vulgalour
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 7,271
Club RR Member Number: 146
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Oct 16, 2017 15:08:17 GMT
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Dropped off one the small MGF individualiser blocks and one of the displacer fittings to a local engineering company today. I decided that the cost wasn't so much a factor as the hassle and risk with the pipe. I know from the way the fixing works that these individualisers stand very little chance of leaking and if they do they'll be very easy to seal with any number of plumbing type products. Ditching the pipes is, at this moment in time, sensible. If I want to reinstate the pipes at a later date I suppose I can, I expect I won't.
I only have a rough estimate based on how long they think the blocks will take to make and what the materials will cost. The displacer fitting is an unusual size and the hex bar they need to be made from is also less-than-standard so that adds a little extra as a result. Estimated time to machine each block was 3 hours and estimated cost for the set of four was £60-100. I'm going to budget £150 because estimates are estimates and hope it comes in closer to the £60 mark leaving me some cash in my pocket.
Time for completion is, ideally, by the end of the month. It's a funny sized job being not quite small enough to do in a day and not quite large enough to go in the order queue, so it'll be done between other things. This should also keep that estimate down a bit. I'm optimistic that this will fix the problem.
The other advantage to this is if I have another displacer fail it only takes out one corner, not the whole side of the car. If it goes gas-to-fluid I can then just fill that displacer up with more fluid to compensate as a temporary measure until a replacement was got. It just means the ride won't be quite as smooth as it was, in theory, though it might handle better if reports from MGFs, Metros and Minis with the same treatment is anything to go by.
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Paul Y
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,950
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Oct 16, 2017 16:27:23 GMT
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Ah Ha! Now I see the challenge! If the engine was out and your grinder was warm I can see how you could get it to work but with everything in situ I would put that one down as a no. Thanks for the education. P.  |
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melle
South West
It'll come out in the wash.
Posts: 2,006
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Oct 16, 2017 21:30:01 GMT
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Estimated time to machine each block was 3 hours and estimated cost for the set of four was £60-100. I'm going to budget £150 because estimates are estimates and hope it comes in closer to the £60 mark leaving me some cash in my pocket. Only 60 quid for 12 hours of work?! If they take a machine shop three ours each to machine they must be a fair bit more complicated than I imagined, so sorry for the rather useless previous advice. |
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Last Edit: Oct 16, 2017 21:31:06 GMT by melle
www.saabv4.com'70 Saab 96 V4 "The Devil's Own V4" '77 Saab 95 V4 van conversion project '88 Saab 900i 8V
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vulgalour
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 7,271
Club RR Member Number: 146
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Oct 16, 2017 22:55:21 GMT
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I can only tell you what they told me. Maybe they meant three hours for all four? I have no idea how long these sorts of things take to make. On the face of it they're a simple enough item but they need to be precise so I assumed that's where the time and cost came in.
No matter, it's an investment that should get rid of the main suspension problem I have at the moment so it's worth paying just for that.
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vulgalour
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 7,271
Club RR Member Number: 146
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Oct 17, 2017 15:54:49 GMT
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I discovered the problem with the 1100's schrader valves today as I happened to be at the unit for a few minutes sorting out some post. I may be the only person to encounter this issue and it's a really weird one. Please excuse the quality of the pictures, I only had my ancient phone-camera on me and it doesn't really understand macro. First, here's the good side which, I can confirm, works well and has decent pressure.  20171017-02 by Angyl Roper, on Flickr When I removed the cap from the other side it was full of fluid and the valve was slowly dripping. Gave it a prod with a screwdriver and a rag and that didn't really change. Then I noticed there was something inside the valve, which was a bit odd. A little bit of a dig and I was greeted with a facefull of fluid. So it DOES work! I couldn't really see what was going on so got the camera in to look for me.  20171017-01 by Angyl Roper, on Flickr It's full of what looks like fibreglass resin. Why? Why would you do this? Did the valve fail and this was the solution? I don't understand this at all. There's pressure in the system and I can at least get it to release if I have a dig at the pinkish stuff in the valve. I got it to stop leaking as best I could and put the cap back on for now because I haven't any fluid to pump this back up at the moment (cheers Princess). When I've got some fluid I'll remove this valve and replace it with one of my spares before pumping things up again. |
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Oct 17, 2017 17:24:11 GMT
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Some weird bodges out there in stoopid land!!
