Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

Vintage Fly Guy · Joined: 27 Jun 2024 Posts: 179

Not so much what I did with my car today, but last Monday. I took it to a specialist classic car restorer to have the few 'bits and pieces' that were just starting to get a bit 'edgy' attended to.

I'd wrestled for a few years about whether or not to do this to an otherwise 100% factory original car, but eventually common sense won out, as those 'little bits and pieces' where corrosion was beginning to start would not stay little bits and pieces forever, and would eventually grow to require much more drastic work, losing far more original paintwork, than if if I had them professionally 'nipped in the bud' now, while there was still sound metal beneath to work with.

Fingers crossed, it's in excellent hands; I think mine is currently the cheapest car in there! It's stable mates include some sort of late '50s early '60s Ferrari hard-top coupe (stripped to a bare shell, placed on a spit and the subject of much new metal being carefully shaped and crafted in), along with two E Types undergoing similar treatment, plus a 1940s Rolls.

When I went to check them out a few months back, they had a Ford GT40 and a Ferrari Testarossa in there to, in varying states of undress, which have now been completed and returned to the wild.

It's still a bit unnerving sending a much-loved classic car in for work, even if relatively minor, so wish me and the car luck!

In the meantime, I'm getting on with painting the garage floor (I know my place!), so it should be dry by the time I get the Range Rover back.

Ray White · Joined: 02 Dec 2014 Posts: 7139 Location: Derby

I hope you get the Range Rover back with all the work done to your satisfaction. Remind us please, what model is it?

Vintage Fly Guy · Joined: 27 Jun 2024 Posts: 179

consul 57 · Joined: 09 Nov 2017 Posts: 584 Location: somerset

after the gears were getting harder to find when the car was hot i decided to investigate the rubber bushes on the consul column gear rods, gearbox end.
found quite a bit of play, i had changed the engine end a few years ago but put off the gearbox end as it is an oily mucky job with plenty of oil & grease around the rods.
now new rubber have taken up all the play and it seems to go into gear a lot better.
test run over the weekend i think.
another job off the 'to do' list for the winter.

Ray White · Joined: 02 Dec 2014 Posts: 7139 Location: Derby

consul 57 · Joined: 09 Nov 2017 Posts: 584 Location: somerset

yes not too bad a job, easy & cheap fix!
that consul looks nice except the red? should have sprayed the whole car i think.

Ray White · Joined: 02 Dec 2014 Posts: 7139 Location: Derby

consul 57 · Joined: 09 Nov 2017 Posts: 584 Location: somerset

Ray White · Joined: 02 Dec 2014 Posts: 7139 Location: Derby

I have had no chance of sorting out my TC lights as the P38 is coming up for it's M.O.T. and I need to somehow get the wiper washers working again. The reservoir is full and the pump motor is making a noise; I presume it is working... and so there must be a blockage somewhere.

I was also delayed by fitting new door mirror glass (both sides had discoloured badly) and then the battery went flat with the car stuck across the drive...YES, AGAIN!

Jean was not well pleased. Mad

bjacko · Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2025 6:13 am Post subject: Wiper washers

The Washers on my Rover work alright for the front windscreen but the rear one has never worked. I traced the tube all round the front end and then it disappeared into the body where it appears to be disconnected. So one day I will have to try and get it fixed. It is probably behind the headlining. I can't do much these days - old age!
Hope yours is easier to access?
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1938 Morris 8 Ser II Coupe Utility (Pickup)
1985 Rover SD1 VDP

ukdave2002 · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4242 Location: South Cheshire

MikeEdwards · Joined: 25 May 2011 Posts: 2713 Location: South Cheshire

I swapped the rear dampers and drop links on the daily driver the other day, to try to remove or reduce the clonks coming from the rear end. It's probably helped a little, but not as much as I hoped it would. The dampers are stiffer than the ones I took off, but there are still more clonks than I'd like.

By way of thanks for me spending some money on it, it's now being difficult to start after it's been left overnight. Once it's going, it'll be fine all day, but it's concerning first thing. I have visitors later in the week, so it's a concern, and I have to get it booked in for MOT soon as well.
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1976 Vauxhall HP Firenza, 1976 Vauxhall Sportshatch (x2), 1986 Audi coupe quattro, 2000 Audi TT

Ray White · Joined: 02 Dec 2014 Posts: 7139 Location: Derby

Ray White · Joined: 02 Dec 2014 Posts: 7139 Location: Derby

A quick update. I have checked that the nozzles are clear and they seem to be.

The bumper removal - contrary to my fears - couldn't have been easier. There were just two bolts which came out easily and the ends slid into plastic retainers on either side. It has obviously been of before and gave me good access to the three washer pumps in the base of the reservoir.

Unfortunately the battery went flat again before I could operate the switch to determine which of the three pumps on the bottom of the reservoir feeds the windscreen washers. I am also unable find a wiring diagram for the car so I can't establish which is which by the wiring colours.

I am thinking of disconnecting the rubber hose and seeing if the relevant pump is working. If it is, the next suspect is the non return valve.

Ray White · Joined: 02 Dec 2014 Posts: 7139 Location: Derby

As you look at it the right hand pump operates the windscreen washers. In fact the pump is fine. The problem is a non return valve. Of course, it is difficult to get at but perseverance pays and a new one will be sourced.

Incidentally, I am thinking of re instating the headlamp wiper/washers but as we know it all takes time...