Who's working on/preparing their 6 for Shark Fest??

[dm635]

Of course doing some things to mine. Upper control arm bushings, wash-wax, oil, summer tires-wheels, just a whole list of items to get ready. for the trip.

I'd like top convert back to a 3:46 diff., but it'll have to wait till I get back. Installed a 3:73 a while back and had my fun with it. Only have a short time to
finish up.

[EuroGeorge]

I think it's fair to say I've been doing a whole lot more preparing to work than actually working...but hey, I have time. Right?
Figure I can do valve stem seals on Sat and repair rusted wheel arches and peeling clear coat on hood,roof and deck lid on Sun. I'm good to go...:rolleyes

[e24mpwr]

As from my thread, trying to get the shocks and struts in the car. Hoping to have the rear spring pads tomorrow...

[MHambrice]

Hope ya'll don't mind me crashing in. Been doing a few things myself. Got some things painted and put in a new steering wheel yesterday. I'm looking forward to the trip and meeting everyone.:)

[tschultz]

Won't make shark fest this year-- maybe in another year or two, I'm not sure.

But I am saving cash to prepare the E24 for Drive 4 Corners (http://drive4corners.com) in August!

[Linwood Mingis]

I think it's fair to say I've been doing a whole lot more preparing to work than actually working...but hey, I have time. Right?
Figure I can do valve stem seals on Sat and repair rusted wheel arches and peeling clear coat on hood,roof and deck lid on Sun. I'm good to go...:rolleyes

Silbershark will finally show up at SESF properly cleaned......I am loaning it to Don (Vadon)!!!

[EuroGeorge]

Silbershark will finally show up at SESF properly cleaned......I am loaning it to Don (Vadon)!!!

You better have a case of two buck chuck in the boot :beer

[Linwood Mingis]

I think it's fair to say I've been doing a whole lot more preparing to work than actually working...but hey, I have time. Right?
Figure I can do valve stem seals on Sat and repair rusted wheel arches and peeling clear coat on hood,roof and deck lid on Sun. I'm good to go...:rolleyes

YES.....All the stories about you are true!!! You really do have a meth lab in your basement!! Monday you take the car apart, windows out etc. sand and prep the car that evening, paint it Tuesday morning. Wet sand and buff, late Tuesday, put together Wednesday. Then you concours prep Wednesday night (look out Anita, the boy is looking for a trophy) You finish in just in time to hit the road Thursday AM!!! I will see your wide eyed wired out ass Thursday!!! WHOOOOOA George take it easy.

[dm635]

YES.....All the stories about you are true!!! You really do have a meth lab in your basement!! Monday you take the car apart, windows out etc. sand and prep the car that evening, paint it Tuesday morning. Wet sand and buff, late Tuesday, put together Wednesday. Then you concours prep Wednesday night (look out Anita, the boy is looking for a trophy) You finish in just in time to hit the road Thursday AM!!! I will see your wide eyed wired out ass Thursday!!! WHOOOOOA George take it easy.

Hell yeah, plenty of time with a couple days rest afterward. No need for even a test, fire it up and go.

You sure you want Don piloting your ride. Heard some stories about that boy and been a passenger too!!!

Spent all day on this beast of mine and seems like I hardly made a dent.

[Linwood Mingis]

Hell yeah, plenty of time with a couple days rest afterward. No need for even a test, fire it up and go.

You sure you want Don piloting your ride. Heard some stories about that boy and been a passenger too!!!

Spent all day on this beast of mine and seems like I hardly made a dent.

It is OK, I have his car in my garage as a hostage.....and I will steal a key to his jewelry store as well!!!

[Lapis 635 Euro]

Not much in the way of prep this year. Mine got a new battery on Sunday and I've got a new washer fluid tank I'd like to put in if I get time. Maybe new plugs as well.

[gaspump]

I had a beer last night thinking about what to do to my 635. Then I had another, maybe more, oh well, I did'nt do anything to it, but I felt better. Today I'm tackling the big job of positioning my fog lamp, next up is setting time and date.

[ATLE36M3]

gave her a bath last night and started the wax job. cleaned engine bay... need to tighten belts and clean the interior... nothing major to do and i have a nice short drive up from atlanta...

[BMWtyro]

Our '84 633CSi has received Style 5 wheels with good tires from an E34 (thanks to alpinacsi) and is about to have a rebuilt booster installed (thanks to master6).

Also recently replaced are the water pump, fan clutch, guibo, driveshaft slip joint, and I have completely rebuilt the shifter and replaced all of its mounts . . . plus lots of other "little stuff".

