19 Years of Tin Snail - Back to normality

[dollywobbler]

That's a distinct possibility, but not immediately. Priority is currently on 'get it legal.' After that, there's another mighty long list to work my way through. 

[dollywobbler]

A new video update to allow a break from festivities. May contain mess.

[Six-cylinder]

8th January!

[dollywobbler]

Even scarier, I'm hoping to get it MOTd in the next week, possibly on Wednesday. I'll have to cut some corners to achieve that, so the back seat isn't going to get fitted and the rear wings aren't going to get painted. The Tan Hill Inn is 218 miles away from my house, so it could be an exciting first trip.

[chaseracer]

Do you want to meet at Lymm truck stop so one can offer moral support to the other when we break down on the M62? 

[dollywobbler]

Do you want to meet at Lymm truck stop so one can offer moral support to the other when we break down on the M62? 

 

Does that mean the Dyane is coming out to play?! Not sure of our travel plans yet (it's probably a bit much for a day trip - 440 miles), but there is said to be safety in numbers...

[dollywobbler]

I reset the ignition timing today, then really struggled to get her to run properly. I double checked the timing a couple of times, and it was pretty bob on (for static timing). Flattened two jump packs trying to coax her into life, and had to resort to ZX on jump leads. By this time, I'd dashed off to town to grab a couple of plastic cans of fuel, reasoning that the last time I filled this car up would have been early 2015. 

 

She started eventually, but was chugging away at lower revs, and occasionally backfiring through the carb - which was quite exciting. Had a run up the driveway, but she then conked out and utterly refused to start again. After checking the timing AGAIN, it dawned on me that it might be worth changing the coil. I have a few sitting around the garage and no way of knowing which are good, bad or otherwise! Though I was fairly certain that I'd initially fitted the coil that was on before the lay up. That got her fired up in no time, though still a bit spluttery. I opted for the classic 'rev engine, slap hand down on top of carb' trick, and that worked wonders. She now runs beautifully again.

 

While she was running unevenly, I'd managed to go around chasing exhaust leaks. There are still some minor blows, but should do for now. The windscreen washer pipe in the ear trick helped me zone in on them. So, a lot of time expended for little progress, but I'm now at the stage that I can reassemble the front bodywork at least. Later, I'm hoping to get the passenger seat fitted and the front seat belts. I may even actually take some pics!

[Bfg]

As I'm sure you are aware : leaks into the inlet pipes will cause spluttering, back firing and starting problems.  I only mention this because you wrote of having exhaust leaks.  

 

An easy way to test for air leaks into the inlet pipes (manifold joints) is get her running and running on tick over - and then to spray 'Easy Start' or similar close enough to the pipe's joints that the vapours (mist) might be sucked in through any gaps.  It's quite surprising how even a very tiny crack or flange not sitting square will allow extra air to be sucked in ..and upset the fuel-air mixture.  So., systematically go around and spray closeby every inlet manifold connection - and if there is a leak the Easy Start vapour will cause the engine revs to increase for a few moments - enough for you to clearly hear the difference. 

 

NB. Some mechanics prefer to use something like WD 40 sprayed so it's vapours (a mist) in the air around the connection - as this is less volatile than Easy Start (and they have it already on the shelf).  It works ..and you can hear the revs pick up a bit but it's not nearly as pronounced as Easy Start.

 

Remember also that a freshly rebuilt engine will be a little oily until the piston rings bed in (running in) and oil burnt deposits on the plugs will lessen the spark. A slightly smaller gap &/or the next hotter spark plug grade will help with cold engine running throughout the duration of running in. If not then frequent cleaning of the plugs may be necessary, especially if the car is frequently used for short journeys (and so is also frequently on choke).

 

Hope that helps,

Pete

[dollywobbler]

Thanks. She's running fine now though. I suspect because the fresh fuel has found its way through the system. Definitely no inlet leaks.

[dollywobbler]

Front wings are nearing completion.

 

I still need to fit the new side indicators, which will require a bit of hacking to get them to fit. The old ones bolted in (with bolts made of cheese). The new ones clip in, so I need to turn the two small holes into a sort-of box shape. That job can wait until tomorrow. I'll then have to repaint those bits as I didn't realise I'd have to resort to butchery when I began the paint process...

 

Unpictured, I've also removed the fixings for the headlamps from the old headlamp bar, and got the captive nuts fitted to the new headlamp bowls. Should be able to build up the headlamp bar tomorrow.

 

The passenger seat is now also fitted. Not quite got around to fitting the seatbelts yet. I appear to be missing a pair of reinforcement brackets, which is particularly annoying. The hood can go on soon. I have a hatchback conversion to fit, but again, that's not really important, and can easily be done later, so I might not bother for now. 

 

One last thing in terms of running gear is fitting the shock absorbers. I'm a bit annoyed there, as I bought a pair of Monroes over the summer as funds allowed. They were all that was available at the time. Since then, a Dutch company has brought some far superior shockers to market. Sadly, I've already had a go at fitting the Monroes, so they're soiled now (realised I was missing a pair of washers). Guess I'm going to have to fit them anyway, even though everyone says they're utterly shit. Oh well.

[dollywobbler]

Got the headlamp bar and front bumper fitted. Having some issues with the lights though. Sidelights are only coming on with the dipped beam, not on the sidelight position or with main beam (all sidelights, including the rear). Must have got something wrong with the switch wiring. About to have another go!

 

Once I get the side indicators fitted, the wings can then be fitted. That'll be a big moment.

[dollywobbler]

Oh this makes no bloody sense at all. The light switch is putting out 12v for sidelights in all the positions it should - ie sidelight setting, both dipped beam positions (because French) and main beam. By the time we get to the fusebox, about 20cm away, the sidelight circuit is only live when the dipped beam is live. UGH.

