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spartacus

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  1. Like
    spartacus reacted to Mr Pastry in Do you ever feel tied in?   
    You have to look at what a car costs you for the time that you own it.  Stating the obvious maybe, but if you pay £3600 for it and spend £4400 on it, then sell it for £4400 then it has cost you £3600.  Spread over say 3 years that's £100 a month, which is not so much for a hobby which also provides you with transport.  Plus running costs of course, but you could easily spend that much in the pub. 
     
     
  2. Like
    spartacus reacted to doug in eBay tat volume 3.   
    Spotted this and was going to see it but it got snapped up within the hour.

    Sent from my SM-J330FN using Tapatalk


  3. Like
    spartacus reacted to The Moog in Moogs Motahs - sinking the seat   
    Current motorhome comes with a gas fire and fan. The fan has stopped working and I think it is the controller knob - a new one is £70.

    At that price it got me thinking - gas is a bit of a pain when we want to wild camp. I can sell the old gas fire on eBay for reasonable money - hopefully getting somewhere close to break even

    A touch more money and I get a diesel heater - which will free up space plus won't be so dependent on gas.

    Stuck it in basket


    Went to pay

    Bargain

    Came pretty quickly


    Time to get fire out



    That's a nice bit of cupboard space. A turret and feed from diesel tank were sourced.

    Fitted turret then test fit in location


    Fits nicely and the leads etc should go in existing runs.


    The heater chucks out a lot of heat according to internet, so the main outlet is going behind the passenger seat - out of the way of dog paws.

    Happy with location I took the step of cutting a hole in the floor



    As you can see, the turret is a little short - bigger one has been ordered.

    The power cable to the fuel pump can run through the old duct and out.

    Power feed can go to the battery


    Took the time to check the distribution unit. It got a bit of a clean and put back



    The diesel feed comes from the fuel sender - it has the benefit of using vans fuel.

    Removing the send was case of pulling up front mats, unscrewing the access cover and then getting unit out.


    Only stumping bit was the unit had a metal ring sealed with 7mm bolts, then had to be prised out. It took videos on YouTube to confirm this was the way - I normally expect a big plastic ring.

    Carefully drilling a hole in the top, the tube then feeds through to inside the unit


    All reinstalled


    Started the van up - just to check.

    Next steps -
    Run fuel lines
    Mount pump
    Mount fuel filter
    Fit bigger turret
    Run big cables to battery
    Enlarge the vent hole
    Refit ducting
    Seal and bolt down the unit
    Mount air filter
    Mount exhaust
    Cap off gas pipe
    Build cupboard in the new space
    Block off old vent
    Fit ducting to run to bathrooms


  4. Like
    spartacus reacted to The Moog in Moogs Motahs - sinking the seat   
    Gave the smart a little bit of love.

    The stereo was draining the battery and also the ciggie lighter has stopped working.

    A mechless Bluetooth unit was ordered and old one pulled out. It had some scotchlolsloks behind it as I think there must have been an amp in it.


    Stripped off the lower cowl

    Whizz with Dremel and made it large enough for a volt meter usb quick charger.

    Put it all back together


    Now have decent tunes and can charge my phone.



  5. Like
    spartacus reacted to Spurious in Spurious' Jimny thread. Probable blocked 🐱   
    Beading on a Primera with knackered paint? Surely not. 
     
    (It actually hides the chips rather well tbh) 



  6. Like
    spartacus reacted to dome in Domes shonky autos - Manta progress!   
    Thanks! There's some lovely clean Manta Bs and I wouldn't rule anything out but the allure of a 400 kit is probably going to be hard to resist. In one step I'll get new wings, arches and sill covers which will help hide a multitude of sins. 
    Plus, just look at this😍😍😍

     
  7. Like
    spartacus got a reaction from Barry Cade in Domes shonky autos - Manta progress!   
    I'm pleased to see you've managed to find one locally and haven't had to travel to Europe, it would have made a great thread but ultimately been a pain.
    The shape of that one is very pure, I'd be wanting to make a sleeper but I can also see the allure of a 400 kit, a local had one back in the day with a RV8 fitted and he was a bit of a hero in it.
  8. Like
    spartacus reacted to dome in Domes shonky autos - Manta progress!   
    I've been poring over the classifieds and crying at the prices complete sheds of Mantas were going for. Yesterday morning one hove into view which had potential and a more bearable price. Messages were exchanged with more pictures and by yesterday afternoon a deposit was paid and collection booked.
    So, what have I bought?
    Here she is.

