kiwijaz
New Member
I think it's the spirits! You need to mix more coke in there Millsy......
And are u sure that is Tobacco in that Ciggerette??
Spirits or dreaming?
- Thread starter millsy
- Start date
And are u sure that is Tobacco in that Ciggerette??
BEK
4x4 Earth Contributer
interesting post Millsy
Long time no speak how goes the rig ?
it comes down to how open a mind does one have to this.
I'll keep an open mind
i'm not sure i'll ever hear the noises with three females to keep the coversation going and i'm sure they would think this white fella has got his chain saw out if noise travels that far so i'll apologise in advance
Long time no speak how goes the rig ?
it comes down to how open a mind does one have to this.
I'll keep an open mind
i'm not sure i'll ever hear the noises with three females to keep the coversation going and i'm sure they would think this white fella has got his chain saw out if noise travels that far so i'll apologise in advance
millsy
4x4 Earth Contributer
Hi BEK. Yes, I was beginning to think I was getting right into the spirits, but the scientific side of me might be winning out at the moment. As Geoff said, that road would be used a lot by aboriginal groups going back and forward to Ceduna. And as a few of the others have pointed out, sound can travel a long way on a cool night, and in the bush where there are no other noises to mask it, you have a better chance of hearing it - if you are by yourself, as you said.
The motor rebuild is going slowly. Too many other things getting in the way. I was doing all right three weeks ago, having spent a few solid days taking the head off, pulling it apart and putting it in for reconditioning. And then the urge to travel hit me again. Might have to see the doctor about it. It seems to happen far too often, and is costing me heaps. Or maybe I shouldn't look at the calendar half way through the Xmas holidays and realize there are only so many days left before I have to go back to work. And I think what am I doing here, lying under this old truck pulling the sump off. It can wait, I have better things to do, before its all over!
And although the little VH took me 6000km across to the west and back without a hitch, that 'puffy' noise I was hearing when I came over to your place has reappeared just after I returned. So although I wanted to work on the MQ yesterday, instead I spent the day mucking around on the Commodore, using shim washers to raise the rocker gear. Still thinking it might be valve seat regression. Helped a bit. Motor ran a lot smoother, but still a lot of noise. So I think the other problem is a burnt out manifold gasket.
So today I need to fit a new manifold gasket. I must admit I had forgotten to tighten up all the bolts around the motor since I have had the car. There was a sizeable oil leak messing the driveway up when I got back from the west. The rocker cover bolts were all loose, hence the oil leak. Side cover bolts also loose, and one of the manifold bolts, right where the exhaust noise is coming from, also needed tightening.
So there you go. Just when I thought I was doing a good job looking after all these vehicles, five of them, something comes up that I have overlooked. I need to check all the bolts that could work loose every now and then. Any bolts holding down cork gaskets, or inlet/exhaust gaskets, are likely to need re-tightening as the gaskets compress with age. Sump gasket would be another one, and sidecovers. Not to forget carby bolts. And the cylinder head gasket, especially after I rebuild the MQ and have done a few hundred km.
Only main problem so far with the MQ, was that it looks like I stuffed up with that b...y Woodruffe key. Using a bit of emery paper to wedge in the loose key was not a good idea. Should have glued it in with a suitable glue. I have bought some fast setting metal to metal two pack epoxy stuff for when I put it back together this time. The emery paper must have been too thick, where it went under the key, and so when I pushed the balancer over it, the key cracked open the balancer. Must remember those tolerances! So I had to buy another balancer. I found one at the wreckers. So I will take the old balancer up north as a back up, and the puller tool and the epoxy glue, just in case the 'new' one lets me down. Very unlikely, since the rubber looks 'fresher' than mine.
Must remember to pack those parts for you too, before I head up to Port Augusta.
And how is your truck going? Have you checked your engine bolts lately. You know if you don't check them every now and then . . .
What about the golf? You will have to get out more often. Its good for you! Any better scores to report.
Say hi to Lyn and the girls for me, Cheers, Millsy.