[dollywobbler]

Ok. Sussed it. Yet another fusebox error (there are only four!). That took an annoyingly long amount of time. I have managed to fit the side indicators to the wings though. Need to pull them back out and paint the edges of the tweaked holes now.

[forddeliveryboy]

 

One last thing in terms of running gear is fitting the shock absorbers. I'm a bit annoyed there, as I bought a pair of Monroes over the summer as funds allowed. They were all that was available at the time. Since then, a Dutch company has brought some far superior shockers to market. Sadly, I've already had a go at fitting the Monroes, so they're soiled now (realised I was missing a pair of washers). Guess I'm going to have to fit them anyway, even though everyone says they're utterly shit. Oh well.

 

Since they're already marked, there's little to lose by trying them on the road to see if you can live with the result. Otherwise, would they fetch much on ebay? There's always someone out there looking for a 'bargain'.

[dollywobbler]

True. I'll see how I get on with them. Front wings now fitted. Pics later. More wiring to do, and fitting of glass, doors and roof. More drilling too...

[dollywobbler]

It's definitely starting to look like a 2CV again. I think I'm going to have to give up any hopes of being MOT ready tomorrow though. Busy on Thursday, so perhaps Friday.

[dollywobbler]

Electrics are a pain in the arse. When you're clueless and only have a bag of shitty spade connectors. I have working indicators. On one side.

 

Struggling for an earth on the nearside. I think my DIY earth cable may be too shit. However, it's absolutely perishing outside, so I've stopped before my fingers and toes fall off. Oh well. At least I haven't actually booked it in for the MOT.

[Eddie Honda]

Electrics are a pain in the arse. When you're clueless and only have a bag of shitty spade connectors. I have working indicators. On one side.

I'm on of these folk who doesn't get a nosebleed when merely thinking about electrics. Sorry you're having bother DW, but I think the blame doesn't it with those shitty spade connectors, but your shitty crimp tool (as has been pointed out before)

[dollywobbler]

The crimp tool is fine within its limitations. I have no doubts that I'll be redoing quite a bit of the wiring once I actually get a decent tool, decent connectors and some better wiring. Most of the problems have been my own stupid fault - like ripping out the fusebox without labelling stuff. 'How hard can it be?' I told myself. 'There are only four fuses!' Yeah, and I got every single connection wrong! 

 

So, that's lost me a few hours. Trying to find bits I know are somewhere has lost me a few hours. Trying to find the tool that was in my hand just two fuggin' minutes ago has lost me several days. If you watch James May: The Reassembler, well, I'm just like that, only not at all.

[mat_the_cat]

I would say that so long as you can't pull the crimped joint apart, it'll be fine. And you'd have to mess it up pretty badly for a brand new joint not to conduct electrically! Neater and more consistent with a better crimper, but still perfectly possible to make a sound joint without.

[Eddie Honda]

is fine within its limitations.

You've just won euphemism of the week!

[billyboy406v6]

Nearly there, and very entertaining when its too cold to go and play cars outside !

[twosmoke300]

It's limitations being used to hold the page open in your manual

[Louise2cv]

The crimp tool is fine within its limitations. I have no doubts that I'll be redoing quite a bit of the wiring once I actually get a decent tool, decent connectors and some better wiring.

Is there a reason for doing it all twice? Wouldn't it be easier to do it now while everything is off and accessible?

[Bfg]

^ As I used to say at work   'never the time to do the job right the first time around ..but we'll have the time to do it again '

..perhaps that's why we in the office worked 12 hour days (got paid for 8 ).. while the bosses often left early.!

[dollywobbler]

The problem is needing to drive 25 miles to get more tools and bits. I can't do that every time I need something, so there's an element of make do and mend to this project.

Anyway, I found some more wire from an old trailer wiring set up, so lights are now all good. Unfortunately, this means I can't put off refitting the side windows any longer. I've never done this before, and the first attempt was rubbish. And the second. Now, tea.

 

[dollywobbler]

Had to resort to serious measures to get this side window fitted. I had to ask Mrs DW for help. In fact, she did most of the fitting in the end, with me keeping pressure on the outside of the window. If your marriage can survive fitting a tiny side window, then it's probably in good shape.

 

Mind you, she than ran away to do gardening, so the other side will have to wait.

 

I got on with door reassembly instead. The driver's door is now fully built up and ready to fit. Screw-fit windows are much easier to deal with!

[dollywobbler]

Got the other window in. We're a good team now. Sadly, I've got two offside rear door window seals, so that's thrown a spanner in the works. Also, the offside rear wing is in pretty poor state (even though it's glassfibre) and I'm not sure I want to go to the trouble of refitting it. If I drill the C post for this wing, then I'm committed to using a wing which can barely be fitted (mostly because holes in the wing tops aren't holes anymore).

 

So, I've given up for the day. I get a day off tomorrow (minibus duty). I think I may be glad of the break. I can't see this car being MOT ready this week now. Annoyingly close.

[meshking]

I didn't think the seals were handed on the rear doors, but it's been some time since I did that. This thread has inspired me to get mine back up and running. I did fit a front wing but then life got in the way again.

[dollywobbler]

I didn't think the seals were handed on the rear doors, but it's been some time since I did that. This thread has inspired me to get mine back up and running. I did fit a front wing but then life got in the way again.

 

The glass isn't handed (other than having the manufacturers logo printed on it) but the seal sadly is. I'm also missing a few other key bits, so they're in the post. Pressure is off for an MOT this week now. It isn't going to happen.

 

That means I'll probably be MOTing the 2CV a week Friday (all being well) for a trip to North Yorkshire the following day...