1986 VW Golf is now in my possession.

[Christ]

Originally Posted by vacationtime247

Since you are also part of the 'to many projects, not enough time' group. A few questions.
1. Do you work on the same project until finished, or jump from one to the next?
2. Having a lot of projects usually means having to many cars, bikes, engines, etc. Do you find yourself hoarding parts? Things you may never use again, but it's to good to recycle?
3. Are your projects and garage organized or scattered?
4. Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the amount of things needing fixed? Or are the projects something you look forward to working on?
5. Once you complete a project do you look to get another shortly after completion? Or drive and use the completed project for a while before moving on to the next?
VT247

1. My projects are personally therapeutic. I normally work on one, each, or all of them, as time/money/interest permits. Generally, I'll do small things to completion (kitchen sink swap), but complex things take more time, and unless they have a deadline, are done as the mood arises (when the moon aligns with the nexus of earth, and so on...)

2. I do hoard parts and related items for projects I want to work on, want to start, or just generally have interest in. However, other than theitems which are absolutely critical, I've no trouble unloading stuff on anyone who also might use/need it. Sometimes, I but great deals specifically for that purpose, such as the 8 hanging lamps I just bought from Lowe's... $50 retail, I'd take $15 each and still make a profit.

3. I'm not lucky enough to own a garage yet, and sure to the need for more space, the camper I store stuff in is a bit disorganized at the moment, while I remove partitions and cabinetry/appliances (also for sale). I store copious quantities of project material in my father's barn, though, and most of my projects are in the same place, so fairly organized.

4. It really depends on the project. My house (12x60 MH) bugs me because I see so much wrong, and get disgusted quickly. My personal projects are therapeutic, however, and when I gain interest in working on the house, that also can be. Except in emergency cases, I don't work on things until I want to, which is party of the reason I have so many things to work on. I may want to work on something I don't currently have, so I get it.

5. I always pick up projects as I find them, without regard to the others... So when I complete one, it normally gets used for it's originally intended purpose, be that keeping for personal enjoyment, selling for profit, etc, but I'm always working on _something_.

Hopefully that gave you some of the answers that you and others were looking for.

[Christ]

I forgot to mention in the updates that I may not actually need a new master cylinder, but is not returnable, so I will probably use it anyway. When I hammered the brake lines shut, out of curiosity, I went in and pushed firmly on the brake pedal... It did not sink.

Driving to work today will be a sure indication of whether it needs to be changed.

Either way, booster is coming off, and pedal leverage will probably get changed.

P.S. Did anyone notice that the brakes on the front aren't vented discs? They're solid...wonder if there's a pumping loss advantage there, since they're not moving air through them like a fan?

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by vacationtime247

Since you are also part of the 'to many projects, not enough time' group. A few questions.

VT247 - I laughed! I answered 'yes'. I cried.

I'm copying your questionnaire into a new thread for fun. I bet there are more than a couple of EcoModder members who will get a kick out of reading that who might not see it in this thread.

[Christ]

Darin - feel free to copy the reply. I wanted to make it into a new thread, but I thought in that case, it might lose context.

[MetroMPG]

Will do!

[vacationtime247]

Didn't know if it was a guy thing or partially due to OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder). Made a list of things that need fixed. 30! Funny how the list of things needing fixed always seems to get longer, no matter how many items get checked off said list getting fixed. Personally I have problems with OCD and manic depressive. But, 'I don't suffer from insanity, I enjoy every minute of it!'

Can feel your pain as far as the brakes go. Had to fix the Tempo's 3-4 times before it finally quit blowing out rusted lines. Dig the hammer shut the lines fix. Had an old RWD Ford that blew a rear brake drum cylinder. Had to get home and all I could find was a couple hose clamps and pushrods. Put one on top and the bottom of the flexible brake line in front of the axle. Used the hose clamps to bind them together. Didn't leak!
VT247

[Christ]

I don't think alot of people are OC, instead, I think we all have little peculiarities. I'm pretty set in the ways that I do things, and I'm obsessively looking for a way to make my life more efficient without any more work on my part, which is why I stopped making lists. The list takes time that would be better spent doing something, and I found that once I got used to remembering things, my memory improved. I can go to my parts pile and poul out a carb, and tell you which bike I pulled it from, what was wrong with it, and possibly how much the parts would have cost when it was diagnosed.

I believe that "memory aides" only hamper recollection ability.

[Christ]

On the ride to work, the brake pedal was mostly there, but still sank under foot a few times, with no fluid leakage. Going to change the master cylinder because its questionable, at best. I'm going to take the old one apart if for nothing else than to diagnose it, possibly fix it for something else, or determine if any of the 4 available circuits are usable. If so, it may have future life for another (to be determined) project, and elk be kept.

The bearings were OBVIOUSLY new... As was the grease. Coast speeds and distance severely deceased.

How long (hours/miles) does it typically take for new bearings and grease to "wear in"? I'm going to check in about 250 miles (next fillup) that the retainers are/aren't as tonight as they should be, and adjust them accordingly. Mileage is looking average for this tank. Not expecting a miracle increase from anything I've done so far.

[Christ]

Yep, def need a new master cylinder... Now that the booster isn't functional, I actually get more braking force before the master cylinder begins to bleed back, which is why I didn't catch it this morning. However, I still have braking, although not perfect, so its not entirely unsafe.

[COcyclist]

Originally Posted by Christ

How unrealistic is it to hope for 70mpg with the following mods:
smooth wheels up front,
rear skirts,
mirror delete,
grille block
Air dam
kill switch
Rear visor (very short kamm extension)
Alt delete

My driving is mostly rural 30-50 mph. Seem to be averaging 50mpg or so on straight ULSD.

Input?

My 2¢- You would have to do those mods, full belly pan and a full boattail like Basjoos to average 70 mpg. I think it is possible though.