Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

pigtin · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 1879 Location: Herne Bay

The sun is shining so I dragged my aching old bones out to the garage to do a couple of long overdue jobs.
I now have the correct distributor for the Sprite, one with the wires coming out of the side rather than the top and rubbing the steering shaft.

It’s a good time to change the starter, as it’s impossible to remove it without removing the distributor first.

Jacked to car up about 18” at the front and water ran out of the bodywork. It’ three days since the car was in the rain so it must have developed camel-like tendencies for storing water… bodes ill for it’s future.

Fitted an almost new disc-commutator type starter. Anyone know if these are better than the earlier barrel commutator ones? After finding the distributor leads were 180% out to the old one I moved them and it started beautifully and, when driving, seems to have another 10bhp at least; with any luck a better fuel consumption as well.

Dirty Habit · Joined: 26 Mar 2008 Posts: 398 Location: West Midlands, UK

Well done. I know what it feels like to get moving. But you have inspired me, I off out to the garage. Laughing

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1964 International Harvester

pigtin · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 1879 Location: Herne Bay

I'm knackered now, but the wine at dinner might have contributed.

pigtin · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 1879 Location: Herne Bay

Knew it was a mistake to go out to the garage in the first place. Apart from the water running out of my Sprite I saw some damp in my wifes "painting studio," which is a lean-to on the back of the garage. Risking life-and-limb I climbed up a stepladder and found a great strip of felt torn off by the wind.
It seems once one job is done, another always takes it's place. Crying or Very sad

Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22472 Location: UK

Brian M · Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2008 7:57 am Post subject:

This could also go in the workshop disasters thread.

Many years ago a friend had replaced the cills on his Standard Ten, and then got the sloshing noise when braking and realised he hadn't created drain holes in the new cills.

He put both ends of the car up on axle stands and started to drill suitable holes. He just managed to let go of the drill when the first hole released the water straight into the drill!
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Brian
1970 Volvo Amazon and 1978 Safari 15-4 Caravan
Classic Safari Forum: www.classicsafaris.co.uk