Things to check for triipWell

alsehendo · Post by **alsehendo** » Mon Mar 01, 2004 1:44 am

Flying to Grand Junction Colorado to get Thing on the 10th. I have relatives their so I have time to work on it before taking the long drive back to Wisconsin. Brother in law says it has been driving great but he is no mechanic

What would you all check / do before leaving. Somebody help me make a list it gots to go couple K miles.

Already on list
install petronix electronic ignition
cap
wires
adjust valves
pack wheel bearings
fan belt
timing
plugs
check breaks.
grease front end
check thermostat operation
new tires
shocks same as bug?

What else should I look out for anything qwerky about the Thing or is pretty much just a square bug

What parts would you bring with you?

I have a whole spare 1600 of my 74 super as well as some new Brazilian dual ports.

I need to fix gas heater or wait for warm days to drive I have a week - (spring break)- to get it back. What?s the most likely problem, Fuel Pump, What else.

Any realy good aircooled shops in Denver area? I could have them check it out also.

Chris181Westy · Post by **Chris181Westy** » Mon Mar 01, 2004 10:16 am

You should change the fuel filter or bring a spare one if the one on it looks good. I would also have a extra fuel pump with you, just in case it goes bad.

mstatedog · Post by **mstatedog** » Mon Mar 01, 2004 6:34 pm

change oil and check spare tire??? checks bulbs and bring some fuses.

mstatedog

living_dead · Post by **living_dead** » Mon Mar 01, 2004 7:23 pm

If you really worried about it stop down here in denver and have paintersgrinding look at it. www.paintersgrinding.com

Bob Ingman · Post by **Bob Ingman** » Wed Mar 03, 2004 8:51 am

Along with pack wheel bearings I would also pack CVs. They are big trouble on the road if you encounter a problem. If time is short just bring a a spare CV( even a bus CV as a spare will be fine). I would also bring misc spare wires and fittings with various crimp fittings. A heat source would be an excellent addition til the gas heater is operational again. Best of luck. Bob Ingman

alsehendo · Post by **alsehendo** » Sat Mar 20, 2004 4:23 am

It's in cheesehead land

[img] http://www.ladypatriots.info/thing53.jpg
[img] http://www.ladypatriots.info/thing04.jpg
[img] http://www.ladypatriots.info/thing05.jpg

Bob Ingman · Post by **Bob Ingman** » Sat Mar 20, 2004 9:54 am

Congratulations !! How was the trip? Thats a long haul in a Thing for the first time out. Bet it was an experience you`ll never forget. Fixed your links. Best of luck. Bob

alsehendo · Post by **alsehendo** » Tue Mar 23, 2004 10:57 am

The thing was a bit slow going from western Colorado through Nebraska but great weather. Top Speed was 60mph or so and without insulation it was much like riding an AMF Harley.

It ran really good, but I hit Iowa's worst snow storm of the winter on the way home--took me 2 tries and 3 days just to make it across the state. 2+ feet of snow fell in 1 day. One positive thing to say for the Thing was that it passed by many $30K late model sedans not as lucky that had ended up in the ditch. Don't know if your a hocky fan way up there but I got home just in time to find out Alsaks had beaten our Wisconsin Badjers at home for the first time in history to bump them from the WCHA tournement

The Thing was a great cruising the desert canyon roads of Western Colorado--70+ degrees. It will get similar duty on the back roads of Northern Michigan this summer--defiantly not my freeway driver. Do you think welding tow brackets to front bumper for bar will work OK? Will towing it on all fours kill CVs? - I could just get a dolly!

The Things paint is baked off from the sun but it has never seen a salted road and hardly any rain in it's entire life time so thier is absolutly 0 rust--very nice.

I understand from reading posts you have done a T4 conversion on yours. Did you do a Cali from his book or use a DTM or other kit. I have two T4 Vangons and a actual T4 car and like L-Jet EFI. I have all the parts, (except DTM or other kit) and would like to put a stock 2.0 T4 in the Thing, however the stock 1600 is fairly new and runs like a top. How did your conversion go--would you do it again?

Bob Ingman · Post by **Bob Ingman** » Tue Mar 23, 2004 11:24 am

Alshendo what a trip you must have had. I envy you.
I would not tow from the bumper. Its not strong enough for that. A front beam tow bar is by far the better choice.
I have had two T-4 engines in my Thing now. First one was the DTM conversion and most recently using stock cooling. I will not have another T-1 engine in it. The T-4 is made for a heavier (exception is the 914) car and is well suited to the thing. A FI bus engine would be very nice. Plan slowly and let the present engine wear out as you develop the installation details. You can have the new engine running on the bench before installation.
Thanks for sharing your experiences with us. Bob Ingman

alsehendo · Post by **alsehendo** » Tue Mar 23, 2004 11:38 am

By stock you mean you did the Cali upright conversion don't you? Or dose the stock T4 pankake cooling fit in the Thing somehow--with crank mounted fan and all? That would be nice and much easer!!! Whats the link to your pictures site. I can see were the T4 torque would be nice.

Thanks for all the info.

Bob Ingman · Post by **Bob Ingman** » Tue Mar 23, 2004 2:36 pm

Yes stock pancake cooling. Right here on the 181 Gallery thread. I`ll bump it up for you. Best of luck. Bob Ingman