    Good points.
    Non sunroof coupe shell
    Tax and MOT exempt soon I think
    Been on the road certainly for the last 10 years or so at least.
    Bad points
    Rust
    Rust
    Rust
    Rust
    Rust is inevitable on one of these-the mot history shows plenty of welding over the years so it'll be doubt be a patchwork quilt underneath.
    Plans(look away now purists)
    Strip it and get the shell blasted to reveal the state of the shell
    Cry at the state of the shell
    Drink heavily for a while
    Add metal to make shell whole again(may involve professionals)
    Buy a 400 bodykit and fit it(more professionals required)
    Paint it white(again, professionals)
    Find a suitable* running gear-big modern NA 4 cylinder is the plan, to keep in the spirit of the original. Honda S2000/Ford Duratec or the likes is on the list at the minute. By the time it's anywhere near going on the road though petrol might be extinct so I may need to rethink this. 
    Interior wise TBC but comfy and insulated for long distance cruising
    Completion time? Yes
  9. Like
    spartacus reacted to barrett in eBay tat volume 3.   
    This looks incredible!


    Currently £100, no reserve, and just down the road from me...
    https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/333980835288
  10. Like
    spartacus reacted to Asimo in eBay tat volume 3.   
    One owner, low miles and OVERDRIVE!
    https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104131313664

    Nearly a bench seat, nearly a flat floor.  Anyone want my van?
  11. Like
    spartacus reacted to MarvinsMom in eBay tat volume 3.   
    https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/284276421956?hash=item423031f544:g:yzMAAOSwL3hgiplT
    i present to you all an Allegro Vanden Plas, in a truly EPIC colour!

  12. Like
    spartacus reacted to meggersdog in eBay tat volume 3.   
    He's warmed your cockles with his magic tricks
    Glasses, bottles,bottles, filter tips
    John Player special
    number 666

    https://www.handh.co.uk/auction/lot/lot-lotus-elan-2-130s5-john-player-special/?lot=52950&so=0&st=&sto=0&au=496&ef=&et=&ic=False&sd=0&pp=48&pn=2&g=1
    might have to buy it after the watershed
  13. Like
    spartacus reacted to Heidel_Kakao in Estate(s) of the nation - Gagging to get started on Volvo 265 GLE project 😀   
    I had an even better idea, I am going to have the power steering pipes extended and route them neatly on the inner wing well away from the manifold. I am still trying to avoid wrapping the exhaust if possible as I love how it looks. As long as I don't get fuel evaporation issues on a  hot day due to under bonnet temps then I don't plan to wrap the manifold.
  14. Like
    spartacus got a reaction from richykitchy in Does AS have a resident Citroen SM? If not, it does now!   
    Wow, please accept a virtual award from me, that is brave purchasing. In the absence of any comparison that front end doesn't look bad to me.
    Can we have more pics and details soon please?
  15. Like
    spartacus reacted to Shite Ron in Come on down, the price of shite?   
    16, I just counted them in my signature, some need more work than others.
  16. Like
    spartacus reacted to jaypee in Jaypee's 300td Merc - Unbearingable.. 23/07/21.   
    So, today (Wed) I had a day off and the possibility of having a long lie, that was soon shattered when I realised the Merc MOT was booked in for 10:30. Not too early I hear you cry, indeed, however, the car was a 45 miles away, so, that meant earlyish rising, well, before I would normally get up for work. First port of call was to collect @320touring at c. 08:30, I arrived at the pick up point, and was delighted to see him, and 2 cups of coffee, in cups that were coiffeable whilst driving. We made pretty good time, (the benefits of size 12s and 10* stone of weight...) and arrived at the unit at the back of 9. First order of the day was to put the 10l of diesel (yes, actual diesel, from a fuel station #swoon) that I brought with me, in the tank. The first 5l went in no hassle, and the second started fine, however stopped after about half, to my surprise (the gauge doesn't work) the tank was full, I must have filled it with more veg in the intervening months than I remembered. She started up, and was a bit grumpy, but soon settled down. 

