Silver Arrow

[MelloYello]

Well i finally got around to replacing the dodgey old radiator with a much tidier example that i got from TOOL months ago. It had some kind of ooze dripping down the side, had popped off the bracket and had nasty generic hoses. The colour of the water that came out was vile and i do not think it had any antifreeze in it.

So here is the nasty stuff i pulled out..


and here is the tidied up version with new hoses. There is an electric fan on the other side pushing air through, just need to wire up the thermostat and relay.

[ian65]

that's much nicer.... electric fans all the way baby!!! ( that one you took off is a series 1 rad by the way.... probably as old as a conker tree!)

[Lucky]

lol, almost as old as the 1960's vintage hairdryer hose wedged in there. Remember when hairdressers had rows of laydeees sat under giant inflatable bags with those hoses blowing them up? Weird.

*ahem* good work, James. Always embarassing and annoying having unsightly "ooze" dribbling down your side

[TOOL]

Absolute bargain mate. Looks good.

You swapped that fuel pump too? Fuel tank clean up ok?

[MelloYello]

I may have not been doing much to the silverarrow lately, but i have been accumulating parts to attach to it.
I have acquired some new spark plug leads, and MSD Blaster coils (thanks kiwijay), a very shiny double sheave alternator pulley (thanks Era), and some new KYB replacement shocks.


Over the Xmas and New Year period i was lucky enough to visit family and friends in Aoteoroa. This painfully long journey had me travelling via Los Angeles, so to get the most out of this long haul i thought a visit to RacingBeat in Anaheim could be squeezed in. After emailing Mike Liao to confirm dates and stock, all was confirmed. Mike was kind enough to give me a tour of the facilities, and i even got to meet Jim Mederer. I collected their Suspension package wish consists of 4 springs and front and rear sway bars. Also the full Energy Suspension poly bush set, and an oil filler cap. Mike was kind enough to throw in a couple of tshirts and some stickers. All this conveniently fit in the snowboard bag i had with me and went through as an additional piece of “sports equipment” luggage at the airport. All this is in excess of the requirements i need, but it is an improvement on what i have so happy days


Now i just need to pull on the insulated overalls and get the tools out....

[ian65]

bloody hell James, that's a real load of treasure you have there.


I'm planning on buying exactly the same racing beat springs.
Your car should handle like a dream with all those new suspension parts on it.... great stuff mate!
Interesting to see you made it to racing beat.... I'd love to have a snoop around there.

[KiwiDave]

Mate... I share your long journey pain. I went via Hong Kong on my last visit back home. Don't those seats get awfully hard after only a few hours??? I am looking at your nice bits and have p***s envy in a big way (that's parts by the way) LOL
I was all set to go with Spax SSR springs by virtue of the fact that they are somewhat cheaper than the Racing Beat items (at least at prices I can source). Would be interested to see /hear how your car likes the new bits.
Am picking up a pair of KYB Gas A Just in the weekend for the rear and have some Excel G's on order for the front.
About time to meet for a drink or two I think???

[MelloYello]

Always keen for a catch up Dave! If you ever venture into south London let me know.

But i will not be venturing far for a few weeks as the silverarrow is up on axle stands while i attack the rear suspension. Got a few hours in yesterday and managed to get the rear shocks off, the rear anti roll bar off, and the rear bolts on the lower links. Those nuts are taking a few good kicks on the ratchet to get going.
I was comparing the new and old shocks side by side- the old shocks are hard to compress and bounce back quickly- the new shocks compress quickly and bounce back much more slowly. Should make for better handling, i think?
Not looking forward to getting the old bushes out.

[TOOL]

Invest in a breaker bar. Essential piece of kit.

I might have to come pay you a visit next month if you're about.

[Steve-A]

Should make for less 'bouncy' but still comfy feeling suspension

Having learnt from experience, I find it much easier to remove the ends of the watts link that bolt to the chassis, before you remove any of the 4 radius arm bolts. If you do the radius arms first the axel wants to pivot and the watts link jams and is a git to get out.