" is the GT2 suffers from "butt sag" if braces are not installed to remediate the problem. Symptoms will include not being able to keep the doors aligned. Word to the wise would be to research (on this board - discussed many times - become familiar with the "search" feature) and install braces in the phase when your body can be set in place and removed fairly easily. Much easier to solve then than after your final assembly. Warmest Regards,
Steven
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Post by centralvalleygter on Apr 9, 2012 21:37:30 GMT -5
I have Kadron carbs, which can be sensitive to too much pressure. 1.5-3.0 psi is ideal. This is what my pump puts out, so I am not using a pressure regulator (it is a generic Mr. Gasket fuel pump for 4-6 cylinder engines). However, I do have a pressure regulator (you can find them in some of the advertisements in Hot VWs magazine) on a shelf in my garage in the event I ever have to install a pump that puts out too much pressure. Warmest...Steven
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Post by centralvalleygter on Apr 8, 2012 21:30:09 GMT -5
Got to drive my Bradley today. Replaced the electric fuel pump and the weather was nice. I have been driving the VW bus for the winter, so driving the Bradley has been minimal. Drove it 40 miles (one way, 80 miles total) to my parent's house for Easter dinner. Just reminded me why I keep it around. Hope to get back to fixing it up this summer.
So fun to drive!!! Warmest..... Steven
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Post by centralvalleygter on Feb 28, 2012 11:01:09 GMT -5
Eric, Way cool that your efforts are becoming rewarding rather than adding to your frustration.
My wife just ordered me a mini 4ch electric heli (GW XIEDA 9958) for an aniversary gift. My brother recommended it. It is really just a toy, but an amazing one for the price, he says. I do not know whether I will ever go to a bigger one, but plan to enjoy this primarily indoor one (can fly in our school gym).
Happy Flying....
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Post by centralvalleygter on Feb 26, 2012 23:51:37 GMT -5
Recently assembled a Dazzler ARF. Very light with large control serfaces and long throws. With the Super Tigre .46, performance should be rediculus. Warmest...
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Post by centralvalleygter on Feb 26, 2012 23:49:00 GMT -5
I recently fabricated a rack to keep my planes secure as I transport them to the field in my VW Bus. The last picture is from the passenger side taken through the window. Warmest Regards...
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Post by centralvalleygter on Feb 12, 2012 22:28:22 GMT -5
The board tries to censure the messages so it replaces c0ck with thingy. I used zero instead of "oh" in hopes that it would not replace it. Warmest....Steven
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Post by centralvalleygter on Feb 9, 2012 18:59:10 GMT -5
Use the search feature of this board and put in "butt sag" to learn more. It will give you some threads with some symptoms & solutions. Make sure you put something like 2400 days back in the appropriate place or you are likely to get no results since I think the default is like 7 days.
warmest,
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Post by centralvalleygter on Feb 9, 2012 15:23:42 GMT -5
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Post by centralvalleygter on Jan 31, 2012 11:29:49 GMT -5
One fairly simple option is to fabricate a removable rear window assembly with fiberglass. I am pleased with mine. To see my construction procedure, click below. www.swrnet.life/bradley/list13.htmlWarmest Regards,
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Post by centralvalleygter on Jan 28, 2012 12:31:27 GMT -5
From what I know about VW engines and have read about them in Bradleys, 200hp is right at the top end of the power/dependability compromise. As Wyn said, it will largely depend on self-control at the gas pedal. Probably will have clutch & transaxle problems before engine problems. Warmest....
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Post by centralvalleygter on Jan 23, 2012 12:10:24 GMT -5
If I remember right the standard VW transaxle uses 90 weight gear oil. Get the bottle with the pump, it is much easier to fill that way. There is a plug in the side you fill it just to the bottom of the plug. Warmest....
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Post by centralvalleygter on Jan 17, 2012 11:05:01 GMT -5
"tHANKS STEVEN, i HAVE HEARD KADRON'S WERE VERY DEPENDABLE, Can you use vacumn advance with the 40's ?( larger carberator)"
Yes, still have smoother acceleration with vaccuum advance, even with larger venturis and engines. Warmest.....
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Post by centralvalleygter on Jan 16, 2012 22:34:50 GMT -5
I have an original Great Planes Simulator (took a lot of effort to get it to work with XP, when I upgraded my OS). I have been amazed at how well they have modeled the flight characteristics of the various planes I have owned that are in the simulator. When you can do it on the simulator, you can do it for real. I find the real thing is usually easier. Warmest Regards....
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Post by centralvalleygter on Jan 16, 2012 12:08:21 GMT -5
I will share what I know and my experience. From what I have read, it is better to not go larger than 90.5mm on the bore. As you go bigger, the cylinder walls get thin enough to be subject to distortion as they heat up. This is suppose to lead to reliability issues. That being said I know a lot of people who have run the larger bores without major issues. In fact, I actually have a larger bore in my VW bus, and have had no problems, but it is a relatively fresh engine. Only got it because it was a great deal.
