Vintage Race Series Clark Leg 1

Post Race Maintenance

After the successful leg of the first Vintage Race series of the Manila Sports Car Club, I'll be preparing the Fairlady for the next race in September...ASAP.

Valve clearance was way off clearance. I noticed the lack of power at the race especially under wide open throttle after corner exits. The mechanic adjusted to 0.014 inch of clearance and rechecked again. Way less valve noise...much smoother and quieter running engine!

1. Cleaned the spark plugs
2. Cleaned the rotor
3. Clean the distributor cap contacts and plug wires
4. Replaced the contact points and lubricated the cam lobe
5. Checked all fluids and oils
6. Lubed the carburetor butterflies, linkages, and pedals
7. Flushed DOT4 brake fluid
8. Adjusted the rear brake drums and cleaned the brake shoes
9. Adjusted the valve clearance - 0.014 inch instead of 0.019 inch (smoother engine idle now and better throttle response)
10. Bled the brake master cylinder, brake switch, and front and rear brakes
11. Replaced the clutch fluid in the clutch master cylinder
12. Fixed the front tow ring


I cleaned up the spark plugs...actually they're pretty clean from the "Italian tune-up" after the race. I took photos of each spark plug and they're all clean without oil or fuel residue.

 

 Spark Plug 1

Spark Plug 2

Spark Plug 3

Spark Plug 4

Final Prep and Checks for the Vintage Race, First Leg

1. Replace transmission and differential oils

2. Clean rear drum brakes

3. Clean spark plugs, air filter, and fuel filter

4. Replace contact points

5. Balance twin carburetors
6. Prepare spare tire
7. Tighten wheel nuts

 Changed the transmission and differential oil with Spirax S2 G 90 Gear Oil GL4 spec

 The differential and transmission oils were still clear, but had them changed for the next race.

Right Front Brake Caliper Overhaul

After driving the Fairlady last weekend, I noticed brake fluid dripping from the front right brake caliper. Luckily I had spares of the piston seal kit and that my mechanic was available on the same day to overhaul the pistons.

The mechanic was able to overhaul both pistons in just a little over an hour...pretty darn fast. It would've taken me half a day to finish the job.

 I also got a set of NGK BP6ES spark plugs as a spare set for the race.

 I got to file the electrode tip for better spark exposure for the air/fuel mixture.