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Aug 20, 2014 14:14:26 GMT
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These are amazing cars so you've made the right decision there sir...!!!
I cannot wait to see how this ends up and I'm sure it'll all come good in the end...
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***GARAGE CURRENTLY EMPTY***
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Aug 20, 2014 14:23:34 GMT
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Yes, because i need to reclaim some of the fortune i ploughed into it, driving a 1978 russet manual now. Sorry for the slight thread hi-jack but come on Rooster tell us more...!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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***GARAGE CURRENTLY EMPTY***
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Aug 20, 2014 19:36:44 GMT
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Yes, because i need to reclaim some of the fortune i ploughed into it, driving a 1978 russet manual now. Sorry for the slight thread hi-jack but come on Rooster tell us more...!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Probably mending the auto now as i cannot be arsed to dismantle it a second time!
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Aug 21, 2014 19:35:24 GMT
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Great to here that mate! You're like me, too far in to give up now!!!
I got the exhaust done tonight. I welded a nut to some plate to spread the load and act as a captive nut because its under the fuel tank. I need to tack it I tomorrow when I weld the hole in the floor up. I cant wait to hear what the zorst sounds like, loud I hope.
Annoyingly the glue didn't work on the stalk but I will try some different glue tomorrow.
Another irritation is the stone chip is flaking in a few places under the boot floor. Its not rusty so I'm thinking its just poor prep and can be solved with a wire brush, some acid etch primer and more stonechip and underseal.
Thanks for the support everyone, I'm more motivated than ever to get this beasty up that hill.
James
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Aug 21, 2014 19:41:47 GMT
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Last Edit: Aug 21, 2014 19:42:18 GMT by metroman
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Aug 22, 2014 17:42:32 GMT
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Another productive afternoon spent mostly collecting parts. I made a start at the boot floor hacking out the rusty metal until I got back to good material then cut out a template. The rib in the floor could be time consuming but I have a plan for that... Have some pictures. On an entirely different note, I am planning on respraying the car next week before the gathering and am looking for feedback on the idea of changing the colour, and if so, to what. Sadly I can't justify keeping the car much longer due to a lack of space and I'm guessing Russet isn't that popular? James
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Aug 22, 2014 18:22:48 GMT
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If you're not looking to keep the car, I'd just stick with the same colour. There's no point putting all that effort in, just for someone else to enjoy it all (And it'll cost a bit for supplies.....)
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Aug 23, 2014 16:53:06 GMT
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generaldogsbodyYou are probably right there, there is a real danger that I won't be able to let her go after all the work that's gone into her now! Another day of Dolomiting complete. I was able to recycle part of the old fuel tank from my E24 as it had a stamped recess that matched the contour in the boot nicely. And after a quick clean Tacked I think my welding is starting to improve More tacks Almost finished seam welding And after acid etch, seam sealer and some hammerite Underneath With the welding done I attacked the stone chip with a wire brush and got all the flaking stuff off. The metal was then cleaned up and etch primed before being given a good thick coat of underseal. With that one I cleaned out the boot and refitted the new fuel tank before making up a new fuel line. It probably would have started if the battery had charged but alas, that will have to wait for tomorrow. James
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Aug 23, 2014 17:43:48 GMT
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Great work. How I wish I could weld EDIT: Just a thought about a colour change. You could always spray it black. Would tie in the vinyl roof and boot lip quite well
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Aug 26, 2014 19:11:25 GMT
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Black does look good but after some further consideration I think I'm going to stick with the brown.
Despite the best efforts of the weather I've been able to make some progress although getting the respray done ready for the gathering is looking a bit too ambitious now.
To start with she was only come cranking and sparking but refusing to start, however with the float bowls filled up she fired and ran beautifully! This latest as long as the fuel in the bowls and she cut out as soon as it ran out.
Initially it looked like a duff pump as there was fuel before it but none after so I swapped it out with a known replacement from the stores. When this still didn't work I had to have a rethink. In the end I was able to trace the problem back to a blockage in the output pipe of the fuel tank. I used a vacuum brake bleeder to trace the block rather than pressurizing the lines which worked nic/ely.
I've also managed go repair the indicator stalk with q bond which I can't rate highly enough, and do an oil change.
There are just a few small jobs left before MOT time. Gathering here I come!!!
James
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After another day or so of faffing with bad earths, a dead alternator and seized brakes I finally got the old girl moving under her own steam ready for the MOT this morning... At the MOT this somehow happened! Now to hunt down an alternator, get some tax and start shaking down ready for the upcoming 372 mile round trip to the gathering... James
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Aug 29, 2014 16:40:39 GMT
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Great work on getting the car through the MOT. Hope the trip to The Gathering goes smoothly
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Sept 3, 2014 19:06:36 GMT
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It's been a few days so here's an update.
After the MOT I managed to trace the no charge problem back to the fan belt which was slipping. Insurance was a nice surprise at ÂŁ181 fully comp with Autonet which left me with just the non-functioning fuel gauge and an occasionally sticking starter motor. A 50 mile shakedown revealed mildly temperamental dip beams which flickered over bumps but this improved with more miles.