    09:35 we were off! @320touring in the support vehicle... A gentle bimble through the local town to the motorway allowed me to recalibrate my driving style to 'relaxed'. On to the motorway and up to 70, she sat quite the thing, it drives well now, as the front wheels don't flop about independently. I did however notice a fair bit of brake vibration, and rode the pedal for a bit, which helped. The rest of the journey was uneventful, and we arrived at the MoT station about 10:15. The brakes were still quite funky, so a few good, hard stops in the industrial estate brought them right back around. The car was parked and the keys deposited to the nice man! 
    Then, it was time for the most important thing..... BREAKFAST! 
    I had 2 rolls with bacon and potato scone, @320touring had a roll with square sausage and black pudding, we both washed it down with a large coffee #decadent. An hour or so of talking pish passed, and we witnessed a boy in a 10 tonne chiller truck effectively handbrake turning it into the petrol station, which was nice.... 
    With the GOV website unbothered, we decided to head back round to see what was what. 
    WHAT HAPPENS NEXT WILL SHOCK YOU........ 
    We rounded the corner, and the merc was nowhere to be seen.. @320touring wittily quipped, 'do you reckon that they have scrapped it for you already?' 😂. As we parked up, we were met with a familiar odour.... #VEG, the merc rolled out and we got out the polo... The magic words were heard being uttered from the mouth of the station owner 'it's a pass'..... 
    #success

    The owner of the station and his dad were both quite impressed with the old bus, and fondly remembered the OM603, as 'F*cking cracking big engines in them'
    Here is a happy, and slightly surprised/relieved fellow

    BEHOLD THE MAJESTY*

    After a quick comfort break, it was put straight to work, 6 e30 BBS were removed from the garden and transported to the unit. I let Neil drive it through, he seemed to be pleased with how it drove. I was impressed with how composed it looked from behind, now that it has some form of damping! 


    We also got a fair bit of tidying and sorting out of stuff at the unit, so all in all a good wee day. 
    Now I have to decide what to do with it 😂🤔. 
  17. Like
    spartacus reacted to Supernaut in Estate(s) of the nation - Gagging to get started on Volvo 265 GLE project 😀   
    I haven't popped in here in a while...
     
    That exhaust manifold is PORNOGRAPHIC.
  18. Like
    spartacus reacted to Heidel_Kakao in Estate(s) of the nation - Gagging to get started on Volvo 265 GLE project 😀   
    So with my recently improved motivation I have been doing the few jobs that have been keeping Cedric off the road for well over a year now. Jez helpfully made me a rear brake pipe as the old one just twisted when trying to undo it.

    We tried to bleed the brakes today but realised the rear calipers on both sides were doing nothing and the pistons are totally siezed, so I will be dropping them off at Bigg Red in Worcester next week to be completely overhauled.

    I also need to  find a way of protecting the power steering hoses as the new manifold runs very close to them. I was thinking of wrapping them in reflective heat shield tape.

    https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/164140123634
    Anyone got any experience of this stuff?
    I also need to repair the throttle linkage that I ham fistedly broke when refitting the carbs. And then just need to take the car round to the nearest Powerflow exhaust center to get the rest of the system finished and then it should be ready for the road. Can't wait to hear what it will sound like 😀

    Don't think I have put these in the thread before, Cedrics looking super cool while being rally support vehicles!
  19. Like
    spartacus reacted to Heidel_Kakao in Estate(s) of the nation - Gagging to get started on Volvo 265 GLE project 😀   
    Today I found out Cedric was used in the background of a Finnish bands album cover which is cool. Need to find out the name of the album and maybe score myself a copy.
    Apparently they didn't use the images for the album in the end.
    Name of band is Fireproven and album is Future diary. 
  20. Like
    spartacus reacted to RichardK in Masha - ЗАЗ Таврiя (ZAZ Tavria) - Слава Україні (#SlavaUkraini) - let's get legal! (Then decide).   
    No progress todag but have an engine view.
    Having seen the crash test I’ve reduced the spare tyre pressure to 10 psi so it’s more effective as an airbag…
     

  21. Like
    spartacus reacted to moosemansjukebox in eBay tat volume 3.   
    A £600 600. Look good for the price! 
    https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/164831535978
  22. Like
    spartacus reacted to Cookiesouwest in HFM small autos - Cookie's adventures in shiteing   
    Back from her thrash and Suzi and Audrey together.

  23. Like
    spartacus reacted to vulgalour in Maestro, please.   
    In my quest to find the cause of the water leaks I thought I was doing rather well.  The front footwells were finally staying nice and dry and victory seemed assured.


    Then I went and accidentally left a window open all night.  When it was raining.  A lot.  Now the inside of the car was absolutely soaked and the rain wasn't letting up even a little bit and the only way to dry it all out would be to strip out the interior, a job I ended up doing with every car I own and a job I planned to avoid on this one.  OH WELL.  At least the Maestro is easy to take apart.  The front seats are held in with four torx head bolt things that I'm not a fan of, slide the seat back to get to the front ones, and then slide the seat forwards to get to the back ones, lift the seat free and you're done.  There's no cables or seatbelt pretensioners or whatever to deal with on this car.  I used a T30 bit.



