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Sterling #S009

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Brett Proctor

Well-known member
OK more exciting details of registering a kit car in Nevada.

Went to do a VIN check and was told the California VIN is not acceptable here in NV.
Got the Nevada title with that VIN on it but they wont except it.

So now I need to take the car clear across town to the main inspection station to have them look at it and reclassify the car as a replica. I told the lady that the car isn't a replica of anything, but it didn't matter. Don't know why they couldn't do that at the place where I was at.
After it gets the new classification I was told it won't need to get smogged. That wont help now, I already had it smogged and it passed.

Thats where I stand now for getting plates.

Need to figure how I'm going to get it to that smog station. It's almost all freeway to get there and the traffic in this town sucks. Not something I'm looking forward to.
 
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Brett Proctor

Well-known member
Update of whats going on

Still haven't found a trailer to get the car to the DMV office. May have to drive it there.

Finished with the air intake to the radiator and it made a big difference. Intake is in the front only, nothing from the bottom.
The highest the temperature got was 135*f driving around. (Thermostat removed) Air temp in the 60's
Also found and installed (coolant loss was minimal when switch was changed out) a new fan thermo switch rated at "on" 190*f and "off" 175*f. Haven't tested that out yet to see how accurate it is but thats more in the area that I was looking for.

Also I'm not sure if its an issue but when removing the gas cap the tank is slightly pressurized. Been checking all the sensors but everything seems to check out ok. Not getting any trouble codes on it but none of the cars we drive have this issue.
 
nbb350

nbb350

Active member
Are you using the original VW fuel tank? Mine (1975) had a top vent tube that I connected to a charcoal canister. (the canister vent is connected to the carb via a manually-activated solenoid, but I've never tried it yet) The charcoal canister also has a vent when it gets full, but I've never noticed any strong fuel smell around the car (my main reason for installing the canister versus just putting some sort of "breather" filter on that fuel tank vent tube). Maybe your vent tube is plugged?
 
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Brett Proctor

Well-known member
All but one of the sensors have checked out. Haven't had the time to check out the last sensor (pressure control solenoid valve).

Watching the grand daughter. When I get time I'll check that sensor out.
Like I said, there are no codes being tripped so maybe having a little pressure in the tank is normal for this setup

The vent to the tank is controlled by these solenoid valves

Thought even that I may of had a vent hose on wrong but haven't found any.
 
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Brett Proctor

Well-known member
I think I may have found the problem.

Checked out the last pressure control solenoid and manually activating the solenoid it works. I even heard pressure from the tank being vented out.
But looking at the roll over valve, I think I have it installed wrong.
Don't have time now but maybe monday I'll get to it
Roll Over Valve1a.jpg
 
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farfegnubbin

Site Owner
Staff member
I admire your ability to calmly troubleshoot things. I’m pretty meticulous but I’m not 100% sure I would have noticed that pressure anomaly or thought much of it.
 
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Brett Proctor

Well-known member
Just when you thought you were done

Got the cooling system pretty much done, so I started to finish working on the small stuff.
Case in point, the windshield washer system.
Installed the squirter nozzles and ran the hoses to the washer fluid reservoir. Got everything hooked up and preceded to fill the reservoir.
At that point I figured I'd look and see how full the tank was, only to see all the fluid leaking out. The grommet that seals the motor to the tank split letting all the fluid leak out.
Couldn't find just that grommet so I had to order a new motor also. (grommet comes with the motor)

Still need to take the car to the main DMV to get it registered. Another story that doesn't make any sense. Not sure if I covered that story here.

Also the canopy seal that I ordered is lost in the mail. The company that I ordered it from is trying to find out what happened to it.
 
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Brett Proctor

Well-known member
thought it was time for an update.
Got all the parts for the wiper washer system and thats up and running with no issues now.

As mentioned in another post the company resent the canopy seal and thats now installed.
For those not familiar with what I found for the seal he's the link for the seal.
https://www.steelerubber.com/flexible-edge-trim-70-4104-99-wt#70-4104-99-WT
Its a real close replica of the OEM seal.

Still haven't been to the DMV
To get there its just about all freeway driving and drivers here think 65mph is 75-80mph so I've taken the car for short trips early in the mornings on the freeway to see how it handles.
No issues but because of the gearing, at 65mph the rpm's are around 3,000.

Also I have an issue with the cooling fan now, it doesn't want to turn on when engine temps get high. (Over heating is not an issue now. It took a long time at idle to get the temps high enough for the fan to turn on) Traced it to a bad pressure switch in the AC system. Waiting for the replacement now.
The only way I could find a new one was to buy it with a new drier from the dealer and I'm waiting for that now.

Thats it for now
 
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Baz

Member
Brett Proctor said:
This has been a learning experience.

Looking back there are many things that I would have changed or done different.
Click to expand...
Want to share some of those things so we can learn from them? I'm sure there are a few of us who are likely to make the same decisions and question them later.
 
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Brett Proctor

Well-known member
Baz said:
Want to share some of those things so we can learn from them? I'm sure there are a few of us who are likely to make the same decisions and question them later.
Click to expand...

Most things are unique to my build, but here are a few things.

