Poncho Check-In

Now that we've got snow on the ground, it's time for a Catalina report. The good news is she's running well. The original carb is back on after fighting a stuck check-ball. Fighting isn't the right word. Turns out there are two check balls in these 2GC's and whoever rebuilt it last accidentally swapped them. The end result? Having to drill out the accelerator pump passage from below to force the ball out with a stiff wire. No other method would work. Baking in the oven, forcing with an air nozzle, trying a syringe of oil, nothing. Heavy Duty JB Weld epoxy was put into service to reseal things and so far, no leaks. 

There was that encounter with a very squeaky ball joint- and zerks that refused to take any grease. A combination of physically removing the stubborn zerks, and forcing a liquid lubricating penetrant into the joints first, then letting the grease gun force this more viscous fluid into the old, unreachable grease, did the trick. Eventually they all took grease and the suspension quieted down.

Running with a smooth trans, quiet exhaust and new tires has made all the difference and she now has around 2 months of daily driving on her (mid-Sep to mid-Nov). Now the salt is out so she probably will get stored until the spring. Just a few small things to keep me busy, but overall, mission accomplished!