Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[vitesse]

I was member 22 of that club for years, but I gave up eventually it was very clique. You are correct you can only go on their forum if you pay a membership, which makes it even more clique IMO. As you know you can search on their old forum still but no doubt that will disappear eventually.

[colwyn500]

I will have to ask Rick
I was back in the garage this evening doing a proper job on one of the front hub bearings which has been loosely assembled with dirty grease for several years.
I had to move the car which still hasn't even got a handbrake which was a bit hairy. I have one more handbrake mechanism to strip and then once some new brake springs arrive I think that's it for parts and serious restoration.
Who's cheapest or best to supply parts in UK because I am finding delivery is over a week from the continent.?

[colwyn500]

When I first started this restoration I refused to be drawn into doing any mechanical work. I did the worst first which leaves me , at the very end fiddling about with some very basic mechanics. here is the rear brake drum which is attached by four M12 setscrews. These are very tight so I try to remember to loosen them whilst the wheel is still on the ground to give some resistance and stability.
BRA_7888 by peterthompson, on Flickr
Taking off the brake shoes is fiddly but stress free since all the bits are being replaced.
BRA_7892 by peterthompson, on Flickr
The handbrake mechanism is seized and the cylinder setscrews really corroded in but with a lot of determination everything is out.
BRA_7893 by peterthompson, on Flickr BRA_7895 by peterthompson, on Flickr

[vitesse]

TBH inside mine wasn't a lot better, but everything was still functioning. My drums needed a bit of persuasion to come off as the drums had seized over the years. Good luck with the shoe springs they drove me batty and lots of grazed knuckles.

I have never ordered anything from any UK suppliers by post as I have Ricambio down the road. But they are very expensive in comparison to Europe.

[colwyn500]

Thanks Tony. I must admit the price difference has made my question academic. So the parts will be jetting in from Germany.
I do get the impression from the descriptions that many of Ricambio's parts are either genuine or better quality than some othet companies.
At least the repro tyres from Holland were good quality although I didn't realise that they weren't Pirelli. They are Cinturatos but apparently not made by Pirelli but possibly by a Turkish factory.

[vitesse]

[colwyn500]

Tyres do get made under licence or moulds can be sold when the original manufacturer finds it uneconomical to continue. I realise that manufacturing is international with many tyres since my modern car has "identical" Michelin tyres made in different countries; one of them comes with a deeper tread!
BRA_7914 by peterthompson, on Flickr
But the new Cints do not have the embossed name "Pirelli" on them, unlike the originals, which, although not conclusive, seems odd if that's what they are; the tread pattern is almost the same.
BRA_7916 by peterthompson, on Flickr
They do look taller and narrower but i think that changes when fitted on the rim and inflated.
BRA_7915 by peterthompson, on Flickr
The make seems to be "Formula" but I can't find them on Google.
All of the existing tubes on my car are also Pirelli and have that old slogan "British Made" printed on them. I was going to buy new ones but even the local tyre fitters suggested re-using, so where possible I am doing for now.

[D4B]

Hi Peter,

My 1961 Peugeot D4B (now sold) still has the same old inner tubes which were in it when it arrived here from France, and they are at least 30 years old.... never caused me a problem and never even needed inflating! Held their pressure faultlessly for the 4 years I owned it....

Cheers Steve

[colwyn500]

I only had to replace one tube after all.
Tomorrow I plan to finish all the remaining jobs including bleeding brakes then the wee guy should be ready to fly.
It will just leave the niggle with non charging dynamo.
Heres one of the Ebay photos that originally persuaded me to buy him.



454b_1 by

[D4B]

[colwyn500]

Me and the car have come a very long way in 5 years!
I can't help thinking that we've swapped places though.
Now I'm the one with a useless spare tyre who looks a bit frayed at the edges

[colwyn500]

Just a few shots to show how things are going.
Car complete with grease marks etc and a few touch-up bits needed doing. Still not polished.
At least it looks like a car and drives out of the garage.
I'll get a proper set done after the MOT maybe a couple of weeks away.
Main target still brakes but i bought a pressure bleeding kit so that should take care of the car's notoriously awkward brake bleeding issues.
BRA_7967 by peterthompson, on Flickr
BRA_7965 by peterthompson, on Flickr
BRA_7963 by peterthompson, on Flickr
BRA_7962 by peterthompson, on Flickr
BRA_7960 by peterthompson, on Flickr

[D4B]

Congratulations Peter, "MURPHIO" is looking fantastic, an excellent job of which I have thoroughly enjoyed following, not long now. Steve

[kevin2306]

Looks gorgeous, bet you cant wait to hit the open road

Kev

[vitesse]

Looks brilliant Peter. You have done an amazing job on MURPHIO considering how close to visiting the great scrapyard in the sky he came. You must be really chuffed and rightly so.

Are they the original bumpers? Steering wheel and speedo look like they cleaned up well.