Wiring
After wiring the whole system there were a few items that I put on hold to find a solution to.
Like the power steering. After not having any luck getting the system to work (It needed CAN) I found a control module on ebay that made the system work.
Well I had to find a circuit that I could tie into and use. To do the cars wiring the body was off and it was real easy to wire the car but now the body was back on the chassis and it was a real pain to wire the new system in.
There was another issue with wiring that I still haven't done. Has to do with the parking lights. I'm debating if its really needed right now. They come on when the main lights are on but not when just the parking light switch is turned on. That was may bad, not knowing how the circuit worked.

Front tires are to small for the rims. Specs showed that they would fit. could go one size larger to look right.

Front right rim rubs on the front steering component when steering is turned to its max stop. Not sure why one side does it and not the other. (rack and pinion was installed)

Front suspension does not need to have any lowering device installed. I had to add shocks with helper springs so the front wouldn't be so low to the ground.

Thats just a few things. My advice if your going to build one of these cars would be to make a list of things your going to do and ask questions before starting.

Also use common sense. Some items that I was told that would work didn't. I was told that something would work(not mentioning what it was or by who) but after trying to install it, the item didn't fit. I posted it and then was told "oh you need to cut this and do that". Well butchering a part for it to work wasn't for me.

Have a game plan and stick to it. The car looks cool but it will never be a Lamborghini or Ferrari. Don't try to make it like one. Its like a relationship. Don't try to change them and try to make them something they are not. They are who they are.
Since I joined this forum I've seen a lot more builds not finished than finished. I can count the finished cars on one hand. I don't have enough fingers and toes to count the Non finished cars.
Modifying and changing/adding things really takes its toll on time and money.

OK that enough for now I think.
 
B

Baz

Member
Brett Proctor said:
Most things are unique to my build, but here are a few things.

Wiring
After wiring the whole system there were a few items that I put on hold to find a solution to.
Like the power steering. After not having any luck getting the system to work (It needed CAN) I found a control module on ebay that made the system work.
Well I had to find a circuit that I could tie into and use. To do the cars wiring the body was off and it was real easy to wire the car but now the body was back on the chassis and it was a real pain to wire the new system in.
There was another issue with wiring that I still haven't done. Has to do with the parking lights. I'm debating if its really needed right now. They come on when the main lights are on but not when just the parking light switch is turned on. That was may bad, not knowing how the circuit worked.

Front tires are to small for the rims. Specs showed that they would fit. could go one size larger to look right.

Front right rim rubs on the front steering component when steering is turned to its max stop. Not sure why one side does it and not the other. (rack and pinion was installed)

Front suspension does not need to have any lowering device installed. I had to add shocks with helper springs so the front wouldn't be so low to the ground.

Thats just a few things. My advice if your going to build one of these cars would be to make a list of things your going to do and ask questions before starting.

Also use common sense. Some items that I was told that would work didn't. I was told that something would work(not mentioning what it was or by who) but after trying to install it, the item didn't fit. I posted it and then was told "oh you need to cut this and do that". Well butchering a part for it to work wasn't for me.

Have a game plan and stick to it. The car looks cool but it will never be a Lamborghini or Ferrari. Don't try to make it like one. Its like a relationship. Don't try to change them and try to make them something they are not. They are who they are.
Since I joined this forum I've seen a lot more builds not finished than finished. I can count the finished cars on one hand. I don't have enough fingers and toes to count the Non finished cars.
Modifying and changing/adding things really takes its toll on time and money.

OK that enough for now I think.
Click to expand...
Some good thoughts, I've encountered similar in past builds. The steering issue is odd, any idea as to what is causing that?
 
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Brett Proctor

Well-known member
Baz said:
The steering issue is odd, any idea as to what is causing that?
Click to expand...
Thats the chances you take when you install non OEM equipment.
If I would have caught that in the early stages of the build it would have been an easy fix, but now for me its not so easy. Its only when the steering is maxed out in the left turn that it happens so I just don't max it out.

Rims are wider and taller (8" X 17") than OEM so that may be the cause. Car wasn't designed for that size rim. There again, non OEM stuff
 
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Brett Proctor

Well-known member
Brett Proctor said:
Car wasn't designed for that size rim. There again, non OEM stuff
Click to expand...

I think I should rephrase that.
The chassis wasn't designed for that size rim/tire, offset combo.

I think the OEM rim/tire size was around 5-1/2 X 15 with a 1.575 offset.

Also a lot of mods that are done may look good, but sometimes the build never divulges what it took or the negative side effects of the mod.

Just like the one I mentioned in the previous post. If I knew of all the cutting and mods needed to make the part fit I never would have gone out and bought the part. (member never divulged what mods were needed to make the part fit till after I posted my findings)

Seats are a big thing for these cars. Very hard to find ones that fit. Keep in mind that the chassis tapers and a seat may fit in one spot but if you need to position it closer to the front it may not fit.
I ended up modifying some corvette seats to fit. After testing them out I ended up settling on a position (had seat tracks installed) I liked and just bolted them to the floor to get more headroom.

Keep in mind that my comments are just my experience and findings with my car.
 
B

Brett Proctor

Well-known member
OK what am I doing now??

Well the AC system has a very very very slow leak. Trying to find that.
Still haven't been to the DMV to get plates.
Had an issue with the cooling fan not turning on but traced it to the low freon level in the AC system. Thought at first it was a bad pressure switch in the ac system so to get a new pressure switch I had to go through the Subaru dealer and buy a new drier also because I couldn't find just the pressure switch by itself, but if I got the drier it came with that.
The fun hasn't ended

Just tying up loose ends in the build.
 
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