Abingdon Carnival rally 2012

The next outing for Family Affair Rally Team (FART) is the 80+ stage mile rally at Abingdon airfield on 10th June. This is always a good rally and attracts a field of 100 entries. You have to be in quick with this one as it normally fills within 5 days. My entry was 4th received(if only the final results would be so kind).
After Goodwood I parked the car in the garage and cleared off to NZ on hols. The list of "to do" jobs isnt that bad to be honest. Clutch, new mud flaps on the rear, extra pull cord for the electric cut off switch, oil change and a spanner check will see it done.
Tonights effort was just a case of getting the car up in the air and clearing away some junk to give a little more room. Work starts in earnest tomorrow after work.

Ive got 50 days to get the car ready, no rush!!!!
I took the sump guard off tonight and have found that its been rubbing on the sump, so thats one small mod to be done. Started disconecting the usual things on the engine to do the clutch. Now here lies the problem. Is it easier to take the box off the engine while its in the car or just disconect the box from the subframe and mounts and just lift the engine and box together. I figure they will take about the same time. Is it more hassle to do it with the engine still in??

Cheers
Brian

Iv never worked on a mk1 but I usualy keep the engine in if I have to mess about with a gbox in mine
Its a bit of a bitch to get it back on as the splines are quite chunky, just make sure its on, I ended up shearing off the 6 internal screws at the 5th gear end doing up the main bolts many years ago

The engine and box will be out tonight and I have sourced a paddle clutch. The rest of the little jobs are coming along well. I hope to have it all back together by mid next week. Then its onto the suspension. I have some better springs on the way so I hope it will improve some things in that department.
I am going to be on a mission at Abingdon. There is a Nissan micra kit car in my class so that needs beating but the main aim is to be first Farnborough District Motor Club member and in the top 30. It's definatly going to be hard on it all day.

The engine is out and separated from the box. The clutch nearly fell apart in my hands. But what a shit of a job. The engine should be back in tomorrow night followed closely be the rest of it.
Warning!!!! Do not get over enthusiastic know it all, this is how we did it on my 1940 lancia father inlaw to help. It makes hard work of it all and nearly needed the police to solve a murder.

Ok, its nearly all back together. Its taken a bit longer than expected with having to change and modify a few little things on the way, plus my wife has dragged me away to do some other stuff that SHE says is more important. All going well I will fire the old girl up tomorrow( car not wife).
In the mean time here is the full entry list
http://www.abingdoncarnival.com/AbingdonCARnival/Competition/Entries/2012/6/10_CAR-nival_Rally_Stages_files/2012%20AMC%20Stages%20Leading%20Entries%20%40%2010th%20May%202012.pdf
The aim for the day is to be in top 3 of class, top 30 overall and best Farnborough district motor club member

Cheers
Brian

Ok, pretty pleased. It runs. Road test this week some stage. Had a bit of agro with getting it to start. At the last rally it would not start all day. This we put down to not enough in the battery and a faulty alternator. Then today the same problem. It just had no get up and go on the starter even with the jump pack on. I reached down to check the conections on the starter and found that the starter was bloody hot but the cable was cold. Cue quick starter change and push the button. It starts better than it ever has. Well pleased.

The car is now ready. It's taken linger than hoped due to work, family etc etc. Starting at number 97 from 100 so a good result up the order will look very good.

A really good day despite what happened. We had an excellent start and by 3/4 through the first stage we had taken a minute out of the car in front. The car was handling beautifuly and there was more to come with some adjustments to tire pressures as they were a bit soft. However and I blame this on me going to fast I damaged the front left in a chicane and now have to replace headlight, wing, and bumper. It didn't slow us down and I only really knew what the damage was when we had to park up with a broken gearbox about a mile further on. Disappointed, no. Looking to get a dog box, yes. The car I can say once again was flying.
Photos of gearbox internals in the coming weeks when I take it apart.
Brian

Hi B,

Sorry to hear that!
If you need gearbox casing, let me know.
I have few mk1 Gti gearboxes so I should be able to help you there.
Then again, if you are going to do adaptor plate with Vauxhall gearbox. This case will be not needed.

Cheers
Atchi

As I see it my 2 options are either a dog box kit for the Suzuki casing, or use the vauxhall box and as time and money permits up rate that to close ratio etc which in turn will cost as much if not more than the dog box plus I need special drive shafts for that.
I also see that dattman in nz has used a g16b box(if not him someone has) and this could be an option. Either way I can't keep trashing boxes.
Cheers
Brian

ive used a g16b awd box on my justy and i found it geared well to long with my setup however if you manage to find one can you if they have the drive shafts to go with it for me

Hi B,

If you ask nicely to Dattman, he might be able to make gear set for you.
He did offer 1 for me with closer 1st and 2nd gears as input shaft and layshaft set for $2500.

Try to find AWD gearbox will be easier to find virgin in a whore house.

I think Vauxhall gearbox adaptor with custom made drive shaft will be a cheaper option.

Cheers
Atchi

I've still got the 1600awd box as a spare will be worth something soon n o rite ok kool cheers

Some proofs of the ol snotter in action
http://rallygallery.com/2012_ABR.aspx?Page=67

And for something different the black westfield is/was mine also
http://rallygallery.com/2011_ABSPRINT.aspx?Page=49