I look forward to seeing/meeting everyone May 1 - 3 in SC.

Jeff

[dm635]

gave her a bath last night and started the wax job. cleaned engine bay... need to tighten belts and clean the interior... nothing major to do and i have a nice short drive up from atlanta...

I finally finished the wax. Interior is next. Down to a week now.

[86GT635]

Nothing too major. Just have to finish up some real small stuff like installing motor mounts, fit transmission to new clutch, install new trans mounts, fabricated shift rod, driveshaft with new center bearing, mount exhaust. Install radiator with new antifreeze, jump the neutral safety switch and remove auto wiring harness. Put the interior back together.
Tomorrow morning should be the day to have the exhaust reworked to remove the cat converter and resonator while retaining stock muffler.
Then I can move on to rebuilding the 3 piece racing wheels with new hardware and H&B center cap stickers after I fully polish every nook and cranny. Have the pirelli p7s mounted and balanced. I'll worry about replacing the o ring at the a/c compressor after that, vacuum the system down and refill it.
The momo hub is due to be in on the 29th, so I can mount the mohagony wheel with H&B horn and install the custom anatomic mohagony shift knob.
Should be ready for a oil change, and I can't forget to do the wax job. That damn wax job- that's gonna be a tough one.

http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww314/DJMorgan116/5speedswap002_zpsa8b84c33.jpg

http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww314/DJMorgan116/5speedswap003_zps86c488ac.jpg

http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww314/DJMorgan116/5speedswap004_zps53768a4c.jpg

[xing6666]

Nothing too major.

Really? Cause you have a picture of your car on four jacks and the transmission sitting right next to it lol.

[86GT635]

Really? Cause you have a picture of your car on four jacks and the transmission sitting right next to it lol.

I was a bit discouraged that I didn't have enough time to do the 5 speed swap in three days. But one of my friends said, while it might seem like a lot, just think about it in the aspect of it's only 30-40 bolts. Haha. Have some good friends helping me with it, knocking it out! :)

[gaspump]

Holy crap batman said, as he looked around the bat cave. You have some serious stuff to get done, good luck with it all.

[CaifanSC]

gave her a bath last night and started the wax job. cleaned engine bay... need to tighten belts and clean the interior... nothing major to do and i have a nice short drive up from atlanta...

I'd love to see more pix of that Brokatrot! Sadly, I won't be able to attend sharkfest as I wanted :(

[dm635]

It;s amazing how the list just never ends. finish a couple things and it seems there's much more. Will attempt to complete some more, but she's ready to roll.

Did help DJ wrap up his 5 speed swap and the test run went extremely well. That project was a bit optimistic on his part considering the time frame. Definitely worth the effort.

[BMWtyro]

Just repainted the license plate cove and rocker panels (below the molding) with textured black paint this evening. The car still won't be beautiful, but it will be a bit more presentable.

New BMW Genuine exhaust tips just arrived. They look awfully short, but I'll check on how they might appear when installed tomorrow.

Jeff

[EuroGeorge]

As of 7PM today, I have replaced both upper control arms, drag link, new coolant tank, valve adjustment, rotate and balance tires AND front end alignment (with string and a level...) Botched the boots on the tie rods swapping the drag link SO I have to get new tie rods AND do that freakin alignment AGAIN!!! I got 3 days :beer

[M6ermike]

As of 7PM today, I have replaced both upper control arms, drag link, new coolant tank, valve adjustment, rotate and balance tires AND front end alignment (with string and a level...) Botched the boots on the tie rods swapping the drag link SO I have to get new tie rods AND do that freakin alignment AGAIN!!! I got 3 days :beer

Not to pressure you or anything, but only 2 ½ days if you're going to Anita's party!

[e24mpwr]

DJ's car is going to be cleaner than mine... :(

[dm635]

I do the string alignment myself. 2 strings & 4 jack stands followed by a few test drives. All you can adjust is toe anyway. I just replaced the upper control bushings, hoping these power flex last a long time. At least they're easy to replace.

[Dash01]

I do the string alignment myself. 2 strings & 4 jack stands followed by a few test drives. All you can adjust is toe anyway. I just replaced the upper control bushings, hoping these power flex last a long time. At least they're easy to replace.

FWIW, on my Porsche 944 Turbo, E36, E34, and son's E28 I use the string trick for alignment--actually a spool of yellow (for better visibility) thread swiped from wife's sewing kit.