Good enough for me so on Saturday afternoon I hit the road for Oxford with as many spares and tools as I could cram in (I was very confident that I wouldn't regret not having any breakdown cover...). She got a bit warm trying to cruise at 60 so I slowed down to 55 and she stabilised. It appeared to have been a poorly bled system which was an easy enough fix.
After a very controlled and light evening at a pubic house that certainly didn't end in drunken trolley racing I woke up inexplicably still drunk hungover so a good friend I was staying with took the helm and we set off for the Gathering. Aside from having to resort to a hammer to get the damned starter motor to engage the trip was uneventful.
The Gathering itself was more than worth the effort, it was so much better than I expected, hats off to everyone and cheers for all the positive comments and advise. I can't wait for next year, I certainly be going. Photos to follow.
The drive back was completely uneventful and even with 3 people and a boot of crusty iron and tools she still managed 33 mpg.
And that was it until this afternoon when the starter gave up completely and will not engage. It did this last year and I turned down the plunger in the solenoid which did help for a bit but I think it's time to bite the bullet and buy a new one.
Next step - respray!
James
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Sept 12, 2014 22:21:45 GMT
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I'm not convinced the poor old girl is as excited about being put back into regular use as I am...
The new starter motor did get her firing up on the button again but I've been hit with a more problems.
After a 20 minute drive to drop of the GF I was again unable to start the engine which was traced back to the switch on the side of the gearbox which had come loose and immobilised the starter. I bypassed this only for her to conk out minutes later in traffic. I was extremely lucky to have a beautifully prepared TR6 track car in a gorgeous maroon paint scheme behind me piloted by a very good chap who quickly helped diagnose the issue to fuel starvation. A splash of fuel from the jerry can in the back got her up and running for long enough to fill her up. So much for the new fuel sender which was still reading 50%...
With these troubles behind me, the carpets back in, exhaust leak fixed and fan belt tightened I was feeling reasonably confident about a trip this evening down to Chichester to view a house for the GF and my to my delight it went really well. Until 10 miles from home. When the belt suddenly got very loud in traffic and snapped. This lead to a slow and steady cruise home with an eye on the temperature and volt gauges which remained steady until about a mile away when the temperature shot up and I shut her off.
Tomorrow I'm going to replace the belt and investigate fitting an electric fan. I've been filling / bleeding the cooling system by unbolting the expansion tank and suspending it from the bonnet to try and bleed any air out of the system. So far this has been the most effective way of keeping the temperature constant that I've found but I'm concerned I'm missing something. It took very little to get too hot. I'll investigate further tomorrow.
James
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djefk
Part of things
Posts: 844
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Sept 13, 2014 8:26:55 GMT
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Have you tried back-flushing the rad? If not I'd do that first, followed by feeling various parts of the core when hot so you can check for blockages, if you still have some then it's time for a re-core. You shouldn't need to upgrade the fan.
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Sept 14, 2014 19:53:27 GMT
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I did fully flush the system through about 18 months ago and since then it's had the correct antifreeze in it but I suspect it may need doing again. I will check for blockages tomorrow. Cheers!
James
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Sept 14, 2014 20:30:30 GMT
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You are turning the heater onto hot when bleeding the system aren't you? To be fair, mine, even with the Fiesta rad and Volvo expansion tank, does get hot when stationary, VERY fast.
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Sept 14, 2014 21:24:28 GMT
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The heater isn't currently plumbed in as it was leaking (subsequently repaired) and I've not got around to sorting it as of yet.
I took the car out a couple of times today and did hit traffic but it stayed cool so I am hoping the problem is cured, for now anyway.
James
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Sept 18, 2014 20:19:40 GMT
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Despite running really well and keeping a steady temperature even at 70 of a dual carriage way I'm very concerned that the head gasket has failed as the cooling system keeps pressurising. I'm pretty sure this car is cursed.
If it has gone I'm not counting on being able to get the head off so am taking the engine as scrap. Before I do anything silly like buy some MX5 running gear to bolt in, is there anything else that would cause the system to pressurise? The hoses remain pretty solid even after the engine has cooled and even if opened with real care the expansion tank spits water out.
James
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Sept 18, 2014 20:58:06 GMT
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Its running really well with no overheating and you've already decided the engine is scrap? Seems a bit hasty.
Tell us more about this pressurising business, what are the symptoms exactly?
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1974 Lancia Beta Saloon 1975 Mazda 929 Coupé 1986 Mazda 929 Wagon 1979 Mazda 929 Hardtop 1982 Fiat Argenta 2.0 iniezione elettronica 1977 Toyota Carina TA14 1989 Subaru 1800 Wagon 1982 Hyundai Pony 1200TL 2-dr 1985 Hyundai Pony 1200 GL 1986 Maserati 425 Biturbo 1992 Rover 214 SEi 5-dr 2000 Rover 45 V6 Club 1994 Peugeot 205 'Junior' Diesel 1988 Volvo 760 Turbodiesel Saloon 1992 Talbot Express Autosleeper Rambler 2003 Renault Laguna SPEARS OR REAPERS
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