Dollywobbler's GR-8 Rover - getting better all the time

[phil_lihp]

Very good video, I'd agree with everything you've said about the R8 (aside from the engine, couldn't comment personally as I've not driven one with a 1.6 Honda lump).  Despite mine being scruffy and very well-used, the only occasional rattle in the cabin was from the sunroof blind, there were no squeaks, creaks or groans from anywhere and it still felt like a quality item.  Nice thick carpets and plenty of sound insulation I'd suspect helps that impression.  I'd definitely have another one, a 400 tourer for preference though.

[twosmoke300]

400 tourer in the met red wine colour they did with the lattice trims . Hmm

[phil_lihp]

SEi alloys for preference, the 220 had/has lattice trims, the poverty spec trims were better.

[twosmoke300]

Mums 418sldt had the lattice trims hence the soft spot

[Mr_Bo11ox]

Hey thats a great film WobblAr. Nice work! Very clear and so on. Particularly like the Chris Goffey-style bit at the end where you pull up at an angle and talk through the open window to the camera. I reckon you should end the film with that Elton John tune they used to put on the end of Top Gear!!!

[Mr_Bo11ox]

For a more modern look to your next video, just wear a curly wig, grow a beer gut, make a racist joke and 'amusingly' crash the rover into a skip etc.

[forddeliveryboy]

For a more modern look to your next video, just wear a curly wig, grow a beer gut, make a racist joke and 'amusingly' crash the rover into a skip etc.

 

 

For all the crassness and waste associated with New TG, I'd find it very, very difficult to argue for a return to the old, 'serious' version. 

[Conrad D. Conelrad]

There must be some middle ground between staged racist car accidents and fifteen minute films about grey carpet mats. 

[dollywobbler]

Check out the Carbuyer videos and report back. That's aiming for serious reviews of current cars. I try and inject more personal opinion and background though. Anyone with a hint of car interest buys for more than just inherent goodness.

[dollywobbler]

And thanks for all of the positive feedback! I drive around talking to a camera, wondering what the point is sometimes.

[dollywobbler]

A very small amount of welding happened.

 

Zinc primer time

 

Fleet photo.

 

Gets better all the time really. There's occasionally a really sharp squeak when pulling away though, and sometimes when turning left. Front pads are in great nick, perhaps I'd better have a look at the rear shoes. Or check for a backing plate catching the disc perhaps. Or stones. Shame the weather forecast is now horrendous! At least the sill no longer has a hole in it.

 

On the first tank, it delivered very nearly 35mpg. Pretty poor for a 1.6 to be honest. I was getting that out of my 2-litre Renault 21, and the 2.3-litre Saab 9000 averaged 34mpg. Maybe the new lambda sensor will improve things. I doubt it. Autocar reckoned 32mpg as an average figure. Wonder why it's so high? I wasn't expecting miracles though, and it does drive well. 

 

Here it is amongst some foliage. 

[mouseflakes]

[r.welfare]

I reckon Honda motors of that general period are just fairly thirsty, it's like Honda couldn't really be arsed with economy except for that 1.5 single cam they did with super high compression.

[twosmoke300]

Ahh the economy vtec. High compression and low friction engine . And a 5 wire wideband oxy sensor that costs a bloody fortune.

They did give good economy but sounded terrible . Like the mains were buffered.

[dollywobbler]

I guess it's annoying as my 1990 Honda Civic 1.4GL had twin carbs, went like stink, and did 40-45mpg. Made me wonder what the point of fuel injection was as it ran so smoothly. Taller gearing might help. Fifth is very close to fourth. 

[Rusty_Rocket]

Looks good at the back of the sill.

When one of these comes in to our place for welding, they're almost always gone in that corner- starting with the inner sill, spreading to the outer and then up the rear wheelarch corner.  Last one my pal did, he chopped a complete section (inner/ outer sill/ door shut/ arch lip) out of a late MG ZS and grafted the whle thing in.  Came out very well.

If you're keeping it, I'd recommend a healthy dose of wax.