Park the car (normally loaded with fuel, etc.) on flat, level driveway with front tires resting on a couple of sheets of wax paper (lets the wheels avoid some hysteresis and tire squirm resistance when adjusting the tie rods).

Run the thread around all 4 wheels of the car, taught, across the equators of the hubs, i.e., across the Xs in the BMW hub emblems. Using allen wrench or fat paperclip about the thickness of a pencil lead, hang the paper clip between the yellow thread and front bulge of each front tire. So, now thread is horizontal all around the car, crosses each wheel hub and tire at exact center, and fat paperclip hangs on forward bulge of each front tire acting as a spacer between the yellow thread and tire bulge sidewall.

With steering wheel straight ahead and assistant (of similar weight to yours), holding the wheel straight, sight down the yellow thread from front to back, each side. Adjust tie rods so that while steering wheel is held straight ahead and symmetrical, the yellow thread is absolutely straight from where it runs over the paper clip spacer, across the aft bulge on the front tire, and across both bulges of the rear tire. You can adjust the tie rods on most cars by laying on the driveway or garage floor, and reach under with wrench after slackening the locknut. Check side to side as necessary for fine tuning. Tighten lock nuts and check again. Go for a test drive.

I did this once on a 280Z and then drove to a laser machine at a local tire shop, for testing on their fancy laser alignment rack. They refused to charge me because they could not make any improvement. Otherwise, that and other cars I've done this way would drive straight ahead on a flat straight highway, hands off, at 110 mph.

This procedure assumes front and back wheels have the same tire thickness and track in the same vertical plane. It also presumes no undue distortion of the tires, i.e., blisters on sidewalls are in the same vertical plane front to back. So far, that's always worked for me.

The fat paperclip or skinny allen wrench work because their thickness simulates the mathematic offset of toe-in for most cars of about the same wheelbase and stance as my BMWs, Porsche, etc. I did the math to estimate how much offset from a straight line (or straight thread) the leading side bulge of the front tire would need to be, and then found that a fat paperclip is about right--we're talking fractions of a degree. More toe-in = fatter paperclip, etc.

The paperclip, bent into a U, also is handy to zero out the oil change light at the PacMan diagnostic port on those BMW cars that have such. Makes a nice bookmark in the owner's manual in the glove box, too.

[dm635]

That's a good tip about the paper clip. I've been doing this for years and have had good luck. Works on the toe only Volvo's too. Interesting you mention the wax paper. Cause it does work well.

With the 4 jack stands I use one set for each side. Run it from the rear to the front and centered to each wheel. Some won't believe this works and I'm sure having done it for years has helped to get it right. If it's good enough for racers it's good enough for me.

[86GT635]

DJ's car is going to be cleaner than mine... :(


Wanna trade? ;)


But appreciate the kind words. I'm not doing any wax jobs here. I've washed the car once a month since winter hit.

Decided against rebuilding the wheels with wider lips before sharkfest. Way too many variables. I just put together the one test wheel with original lip. Put the old michelin pilot tire on it for the trip down and back. When I get back and have the set of wheel flares then I can mess around. I think it's best I don't mess with my wheels too much prior to sharkfest. Greg Rea can attest to my Ahem' stipulations regarding that matter.

I still haven't even registered or booked a room. I should be in the caravan Thursday morning though.

Going to the exhaust man Wednesday morning with a couple hundred bucks to be the first car on the rack.

So far 350 miles on the swap and everything feels great. 2700rpm at 62, 3200 at 75mph and 3400 at 80. 3.91 limited slip. I can say I would be comfortable driving this car with only 2nd, 3rd and 5th gears. Sure wish there was a 6th.

Ramble ramble haha

[gkrea1]

Oil changed, bled brakes, topped everything else off. Last fall I rebuilt the PS pump, and changed the clamps, crush washers and low pressure lines in PS system but the leak is still there (ugh). Not a surprise. Two weeks ago I R&R'd the dipping headlight system and installed new aiming screw bushings in the headlights. Fixed the leak in the washer fluid tank. I might have time to clean the engine bay before heading down, might not.

Runs right and sounds glorious so the basic needs are met. SESF 2014 or bust.

[e24mpwr]

New alternator bushings installed, alignment done on the new shocks/struts. Oil tomorrow and hope I can get some cleaning in. Not optimistic about that... :shifty

[apbails]

For the B9: Changed out reverse lamp switch, as well as fuse and bulb for left fog lamp. Kudos to Euro George for telephone tech support! Also, George changed out in-tank fuel sender, hoping to solve acceleration stumble at 4200 rpm's. Didn't solve problem, sigh. Checked fluids, tire pressure (remember your spare). Not going to spruce car up til it gets to SC as heavy rains are due. Now I'm focusing in on food prep and execution for party on Wed.

