Darkside Dave

GOOD NEWS !!! At least it is if you need this part. It is the Hitachi vacuum advance diaphragm that is no longer listed as available for the 1981 GL but it is available through Rock Auto, http://www.rockauto.com as part # VC-429 for a 1982 Honda. The part is identical and it works. It is marketed through Standard Motor Products of Long Island City , NY. Go to http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,carcode,1169603,parttype,7232,partGroup,25 to see the actual listing of this part.

Thanks guys... I just got back from the local Subaru junkyard and we went throuigh all the stuff with no luck. It looks like I may have to make one from some other vacuum diaphram. The distributor is good amd does not have the usual worn bushing problem so I don't feel like spending almost two C-notes just to get a good vacuum advance. I might just chuck this on up in the lathe and cut off the lip so I can take it apart and maybe make two rings to clamp it back together. Later...

I have an engine from a 1981 GL 4wd wagon and I need a vacuun advance for it. I'm in Ohio. Where's a good place to order one from???

Oh i wasn't worried. i just decided to comment on that post. The function I was going for here was to make it simple and strong for a work vehicle. it wouldn't bemuch of a Baja buggy or a rock climber. However, those type vehicles would never pull or carry what this one does. this thingwill carry it's own weight andpull even more. There are people around here that would buy this just to haul outfirewood frm these hilly farms. Later Man... Dave

Yeah, I suppose you're right but since I didn't even know about this thread I had no controlover that. Later Man... Dave

dang !!! I guess I should hve looked over the first page before I posted. You guys are sure hard on a guy... As for weight, it only weighs about a ton. It was designed as a farm and ranch utility vehicle. It had to be built as it is because of the weight it was designed to tow and haul. It's not a rock crawler or a racer. If I had wanted to go that direction I would have went with an integrated tubular structure. It is built like it is with a specific purpose in mind. As for the roll cage, that is heavy wall steel tubing and it dang near ruined my bender. No need to worry, it was tested to hold up 4,000 # which is twice the weight of the vehicle. I have three farmers that want to buy it and I don't need it. ijust like building stuff. I get bored easy so I will probably never do another one. Later folks... Dave

Cutting torch and plasma cutter... Not a problem... no change in direction... just needed it to hold together for a while so I could take some measurements and still be able to move it around. Dave

68" the site I mentioned has a few shots of me out on the road in front of the house. Sorry no video yet. I'm rather embarrassed to show it now as the thing is not finished and all the wiring is hanging out of the inst. panel twisted together with wire nuts and temp. switches. Watch the darksider's realm for more pics as stuff gets done. later Man... Dave

OK, You guys caught me... I'm the guilty one who built this monstrosity. I just did a Google check on "Scoobygator" and found this thread. Irealize this is a little late and it's a really old thread but I will try to answer a few questions posed here. maybe if this is bumped back to the top it will be noticed. I just registered here a few minutes ago. I might be able to get some help here on a few problems I am having. About the front overhang... It probably could have been about 4" less if I had figured everything real close. I wanted room in front of the engine to mount aux stuff like air compressor and maybe a hydraulic pump. Then there is the space in front of the radiator to allow some protection. as you guys well know, much of the engine sits forward of the front wheel centerline. That is probably the main disadvantage of not going with a transverse engine design. Why did I cut up the old wagon body??? it was really no good because of so much rust and I was able to handle the pieces by hand and put them in my van truck to haul off to the scrap yard. The latest... I hope to have this thing done and ready to sell by July. I test ran it a little on this past Sunday. I'm still having carb problems and I still need to rebuild all the brakes. I host a site called Darksider's Realm, http://www.darksidersrealm.com where you can follow the latest progress of the Scoobygator. If any of you are into building and fabricating and thinking outside the box, you are invited to join us. If it's got wheels and you are building or modifying it, the realm is the place to be. OK, that's all I have for now. Later Folks... Darkside Dave