Security Buggin! keeping a 74 baja alive doing timber patrol in Southwestern Oregon

[Dougstr]

Your distributor issue may be due to the drive gear being installed incorrectly at some point. It is not hard to get off because the gear is helical. You think that the shaft is going in at the proper position and then, because of the helical, the shaft rotates. If it really bothers you, you can make sure the engine is at TDC, pull the distributor, then pull the drive shaft/gear (there is a tool available that makes this easier), and reinstall the drive shaft compensating for the twist of the helical.

It doesn't bother me, it just confused me. It seems like It is working okay and I understand the process better now so as long as it's not an issue or something I screwed up I am good. I'll run her tomorrow and see how she performs.

[Dougstr]

this is an awesome thread, need a non law enforcement deputy. How often do you have to cruise around up there? keep up the post.

Four days a week. This is a map of last week.

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I track every day. But the tracks don't always work out. Below are graphs showing mileage and elevation of Thursday thru Saturday

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[Leatherneck]

That is a good looking Baja.

[ninelives17]

I gotta tell you, that really sounds like a dream job! Hope it doesn't pay TOO much, keep the competition down. Lol

[Dougstr]

Still researching for curiosity sake and I came up with this on another forum that was discussing which port to use when using a vacuum advanced distributor:

Solex h30/31 PICT ports:
left: vacuum-only distributor like our single port early bays.
rear, horizontal: vacuum retard for DVDA.
rear, angled up: vacuum advance for SVDA/DVDA.

Based on the research above I changed my vacuum on the SVDA to this port.

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I got to really test this out on Wednesday.

Changing the port really made a difference. It broadened the powerband and I believe had a significant impact on gas mileage. I haven't paid much attention to gas mileage as I tend to travel at higher rpms in low gear but I think, after doing more reading/researching, I need to be paying more attention as that is probably my best indicator that the engine is dialed in properly. What do you guys think?

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Sorry, I couldn't figure out how to get rid of the double posting of the graph. The bottom one is the more accurate of the two.

[Dougstr]

I am starting to upgrade the shop a little bit and am thinking about starting on the Security Bug 2.0. I go back and forth about overly modifying the blue bug because it is in such good shape.

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I have been cleaning up and organizing and am getting some new benches. I am wondering what you guys think are tools that I should have as I go forward not just tools but tools where I should be looking at quality over cost savings.

One of the first things on the list is a welder. I have a harbor frieght mig but want something better. Any suggestions?

[chuckput]

When it comes to a welder, you are going to get just as many suggestions as there are welders. I definitely recommend that you get one the runs on 220 volts. Buy the best welder that your budget allows. Lincoln, Miller, and Hobart are just some of the leaders in the field. I really don't have deep pockets so I had to watch my spending. I looked for the least expensive welder but with good specs and reviews. I settled on the 175 amp welder from Eastwood (eastwood.com). Yes, it is made in China, but it is backed by a 3-year warranty. I had an issue with my welder about 2 years into ownership and they replace it, no questions asked (paid shipping both ways to boot). Since I don't weld every day (or even every week), I think it is a good compromise. The other tool that I use all the time is a drill press. I was fortunate in that I inherited a bench mounted drill press from my dad. It is a 1950s vintage Craftsman that works great. It is a stable platform for drilling holes, and I have used it to hold a wire brush wheel or a sanding drum. An air compressor is also a good addition to a shop ( with your overhead reel I think you must already have one). Air impact tools can also be good

[Max Welton]

Once you have a good air supply a media blast cabinet is wonderful. This is just big enough for a type-1 heat exchanger but not the type-3 .

https://www.harborfreight.com/40-lb-cap ... 68893.html

Max

[Max Welton]

Also a parts washer. Made from an old sink, scrap lumber, a 12v power supply and an electric fuel pump. The "solvent" is ordinary paint thinner.

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Max

[Ol'fogasaurus]

https://www.shoptalkforums.com/viewtopi ... 5&start=45

An update to my rotisserie and is much better. He did some things I had thought about but didn't do then after I got to use mine I figured I should have done some of them. Ignorance is bliss!

I use a work stand I built that is adjustable in height (mounted on a truck brake drum) and has holes in the platen. I use it much more than the fold up welding table I bought. I also made a welding table out of one of those fold up work tables. I also added a mount for one of those adjustable desk lamps so I can get better detail lighting in the work area I am using. Useful for some things but not always for others.

I made a couple of other tools with one having rollers, a seat and will take a tool box. Comes in handy for many things. viewtopic.php?f=49&t=149144

I also, using a brake drum. made a mount for one of those adjustable desk lamps so I can lighten up work areas the overhead lighting won't work well in.

There are probably more tools that you can buy or make than even for the large work area you have.

viewtopic.php?f=28&t=113703&start=30

This is about where I started to make my 3" body lift. The pan was mounted on the rotisserie which became some helpful. I had put a 1" square tube down the inside of the mounting flange but if I did it again I would use a 1 X 2 for the longer sides which make it much stronger and could act as a flange to slide of when and if needed. Maybe this will give you an idea or two.

Lee

[Dougstr]

All good suggestions. I actually won a bench top drill press from Bi-Mart about 25 years ago. It is stillworking good. I was looking at the Eastwood welder but I can get a price break on a Fourney from family connections. I only want to buy one though so I'm still shopping. One of the big investments I made when I built the shop years and years ago was a large air compressor. My dad was an owner operator truck driver for fifty years. He always had airtools. I use them, but with the advent of the cordless drill I use them a lot less.

The solvent tank is a great idea. I will use that all the time. As I sit here I can think of half a dozen things I need to clean but haven't because I don't have a tank.

And to take things outside.
What is Lucy looking at?

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Elk!
and a video from Thursday
https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipN ... oKajtT5Zas

Has anyone tried to watch the videos? Do the links work? Is it worth the time to post the link?

Thank you everyone for contributing it is very much appreciated!

Have a great day.

Doug

[Max Welton]

At Lockheed Martin we got to select a gift at various service anniversaries. At 35 years I got myself a pressure washer. Parts that are particularly dirty / crusty get sprayed with the pressure washer before being allowed in the shop.

The parts washer has two sides, a "dirty" side is for, well, dirty parts. The "clean" side is only for rinsing. Both sides have their own pump and reservoir. Old electric fuel pumps work just fine.

The video link doesn't work for me. I generally have to upload video to you-tube and share a link to that.

Max

[Dougstr]

The video link doesn't work for me. I generally have to upload video to you-tube and share a link to that.

Max

Thanks Max, I was thinking about youtube, I will look in to it.

Have a great day

Doug

[Max Welton]

BTW, that's a very cool job you have. I love your choice of mounts, too!

Max

[Jbuggy21]

This is what hard work and a good retirement look like. Awesome