I fixed the sticky rack today, car runs strong now. I took the pump top off again and finally got it free'd it up and added oil. I guess it just needed to be driven a bit.

I took the car on its first real test drive 45 miles to work today and it feels good on the high way. I did have a problem however: The car was running warm on the highway, max temp just over 100C with cap loose. As i mentioned I have flushed the cooling system several times but it is still a bit rusty. I think my rad may be restricted. Also, I took out the t stat for flushing and now realize this may cause it to run warm due to some coolant flow possibly bypassing rad. Tomorrow I will reinstall T stat and flush it again, worst case i give it a new Radiator.

So when it got warm on the highway i was running straight water and some flush/anti corrosion additive. This caused it to start to boil just over 100C at top of hill with cap loose. I lost a little bit of coolant so i stopped at a store and filled up some jugs to bring with me. When i shifted into reverse the reverse rod came off! I don't know how/why it happenened, must not have had the clip on right. I had to squeeze under the hot car and remove the rod and shift it out of reverse. Fortunately i was able to find a parking spot at work I can pull out from forward, I almost forgot when i pulled in.

So minus a couple last minute cluster f's, car is running well. The 2:88 Rear end is nice with this set up since I primarilly need the car for highway travel. Its fine around town too. I see the minor buzz when lugging 3rd/4th, but it is very minor and i do not mind it. The DS work never did get balanced and it is fine. I really happy i don't have any major engine balance issue's, would not have time to tear it all apart again.

Sits pretty nice with 1 coil cut on F springs, definitely higher then it was with the auto and all the AC stuff.

I hope to drive this car another 100+K, hopefully the SLS holds up, I like the SLS system in these cars and do not want to deal with changing it out for regular springs. I replaced the accumulators and flush the system occasionally, so far it has been working very well. The lines over the rear subframe do not look great though and the pressure hose from pump should be replaced (it is spliced together now with hyd fittings).

Thanks for the help/advice. This forum is a valuable resource, incredible knowledge here.

So The to do list is getting shorter:

Steering box

Water/meth inj

Driver seat

Install R sls links

Breather/catch can set up

Fan clutch

Rad (?)

Some pics at first start (alot of unfinished business in pics, has since been tidied up)
















How do I change the name of this thread?

__________________
82 MB 300TD, 87 Audi 4000TQ, 05 Audi A4 avant 1.8T 6spd (Wifes), 63 356C, Samurai VW 1.6TD, 71 NSU 1200C, 71 Toyota Hilux, tractors and junk