Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

BigJohn · Joined: 01 Jan 2011 Posts: 954 Location: Wem, Shropshire

Road testing after setting the timing on the Escort this morning I snapped the throttle cable. Fortunately I was not not far from home, so I popped into a friends garage to borrow a screw driver and limped home on a wound up tickover. The first new cable I found in my spares was a pre 1969 so wouldn't fit, the second was the right one (ish) it had a Metric socket and I had an Imperial ball, so had to be drilled a fraction, but all good now. Happy Days!
_________________
1974 Mk1 Escort.

Ray White · Joined: 02 Dec 2014 Posts: 6304 Location: Derby

My P38 has resumed it's annoying practise of discharging the battery. It has gone from fully charged down to 2 volts in a few days. I guess it is due to the fancy relay under the passenger seat that keeps trying to even up the EAS. Now that I have the settings installed I need to swap it for a normal one.

emmerson · Joined: 30 Sep 2008 Posts: 1268 Location: South East Wales

Ray White · Joined: 02 Dec 2014 Posts: 6304 Location: Derby

Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22438 Location: UK

Today I cleaned up little Dodge and took it for a number of local hops, roof down as befitted the great weather.

RJ
_________________
Rick - Admin
Home:https://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk
Videos:https://www.youtube.com/user/oldclassiccarRJ/videos
OCC & classic car merchandise (Austin, Ford ++):
https://www.redbubble.com/people/OldClassicCar/shop

badhuis · Joined: 20 Aug 2008 Posts: 1390 Location: Netherlands

Checked the float needles of the Jensen because it did loose fuel. Cleaned, did not think it would help but it has solved the leak issue. Took the car for a fast drive Very Happy

The Chamois is on the car lift now, I have to check the front brakes as it has a tendency to turn left. Hopefully just an adjustment, but maybe a leaking wheel cylinder. I hate the drum brakes of the Imp, they always need attention. The car needs another bi-yearly inspection soon so I will do a thorough inspection.
_________________
a car stops being fun when it becomes an investment

Rootes75 · Posted: Sun Apr 07, 2019 1:05 pm Post subject:

Nothing done on the Commer today, we are still trying to find parts to finish her. We cleared some of the shed out and by use of our large engine crane we got the ERF's Gardner 5LW block inside under cover. Thats a start on the restoration.
_________________
Various Rootes Vehicles.

MikeEdwards · Joined: 25 May 2011 Posts: 2467 Location: South Cheshire

I took the Firenza out for a short drive - maybe six or seven miles - as it was a nice afternoon. It hasn't been out for a while, and I wanted to check it over. It all seems fine.

Rootes75 · Posted: Mon Apr 08, 2019 5:31 pm Post subject:

We want to get the 47 Hillman ready for a run at the start of May. I've spent some time today looking for new plugs, points etc.
_________________
Various Rootes Vehicles.

Rootes75 · Posted: Fri Apr 12, 2019 1:51 pm Post subject:

Not a good day yesterday with the car, had a day off work and weather was lovely. Started the Hillman and drove her out the garage and sorted a problem with the started pull sticking.

Problem was though whilst reversing her back into the garage the rear passenger wing got caught on a cardboard box, it managed to get wedged and in the process take the bottom 4 inches of badly filled wing surface off (filled during the 70's I might add). I was surprised there was that much filler there and the metal underneath looks pretty poor.

Maybe just to get by its some more filler skimmed over and a local bit of spraying. Ideally she should have a full rub down and respray but I dont have the time, money or inclination.

Not happy.
_________________
Various Rootes Vehicles.

badhuis · Joined: 20 Aug 2008 Posts: 1390 Location: Netherlands

Not working to my car, but to the garage. My garage door opens up immediately on the pavement and street. This is not a happy situation when I have to tune the engine: need to open or half open the garage door and have the engine running with the exhaust open to the pavement (and passers by). It also makes a lot of noise which understandably is not appreciated much.

In the past when I ran a small workshop with a friend in my garage we had a chimney installed with an electric motor underneath, with a long hose to stick onto the exhaust to suck away the exhaust gases. When the company moved to a bigger garage the motor and hoses went with it. There still was the chimney though so I bought a cheap secondhand motor and hose, plus a new flexible aluminium hose for the chimney and installed it all today. Had to make a split in the hose because the Jensen has two exhausts.
It works great, very happy with it.

_________________
a car stops being fun when it becomes an investment

peter scott · Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 7118 Location: Edinburgh

The last few times I've needed to start the SS I had to use the handle so today I bought it a new type 242 battery. Looking up my receipts I bought the last one in 2005 and it cost £70. It's replacement has just cost me £160. Sad

Can't complain about the life span though. The previous one to the current one was bought in 1993.

Peter
_________________
http://www.nostalgiatech.co.uk
1939 SS Jaguar 2 1/2 litre saloon

MikeEdwards · Joined: 25 May 2011 Posts: 2467 Location: South Cheshire

I ran the Sportshatch yesterday, to try to get it a bit used to starting, but I still needed a quick spray of Easy-Start in the front filter before it would go. Then I washed the lower half as I'm in the process of organising the stripes to go along the side - I'm not happy with the paint, but I think the stripes will just finish the car off, and they're not too expensive to get again when the paint is sorted. If I keep putting things off while I decide what to do with the paint, I'll never get anything done.

I've also removed one of the indicator / sidelight units to put some tape around the wires - I've never been happy with the three individual wires being visible, even though it's original. Just looks messy to me.

The other reason for running it is that I'm trying to get the fuel down to the minimum so I can remove the tank and stick some sealant in it. It's got a leak right up at the top somewhere - maybe in the seam between top and bottom pressings - so I can't fill it up without it dripping onto the rear silencer.

Rootes75 · Posted: Fri Apr 19, 2019 5:20 pm Post subject:

Thought I had lost a piston from my stripped down Gardner 5LW engine, searched through a lot of boxes and shelves this morning and luckily found it!
_________________
Various Rootes Vehicles.

peter scott · Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 7118 Location: Edinburgh

Currently trying to modify a battery retaining frame to allow me to secure the Type 242 I've just bought.

Peter
_________________
http://www.nostalgiatech.co.uk
1939 SS Jaguar 2 1/2 litre saloon