Merry Xmas & Happy 2009!

Engine bay revamp and new clutch

Because of tired clutch and massive oil leaks, I decided it was time for some work...
So engine down and doka out on stands:

I hand sanded all engine metal... lot of rust!
Can you smell it?

I bought a LUK clutch kit from Dei Kafer Service

Original distributor up again with new wires:

Here is the final look after some hours. I also decided to put an EMPI pulley because the previous caused wrong advance readings. I mantained the Bosch blue coil and painted the exhaust white. I needed a new inlet manifold and some work inside the 30 Solex carburetor.

Since the engine was down, it was time to get rid of some rust inside the engine bay...

After a lot of hand sandblasting and a coat of antirust:

Then a coat of Light Grey paint:

Looks better uh?

Time for the engine to go up again, after some testing sessions
It all works! Great.

50.000 visits! Thanks guys...

Preparing for the European Bug In #2...

This time the car I usually drive to tow the trailer is stopped for a defect of fabrication to the heads, so I'm managing to drive the Goldfather for 1250 kms to Chimay and 1250 kms back home...!!!

Here is the spare tire... I had to use a spacer because it touched the caliper


I polished a little my Boyd Coddington wheels. I never did it since 2005.


30.000 visits! Thank you guys!

Eriba parts

The works to be done on the Eriba puck caravan are a lot, but for the moment we can begin from some minor things.

One reflective triangle was missing while the other was broken. These are compulsory for any type of trailer or caravan to be towed in Europe.

I bought a new pair from eBay Germany. They are not by Hella but they are very similar and good quality, and also E-marked (= fully legal).

The four outer handles, useful to move the Eriba by hand when unhooked, were oxidated and the black film was coming away in pieces. The screws were also very rusted and blocked. So I removed completely the screws, the film, then brushed the handles, ready for a new glossy black paint.

16.000 visits! Here is the girl for you guys.

Towing home the Eriba Puck

Today is the right day for taking the little Eriba home. It is around 12 kms from my house in Pistoia.

I had to create a hand-made rear license plate matching the one of my car

Close up on Eriba Puck logo... nice!

This is the original trailer license plate from 1973, when it was imported in Italy

A look inside...


M-plate from Hymer


Front bent window... perfect match for an old VW!

Front badge...

Fabio, the seller, is enjoying making the transaction with my credit card in the open air. You should see MY face...

Fabio owns himself a modern VW Transporter (T5?) He leaves in a hurry for another appointment.

Then I had to wait for his collaborator that went to buy an adapter to make the old-style few-pins plug of the Eriba match with the new many-pins plug of my Seat.

Fitted!

Now the lights work.. ehm 'almost' all the lights

So I immediately take the way of my trusty electrician, Mr. Breschi, a pair of kms away.

The right rear light and the license plate light don't work.

The problem is on the worn plug, to be changed with a better one...

In the meantime I take a look at the original papers...

Here is the new plug. Tough!

Here it is, finally at home.

11000 visits........