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Post by smyrnaguy on Jul 1, 2012 21:23:38 GMT -5
I took the Bradley to the beach today and I noticed that I'd rolled up a bit over 1000 miles in the month I've had it on the road. Its been one thing after another in that month. My speedometer gave me trouble for a couple of days until I made the vw cable fit the Dakota Digital vss unit. The brakes had to be bled at least 3 times. I found I needed drilled drums to get the rear wheels under the fenders. The adapters made the tires rub. I have installed the third shifter this month. The first was a T-handle crumbling chrome job that came with the car. It broke off and left me stranded at of all places, Auto Zone. I payed way too much ($30) for a worn out sloppy stick from the local bug garage just to get back on the road. From then on shifting was an adventure sort of like Forest Gump's box of chocolates; you never knew what gear you were going to get. It was too easy to downshift from 3rd to rev or up from 2nd to first while seeking third. I got an EMPI short shifter Saturday and shifts are now sure and precise. The reverse lockout works perfectly. I made a cover for the car I can stow in the compartment behind the seat in case of rain. I still haven't installed the doors or rear window so the cover was necessary and took a whole lot less time. I've been asked dozens of times "what kind of car is it?" and last week I was in a restaurant and was asked if that was my "old school Stingray in the parking lot". I know its a strange sight when I'm going to and from the beach with a 9 ft surfboard sticking out of the car. Only caused one accident so far though. Some kid was rubber necking as I drove by and jackknifed his bicycle. Aren't Bradleys fun?
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Post by cocacoladodge on Jul 2, 2012 0:41:52 GMT -5
I love reading stories like this! Someday I'll do tales of my cruises, but I haven't caused any accidents yet, lol.
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Post by smyrnaguy on Jul 2, 2012 9:08:12 GMT -5
Oh yeah I forgot I also had to drop and dismantle the engine to fix a compression leak.
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Post by mwilson on Jul 3, 2012 15:29:08 GMT -5
Dealing with a 40+ year old chassis is what seems to be my woes. I don't know about you folks but I get a lot of noise when driving. I know fiberglass cars just tend to be that way. My experience with EMPI has NOT been good, often times the parts just don't fit or have to be modified. I have over 500 miles on my electric GT II. Yes, I get a lot of thumbs up when I drive by and the usual rubbernecking. A few weeks ago, I was driving up a steep hill and the controller blew up! (Basically the brain for an electric car) That left me stranded on a highway near the top of a hill. (Not a good place to be) I had to get the car towed home. What a sad sight. The tow truck driver kept marveling at the car though. A couple weeks later, when I got a new controller, I was back on the road.
Thanks,
Matt
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Post by mj on Jul 3, 2012 18:11:39 GMT -5
Dealing with a 40+ year old chassis is what seems to be my woes. I don't know about you folks but I get a lot of noise when driving. [...] Yes. I had the same when I got my GTII second-hand. I cured it 100% so that now there is not a single rattle, no vibration, not even engine resonance, and I have a high performance engine. HOW? First I made sure the suspension was in good order. To that end, I replaced the shocks, replaced the torsion bars, adjusted steering box, and installed sway bars front and back. It still had unacceptable noise inside. Then I installed aircraft sealed-cell sound proofing on the floor 1/2" as two 1/4" layers on the floor and across the back shelf 3/4" (where the engine sounds come from). Then carpet. Under all that is POR. Now it is Cadillac quiet. ...and that car is for sale.  See www.bradleygt.com/index.cgi?board=ads&action=display&thread=1191Must sell. . |
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