29th October 2011 - Exhaust done/SVO problems/steering adjust/coolant flush

It was surprising to me how much actually was done over this weekend with the limited time available and the grotty weather this weekend.

EXHAUST MODS
Some weeks ago Stu ('Twizzle') donated a MK1 Discovery back box which was in very good condition. A small straight-thro' type and length wise it looked like this would serve as a side exit mod. It did.

Some coordinated slug scattering and a coat of VHT paint and the result was this....

I am still debating whether I need to fit another support bracket on the downpipe but it all looks good so far. Quite a bit quieter too ;)


SVO PROBLEMS
Driving around SPTA on Saturday I switched over to the veg tank and after only a few hundred yards I sensed fuel starvation - and then the engine cut out. Re-started on dieso and it all ran without fault - until I switched back to SVO and the same problem occurred.

SVO tank was full so it wasn't lack of fuel so the first point to check was the coarse bio filter on the outlet of the SVO tank. Check out the picture below .......I think this is the cause ;)

Filter was blocked with gunky bacterial ridden veg oil and what looks like spice debris. How these particles ended up there is a mystery as the SVO is filtered down to 1 micron? Maybe the grotty storage container I was using for SVO?

So three plans of attack.

• First, 1 litre of petrol added to the 30-40 litres of SVO already in the tank which should kill any bacterial build-up already in there.
• Second, replaced the SVO storage vessel with a fresh clean item.
• Thirdly, temporarily removed the filter and either clean the existing filter and refit or replace with a new larger CAV296 Perkins/Lucas spin on type I have to hand (if I can find the fittings)? 1/2"x20 NPT probably?

STEERING ADJUSTED
Tweaked the steering box again to remove a bit more slack and initially set it a bit too tight. It wouldn't even return to center under it's own steam! Slackened it off a tad and that seems a lot better.

Then had a look at the steering stops and they have been wound in further and that still leaves 0.5" - 0.75" clearance before the 7.50's touch the front parrots on the LWB rims.


COOLANT FLUSH/SMITHS LEAKING
In an attempt to stop the very slight weep I found on the Smiths cabin heater the other week I dropped in a bottle of rad flush and ran that around for 20-30 miles over a couple of days. Dropped the lot and flushed clear. System now refilled with 30% antifreeze and radweld. Whatch this space to see if that works.

So far so good.


CB INSTALL
After the radio was dropped in there last week now the parts to complete the antenna fittment to the offside have arrived. So now I could fit that. Despite the same antenna being used on both sides of the vehicle (nearside is a mag mount but placed in the same position on the vehicle body mount) it will not come down to anywhere near the same VSWR on the stud fitting.

The mount/coaxial etc. all has low resistance where necessary but I cannot get the SWR below 3:1. A right PITA. Trimming the antenna length down improved the match to that level but I am nervous of trimming it further as the current length is fine on the other mount?

I will wait for Ian to pass me the short Stinger type antenna soon and see how that performs.


Butt list status now lies at...........

1.Modify the exhaust to tame it down a tad? - I have bits but have't got to this yet - DONE
2.Fit an interior light - Ordered a magnetic battery powered one which will do the job.
5. Rear hub bolts worked loose the other day after a 20 mile fast run. Nipped up again but seem to be working loose? Bought a spare pair of hubs but and will keep an eye on this. So far no more problems.
6. Fit interior door handles
8. Windscreen washer not working - now seems to be fine?
9. Reverse light not working - checked at the weekend and is working.
10. Adjust play in steering box and move steering stops - DONE
11. Smiths heater leaking :o - Fixed? Let's see shall we?
12. Get the old Lassa crossply's removed and the Bridgestone Wranglers fitted to the LWB rims.
13. Lower the combat chassis spring mounting points to their lower position.
14. Fit some sort of secure storage in the cab area (ammo box?).