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Feb 28, 2013 12:24:12 GMT
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Sometimes it is the smallest of jobs that can give the most satisfaction... I know that years of hard graft and dedication to a full on resto' or modification program can reap huge rewards and massive self gratification and rightly so, but sometimes those little tiddly jobs can raise an equally broad smile! For example my Mk1 Granada needs a good deal of work doing to it...! At the moment I cannot afford to get it done nor do I have the skills to do it adequately myself yet I had to change an indicator bulb the other day and this led to a thoroughly satisfying 'little job' being done... To change the bulbs you have to take the indicator lenses off... 35 years of dirt and grime were on, and in said lenses so in the sink they go with a good dose of washing up liquid in hot water and 10 minutes later they are pretty much as good as new!!! A little job that, although is insignificant in the grand scheme of things, made me feel strangely proud of myself...!!! I guess what I'm saying is is that no matter how much you know you've got to do to your car, even doing the smallest of tasks can re-boost your mojo and spur you on to do much more. So come on, don't be shy, what insignificant jobs/tasks/time-wasters gave you the wobbles...?!?!?! Have some racing Consul GT's for your troubles...
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***GARAGE CURRENTLY EMPTY***
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Feb 28, 2013 12:40:18 GMT
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Something I used to do on a lot of my motors was clean all the lenses put and replace as much of the bulbs as possible with LEDs as soon as I got it. Really satisfying having nice clean bright lights on a retro so no plonker runs into the back of you!
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Feb 28, 2013 13:08:15 GMT
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Replacing points with electronic ignition is always a worthy small job that reaps large benefits.
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Volvo back as my main squeeze, more boost and some interior goodies on the way.
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Copey
Posted a lot
Posts: 2,845
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Feb 28, 2013 13:21:22 GMT
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when i got the Capri the grill and headlamp bezels were white and debadged the grill then painted em black, made a massive difference, even if the car was still a bit of a shed at that point before after
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1990 Ford Sierra Sapphire GLSi with 2.0 Zetec 1985 Ford Capri 3.0 (was a 2.0 Laser originally)
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Granadaman72
Part of things
I likes Granada's, Cortina's, Sierra's, Viva's, Marina's....................
Posts: 483
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Feb 28, 2013 14:00:13 GMT
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True, little jobs can be very satisfying, the Sierra was due in for MOT last week and had started ticking over quite badly but its always been a little spluttery/lumpy etc. So i whipped the air filter off to look at the vacuum pies, one reconnected pipe and one taped up perished fitting later and she runs like a dream again, 10 minute job win, got a Mot pass as well, very satisfying little job
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Bufort
Part of things
Posts: 66
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Feb 28, 2013 14:06:18 GMT
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i spent an hour fiddling with the dashboard and clock surround of my capri, so the heater switch would flick fully up and not get stuck before actually turning on!
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'06 Buell XB9 Lightning
'86 Ford Capri
and a billion other bikes covering all disciplines.
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fogey
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,614
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Feb 28, 2013 17:55:54 GMT
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Wheels and windows . . .
Just repainting or even cleaning the wheels can really lift a car, and your spirits
Windows? Well a large percentage of the surface area of the average saloon or estate car is glass and just cleaning that can make a dramatic difference to the overall appearance.
And on my modern daily? Finally managing to get the bleedin' airbag light to go out resulted in a great sense of achievment.
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luckyseven
Posted a lot
Owning sneering dismissive pedantry since 1970
Posts: 3,839
Club RR Member Number: 45
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Feb 28, 2013 18:38:03 GMT
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And on my modern daily? Finally managing to get the bleedin' airbag light to go out resulted in a great sense of achievment. Lol. Paperclip? I spent a day making replacement side repeaters cos I couldn't find any clear ones that would fit the humongous hole left by the enormous orange stock ones I try not to think of it as OCD so much as... errr.... mania ;D
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Feb 28, 2013 18:51:48 GMT
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I've spent a very 'pleasant' couple of hours tidying up wiring in the engine bay,or simply just tidying out the boot,and making sure all my 'breakdown' stuff is in good order (jump leads,tow rope,jack etc etc) beats putting shelves up anyhow!!
