9/29/10

I really want Lil' Wiggly back. I'm not so sure about the super hot rod engine, but I know I want the car. I'll probably go ahead and install the super hot rod engine, but I'll stick with the four-speed transmission, because it’ll be part of the deal to get the car back. I don't know how I could “sell” the idea that Gregg needs to keep that engine. I suppose I could shelve the thing until such time as I “need” it for another project. I wonder if I could adapt it to that Volkswagen Beetle transaxle I have to run in the back of the N600. Hmm. No, it’ll probably get stuck in front of the four-speed, like I said before, and run until it grenades. Of course at that time we’ll shove an L-series in the car, but we’ll burn that bridge when we come to it. I thought I heard someone in the back asking why I dint want to use the five-speed in Lil' Wiggly behind the super hot-rod engine. Well, it’s like this, that engine won't make any power under 3,000 rpm, and it doesn't make much even then until it hits 4,500, so fifth gear would only be useful over 90 miles per hour. This is a street car, and I'm almost 45 years old therefore know better, so having all that extra top end is useless. Besides, the four-speed is in there, with a drive shaft, and we know it works. Plus, an “engine only” swap is so much easier than an “engine and transmission” swap. Also, I'm confident enough with my sexuality to have “only” four forward gears, especially with Fifi and The Seven having five each and Ms. Clio having six. “Sigh,” I miss Mr. Wiggly. I should never have traded that van away. “Sigh,” oh well. Anyhoo, I spoke to Jeff, the guy with the Miata Gregg wants to buy, and he said he’s in no hurry to sell the car. So we have a little time. I don't want to leave him hanging though. I wonder how much I can get for Nadine as a “basket case.” If it would score me $2,500.00 I'd be set. If it fetched $3,500.00 I could pay off the wheels and tires on Ms. Clio as well, almost. I may just have to plop it up on e-Bay with a nice huge reserve, and huger “Buy it now” price, and see what happens. I'm sorry, the car is neat but I'm just not enamored with it enough to do it justice. Not to mention I cannot afford to do it justice. It really should go to someone who will “love” it more than I do. I'm afeared I'm just “going through the motions” with the thing. Now, having said all that, there is one thing making me really want to finish that car. I do not want to admit defeat to Marty Mary. He gave me such a huge parcel of shit about getting into a Triumph project that I feel compelled to finish just to rub his nose in it. And it will be a pretty cool car if we ever do get it done. I don't know. Well, it is about 1130 h so I'm going to go hang out with Larry Shuttlebus until lunch, then eat lunch. I may be back later. OK, so some other ideas have been bandied about while I was away. First off, I asked John if there was a Nissan front wheel drive transaxle which would survive behind the hot rod A-14 in the N600. He had some suggestions but asked why we didn't consider front engine and rear wheel drive. I said I'd thought of that as well. He then suggested a rotary. I said I'd thought along those lines but that we didn't have any rotaries. Well, it turns out that was not the most correct statement I have ever made. Apparently they are going to put an... well, suffices to say there is a 13b and four-speed available, or will be soon. I suggested the Miata rear suspension I have in storage, along with a huge wide-body job, to finish out the drive train. He wasn't against that. We'll just have to wait and see what becomes of the idea, I guess. I put forth the idea of the 13b in Barbecue Bob. I'm not sure I'm sold on the concept though. Seems like a lot of car for that wee thing. I'll let John either talk me down from that limb or hand me the saw. I'm easy either way. Ooh, a 13b in Nadine! Now we might have something. I think I'd be more “on board” for that than Barbecue Bob. In fact, I know I would. That would free up the KA-24 for the Chickenhawk again as well. Hmm, I need to cipher and figger on that one. In fact, I think I'm going to call it a rant for today on that note. Toodles.