I have been running dual Kadrons since the 80's and love them. They are one of those things people seem to love or hate, not much middle ground. They actually tend to tune better with vaccuum advance distributors. I have been using centrifigal advance distributors for simplicity sake which have result in a very slight hesitation under hard accelleration. Observable, but not objectionable to me. However, since they are single barrel, good gas mileage is not their major quality.
When using Kadrons with larger displacement engines, I suggest obtainning them from, or sending them to "A.J. SIMMS" (aka Mr Kadron). Give him info about your engine size, cam used, lift and exhaust system and he will put in the right venturi size and jets for you. Lastly, if you get an older set of Kadrons, they have brass bushings on the butterfly valve, which tend to wear quickly (letting in extra air), making idle adjustments iradic. He can replace those bushings with fiber ones, which seem to last forever. Warmest Regards.....
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Post by centralvalleygter on Jan 15, 2012 22:54:36 GMT -5
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Post by centralvalleygter on Jan 11, 2012 17:40:08 GMT -5
it would be 1710 miles (one way) for me and though it does take place a week after I absolutely have to be here at the school - with my schedule this spring it is unlikely I could prepare my Bradley, which I am wearing out more quickly than restoring right now, for the trip. It is not likely I will make it. Shore would like to though. Maybe I'll just use some of my credit card miles and fly out to visit. Sincerely,
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Post by centralvalleygter on Jan 11, 2012 17:30:14 GMT -5
Yeah, from what I can tell it has been nearly a year since he posted and I too was fasinated by his project. Hope someone can chase down the status and story. Warmest...
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Post by centralvalleygter on Jan 11, 2012 14:37:09 GMT -5
The nice thing about kit cars is that you can modify, update and personalize them to your hearts content without concern that you are destroying a classic. The Kit-car nature means the average enthusiast can do the a lot of the work without special skills and tools.
The thing you do have to remember is that you will not get in return what you spent when it comes time to sell it, and the more esoteric and costly your changes are, the smaller percentage of your monetary investment you will receive. However, if your reward will come from something other than the monetary, then only you can evaluate its rate of return and if it is worth it. Each of us comes from different situations with different values, so sometimes it is hard to relate to the choices others will make, especially if they stray far from the norm, or seem to propose things that our observations and experience have not been successful in the past. We do have the obligation to communicate that our observations would indicate that the likelyhood of satisfaction will not be high as the proposed modifications become too extreme.
The main point is to enter things and make decisions based upon the reality of the situation. If you really understand the plusses and minus and still want to try it, more power to ya. Warmest...
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Post by centralvalleygter on Jan 6, 2012 14:10:15 GMT -5
The use of a diode is simple and effective, but assumes single fuse for parking lights, high beam and low beam. Below are wiring scheme for headlight/parking light switches. All the schemes show a simple Single Pole Double Throw switch for the High/Low beam switch, but a footswitch or something else could be used. Scheme 1 is simplest with a single power source for all the lights, but uses a Double Pole Double Throw switch with a jump wire instead of a diode. Scheme 2 shows separate circuits (fuses) for the Headlights and Parking Lights, which is more typical. I personally like and use Scheme 3 as it has not only a separate circuit for the Parking Lights and Head lights, but also a separate circuit for the High and Low Beams. Also, the use of the relays (less than $5 each from local auto store), means less current flowing through the dash switches (allowing use of lower rated switches, if desired). Just some thoughts for your consideration. Warmest Regards, Steven
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Post by centralvalleygter on Jan 6, 2012 0:27:01 GMT -5
I do not think the headlight recycling has anything to do with the switch. The motor mechanism must have some way to set the limits. I think I remember someone saying that the BII originally used a modified winshield wiper motor or something and it was a pain to keep them from cycling. Changing to linear actuators will make it more dependable and easier to adjust. Just letting ya know what I have heard - I have an original GT, so it is not by personal experience. Warmest....
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Post by centralvalleygter on Jan 3, 2012 22:16:53 GMT -5
Sorry to hear about the breakdown. If it is noisey but still running (with less power), it could be a valve spring. I replaced my single port heads with Mexican dual ports, valve spring broke almost immediately. Later talked to a VW engine builder, told me that while the Mexican made heads were usuable, he always immediately replaced the springs because every one he didn't broke quickly.
At any rate, may be a valve spring or two. Warmest.....
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Post by centralvalleygter on Dec 24, 2011 17:11:17 GMT -5
I, too want to wish everyone and their families a Merry Christmas. Warmest Greetings.... Steven
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