We finally got the RR to move under its own power a week ago. The engine is a 452, the last Mopar built by Dan Costello. We went with a tunnel ram (my idea for better or worse) and 2 Holley Ultra HP 600's. Still running the 833 (time bomb I am sure but so far a straight cut non-synchronized Nash has not appeared on the doorstep).
Fitted a Mallory 140 pump with a set of RobbMC filters and dual mode regulator. At some point in the future I will convert it to a return style, currently it is deadhead.
Anyway, we finally got all the bits sorted. Michelle as usual was in the thick of it helping with the assembly.
Realized old exhaust system will not work with the new headers. Fortunately the old collector extensions still fit. Curiously, the right side header lines up beautifully with the clearance bit in the torsion bar crossmember. The driver side (left side) is well outboard. Who knows.
So, hook everything up. Check most fluids; oil, water, rum. Did not check brake fluid....
Fired it up after a couple of tries, mainly due to not sure how much pumping the tunnel ram liked. After checking fuel pressure (stupid Summit gauge read 3.5 psi out of the box so I just set the pressure to the delta) backed her out under her own power. After a 20 point turn to get her pointed uphill went for it. Stalled it at the top of the driveway. Decided to roll back down and try again from bottom. Problem. Engine is now off. Brakes not working well. Car sort of sliding on loose grass and sticks we had thrown into low spots of driveway. Trying to steer in reverse and avoid Michelle's 88. Actually succeeded. Popped the brake reservoir cover. Added fluid. Made mental note to figure out where fluid went. Brakes pump up okay, and will not see more than 1st gear. Try again on driveway. Stall again, but this time do not roll back. Fire it up again. After some hard hits get her up and over the tricky bit. Land Rovers will spoil you, they go anywhere with no effort, had not realized the top part of the driveway is tricky. Once up on road regroup. Michelle brings camera and Hoover the dog. Takes a picture of the Prima Donna up on the road for the first time in a significant amount of time. Well, have to find out if car can handle road. Started motoring down. After a while realized easier to just coast. The Milodon road race pan is fantastic. Made it down to our old place with no new dents in oil pan, a first for Blue Mountain. Delivered Hoover, returned the air compressor we had borrowed, then motored back up. Went surprisingly well for those stupid 225-14 tires with which these cars were originally equipped (think ground clearance, why anyone tries to reduce ground clearance is beyond me). Now have to make a mould off the original bonnet for a carbon fibre/Nomex core lift off bonnet. In the meantime, a Rubbermaid tote works the treat to cover the air filters.
Hopefully street legality will occur in the next few weeks as the track might open up Agricultural Fair weekend in mid February.
Pic at top of driveway on road, Michelle took a few videos but not sure what to do for those in terms of uploading: