|
|
|
Aug 12, 2022 11:12:14 GMT
|
This car has had the odd mention here and there on here on my Invacar and occasional distractions thread since I bought it...far longer ago than I care to think about. As it's actually arrived at my house now though I thought it made sense to split it off so those with an interest in Luton's finest are more likely to find it. This car was once owned I'm told by a fairly well known Vauxhall enthusiast with a large collection of cars who sadly passed away a few years ago. It was one of a number of vehicles then bought as a job lot by a local friend. I had deliberately tried to avoid looking at it when I was over there as I've always had a soft spot for the first generation Cavalier and I knew I'd wind up trying to buy it. Two days later he formally put it up for sale...the result being pretty inevitable. While there are a couple of areas which will need welding, by the usual standards of one of these cars which hasn't been restored this one is astonishingly solid. -- -- -- Fast forward to Wednesday morning... Moderately busy day today. It started out helping a friend carry some parts for a car they were having delivered today. The Caddy is supremely useful at times like this.  With that car deposited it made sense to also pick up something I've been waiting to have delivered for quite a while now as the car being delivered was dropped off at the same location mine was waiting for collection at.  Which magically materialised at my driveway 15 minutes later.   My original plan had been for the BX to move on first, but transport for that is still pending a confirmation date so we now have an excess of beige.  This means I now have the car somewhere where I can start working on improving it.   The missing tailpipe will be a simple enough fix for now. I had this bit of pipe still sitting around from when I was messing around with the system on the Jag.  Which happens to be exactly the right diameter, length and even has a swadged end so I can clamp it straight on the existing pipework. All I need to do is add a hanger and then this can stay as it is until I track down the correct silencer. It does actually sound quite pleasing at idle but I suspect it will be boomy when actually driving. Sadly with the weather forecast this week being in the 30s for the rest of the week I can't see me getting much done. -- -- -- Then yesterday afternoon's very brief bit of investigation. Time to take a little look at the Cavalier. First up, I of course have my priorities right and had to fix this. Before: After:  Doesn't that look so much less neglected now? Some further observations. [] Stereo wiring. This is going to require some immediate attention before it makes me tear my hair out.  Especially as I've ascertained that several of those wires are live. [] Those tape holders need to go.  They just look wrong in a 70s car to me. Likewise the 80s gear knob and gaiter. The gaiter I can probably live with, but the gear knob is just wrong and looks totally out of place. [] Heater fan is non functional. We knew this going in. It is drawing power so is probably just seized up from sitting. Access is okay it looks like we it's all in the engine bay. Also on the subject of heating, the temperature slider is seized. [] Dash lighting looks to be 3/5ths working. We have 50% of the instrument panel and the heater controls. Half the dash, rear window defroster switch and the clock are currently not working.  Speaking of the rear window demister switch, I was kind of surprised to find that the indicator tab on the switch to show it's on is purple...I was expecting white, maybe orange or green...but not...purple.  Random detail, but it pleases me. While on the topic of colour, my camera really can't pick it up but the main beam light on the dash is a really nice ultra saturated deep blue. In fact all of the lights on the dash are very, very vibrant (in a way that sends CCD based cameras running screaming in terror). It's pretty much useless trying to photograph the red ones, they just turn out magenta.  Yes I'm going to geek out over the dash... it's an aspect of automotive design I've always had a big interest in and I greatly enjoy seeing examples like this where a designer has managed to inject a little flair into what is actually a very basic panel that could have been utterly boring and still worked just as well. [] Ignition light is intermittent. Just a poor lamp holder contact it seems as tapping the dash gentky always wakes it up. [] Windscreen washers don't, and the wiper blades are precisely as wrecked as you'd expect. [] Clutch release bearing (or throw out bearing to our American readers) is really rather noisy. Yes, this is how easy this car starts. [] Rear parcel shelf. Some very 1980s carpet covering the speaker holes. I will be wanting to put some decent speakers in there anyway...so the fact someone has already hacked some holes in there in my mind is a really good thing given it means I can do that guilt free.  [] Door dents. I've had a couple of suggestions for folks who might be able to improve this situation so will see where that goes.  I've picked up oil and an oil filter for it...that amounts to the grand total of what my local factors can get for this car in terms of service items, so I'll need to do some online shopping it seems. Which brings us up to date. I'm not really expecting anything meaningful to happen before next week as it's just far, far too hot for me to do anything. I really can't deal with heat so am spending a lot of this week hiding in the couple of rooms we can keep to a comfortable temperature. |
| |
Last Edit: Aug 12, 2022 11:17:00 GMT by Zelandeth
Current fleet: 73 AC Model-70. 75 Rover 3500. 84 Trabant 601S. 85 Sinclair C5. 06 Peugeot Partner 1.6HDi.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Aug 12, 2022 11:47:01 GMT
|
|
Looks like its been converted from auto to manual using Manta console and gear lever, is it 5 speed if so thats a result the Cavaliers never got that
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Aug 12, 2022 16:36:38 GMT
|
|
Thanks gtviva,
That (potentially) answers my question about auto scripting on the boot but obviously manual gears,
Nigel
|
| |
BMW E39 525i Sport
BMW E46 320d Sport Touring (now sold on.)
BMW E30 325 Touring (now sold on.)
BMW E30 320 Cabriolet (Project car - currently for sale.)
|
|
|
|
|
Aug 12, 2022 22:23:14 GMT
|
Looks like its been converted from auto to manual using Manta console and gear lever, is it 5 speed if so thats a result the Cavaliers never got that Correct, this has a Manta five speed manual in. Which I imagine will make the car quite a lot more pleasant on longer distance drives. Just needs a slightly less modern looking gear lever fitted. -- -- -- Quick job today was to bridge the broken bit of the vent line from the fuel tank. Oddly just one bit had gone crispy and shattered, the rest of the tube is perfectly pliable. So just stuffed a bit of fuel line to replace that little part.  Apparently this worked as the boot (and by extension the entire interior) no longer stink of fuel. I have also got into the back of the heater blower and drowned it in penetrating oil. I suspect I need to pull it to bits and clean up the bearings directly, but will see if this helps tomorrow. I notice that I'm missing the cover from the back of both headlights. Anyone still got any of these floating around in a box somewhere?  I noticed something...or rather noticed the absence of something in the cabin. Not actually missing, rather something the car just has never had. Here are the grand total of your driver controls.   Nothing down here aside from the radio if it was still there.  Figured it out yet? No rear fog lights! Welcome to 1978 I guess! While they are all holding air, the tyres definitely won't be going anywhere near the road beyond possibly a walking pace trundle round our block.  Changing these was already on my plan, immediately below "make the brakes work" anyhow so no surprises finding that perishing. |
| |
Current fleet: 73 AC Model-70. 75 Rover 3500. 84 Trabant 601S. 85 Sinclair C5. 06 Peugeot Partner 1.6HDi.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
If it was one of Ians I should think its been done properly, there were differences between the autos and manuals like a throttle damper on the carb and a different advance on the distributor which may or may not make a difference but its worth knowing, If you havent got the radio housing extension you will struggle to get anything deep in as well
Might be worth asking bilbomk1 as it looks like he may have lots of bits hes not going to use on his
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Aug 15, 2022 21:59:02 GMT
|
If it was one of Ians I should think its been done properly, there were differences between the autos and manuals like a throttle damper on the carb and a different advance on the distributor which may or may not make a difference but its worth knowing, If you havent got the radio housing extension you will struggle to get anything deep in as well Might be worth asking bilbomk1 as it looks like he may have lots of bits hes not going to use on his I believe it is, I really need to dig out the old posts related to this car from wherever they are. I'm not actually missing all that many bits I'm aware of. Headlight rear covers, three wheel trim rings, the centre caps (no surprises there then), rear silencer, and the trim strip from the NSR door. Realistically the NSF one too as it's pretty well twisted. Useful to have pointers towards folks who might be able to help though. Stereo space hopefully won't be an issue as whatever goes in there will be mechless anyway so shouldn't need too much depth. One question I do need to answer is what clutch is fitted as the release bearing is obviously unhappy. I know the gearbox is from a (later) Manta...though whether the clutch would be for the Cavalier, Manta or whether they're the same I simply don't know. |
| |
Last Edit: Aug 16, 2022 23:24:53 GMT by Zelandeth
Current fleet: 73 AC Model-70. 75 Rover 3500. 84 Trabant 601S. 85 Sinclair C5. 06 Peugeot Partner 1.6HDi.
|
|
|
|
|
Aug 17, 2022 23:47:14 GMT
|
Had a spare hour this afternoon so got a bit of tinkering on the Cavalier done. Surprisingly the heater blower motor had freed up while it was stewing in penetrant, so I quickly threw that back together for testing.  This was then left to run under careful observation for half an hour or so. The bearings are a bit grumbly so I think it will want replacing long term. It's definitely working on both speeds though and seems to be shifting plenty of air on both speeds.  While staying in the vicinity to keep an eye on the blower to ensure it didn't burst into flames I was successfully able to free off the temperature blend flap in the heater box, so the temperature control now also works properly.  I've confirmed that it does actually supply hot or cool air properly depending on the position as well rather than just the lever moving and doing nothing. The action has come back pretty good actually, which I wasn't banking on as the linkage was quite crusty. Didn't even get much by the way of junk out of the vents. I think a new set of heater hoses should probably be on my shopping list.   Mmm...crusty. Though after 44 years I think we can forgive that and say they've done their time. Think in the interests of reliability I'll be looking to change all of the coolant lines. I need to pop the aux belt off and check to see how the bearings in the water pump sound, as something is making a bit of noise, most noticeable when the engine stops. Reckon it's either the water pump or the alternator. Spotted this light in the boot somewhat at random.  Initially this caused a bit of head scratching as I couldn't immediately find the switch. Turns out to be quite a tiny little thing hidden behind the nearside hinge mount.  It's a little normally closed switch which is pressed by the hinge as the boot lid is closed.  Initially this was resolutely dead. Turned out we had a poor contact on the power supply lead, in the lamp holder itself *and* at the switch. Once all of these had been cleaned up we had a working light.  Of course having established the light worked there was a very important test to then be made.  Excellent, yes the light does actually turn off when the boot lid is closed. While not massively bright it is actually useful.  Upgraded with an LED lamp like I used in the boot of the Jag I reckon that would work pretty well. While the windscreen washers did very briefly work, they immediately died. This turned out to be because the reservoir was full of slime. No surprises there then. This was left soaking for several hours with a dishwasher tab in.  This didn't really do anything so it's been left with some bleach in to see if that will do anything to it. I have also bolted my temporary tail pipe on, just need to come up with a hanger for it and I can tick that off the list of things I need to worry about for a while. An order of about £200 worth of miscellaneous bits and pieces has gone into Autodoc. Given that none of my local factors could find anything beyond the oil and filter (or bother to actually pick up the paper catalogues) so the internet it was to be. Beyond this order the items I'm aware of still needing to pick up before we can think about taking our first tentative, 10mph test run round the block will be a pair of front brake calipers (or at least a rebuild kit if I'm really lucky), a set of tyres and I think I'll just plan on replacing all of the coolant lines. Sure we'll find plenty more things to add to that list once we start digging! Oh...wiper blades. See? Told you I'd have missed something. |
| |
Last Edit: Aug 17, 2022 23:51:09 GMT by Zelandeth
Current fleet: 73 AC Model-70. 75 Rover 3500. 84 Trabant 601S. 85 Sinclair C5. 06 Peugeot Partner 1.6HDi.
|
|
|
|
|
Aug 18, 2022 11:36:27 GMT
|
|
The clutch release bearing is the same for the 4 speed or 5 speed so shouldnt be a problem, if you need a clutch there may be 3 different diameters so you may need to measure what you have 1st, with front calipers there were 2 different makes used and yours should be the twin piston fixed type, the later ones went to a single piston sliding type
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Aug 18, 2022 12:02:54 GMT
|
|
Making good progress, the doors do look like most of the dent should come out, there are airbags designed to be stuffed in the door and inflated to push that sort of dent out.