    With the front seats removed, the rear seat is even easier.  There's four bolts along the front edge to undo, then you roll the seat forwards and can get to the two hinge bolts underneath the seat.  It then comes out of the car no bother.  The bolts on the outer edges at the front have little metal tabs, the sole purpose of these seems to be to prevent the large plastic sill trim from warping and lifting up.



    In the middle of the car you need to loosen the centre console, there's two screws hidden under the little black tray that pops out at the front of the console, and another two that go into a bracket at the back of the console.  The two screws at the back aren't really necessary to undo if you've remove the front seats since the bracket the screws go into is held down by the seat rail bolts.  With that loosened, you can then undo the seatbelt bolts and remove the carpet.  Unless it's this car in which case the first problem bolt I've so far encountered is for the passenger stalk which will only undo so far before the captive nut is clearly spinning.  Fortunately, the bolt does tighten back down properly.  Had I got a longer console that covers this bit I would have just cut a slot in the carpet to get around the stalks, I don't so I eased the carpet up over the stalk which it will just about do.  That way when the carpet is refitted it won't have a cut visible in it.  The bolt heads for the seatbelt stalks are hidden by push-on plastic covers.

    With the carpet lifted there was a good amount of water in the driver's side, unsurprisingly, since that's the side I'd left the window open on.  There was also a lot of water under the rear seat bench which I initially put down to rain getting into the car through the window.  The nice thing is the vast majority of the floor is solid, there's a few little scabs here and there, but nothing that needs attention beyond the cosmetic.  What work has been done on the floor looks to have been done to a good standard, apart from the confusing use of masking tape and that old frozen mince packet.


    I couldn't actually figure out how the centre console comes out.  I suspect I have to disconnect the handbrake and stand it up vertically, or remove part of the dashboard, since I can't see any other way of getting the clearance to move it far enough back or forwards to clear the lever.  Simpler to leave it in for now, you can refit the carpet without removing the console fully.  While I had the car empty I could watch for water coming in since there was nothing to obscure the view of it and discovered some leaks I wasn't aware of.  The first was the boot carpet and under the rear seat, which were both very wet.  I could see with the seats and carpet out that there was a trickle of water coming down the rear passenger arch and initially thought this was the window seal at fault.  To find out for definite I unbolted the seatbelt, and removed the trim which is held on with a single push clip.

    This allowed me to see where the water was coming from more clearly.


    I still thought it might be coming from further up, so I removed the parcel shelf support, discovering some broken brackets that I'd need to fix.  The cause of the leak wasn't the window seal, which was something of a relief, it was actually an old weld repair that had a tiny little pinhole in it.  There's no rust staining, it just looks like a tiny little bit hasn't been sealed up, and the repair itself looks to be done to a very good standard.  A bit of sealant both sides will sort this out no doubt.

    The other leak was a bit odd and appears to be a factory one since there's no repairs I could see in the area.  Water was pooling where the boot floor meets the inner arch and at first I thought it was running around from that hole I'd just found.  Turns out there was another tiny pinhole in the factory seam sealer.  Again, no rust to speak of and no rust staining, just a failure of sealant application.  This will also get a bit of sealant both sides and that should stop it.

    A bit like the Spanish Inquisition, nobody expects where water is going to turn up sometimes.  These two leaks are a bit strange because you don't really think of water running down the inner arch when the car is stood, but we've had so much rain that the water is running down the body and then capillary action is dragging it up into the inner arches, aided by all the mud that's packed into the rear arches, and finding these tiny holes.  Once the water has a path, much like electricity, it takes the route of least resistance and keeps flowing that way until an easier route presents itself.  Without stripping the interior out I probably wouldn't have found these leaks so in a way, by leaving the window open I did myself a favour.

  24. Like
    spartacus reacted to richykitchy in Does AS have a resident Citroen SM? If not, it does now!   
    As it turns out, the C6 was a dry run. This is the real thing - a 1973 Citroen SM. Being that it's me what bought it, it's the least desirable, worst-spec SM there is (because I am a beggar, and therefore cannot be a chooser). 3-speed slush-box; stupid federal front end, and a whole heap of rust. That said, it does have the 3.0L engine with triple Webers, and it's only done 49k miles.
     
    And it's an SM. Way I see it, it's win-win.

  25. Like
    spartacus reacted to Tadhg Tiogar in eBay tat volume 3.   
    HOLD THE FRONT PAGE!!

     

    This could be werf all teh moneyz.
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