[GAflyer]

Cosmetics mostly...after much reading, gingerly took a shot at old paint flaws with the Porter Cable orbital (bug, bird and sap etchings from POs' neglect, not me), then a whole lotta polishing and Zymol. Detailing engine bay, and oil and brake fluid change. Total Leatherique redo of Lotus interior last summer. Finally, my first Sharkfest...six years getting the car back the way it should have been all along. Be nice to meet some of you guys after reading your posts for 6 years!

[e24mpwr]

Looking forward to meeting you! Please find me so I can introduce myself. Looking forward to seeing the car.

Mine is going to be cosmetically as scruffy as it has ever been, but I'm going to dedicate myself to getting it extra-nice for next year!

[86GT635]

For the B9: Changed out reverse lamp switch, as well as fuse and bulb for left fog lamp. Kudos to Euro George for telephone tech support! Also, George changed out in-tank fuel sender, hoping to solve acceleration stumble at 4200 rpm's. Didn't solve problem, sigh. Checked fluids, tire pressure (remember your spare). Not going to spruce car up til it gets to SC as heavy rains are due. Now I'm focusing in on food prep and execution for party on Wed.

I'm off work wednesday after the exhaust, maybe I can bring some flavor over.

[e24mpwr]

Got the new alternator bushings in today, an alignment and I just finished doing an oil change. Feels good man. Wish the car was clean. :(

Driving it to work tomorrow! :redspot :woot:


(I'm feeling very wrenchy...)

[BMWtyro]

T minus 01 hour 00 minutes and we will be on our way to our first SharkFest. Just did a bit of vacuuming and detailing and we are ready to launch; I'm pumped!

Two days ago I got tired of looking at mildew-stained clear coat covering BronzitBeige paint and said, "What the heck; I think I'll wash the whole car with bleach." Now it no longer looks as though it has leprosy, and the effort came out a lot better than I had anticipated.

See y'all down there.

Jeff

[86GT635]

I'm still working haha.I spent 6 hours of good labor on the Hardy Beck wheels. The last 3 hours have been devoted to bourbon... Making good progress. Watching the silicone dry. Listening to some type of bag pipe Jimmy Paige and Led Zeppellin do Kashmir. Here's to a sold nights rest so I can knock out the wheels and see ya'll tomorrow night. Where's the pics of the parkng garage?

[86GT635]

Been home two days haha..

http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww314/DJMorgan116/5speedswap006_zps99a7a7eb.jpg

You can see the oil spot, trans input shaft seal was leaking. Pulled over at a rest stop on the way down and when I came back out smoke was rolling out of the bottom of the car. Looked like the cat converter was smoking out..

Already got both new seals in (input shaft and output shaft) Boy that output was on there tight.

Here's the shift selector rod I had to have made. NLA from BMW.

http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww314/DJMorgan116/5speedswap005_zps724e4a7f.jpg

Turns out the stainless bolts I had ordered for rebuilding the wheels were not measured correctly and I was sent the wrong stuff- huge headache. Found a company online and placed a order for 20 more bolts than before at $31 cheaper- so much for trying to shop local. The correct hardware will be here Thursday and I can finally put my wheels together and installed on the car.

Anybody else doing post sharkfest work on their 6?

[alpinacsi]

Been home two days haha..


Anybody else doing post sharkfest work on their 6?

Doing clay bar ( first time ever ) and a really good interior clean. Also need to address the leak on the diff oil cooler pump. Seems the shaft seal is leaking.

[86GT635]

Doing clay bar ( first time ever ) and a really good interior clean. Also need to address the leak on the diff oil cooler pump. Seems the shaft seal is leaking.

I wanna see that. Saw a pic of one probably 10 years ago and it looked neat.

[Flash635]

I do the string alignment myself. 2 strings & 4 jack stands followed by a few test drives. All you can adjust is toe anyway. I just replaced the upper control bushings, hoping these power flex last a long time. At least they're easy to replace.

Hah! I just do it by eye. Well, I do on the '95 Lancer (Mirage) I haven't tried that on the 6.

Actually I surprised myself with just how good a job I did on the Lancer after the professionals stuffed it up.

For my next trick I'll have a go at the Ford Explorer, it's got some weird geometry going on there.