You might even think about getting a dent repair specialist round to get most of the dent out, they usually will give you idea of how much they can get out as part of the quote and you can save a few quid by removing and re-fitting the door trims yourself.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Aug 19, 2022 11:08:37 GMT
|
|
Ruddy superb...
I do like these!!
|
| |
***GARAGE CURRENTLY EMPTY***
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Aug 26, 2022 10:45:30 GMT
|
A box of goodies arrived yesterday morning for the Cavalier.  Which despite the best efforts of Yodel who judging from the condition of the outer box had defaulted to "drop it from low earth orbit" as the preferred delivery method, all appeared intact.  In here we have: [] Air filter. [] Front brake discs. [] Brake pads. [] Rear wheel brake cylinders. [] Distributor cap and rotor arm. [] Thermostat. [] Spark plug set. [] Fan belt. The thermostat hasn't given me any indication of issues, but I've had mixed luck with them sticking after a while in cars which have been laid up so changing it feels like cheap insurance against that happening on the first long run the car does. Things started out well...predictably.  Distributor cap: Wrong.  Rotor arm: Wrong. Though to be fair the one on there looks pretty much new. Of course being from Autodoc there's no point in even trying to return them. The air filter was at least correct.  The one that came out wasn't too dirty but had been thoroughly squashed and was a loose fit in the housing. Reckon someone had put the lid on without properly seating the filter element in the past.  Fan belt was slightly longer than the one already on the car but was well within range of the adjuster, so that was a nice simple swap.  Neither the bearings in the water pump or alternator feel bad. There's a tiny bit of play in the water pump, but we're talking really tiny. Think I'm going to need to find something to use as a stethoscope to see if I can more accurately pin down where the noise is coming from. Failing that, wait until it gets a bit louder and becomes easier to track... I've been pointed at a couple of marque specialists who look to have some parts I'd not yet been able to track down in stock, plus things like the correct ignition system bits. So reckon there will be an order heading their way soon. |
| |
Last Edit: Aug 26, 2022 10:47:35 GMT by Zelandeth
Current fleet: 73 AC Model-70. 75 Rover 3500. 84 Trabant 601S. 85 Sinclair C5. 06 Peugeot Partner 1.6HDi.
|
|
|
|
|
Aug 26, 2022 13:34:25 GMT
|
Same thing with my FD Victor. <adenoids>Oh yes, that was built in the second half of Week 36 so it uses the alternative Delco part not listed in the official paperwork but everybody knows about that change. Remember that they changed back in Week 39 after the industrial strike at the plastics suppliers in Bootle.</adenoids> |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Aug 26, 2022 20:53:14 GMT
|
Same thing with my FD Victor. <adenoids>Oh yes, that was built in the second half of Week 36 so it uses the alternative Delco part not listed in the official paperwork but everybody knows about that change. Remember that they changed back in Week 39 after the industrial strike at the plastics suppliers in Bootle.</adenoids> Oh my first car was clearly a Friday Afternoon Metro...It featured such joys as a metric braking system on the left and imperial on the right. So that's a game I'm familiar with! Realising now that it's entirely likely this isn't the original distributor given I know that this car had an issue with a persistent misfire in its past so that may have been changed - will need to check what type should be fitted. -- -- -- Today was the day of waiting for tradesmen who were meant to be coming to do survey/quote work. Out of the four, one turned up. So I was left with a day where I couldn't really go anywhere or do anything major as I was waiting for them. Of course the one who did turn up did so within two minutes of the end of their 2-4PM window. This meant it was a day of small jobs on cars etc. First up was an oil and filter change on the Cavalier. The oil which came out was a lot dirtier than it looked on the dipstick and reeked of fuel, but there was absolutely no metal in it and while it was dirty there weren't any chunks in it. Filter was well and truly stuck on there but eventually relented and came off.  That's definitely been on there a day or two and had very nearly rusted through around the base. Can't say I'm that thrilled with the replacement.  I've never had any issues with Napa stuff personally, but a filter that's been sourced from an OEM so cheap they've not even put any form of markings on it save for a wonky plastic label just doesn't instill confidence. Methinks I'll be buying the next one from elsewhere so it can be a Mann, Wix or Bosch one. Takes the same filter as the Invacar I now know which is helpful as it minimises the difference things I need in stock. Did notice something less than ideal when crawling around for the drain plug (which is quite awkward to get to because it's towards the rear of the sump and the engine is a long way back already).  