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Bufort
Part of things
Posts: 66
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Feb 28, 2013 18:58:26 GMT
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I've spent a very 'pleasant' couple of hours tidying up wiring in the engine bay,or simply just tidying out the boot,and making sure all my 'breakdown' stuff is in good order (jump leads,tow rope,jack etc etc) beats putting shelves up anyhow!! yeh, i don't think shelves in the boot for your tools are a good idea.
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'06 Buell XB9 Lightning
'86 Ford Capri
and a billion other bikes covering all disciplines.
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Bufort
Part of things
Posts: 66
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Feb 28, 2013 19:01:34 GMT
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when I got the Capri the grill and headlamp bezels were white and debadged the grill then painted em black, made a massive difference, even if the car was still a bit of a shed at that point before after how long did it take you to do the grill? your car looks significantly rustier in the second pic!
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'06 Buell XB9 Lightning
'86 Ford Capri
and a billion other bikes covering all disciplines.
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Copey
Posted a lot
Posts: 2,845
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Feb 28, 2013 19:16:03 GMT
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yeah, thankfully it wasnt long after that it got a re-spray
the grill took about an hour to do, not a hard job really, just need 2 grills, chop the badge out of one grill, chop the top n bottom slats off the 2nd grill, glue em into the gaps left, glue on some supports behind the slats, once dry skim of filler, sand smooth, prime, then paint
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1990 Ford Sierra Sapphire GLSi with 2.0 Zetec 1985 Ford Capri 3.0 (was a 2.0 Laser originally)
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Feb 28, 2013 19:17:39 GMT
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For the last two months I've had a set of crossovers I was given when I brought a set of tweeters, I fitted the tweeters and forgot about the crossovers and it was terrible so I disconnected the tweeters and forgot the whole lot. While sitting waiting to pick a young lady up from work I decided to fit them at long last, thanks to the breakdown kit in the boot the job only took ten minutes and the smiles I got from finally getting the job done and watching the confused people walk past as much of my dash is laying on the path next to me.
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Feb 28, 2013 23:17:21 GMT
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I drive Volkswagen
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goldnrust
West Midlands
Minimalist
Posts: 1,880
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I was always someone who looked for the bigger picture ,but recently I've found more and more fixing the little things make all the difference in making a retro car liveable with everyday. The ultimate small touches that make all the difference for me are all about the controls. A couple of hours greasing pedal and gear linkages, oiling cables and then adjusting pedal heights so my feet can flow across them easily and heal and toe nicely just makes a world of difference. If the throttles nice and light, I use it more and the car feels more eager. If the clutch is smooth and the gear linkage tight and slides easily into each gear then it's just a pleasure to use and I just enjoy driving 100x more The other thing that I've always gotta fix is interior lighting. Nothing worse than getting into a dark car where the courtesy light doesn't work, or having blown bulbs in the switches on the dash so you can't see where they are at night. Little things that just make life less frustrating
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^^^ I've experienced interior lighting issues but that was when I went to turn mine on and it fell to pieces and the failed to turn on....I've now been waiting over a week for one from evil bay to arrive...it took me a month to find it but that will be one of these tiny jobs that make life better.
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i like seeing the glass all clean and streak free, and the tyres and wheels nice and clean! makes the biggest visual difference to any car.
I also like making sure the doors don't creak or groan when opening, sounds so much better!
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1967/8 Isuzu Bellett 1969 Isuzu Florian Deluxe
Never buy a car you cant push...
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^^^ Completely agree with the glass and wheels thing sir...! Super clean glass can make a hell of a difference (looks good from the outside, feels great from the inside!) and getting the wheels looking A1 can transform a car completely... ;D
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***GARAGE CURRENTLY EMPTY***
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86mike
Part of things
Posts: 453
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I get a huge sense of satisfaction out of checking the fluid levels and topping them up, also checking tyre pressures are correct.....
Any kind of un-sticking of mechanisms is a total win :-)
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bortaf
Posted a lot
Posts: 4,549
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First thing i do to any old car is take out the dash, replace all the bulbs with LEDs, Tcut the clock perspex cover and refit, hmm gauges you can read
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R.I.P photobucket
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