Except for some minor issues (no side lights, no dashboard lights, which doesn’t hurt since the speedometer is not working either) the first ride with the Beast was successfully completed on Saturday. Not yet Budapest-Bamako, but Budapest-Liptovsky Mikulas (in northern Slovakia).
The day after the preheating of the engine stopped working, but thanks to Michal’s inventive talent (connect the glow plugs directly to the battery using a wire, preheat for 20s, then run to the ignition lock and start the engine) we have a workaround. Slowly, but we are progressing!
I spent the last two days in and under the car and I am happy to announce that finally, after several months, the engine is working. Its noise sounds like music in my ears and its exhaust gases smell like perfume (well, almost). Here it is:
And this is the car with the new suspension, still with the original, small wheels:
Suspension ready to go: leaf springs newly bent, rear ones with one additional leaf, everything assembled, fits like a glove.
Brakes ready: cleaned and checked, there was not much to do, and anyway we don’t want to use them too often
The seats I took to the saddler last week, should be back on Monday newly upholstered.
Engine: still a never ending story, but except for the engine block and the cylinder head the engine is completely new now. Thanks to the workshop manual the adjustment of the timing belt is OK, and all parts are back in the garage for final assembly. God willing we will finish on Monday.
Rear springs before assembly:
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