Obviously in referrence to the oft notioned occurrence of less than fortunate luck - in my particular, relentlessly, sombre toned case (hears a minute violin song), this started 3 weeks ago when I experienced the aforementioned issues. Three weeks on, and I discover that work has only JUST commenced! Joy. Part deux occurred yesterday, when I received a parcel from Malta...could it be...my Cruise camshafts?!
Box opened...ummm, these look stock - quick research revealed I was misinformed in my presumption that they were billet camshafts, so, no real issue - however, that goes beyond the point of the denomination as the 2nd round of misfortunes. Here's what I discovered:
So, after spending, a rather exorbitant amount of money, for regrinds, I receive them in this condition - what almost amused me, was that this was very much a case of history repeating itself! In 2007 I purchased myself some 5E-FHE camshafts from a apparently reputable guy in America, took pictures of them to show-off, then stored them, until last year, wherein I sold them. I was then contact by a very angry German man accusing me of shady dealings, and proving such with pictures of damage...which was almost EXACTLY the same as the above. And yes, I sold those camshafts...as I was getting these! In this scenario, its almost the same story - seller this time, never checked the camshafts, and never even wrapped them himself, and just sold them on to me, whereas previously, the person had the engine disassembled by someone else, and never checked the camshafts before sending out to me.
However, there is some solace, as today, I received this...
That is my "Cruise Replica" GReddy TD05H-18G Turbine kit by Zisco, complete with a SARD CII Wastegate (which I'm replacing anyway). Do not be fooled - it is not being used on the 4E-FTE (unless I get bored), its only there to show its assembled state. It's a big advance, as its a core component for the pending 5E build, however, it was dampened somewhat by the issue with the camshafts. Oh not to forget, I also got this:
It should be a Zep Racing Floor brace..bought this about 2 years ago!
So that is the current status - car only just getting worked on, some parts for the ultimate build arriving, some received in a decrepid state, some not, and a 4E-FTE engine acheing to be finished and installed.
So to return to the initial, and rather depressing statement, with the presumed two thirds quota out of the proverbial three, I am waiting now for the garage to inform me that they are too scared to touch my car in case they contract its aggressive strain of AIDS.
...
Buddha knows why I'm not at it (it's not a typo, bear with me)...on the return from a weekend in Bristol, I luckily decided I needed to empty my bladder, and so pulled off into a service station, and pulling into the parking spot I notice a prominent rattling sound emanating from the engine bay.
After much deliberation, I had come to the conclusion that it was somehow brake master cylinder/brake booster related, as the brake pedal sank to the bulkhead when the noise recommenced, and would also pulse. So, I was pretty much left with no brakes, 80mi from home, in freezing temperatures, though I was fortunate to have a service lodge to lounge around in for 4 hours!
I just don't know why I bother sometimes, should've just left the vehicle there to curse someone else! Anyway, the car is now at a local garage I know well, hopefully get a quotation soon.
