<VV> follow-up on intermittent Thermister, thermostat and steering box

[Dave Thompson]

Well, my boss sent me home early Monday to get my 63 ready for the trip up
to the Convention today (Tuesday). As soon as I got home, the Vair was up on
four jack stands and I was under it. 

 

The thermister wire was worn through and grounding on the shroud, causing
the CHT gauge to bounce. I replaced the entire wire using aircraft high temp
wire. I also drilled a hole in the shroud and installed a grommet for the
wire. While I was there I replaced the defective thermostat so I didn't have
to worry about that either. All went like clockwork.

 

 After that, I attacked the steering box. What a disaster! It took me two
hours just to get the rusted coupler off. After cleaning up the parts, I
replaced the hardware with grade 8 aircraft stuff that I had in stock.(I
purchased a new coupler at the show) When the new box was in, I had about 1"
space between the steering wheel and the turn signal housing "bell". The new
Flaming River quick steering box is about one inch longer than the stock one
so it pushed the steering wheel up. It was getting late and I still had two
hours to drive to Ventura so I left it with the gap. 

 

The 100 mile drive to Ventura went flawlessly and now I finally can enjoy
driving the Vair. No more fighting the steering wheel slop. When I arrived
at the hotel, I passed a group of guys around some Vairs in the parking lot.
We shot the bull for a while and admired each other's cars. I showed the
steering wheel gap to them and they all laughed. Then they showed me the
screw on the bell and we adjusted the bell perfectly.  I felt great. 

 

Moral to the story: RTFB (read the F@#&ing manual) if I did RTFM, I would
have seen the adjustable bell.

 

The next day I went to the Convention and had a great time. However, I spent
WAY too much money getting parts & more books from the venders. (Smile)

 

Wednesday, Back to work

 

Dave Thompson

63 Spyder Vert