[dollywobbler]

Aye. It'll be getting a mighty good soaking in wax once I'm finished with paint. I'm wondering about pulling that wheelarch trim that goes around the lip right off too. I can't see it does any good - just holds moisture against a weak seam.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

Mine went in that spot as well

[Rusty_Rocket]

Aye. It'll be getting a mighty good soaking in wax once I'm finished with paint. I'm wondering about pulling that wheelarch trim that goes around the lip right off too. I can't see it does any good - just holds moisture against a weak seam.

 

I'd remove it.  Am I right in thinking the late 45s/ ZS deleted this?  Check that big void bush in the same area while you have the wheel off!

[twosmoke300]

Rear trailing arm bushes ? I've done dozens if those buggers.

Can do a pair in about half an hour now. Tap tap tap

[Shep Shepherd]

Aye. It'll be getting a mighty good soaking in wax once I'm finished with paint. I'm wondering about pulling that wheelarch trim that goes around the lip right off too. I can't see it does any good - just holds moisture against a weak seam.

 

The first thing I did after I bought my 1994 214Si in 2000 was remove the front and rear wheelarch trims (which I refitted) in order to coat the wheelarch lips with Waxoyl, something which I ended up doing every year. When I got rid of the car in 2004, the arches were still perfect

[mat_the_cat]

If the ECU has decided to ignore lambda sensor feedback, it'll revert to a rich 'safe' fuel map, rather than trying to achieve the perfect ratio and risk the engine running lean. So hopefully the economy will improve.

[dollywobbler]

I'm looking forward to testing that theory. Though 35mpg is better than I expected, so I've no complaints so far. 

 

Another issue is tyres. The fronts are close to limit, the rears are Wanli ditchfinders. Do I ditch the alloys and try to find a delicious set of steelies and trims - dropping an inch in wheel size at the same time - or just get new tyres? If so, do I go the part-worn route? Four brand new tyres is a big chunk of cash on a £300 car. I can't really decide. The tramlining/crap ride do annoy me, but changing wheel/tyre size won't necessarily improve things.

[Shep Shepherd]

^

 

I paid £280 for a set of new Yokohamas for The Wentworth not long after I bought it (a car which I paid £425 for - economics and old Volvos aren't very good bedfellows...). It feels a lot nicer - not to mention safer - to drive as a consequence

[mat_the_cat]

Four brand new tyres is a big chunk of cash on a £300 car.

 

...which you won't get back when you sell it next week Finding someone who wants to upgrade to your alloys, and do a part exchange/swap with your steels would be the ideal solution!

[Lord Sterling]

Have you thought about sticking a request for a alloy to steelie swap shout out on the Rover 200/400 forum? "Upgrading" to alloys seems popular with these types. Maybe someone could do it for you, I think there are a couple of people on here who are members on there, not that they'd be brave enough to admit it but it might solve your problem if you find out who they are. You never know, you might even find someone close to you.

[dollywobbler]

I'll give it a whirl. I'm on the forum.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

I think there are a couple of people on here who are members on there, not that they'd be brave enough to admit it

LOL!!! Those guys spend their waking hours wallowing in PIT OF SHAME

[dollywobbler]

Er, ok. 

 

Many thanks to Mr Benn for kindly sending me a spare ignition module thingy. I shall keep it close to hand.

 

I thought I'd better see where the item lives. In the dizzy cap as it happens. Which is pretty shonky. As is the rotor arm. More shopping needed! Failed to remove the old one (thought I'd better have a trial run) as I couldn't find a spanner to remove the module thingy itself. It appears to be 6.5mm or something! Oh well. At least I know where it is. The one fitted has an Intermotor badge on it, which is always a good sign...

 

KruJoe also deserves praise for helping me out with my knob quandary. He sent me these, so I have a matching set! Ace.

 

Had a quick glance at the water pump, which certainly doesn't look new. The ancilliary belts look ropey as well. I think I'd better make the cambelt a priority. Yet more money hurled at my £300 car!

[Sloth in a bowl]

6.5mm is normally 1/4"