I would think 3 hours for all 4 blocks, probably quicker to be honest.
I think you need to find out how big physically the MGF units are as they would be your best repair option for the suspension if they fit.
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vulgalour
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 7,271
Club RR Member Number: 146
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Oct 17, 2017 18:26:06 GMT
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I need to get hold of one and measure it. There are kits that replace the MGF set up with conventional springs but it's EXPENSIVE and needs shocks which I have no idea how to fit on the Princess. ---- In slightly related news, I've got a new item in my little print shop which is topical: www.redbubble.com/people/angylroper?asc=u |
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Oct 17, 2017 19:31:06 GMT
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I'm not too sure without seeing your exact setup and inside a body chamber, but a coil over shock would probably fit in the same place with a bit of ingenuity.
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vulgalour
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 7,271
Club RR Member Number: 146
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Oct 18, 2017 17:27:30 GMT
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I've no doubt something could be made to fit but I imagine the ride would be very hard and one of the things I don't want to sacrifice is the floaty ride the Princess has, it's one of the most appealing aspects of ownership. I've got the Rover for when I want to be jiggled about and drive as if I'm on rails. ---- Let's have a happy Princess update for a change shall we? The carpet I redyed has cured and is ready to go in the car. The weather is clear, Mike is available to help with fitting everything and we can ditch the old black rug that's in there.  20171018-01 by Angyl Roper, on Flickr I've done this job a few times now, trying to improve the carpet each time and finally I've got a carpet I'm happy is complete, in reasonable condition and a colour I like. Just having the inner sill pieces complete alone has made a huge improvement to the cabin. It's also much less dreary in there than it was in all black. I really don't like all black interiors, I like a splash of contrast at least.  20171018-02 by Angyl Roper, on Flickr  20171018-03 by Angyl Roper, on Flickr The dashboard needs repainting again, or the paint stripping off back to the original orangey wood veneer. I'm going to try stripping the purple off first to see if I can salvage the veneer since it's a reasonable match for the carpet and if not I'll likely repaint it in copper or metallic orange to match up with the rest. I also need to get some fixings for that under-dashboard trim.  20171018-04 by Angyl Roper, on Flickr The only thing that went a little bit wrong was a wire for the rear cigar lighter pulled out of its spade terminal and needs recrimping so I haven't fully fitted the rear centre console yet. I would have done it today but the wire crimpers and spare connectors aren't at the house. Other than that, I'm really happy with this job. |
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Oct 18, 2017 17:45:47 GMT
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Coil overs would be a last resort to keep it on the road. I fully agree with you that the suspension is what makes the car.
That carpet is very bright! Looking good though.
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vulgalour
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 7,271
Club RR Member Number: 146
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Oct 18, 2017 18:06:24 GMT
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It's too orangey for crows.
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melle
South West
It'll come out in the wash.
Posts: 2,006
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Oct 18, 2017 18:31:51 GMT
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Funky!
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www.saabv4.com'70 Saab 96 V4 "The Devil's Own V4" '77 Saab 95 V4 van conversion project '88 Saab 900i 8V
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Oct 18, 2017 18:34:36 GMT
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its at risk of looking civilised inside !
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Oct 18, 2017 19:19:57 GMT
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It's too orangey for crows. You have to be a certain age to get that! |
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sal
Part of things
Mk2 Cavalier CD
Posts: 240
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Oct 18, 2017 19:57:14 GMT
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It's just for Vulg and his dog.