While I'd poked several bits of surface rust in the vicinity of this bit, apparently I totally missed this crispy but of chassis rail. It's absolutely not the end of the world, it's a simple rectangular box section so pretty easy to reconstruct, could have done without it though and I'm irked with myself for not spotting it before. I did wonder if it was historic damage from jacking improperly or something, before I realised the cause.  That damage lines up absolutely perfectly with the centre of the dent in the nearside door and the slight kink in the exhaust. Was clearly caused by the telehandler fork when the car was picked up (though it's obvious the area was weak before so would have needed work sooner than later anyway). It's just never nice when you find structural bits that have turned crunchy. Also noticed while changing the oil...I suspect I may need to come up with something more durable than duct tape to cover this unused PCV port in the rocker cover.  Though it's clearly been on there a while and is well and truly stuck...guess it's a good demonstration that this engine doesn't have much blow by... The oil is now looking rather cleaner, to the extent that it's kind of hard to see on the dipstick even after letting the engine run for half an hour or so.  Was really quite surprised how little oil it took, pretty sure including the filter it was just under four litres. Was expecting nearer to five. I get the impression that a new set of shock absorbers probably wouldn't be a bad idea. They're kind of crusty, though do seem to be working for now at least.  Well nobody had showed up by then so I got the vacuum cleaner and cleaning supplies out and went after the interior.     Pretty sure this must have had a going over when it arrived with the previous keeper as aside from being a bit dusty it really wasn't bad. Though the plastics are basically just drinking the conditioner, which is why the dash top currently looks patchy. Once the seats and carpets have been shampooed it will pretty much look like new in there I think. Even as it is, for a 44 year old car you can't fault how that's come up. I really don't understand why car makers insist on making interiors so dull these days, what was wrong with a bit of colour? Is there some unwritten rule which says we can't make an interior look warm and inviting any more? I did notice today that one of the headlights has previously been used on a higher trim level car at some point as it has a scratch on it from a wiper which this car has never had.  Moving on from there I went and checked the various fluid levels on the rest of the fleet, checked all the tyre pressures, topped up the steering box on the van, and paired all my socks. Still no sign of contractors. Eventually they did turn up, but not before I had time to change the tyres on my bike and tick off another couple of jobs on that. |
| |
Current fleet: 73 AC Model-70. 75 Rover 3500. 84 Trabant 601S. 85 Sinclair C5. 06 Peugeot Partner 1.6HDi.
|
|
|
|
|
Aug 26, 2022 21:21:04 GMT
|
|
Re: Oil filter, the Napa ones here are a good brand and the labels look like that...
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Sept 5, 2022 20:15:37 GMT
|
Unsurprisingly not been much going on over the weekend between initially having guests arrive then immediately being plunged into isolation when one of them tested positive for COVID on the first evening here. This afternoon I escaped outside for an hour though determined to do...well...anything useful. So targeted the fuel system on the Cavalier. The main tank to front line on this is nylon and is in fine condition so I see absolutely no reason to disturb that. The rubber line from the tank to that nylon line has already been changed (it was leaking back when the car was at it's previous home), however the front end lines haven't been touched any time recently. The one that goes to the carb was way too long as well and would get in the way of the (missing) warm air duct from the manifold. This car has worn a plethora of carbs when a historic running issue was fought with so that may well explain why the routing seemed odd. A quick careful reshape of the steel line and a shorter length of hose made things far tidier on that side.  The other side of the engine is a little more awkward as the fuel pump from the engine bay is totally hidden by the alternator - access from underneath is fine though.  I've replaced the inlet side hose there, outlet will have to wait as I don't have any more fuel hose clips the right size and don't want to reuse those jubilee style ones. I added an inline fuel filter as well as there was no evidence of one having been fitted anywhere before.  The suction side lines that came off are branded GM. Makes me wonder if these might even be original.  I'd have expected fabric covered lines probably given the age, so reckon they're replacements off a later car - quite prepared to be proven wrong though. Not in terrible shape but they were just starting to go. Managed to get the traditional oily handprint somewhere.  Very much looking forward to getting the engine bay in this car...getting fed up with getting covered in grime every time I touch it. |
| |
Last Edit: Sept 5, 2022 20:17:19 GMT by Zelandeth
Current fleet: 73 AC Model-70. 75 Rover 3500. 84 Trabant 601S. 85 Sinclair C5. 06 Peugeot Partner 1.6HDi.
