Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[alastairq]

[Ray White]

I must have been exceptionally lucky when I found my 1930 Austin Swallow. Not a crossed thread or incorrect fixing anywhere. Although the car had needed considerable repair to the Ash frame, everything else seemed to have been properly serviced. The only real problem stemmed from someone not realising that new standard pistons in a worn block would not work. The engine started easily and ticked over very nicely but was completely lacking in power. The car would only go along at walking pace!.

Once I had established what had happened and had the block re lined I was able to use the new pistons and all was well.

[ukdave2002]

On my 1939 Morris 8 SE I discovered that someone in the past had fabricated a visually fantastic section of the chassis..in fiberglass!

Initially I has angry, but my as father pointed out, in the early days of the 10 year test/ MOT, many folk with shallow pockets would do what they could to keep a vehicle on the road, and if they had not , chances are the vehicle would have been scrapped.

Whilst not applicable to who ever bodged Ray's TC, we perhaps should be grateful to the bodgers of the past for at least keeping some of our vehicles alive!

[Ray White]

[Ray White]

So...just as I thought I might be over the line with this build...another set back.!

I was just telling Jean that the restoration was finished when she noticed a petrol smell. On further investigation I found the petrol leak was around the sender unit on the tank. I thought I had done everything I could to avoid this; including sealing the screw threads, but my efforts have come to nought.

I was never happy with the condition of the original sender unit so may well order a new one. I am hoping it will come with an ethanol proof gasket.

I wonder if Wellseal is effective as a sealant in the presence of ethanol petrol?

.

[alastairq]

[bjacko]

I always thought these floors were plywood?
_________________
1938 Morris 8 Ser II Coupe Utility (Pickup)
1985 Rover SD1 VDP

[Ray White]

[ukdave2002]

Yes the SE has plywood floors, the boot floor is part of the chassis, they don't usually rust, or certainly are not the first part of the chassis to rot!

[Ray White]

So I investigated the leaking sender unit again today. I have jacked up the rear of the car and removed the spare wheel to get a better look. I shall firstly need to drain the tank. Although I could probably reseal the sender unit with the tank in situ, the paint has been badly damaged so it seems I shall have to remove it for repainting. The spare wheel support frame also really needs to come off to avoid further paint damage.

Once the tank has been drained, the fuel line will have to be disconnected. Both the rear wheels will have to come off so I can get to the bolts that attach the tank to the rear wings. When the bolts are removed I will then need to detach the two tank straps and remove them. To do this the hood needs to be erected so as to give access to the bolts in the back panel. It is then a simple matter of removing the strap securing nuts at one end and the two bolts at the other.
I will need to be very careful not to damage the electronic hydrostatic sender unit so may need to remove it also.

I am not sure how much paint I have left; hopefully I will not have to buy more!

Jean thinks someone is trying to tell me something. Perhaps it is the spirit of Jack Bond the first owner, who came to grief while racing TC10,030 in Australia. He lost an ear and nearly died in an accident.

Maybe I am not meant to finish this particular car?

Who knows?

Whatever is going on, it is all getting a bit much.

[ukdave2002]

The cars not called Christine by any chance?

[Ray White]

[Ray White]

On reflection I am tempted to try and repair the paint with the tank in place.

Having drained the petrol out and removed the sender unit, the cause of the leak, it would seem, is entirely self inflicted. The gasket that I made from normal gasket material had soaked up the Stag Wellseal and eventually dried out.

I thought about buying some 'Flexoid' gasket material but on further investigation the sender unit is not even working. There seems to be a unique, fine spring which has broken and the general condition is poor, so, as they are available, I will buy a new one which will come with a gasket.

.

[Keith D]

Ray,

I am impressed with your professionalism that you have maintained over what has turned out to be a very long restoration.

I'm sure it won't be long now before you can reap the benefits of basically a brand new TC.

Keith
_________________
1926 Chrysler 60 tourer (100 years old! - a genuine antique!)
1950 Austin A40 tourer
1999 BMW Z3
Its weird being the same age as old people.
You are either part of the problem or part of the solution

[Ray White]