Matt's 1970 'Trans-Am' Cuda

[Matt]

Fuel usage turned out to be okay . I drove 49 miles in the race and used about 2/3 of the tank so that's just over 4 MPG. That'll go down a bit once I drive the car a bit harder , but the tank is big enough.


So it turns out the car *was* leaking oil - from the left hand halfshaft seal.

IMG_4138.jpg (114.95 KiB) Viewed 2109 times

I had new seals on the shelf when I built the axle, but said to myself - "I won't replace these - they never give trouble" . THere's a nick in the LH seal at the 6 o'clock position . I'm pretty sure I didn't do it installing the halfshaft, so it may have been there already . I think the regular long hard right turns on circuits may throw more oil than usual towards the LH end of the axle and highlight defects that didn't matter in normal use.

IMG_4146.jpg (63.09 KiB) Viewed 2109 times

The RH halfshaft has pre-existing damage right on the seal area . At least it wasn't leaking though.

IMG_4139.jpg (50.03 KiB) Viewed 2109 times

Also the Sure Grip was no longer Sure or Gripping after about 15 laps. I could feel the inner rear wheel spinning in turns.

Diff out (after much swearing trying to get it past the silencer boxes *and* stop it falling off the jack). Turns out it's the later cone-type sure grip and not easily rebuildable.

IMG_4153.jpg (97.69 KiB) Viewed 2109 times

Fortunately I had this stashed away from about 15 years ago, when I took it apart to rebuild but never finished it . Yes I do have the bearing outer races, and I also know which side each one went on !

IMG_4157.jpg (75.58 KiB) Viewed 2109 times

And a new clutch pack for it

IMG_4174.jpg (74.98 KiB) Viewed 2109 times

So I can use this clutch-type centre carrier with my existing gears and housing . Happiness.





Although a torsen unit is looking more appealing by the minute. Maybe next year .

carrier.jpg (32.68 KiB) Viewed 2109 times

Also got to clean the one brake pad that got contaminated. I would buy more but they're $140 a set and only available in the US. It's only a quarter of the rear brakes so I think I can clean it up sufficiently that it won't be an issue.

I've got three days to get it all back together, as I'm out again with Bernie's at Thruxton this Saturday

[Matt]

I bet your hooked now Matt !
might come and join you next year in bernies V8's as have just bought a 64 falcon sprint race car

Also fancy doing a couple of rounds of the youngtimers with it
https://www.ytcc.nl/

Now that would all be interesting. Show us a pic then ?!?

[andyrob]

[andyrob]

[andyrob]

Matt you could try a spool, thats what I run, some love them in a circuit car, some hate them

[DaveB]

Nice one Matt ,good to see you got a classic Andy,have you sold the jelly moulds

[Matt]

Hardcore !

[Pete]

Very nice!!!

[andyrob]

Nice one Matt ,good to see you got a classic Andy,have you sold the jelly moulds

[andyrob]

Very nice!!!

shes some bit of kit Pete, a bit of history, did the montycarlo rally when new in 1964 and did the british touring car champsionship in the late 60s

[Pete]

Love both of the cars!!

I think the Tru Tracs are very good as well..

[Mossy68]

Great thread Matt. Keep it up.
Thank you for taking the time to share it with us

[Matt]

Blimey I've made it into Autosport Magazine !! Not sure how that happened.

Autosport 1.jpg (101.68 KiB) Viewed 1999 times

[Mark B]

Superb, good to hear, that's recognition indeed!
Love the new avatar too.

[DaveB]

And you deserve the credit Matt,your Cuda is Ace