|
|
|
|
|
Sept 7, 2022 18:37:06 GMT
|
Good to see another Mk1 getting some love,it looks to be a half decent example that is very savable. From the servicing side of things i use these guys. Whilst they are based in Germany they are able to supply most of what i've needed in the past. www.edelschmiede.com/shop/I'm looking forward to seeing this progress. |
| |
1980 Vauxhall Cavalier MK1
1970 Mobyleete 40T custom
1978 Mobylette 50V
1965 Moulton Standard
1979 Raleigh Grifter custom
1980 Raleigh Grifter
1982 Raleigh Grifter BMX custom
1982 Raleigh Bomber
1987 Strida
|
|
|
|
|
Sept 15, 2022 9:31:18 GMT
|
It's been a little while since I've had time to do an update so time for a bit of a catch up. Giving the engine bay a bit of a clean up had been very much on the wishlist since the day the Cavalier arrived. It really wasn't bad given the age of the car, but nevertheless was grubby enough that whenever you touched anything in there you got covered in gunk. It needed a clean.  Especially down here.  The underneath of the bonnet was pretty unpleasant too.  A not insignificant amount of degreaser was deployed and left to soak for a bit while the pressure washer was dug out and set up.  After 20 or 30 minutes things looked quite a bit better.    It's not perfect but has got rid of most of the major grime and will make working on the car a lot less unpleasant. I was really surprised that I didn't even need to crack out the WD40 to get it started after the cleaning, it just started up as though nothing had happened. I did give the rest of the car a once over while I had the pressure washer out. Difference isn't that dramatic from a distance.   However if you looked up close before and after the amount of moss, lichen and general gunk that was blown out from the gutters, around badges, under trim etc was quite impressive. The amount of surface grime that was blown off the paintwork was also actually visible.  Will still need some major attention with the polisher before it's actually shiny, but at least it's vaguely clean now. Other paintwork issues included this blue overspray on the nearside rear quarter.  I wanted to see whether this would just buff off with some cutting paste. Turns out the answer is yes, which also gives us a glimpse of the actual colour the car will be once cleaned up.  I would have liked to finish that panel but it decided to start raining then which meant I had to abandon it right after that photo was taken. For a normal family car from the closing years of the 1970s there is a surprisingly large amount of brightwork on this thing, all of which is quite dull. Unfortunately there are dents in both the front and rear bumpers, but the chrome work itself seems in good condition. I hit one little spot on the rear with some Autosol polish to see how it would clean up, the results are encouraging.  Getting that all polished up will make quite a big difference to the car I think. Yes by the way, that did actually happen before the cleaning at the start of this post, hence all the gunge you can see under the trim on the rear quarter. Work on the braking system has now commenced. Before I could do much I needed to confirm exactly what type of calipers I had fitted. Knowing they both need attention (or replacement) I figured pulling one off the car for inspection was a good starting point. Based on prior experience on other cars I was expecting this to be quite a war, likely involving several hours of me smacking myself in the face with breaker bars and swearing at the car. The caliper to hub mounting bolts are (for good reason) generally very tight, and given the low mileage of this car quite likely have never been removed before. I was thrown a bit of help on this one though as I have enough room to get the impact gun in there.  This rattled the bolts off in a few seconds each, so I had the caliper off the car and in my hands in about ten minutes, including jacking the car up.    