Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[Rick]

[Rootes75]

Not a good day, in applying some heat to the Commer Thermostat housing to remove a seized in retaining ring the top end of the casting fractured!
Its not the main body but the section that the hose slides over, it did have a hairline crack in it that we noticed and that has now expanded and a chunk of casting fractured completely off.
To top it all the retaining ring is still seized solid so the plan now is to cut that out and remanufacture one and hopefully an expert welder with many years experience at my work will weld the casting back together.
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Various Rootes Vehicles.

[MVPeters]

Just an idea..........

If you can't get that retaining ring out, can you get to the end of the t'stat?
If you can, just cut the bellows supports & get the circular valve & the guts out. Wire cutters should do it - it's usually flimsy brass.
You'll be left with the original t'stat mounting ring - the effect will be to have the t'stat always open.
It's probably not wise to take it out altogether - think of a garden hose with or without a nozzle - the pump needs some pressure to circulate correctly.

Just an idea..........
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Mike - MVPeters at comcast.net
2002 MINI Cooper 'S'

[Rootes75]

Finally got everything out of the thermostat housing, what an effort that was.
My friend is going to repair the fracture in the housing so now it is back to finding a thermostat.
Just a thought, we have a spare engine for my ERF, its a Gardner 5lw. You would never guess but it has a bellows type thermostat, we have spent the morning removing, or at least trying to remove it. On first look at the size it may fit but until its removed we dont know. It may be the stroke of luck we are looking for.
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Various Rootes Vehicles.

[norustplease]

Absolutely nothing beyond checking the Volvo's oil and water and then taking her for a blow around the local country roads for an hour in the sunshine. I haven't taken her out for about six weeks and it was very enjoyable.
Must lubricate the clutch pedal linkage though....it is squeaking again!
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1953 Citroen Traction
1964 Volvo PV544
1957 Austin A55 Mk 1
Boring Tucson SUV

[Ray White]

I took advantage of the nicer weather today to take the Dodge out for a spin. As there is only a week now before it goes up for auction ( H & H Duxford sale 20th March) I thought I might as well make the most of it. Driving this old tourer you sit up high and take in the views as she bounds along the quieter roads. The ride is surprisingly comfortable which is surprising as there are no shock absorbers but it does have very long leaf springs. It is quite a big car and feels substantial. 3.5 litres of side valve engine produces masses of torque but it has to be said these cars were built for comfort rather than speed. That said, with only two wheel brakes (rear; external and internal) you don't feel the need to over do things.



Some photos taken last year when the weather was a bit warmer - to say the least!

[consul 57]

refitted the newly chromed front bumper & over riders to my 57 consul.
looks a lot better, sadly the old spot lamps now let it down so i now need 2 better ones!

[Rootes75]

Where did you get the plating done? Is it the chap in Worle?
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Various Rootes Vehicles.

[Da Tow'd]

[MikeEdwards]

Painted the last of the four road wheels for my daily driver. This job has taken ages, not least because of the thickness of paint and stuff on the wheels that had to be removed, and the fact that I can't take the car off the road long enough to have someone blast them for me. Managed - once again - to catch the still-wet lacquer through my own mistake, so there's a mark on it before it even goes back on the car. So I'll have to figure out if I can fix it, or live with it.

[consul 57]

[emmerson]

Yet another virtually drive-through MOT on my 1987 Talbot camper. Three very minor advisories, all on surface corrosion.
Once again showing the value of regular inspection/prevention, rather than all at the last minute.
Ramps, wire brushes and pressure washer this afternoon, then Waxoyl over the weekend. Oh how lovely!

[Penguin45]

Blowing ball joint on exhaust replaced with something a little more substantial.

IMG_6832 by Penguin 45, on Flickr

Welds tidied up and back on the car. Much better.

P45.
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'67 Wolseley MkI 18/85, '70 Austin MkII 1800 The Landcrab Forum.

[badhuis]

Very clever. What is the idea behind it? That the manifold does not break when the exhaust is hit by something?
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a car stops being fun when it becomes an investment

[Penguin45]

The 'Crab has a transvers engine, mounted on rubbers and they do rock a little. The front pipe is clamped at the manifold and on a bracket at the back end of the gearbox. There has to be a flex point after that to allow for the rocking motion. This can be a spiral wound flexi, or a ball joint. Either way, neither one works well, as the spiral type splits apart quickly and the last ball joint one just separated after less that 1000 miles.

The one above will still swivel, but the springs and bolts mechanically hold the thing together. £20 from a local exhaust place.

Off to the NEC shortly, so we'll see if it stays together.

P45.

(I'll be on the Wolseley Owners Club stand - come and say hello!)
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'67 Wolseley MkI 18/85, '70 Austin MkII 1800 The Landcrab Forum.