The motor rebuild is going slowly. Too many other things getting in the way. I was doing all right three weeks ago, having spent a few solid days taking the head off, pulling it apart and putting it in for reconditioning. And then the urge to travel hit me again. Might have to see the doctor about it. It seems to happen far too often, and is costing me heaps. Or maybe I shouldn't look at the calendar half way through the Xmas holidays and realize there are only so many days left before I have to go back to work. And I think what am I doing here, lying under this old truck pulling the sump off. It can wait, I have better things to do, before its all over!
And although the little VH took me 6000km across to the west and back without a hitch, that 'puffy' noise I was hearing when I came over to your place has reappeared just after I returned. So although I wanted to work on the MQ yesterday, instead I spent the day mucking around on the Commodore, using shim washers to raise the rocker gear. Still thinking it might be valve seat regression. Helped a bit. Motor ran a lot smoother, but still a lot of noise. So I think the other problem is a burnt out manifold gasket.
So today I need to fit a new manifold gasket. I must admit I had forgotten to tighten up all the bolts around the motor since I have had the car. There was a sizeable oil leak messing the driveway up when I got back from the west. The rocker cover bolts were all loose, hence the oil leak. Side cover bolts also loose, and one of the manifold bolts, right where the exhaust noise is coming from, also needed tightening.
So there you go. Just when I thought I was doing a good job looking after all these vehicles, five of them, something comes up that I have overlooked. I need to check all the bolts that could work loose every now and then. Any bolts holding down cork gaskets, or inlet/exhaust gaskets, are likely to need re-tightening as the gaskets compress with age. Sump gasket would be another one, and sidecovers. Not to forget carby bolts. And the cylinder head gasket, especially after I rebuild the MQ and have done a few hundred km.
Only main problem so far with the MQ, was that it looks like I stuffed up with that b...y Woodruffe key. Using a bit of emery paper to wedge in the loose key was not a good idea. Should have glued it in with a suitable glue. I have bought some fast setting metal to metal two pack epoxy stuff for when I put it back together this time. The emery paper must have been too thick, where it went under the key, and so when I pushed the balancer over it, the key cracked open the balancer. Must remember those tolerances! So I had to buy another balancer. I found one at the wreckers. So I will take the old balancer up north as a back up, and the puller tool and the epoxy glue, just in case the 'new' one lets me down. Very unlikely, since the rubber looks 'fresher' than mine.
Must remember to pack those parts for you too, before I head up to Port Augusta.
And how is your truck going? Have you checked your engine bolts lately. You know if you don't check them every now and then . . .
What about the golf? You will have to get out more often. Its good for you! Any better scores to report.
Say hi to Lyn and the girls for me, Cheers, Millsy.
Last edited:
millsy
4x4 Earth Contributer
Geez mate, are you going to have it ready for the trip?
Sounds like a bit of time being spent on doing cars up instead of cash spent on buying a new one!!
Yeah, isn't it great. Your missing out on all the fun! Haha. Just kidding. It can be fun when you have not picked up a spanner for a while, but then when two cars need attention at the same time, as well as all the other jobs to do around the home . . . No, I do enjoy tinkering, it's an escape from every day work - which starts again tomorrow. And the nuts and bolts don't swear and answer back, like some of the kids. Would not want to do it for a job though! Fun as a tinkerer, but I would have to charge $5 an hour at the rate I get things done! But great satisfaction when you have fixed the problem.
I have three cars in my family - one for my wife, and the MQ and VH for myself. Couldn't afford to have three new cars, and can't afford to pay a mechanic everytime something needs fixing. And I help my son look after his car a bit. A VT Commodore. Gradually training him up to do a lot of the simple things himself. And then my daughter's car in Geelong. Up till now have not had much to do on the VH since the initial flurry of activity after I bought it 4 years ago. So that's pretty good. Same with the VR. But the MQ has kept me busy! All good fun!
Should be ready for July - that's a long way off! Although I might have to ask BEK to slow his countdown a little if things get tight.
