MetTechTIPSAugust2004.docVIP

Met Tech TIPS August 2004 In a message dated 8/30/04 11:58:00 AM, jrc2@mninter.net writes: Subject: Re: vac advance To test the vacuum advance mechanism you unscrew the vacuum pipe from the distributor and push a bit of rubber hose over the fitting, suck on the hose and stick you tongue over the end of the hose, it _must_ hold the vacuum as long as you keep your tongue on the end of the hose ~ if the vacuum goes away after a moment the advance unit is faulty. There is a 4 of 5-digit number stamped in the diaphragm near the vacuum fitting, this should match when you buy a replacement advance unit from a Met vendor or Moss Motors. Youll need to remove the front wheels to access the upper shock absorber nuts, I usually remove the angled bracket as well as it is a common dirt buildup point and the paint Austin used wasnt any god so itll surely be rusty, I bead blast the bracket and the square lower plate to then paint with Rustoleum gloss black, itll look nice and last a long _long_ time before it rusts again. Whilst youre having fun de-rusting these parts, allow the bolts and washers to soak in some Phosphoric Acid, easily available at any hardware store under various brand names such as Jasco Metal Etc, or Sno-Bol toilet bowl cleaner, Wal-Mart, Lowes etc. carry both items, this will clean up the threads without the need to chase or re-thread them and the Phosphorus will also leave a flash coating of Phosphorus to retard rusting, remember to smear a coat of axle grease on the threads before re-assembly. Id not replace the bolts as the thread pitch is ever so slightly different and besides the original English steel is a very good quality, no longer available anywhere. Hopefully youll try the gas shocks, I love them, they dont make the ride rough. I hope this helps... -Nate Good judgment comes from experience Experience comes from exercising bad judgment  In a message dated 8/30/04 12:06:40 PM, jrc2@mninter.net writes: Re: differential ratios Hi Gerald Tim; Boy I jus