[Jason Judd]

Rhude,



My ex-mechanic has put me off...again!



He said that he hasn't still had time to find them, because he's off to another track.



I'll keep you posted, but like you said..."A bird in the hand"



Jason

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[apex]

Very nice to see this back-room gear trading going on! <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/smile.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />



Well to bring closure to my end of the story: car's back home... finally... sheesh. At least the wait - accompanied by a giant sucking sound coming from the direction of my checking account <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/biggrin.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> - has resulted in: no whine - snappy shifting - and one less thing to worry about.



I ended up with new syncros, new fifth AND sixth gears, new guards diff, new differential bearings, new pinion bearings, case seals, and spot welding leaky tranny case from busted diff parts being thrown around inside. The IMA men musta had the tranny in and out four times diagnosing each problem in turn: bad quaife diff (that part was obvious - and the source of much of the other mayhem), perfecting pinion backlash (a shop-fabricated shim was required to get it right - porsche didn't offer the size needed), the high-gear issues that didn't really get noticed until the car was driven at speed.



My tiny 968 rebuild got sidelined by the mr. moneybags drive-by-wire paddle-shifting 911 turbo monster cost-is-no-object racecar project - Chris will never again promise a four-day(!) pinion-job turnaround <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/tongue.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> - but - and I know I'm rationalizing here - I'd rather take the car to a shop that gets those kind of projects... even if it takes a bit... er exponentially.... longer.

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[cosimo]

Apex, glad to hear your car is back. I was there when Ivan was working on your gear box. He explained the need for the "custom" shim. He must have checked the tolerances 5 times to make sure it was within specs. My car is there for some overheating issues and radiator hose checks (had heater hose failure on a trip). I have going to Ivan for at least 12 years and have also been frustrated by the length of time it requires to get the job done. For what it's worth I feel confident that the job was done right, if not I know he will stand behind his work. The one problem they have had is trying to find another mechanic. He can very demanding and makes for some marginal mechanics to not last very long. He has been after me to come to work for him as a telephone answerer and scheduler. He had a good one but had to let him go when business fell off during the winter. I would hope to be able to get them to do a better job of scheduling and better customer communications. It is reassuring to do know that Chris and Ivan do a lot of driving on the track. It means that they have a "feel" for the cars at their limits. He probably has as many race car as non race cars there at any one time. He also does work for the TPC Performance group in race prep. So, enjoy your almost new gear box. Hopefully I will have my car back next week.

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[rhudeboye]

Cosimo - I saw your green 68 out front when I went in to see the progress on my 68 @ IMA. Nice ride.



After 3 months my car is finally done. However I wont be taking it back, YET!



While there Chris and I started talking about the 928 that had a timing belt snap/ actually it was put on wrong and slipped off. The amount of damage done was pretty severe. We started talking about my T-belt and from what I could track down, it should've been changed last summer. So I ordered the parts and here I am again. Waiting. I just couldn’t take that car back and truly enjoy it with the thought of that belt going out on me.

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[cosimo]

Thanks, it was there for an overheating problem caused by air in the cooling system when I had the the heater hose replaced by AutoHaus and a bad temp sensor. I also talked to Chris about the 928 as that is the first one I have seen there. The T belt going is one of my worst fears, I had a timing chain go on a 68 911 and only tore the casing, lucky not more damage was done. I hope it doesn't take too long to get you car back. Still waiting to hear back from Ivan about working there. Winter is slow and I'm not sure he wants to spend the money during this period.



Also as a cat person I love your Avatar. Is it your cat?

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[rhudeboye]

"Is it your cat?" Nope, however its not as funny w/o the caption. Rex chased Fluffy for the last time.



This is my cat Hercules.

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[cosimo]

<img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/biggrin.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/biggrin.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/biggrin.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[rhudeboye]

I GOT IT BACK!



And what an awful day for a drive, not only is it the busiest travel day of the year but its raining here in the DC area. It was a 2 hour crawl up and back. However I did get a little pocket where I stepped into it in 3rd took it to 6k and drop it into 4th. The ride felt faster, much faster. Can’t wait for things to dry out.



IM BACK BABY!

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[cosimo]

Great to hear your car is back. Yesrerday certainly was a bummer to drive in. However mine is going back on Monday, it seems I have an oil leak on the left side. It is dripping on the exhaust manifold as I can smell the oil burning after it warms up. Debating whether to drive to Ivan's as I am afraid there might be a fire. I don't want to have it towed gain. I'm thinking of letting warm up in the driveway with the hose handy until the oil is burned off. Hope this is the last of the "things come in 3s".

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[apex]

like he said:



<img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/biggrin.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/biggrin.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/biggrin.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />



happy thanksgiving!

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