Last edited:
millsy
4x4 Earth Contributer
I tried to find that spot on the highway using Street view on Google maps. No luck. But from Satellite view I could see that there were tracks and clearings all over. Certainly would have been plenty of suitable camp sites around that area. It was in a large patch of scrub, quite a few km from the nearest farm paddocks.
croozza
Active Member
with the wind in the right direction, it doesn't take much for sound to travel.
I can hear the railway on some nights, and it is atleast 10km away from me.
BEK
4x4 Earth Contributer
Millsy you reminded to do this I opended the bonnet looked at that big plastic nut on the top of the cover and made sure it was tight. It has a little oil can on it so i put some oil on it as well.
Ah the joys or servicing it yourself.
Does that mean I don't need as service for another 5k? That's what I pay my mechanic for he's been doing my cars now for 20 years and not i misadventure yet Touch wood he says knocking his headNo golf more important fish to fry
The Minister of all things important including finnance is making me head west for a week from tonight and the rig she wants me to go in apprently doesn't like dirt road only wide tarmacs.
Keep going want to see your little MK at full power and blowing away all the other rigs on the trek.
millsy
4x4 Earth Contributer
All I can summize is that you have been a very naughty boy, the dogs won't have you in their house, and she has told you to 'go west' for a week. And to make sure you don't have a week of fun in the bush, Lyn insists that you take Jacki's town car. Now what have you been up to? I warned you about that Tokay, or was it the whiskey?
How far west is she sending you. Drop in for a coffee if your'e coming over Adelaide way. Have a good trip!
Yep, as far as the MQ is concerned, its bit like holding your breath under water and hoping that when you come up you are in paradise. So I am holding my breath, for a very long time as I make slow progress, hoping that I don't stuff up anywhere too serious. And also hoping that when I 'come up' I will have a little beauty that gets about 10% or maybe 15% more km per litre, since I can run it with proper oil instead of treacle. And 5000km to the cup of oil instead of 300km to the litre. Now that will be paradise. Who needs power steering, air conditioning, fancy suspension lifts and big wheels, etc. etc. If I get those two wishes I think I will be in heaven!!
Yeah, too bad about the golf. Me too. Might get back to it more seriously when I get all these old bombs fixed. Ha ha, that probably means never!
How far west is she sending you. Drop in for a coffee if your'e coming over Adelaide way. Have a good trip!
Yep, as far as the MQ is concerned, its bit like holding your breath under water and hoping that when you come up you are in paradise. So I am holding my breath, for a very long time as I make slow progress, hoping that I don't stuff up anywhere too serious. And also hoping that when I 'come up' I will have a little beauty that gets about 10% or maybe 15% more km per litre, since I can run it with proper oil instead of treacle. And 5000km to the cup of oil instead of 300km to the litre. Now that will be paradise. Who needs power steering, air conditioning, fancy suspension lifts and big wheels, etc. etc. If I get those two wishes I think I will be in heaven!!
Yeah, too bad about the golf. Me too. Might get back to it more seriously when I get all these old bombs fixed. Ha ha, that probably means never!
Last edited:
geoffsa
Member
Millsy, you should have played the golf course across the Nullabor when you went recently.
millsy
4x4 Earth Contributer
Hmmm. Thought briefly about it as I saw some of the signs for them on the side of the road. They seemed to have a lot of rough and not much fairway. Not that I stopped to look at any of them mind you. Had the thought of trying them out a few months ago when I was thinking about the trip, but then when the time came I forgot to throw a few clubs in the boot. Maybe next time.
Smeacs
Banned
Lived in Cobram for most of my life and camped all around the area. On a number of occations when camping between Strathy and Barmah I have heard what sounded like Aboriginal chatta. Also used to hear noises (the sound of tv's and things man made) when in the middle of the bush all up and down the river from Barmah to Yarrawonga. It seemed to all come down to how cool the night was and if there was no wind. some nights if there was a slight southerly (ever so slight, not really enough to rustle the leaves in the trees) I could hear the trucks on the highway knowing it was at least 3-4km's away depending where I was.
oznog05, What part of the river do you head out too?