1

We had a bit of snow fall on Friday. Not much snow, but the temps were way low! Too damn cold for me!

2

So south I go

3

South Of The Border. I kinda have this need to stop there one day. Looks fun. Hell, the 100 miles of reading South Of The Borders road signs is fun in itself. One day I will stop there.

4

Right - Mike (guy I bought the Northstar from) and Dave (daveace on the MR2OC) helped me load the Northstar into the Dakota. It was quite easy. Without the transaxle the Northstar is very light. Two people can easily lift the engine. Thanks guys for the help!

5

Lots of fog, but the weather was warm. I would have loved to see Tampa.

6

But all I got to see was this cool new road being built. Unfortunately the tolls were quite high, and quite often. Close to one of the most expensive roads I have ever driven on. But man did it look cool!

7

This kinda scared the crap out of me when I drove into into town the night before.

8

The sign says beware low flying aircraft. I think they really mean it.

9

Huricanes hit the areas pretty hard this past year.

10

I decided to stop by the Daytona Speedway. Here is the Dakota parked in the Dog Racing track. It was pretty empty and allowed for a good shot. That is when I heard the cars at the track.

11

So Saturday was practice day for the Nextel Cup cars. You can enter the track at turn 4 and watch for free. It was awesome.

12

I picked up some Daytona dirt and grass and put them in the CD paper cover. This will go in a small container and mounted on the engine somewhere. Notice the Daytona USA parking lot attendant giving me the evil eye!

13

And here it is. 119,000 miles. Owner stated that mechanic told him that the engine was blowing black smoke because a bolt was stripped. Not a head bolt, but one that holds the block halves together.

Okay, that did not make sence to me.

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Reference.

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Reference.

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Reference.

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Reference.

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Reference.

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Reference.

21

Pulled off the manifold. Lots of corosion. just water. this stuff will brush right off.

22

Removed the coolant log. Pump spins freely.

23

The manifold.

24

Ford / Mazda Intercooler

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Turbo hose fittings for the coolant and oil

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Turbo XS blow off valve.

27

Twos R Us manual boost controller.

28

Pulled the cam covers and what a pretty picture. No corosion.

Now I pulled the oil pan drain plug. A drop or two of water came out. Normal. Condensation from 2 years of sitting outside. It was about 14 degrees F outside. So we turned the heater on. And then the 1.5 gallons of water that was sitting in the sump melted.

29

It was fresh water. So I figure rain. Not coolant. So I tear down the block. No corossion. Just a mess. Main bearings look very good. I still need to tear down the rod bearings and check them out.

30

It was so cold that the water was still frozen in the block and on the parts that go on the block.

31

Looking down into the block.

32

Looks good. .

33

The crank pickup wheel mounted in the center of the crank. To bad I can't use this.

34

That small end looks good from here. But I will tear it down and inspect them all over the next few weeks.