The Scrapcento

[maczo]

Originally Posted by AndrzejM

Thermostat is always the factor, if it's opening too early engine temperature will drop significantly while driving. And it doesn't matter where temp sensor is placed. Coolant temp is similar in whole system.

Actually I was thinking that what Pandaf meant, was that the thermostat did not open and assumed the sensor was mounted somewhere in the "big loop", hence it would not get any warmer. But of course it's more common for the thermostat to not stay closed, so that's a small misunderstanding . Either way, when the car is idling on the parking spot, it does not make a difference for the terminal temperature whether the thermostat opens too early or not, it will just affect the time to warm up.

I would test the gauge if I hadn't left the car at my parents', I don't think I will be seeing it in the next 3 weeks. I'm looking for hints to give to the mechanic when he finally gets to work on the car, so that he gets the job done quickly. I think testing the gauge is one of them

Originally Posted by Viturro

My dad had a Fiat 125 with Fiat ritmo engine 1.7l diesel, and with my dad we reach the 155 km/h that engine have 55 hp, your car should reach the same speed at least.

Oh, that's a nice car. Did you swap the engine for better economy?

I went ~140kph for a moment and I felt it would go faster, but stability at these speeds is not that great in a car with such short wheel base so I eased off. Also, I could not stand the thought of swirl forming in the fuel tank, if you know what I mean

[Viturro]

Yes maczo, my dad swap it long time ago, that engine have like 400.000 km and later we let it on my backyard. he bought a golf '00 tdi 8 years ago.
hahaha the swirl. If u want a racer car you will need more downforce, i'm full of ideas, if u want pm me.

[maczo]

Thankfully the previous fill-up was indeed a victim of garage-time and the last one was back to a solid ~35 MPG (6.8 lhk). I'm about two-thirds into the next tank and I don't want to jinx it, but it may be the new personal best

Random observation: the car seems to roll noticeably better after switching back to summer tires (165/65R13 instead of 145/70R13) which leads to think that in this case it's not about the size but the tire design (tread, compound, construction?).

And finally I got a working temp indicator, although:
1) I had to pay for a new one, as the mechanic could not get the other one to work
2) Apparently, the adapters available on market were only for a certain hose diameter, which happens to be the one after the thermostat in my car. This means I get readings only after the thermostat opens



Here is the new twin brother to the tachometer. Since it was still pretty cold when it was mounted, I did not want to try and attach it with the adhesive provided. Now it's warmer and it sits firmly on the dash.

Since the new indicator annoys me at night, giving a reflection on the windshield, and since I haven't given up on the idea of a kammback but still haven't decided on a good material, I decided to experiment with a DIY technique that I saw on this forum (cardboard, wood glue, cloth) and made two small shields that I will place on top of the indicators. If this proves sturdy enough (will mount them next weekend), I will probably give the kammy a second shot.

[AndrzejM]

Nice gauges! And congrats on personal best FE! Summer is coming so hopefully you'll improve those numbers further!

[maczo]

Originally Posted by AndrzejM

congrats on personal best FE!

That was a bit too early, but today I refueled, and, well... thanks!
New personal best at 6.3 lhk or 37 MPG Not much better than the previous one, but still it's a good trend.

Two days ago I finally got myself a partial belly pan (AKA skid plate) which itself is nice, but will also probably provide mounting points for other mods


I also fitted the shields for indicators - one made with cloth, one with fibre.

Professional grade craftsmanship + solid mounting = awesomeness



It's been a good day and it only just started. I'm planning to start making tire spats later during the day.

[maczo]

Tire spats. At first I wanted to make them out of other material and have them mounted better. After seeing all the rust on the underside of the car I went with duct tape... should be safer

[AndrzejM]

Time for moon wheel covers!

[maczo]

Originally Posted by AndrzejM

Time for moon wheel covers!

I've been thinking about them for a while now, but still haven't come up with an idea how to make them well and cheap.

[RedDevil]

You might order a set of AM hub caps, or even get some worn down hub caps from a breakers yard, and cover those.
The good thing with commercially produced hub caps is that they will (most likely) fit securely.
I got a set for my Insight's winter tire steel rims for just 4.50€ apiece at Conrad, while they usually do 30€ to start with. For that money I'm not afraid to shave them flat, cover and probably ruin them, just had no time. Next winter they'll be mooned.

[maczo]

Originally Posted by RedDevil

You might order a set of AM hub caps, or even get some worn down hub caps from a breakers yard, and cover those.
The good thing with commercially produced hub caps is that they will (most likely) fit securely.

That's the option I'm considering the most, but I don't have an idea how to cover the caps once I get them. I'd like it to be light enough not to throw the tires off-balance, but still it has to be durable.