So It Begins… February 9
This past Saturday saw the temperature in Ottawa hit -3C, which was warm enough to get me out into the crappy garage to work on Ginger. I wasn’t particularly ambitious, but I was nervous. After all, I was about to screw around with my brakes. Yes, the guy who only began working on cars a few months ago is heading out to tackle the brakes — the only thing that prevents cars from slamming into other cars, pedestrians, and heavy immovable objects. But have no fear gentle reader, I was armed with a factory service manual and a great book written by Ottawa’s own, Keith Tanner.
My mission was simple: remove all four calipers for cleaning, followed by either powder coating or painting, lubing, and re-installation with a set of new stainless steel braided brake lines and fresh ATE Super Blue brake fluid. Speaking of brake fluid, you might not know this, but it is a very good paint remover. And, removing calipers means disconnecting the brake lines, which means dribbling brake fluid. So I was a little tense when doing the first corner where I fumbled about trying different means of sealing up the now open line and securing it to the car. In the end, I filled the open loop at the end of the line with paper towel, wrapped it all with saran wrap, and tied rubber band around it all before suspending it from the chassis with some copper hobby wire. The next three corners were much faster despite the rear calipers being different from the fronts. In the end, the hardest part was jacking and working on passenger side, which is very close to the garage wall.
Now the calipers are in the garage while I consider painting vs. powder coating. Powder coating wins on all fronts except cost since going that route would require dismantling the calipers, essentially a rebuild, which would mean (a) replacing some perfectly good seals and rubber dust boots; and (b) open up another opportunity for me to screw up a perfectly good, extremely important, and somewhat valuable caliper. Ultimately, the cost of the caliper parts and the cost of the powder coating will determine which route I go.
Most recently, I placed my first order with Flyin’ Miata. In addition to the brake lines and brake fluid above, I grabbed some ignition wires, fresh spark plugs, and FM’s frame rails.
As for the other items for this year, here is a quick update:
Wheels & Tires: 949Racing won’t be taking orders on the 15×9 6ULR until April, so I’ll run the first part of the season on the stock Racing Harts. I considered getting a temporary wheel tire set, but decided it would be too costly and too much hassle. If the Racing Harts get bent, they get bent and I’ll get ‘em fixed.
Trailer: I have a plan, but I can’t post it here.
So the plan of attack looks like this:
Once the calipers are ready for installation:
- install new lines and reinstall calipers
- flush braking system with new fluid
As temperatures begin to moderate and it becomes safe to operate the soft top:
- strip interior
- check shifter boots and bushing and install the washer mod
When roads are in suitable shape:
- install roll bar and frame rails (require driving)
After a couple of drives:
- change plugs and wires
- change pads and rotors
- install 315cc injectors (found ‘em on ebay for $58USD – just need to get them cleaned)
- flush clutch and power steering fluids with new synthetics
- dilute coolant to a more summer friendly mixture
When the 6ULR ship date approaches:
- get Curt Manufacturing Model 11755 hitch installed
- secure trailer & build it up
At Some Point:
- find and install a wideband A/F guage
Wish me luck and feel free to send money (buy at uncommonpear dot com is our PayPal account)! 