The inboard piston retracted quite readily (thankfully as there's quite a lip on the discs so I'd not have got it off otherwise), the outboard one however is quite firmly stuck. I know the discs are shot which is why new ones are already in the boot. I need to have a look around and find out whether these calipers are readily available for sane money or whether I need to look at rebuilding these ones (or getting a professional to do it for me). I'd probably opt for replacement as my first choice as it gives me a good "it should just work" solution without me needing to buy any more equipment I don't already own. I do already have new wheel cylinders for the rears in stock, though I'm giving those the chance to work before I condemn them as I've generally had pretty good luck with them before and this car has not been sitting *that* long in the grand scheme of things. I'd rather not wind up having to replace all the rear axle hard lines (which from memory look to be in good shape) if I don't need to because I'd tried to remove a wheel cylinder that turned out to work just fine. Once the brakes are sorted the main thing between it and a careful barely above walking pace trundle round our estate will be getting this previous welding repair that has failed sorted. Given the proximity to the subframe mounting I'm not willing to drive the car until that's been sorted.  The other two sides of that box section feel fine and access is decent with the wheel off so I'm hoping this won't be the worst repair to do. As far as I'm currently aware this is the worst bit of rust on the car, and it's not a surprising one as it's a very common place for these cars to go from what I've read. The other welding needs doing before the car is used in anger, but it's nothing which concerns me for a sub 20mph trundle on very quiet roads at a quiet time of day, that bit though is firmly under the "it ain't going nowhere unless it's on a trailer/transporter until that's fixed" category. Which brings us up to date I think. |
| |
Current fleet: 73 AC Model-70. 75 Rover 3500. 84 Trabant 601S. 85 Sinclair C5. 06 Peugeot Partner 1.6HDi.
|
|
|
|
|
Sept 21, 2022 22:59:15 GMT
|
After a certain amount of patience, brute force, swearing and assistance from compressed air (seriously, how did I function without having compressed air on tap in the garage?) we have had some success getting movement out of the caliper I've taken off the Cavalier.  That piston is moving relatively freely. I reckon once it's cleaned up it will probably be okay. The other piston is moving pretty readily for a few millimetres, but nothing beyond that. Most likely because there's a rust ridge we need to get past. I ran out of time when I was working on it on this occasion but we'll get back to it soon. |
| |
Current fleet: 73 AC Model-70. 75 Rover 3500. 84 Trabant 601S. 85 Sinclair C5. 06 Peugeot Partner 1.6HDi.
|
|
|
|
|
Sept 22, 2022 23:08:12 GMT
|
That piston cleaned up not too bad. Some surface tarnish, but nothing too dire.  This piston moves easily and smoothly by hand, so I'm not going to pop it out for now. That would simply ensure that I absolutely definitely would need to change the piston seal. I've given it a dose of rubber grease, refitted the (cleaned) rubber boot and am leaving it be. The other piston however is still refusing to move fully out. I'm struggling to get any real force on it and can't really apply heat because I'm having to hand hold the caliper while working on it. This really is one of those jobs which would be a thousand times easier if I had a workbench with a vice handy. Given that I'm struggling with this one piston already and I know the driver's side caliper is even worse (it had to be split and the pads removed to get the car rolling originally I'm told), I think that I'm going to hand this job off to a professional outfit. Once I've got both calipers off I think they'll be getting sent off to Bigg Red Brakes to be refurbished. I know a few folks who have used them, and have had nothing but praise. That's good enough for me. I'd personally trust a set of professionally rebuilt calipers than some random no-name set from goodness knows where that eBay claims will fit... Rears at least are simple as the cylinders were readily available for something silly like £6 each for good branded ones (which I already have). Those I'm giving the opportunity to work before I pull stuff apart - I've had pretty good luck with drums before, so we'll see. |
| |
Current fleet: 73 AC Model-70. 75 Rover 3500. 84 Trabant 601S. 85 Sinclair C5. 06 Peugeot Partner 1.6HDi.
|
|
ChrisT
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 1,670
Club RR Member Number: 225
|
|
Sept 23, 2022 5:13:06 GMT
|
|
Great work so far.
Seized brake calipers are always fun to work with, don't blame you using bigg red.
For reference, I believe BMW E21 had the same calipers...
|
| |
|
|
|
|