Yeah I'm old enough to remember it 😀
Carpets are looking great btw 👍
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Last Edit: Oct 18, 2017 19:57:55 GMT by sal
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Rob
Part of things
Posts: 252
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Oct 19, 2017 10:52:12 GMT
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Official Recipe for Hydrolastic Fluid:
The liquid is a solution of 49% alcohol, 49% distilled water, 1 % triethanolamine phosphate and 1% sodium mercaptobenzthiazole, which is of constant viscosity and has a freezing temperature of 31 degrees C. According to BMC, the particular reason this fluid is used instead of distilled water with an antifreeze is that this fluid IS an antifreeze solution of constant viscosity containing a rust inhibitor with an agent added to make the fluid distasteful. (This last was a legal requirement.)
A 50-50 mixture of methylated spirit and antifreeze (with a little radiator anti-corrosion added) can be used successfully with no adverse effects.
There were variations in the formula for Hydrolastic fluid between the UK and Australia. The firm of H.C. Sleigh (Golden Fleece) marketed a fluid to the following specification: Alcohol 50%, Water 24.45%, Bentmazol 0.05%, Ethylene Glycol 3%, (Bomar)? 0.50%, Union Carbide HB5100 22% (this is a viscosity improver).
the aussie stuff is a bit stiffer. this may save you some cash mate.
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Oct 19, 2017 11:34:11 GMT
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True story coming up - Not one I am proud of...
Back in 1988, I was an apprentice mechanic for Austin Rover and had many a metro to pump up most weeks. Fast forward a few months and a REALLY tidy Austin 1100 comes my way to replace my 105e that my big Sister kindly wrote off! It had been fitted with a gorgeous red leather trim and carpet etc but the outside was grey so I sprayed it Matt Black with scallops. I loved how it looked but thought it sat a bit 'high' to carry off the 'sled' look. So I figured to myself that the set up must be the same as a Metro right? i.e. A bleed valve each side front and a single one for the rear?
Errr.. No. I let down each front until it sat just right then stood back to admire my genius. It was then I noticed the back was so low that you could barely get a wheel off! So embarrased but in my defence, I left it like that and drove it everywhere for a year until MOT time. I loved that car!
Wish I could photoshop, you could then see how cool they look as a mini sled.
ps Nice carpet - liking the look!
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Last Edit: Oct 19, 2017 11:36:36 GMT by SmokeEm
96 E320 W210 Wafter - on 18" split Mono's - Sold :-(
10 Kia Ceed Sportwagon - Our new daily
03 Import Forester STi - Sold
98 W140 CL500 AMG - Brutal weekend bruiser! Sold :-(
99 E240 S210 Barge - Now sold
02 Accord 2.0SE - wife's old daily - gone in PX
88 P100 2.9efi Custom - Sold
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vulgalour
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 7,271
Club RR Member Number: 146
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Oct 19, 2017 12:55:12 GMT
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Rob: A bottle of fluid is less than £20 delivered and easy to get online. Importing the Australian version, or finding the ingredients to make it, isn't going to save me anything. Interesting info though, I'd heard a rumour that the Australian cars ran a different mix because of the different climate (ambient temperature affects ride height), that's the first time I've seen any proof.
SmokeEm: there was someone attending the Retro Rides Meadowhall meet in a similarly adjusted ADO16. They do look good really low but don't ride so well, as I'm sure you know.
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Rob
Part of things
Posts: 252
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sorry, i forget its way cheaper over there. 1l of fluid is 70+ dollars here if you can find it.
ive followed the recipie and it does work btw.
any more 1100 progress?
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vulgalour
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 7,271
Club RR Member Number: 146
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Oct 20, 2017 14:01:27 GMT
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wow, that is expensive!
1100 has had no further progress. The unit is too busy for me to get in at the moment and I'm still trying to save up for the panels the 1100 needs. Princess rather got in the way with suspensions costs so the savings pot took a bit of a hit.
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