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

[CortinaDave]

I quite like the spoiler, but its all down to personal taste. I think the car looks great as it is now!

[TRW]

Rover really did a good job with those Hondas.

 

There's quite a bit more to it than that!

 

Personally DW, I like the rear spoiler, but each to their own.

 

If you are going to go for originality then you are going to have to bin the Fissions and get the original 14" steels and 'wind' style trims.

[Richard]

I've found Kwikfit to be as cheap as all the online suppliers if you book and pay online.

[dugong]

I've found Kwikfit to be as cheap as all the online suppliers if you book and pay online.

 

Don't worry, they shatter that illusion with biblical incompetence.

And my local one said they don't do bookings, or something.

 

[Honey Badger]

 I'm still arguing with Mrs DW about the spoiler. I don't like the attention it attracts, so I must concede she may have a point. If it comes off, that'll be a major step towards taking it back to original. To go all the way, the grille needs to go (which I don't much like anyway) and it needs all-grey bumpers and lower body sides.

 

Have you thought that the attention the car gets is because it a genuinely good looking car in decent nick, which in my eyes your only going to ruin by taking the bits you list off.

 

The car looks great, and the spoiler and wheels suit it. You have done a good job getting rid of the stickers, now leave it alone and enjoy it!

[Richard]

I've used it twice. The first one (in York) was great, did the job quickly and didn't try to sell me anything. Business as usual for the second time (St Andrews), they didn't have our tyres in stock.

[dollywobbler]

Have you thought that the attention the car gets is because it a genuinely good looking car in decent nick, which in my eyes your only going to ruin by taking the bits you list off.

 

The car looks great, and the spoiler and wheels suit it. You have done a good job getting rid of the stickers, now leave it alone and enjoy it!

 

The dirty looks are usually when I overtake. It seems to really piss people off! The 2CV just amazes people, but the Rover seems to cause much annoyance. I blame the somewhat rorty exhaust and the alloys/spoiler look. I must concede though, I really like the way this car looks now. I've now got some paint to touch up the primered areas and bumper scuffs. I need to get a touch of Rustoleum on the lower sills, but that'll do for cosmetics for now.

 

It has gently misbehaved a couple of times. I turned the engine off for a quick photoshoot - the above pic is one of those taken. When I restarted, it refused to idle - or rather tried to idle at about 300rpm. I turned it off and on again and it was fine.

[Stroller133]

Don't worry, they shatter that illusion with biblical incompetence.

And my local one said they don't do bookings, or something.

 

I got an online quote 4 tyres, £300, but next appointment was in a week. Called the branch, they had 4 tyres in stock, but wanted £390 if I called in? They lost that sale....

[dollywobbler]

If I'm paying with my own money, I'll still use the local garage it must be said. 

[twosmoke300]

^^^^ Good to hear , especially as a small independent garage owner

[trigger]

I agree with the above comments, the Hamster is looking much better now, I think the spoiler and alloys really suit it without making it look chavy, I'm fact I'd go as far as saying that it's probably been one of your best buys in recent times!

[phil_lihp]

I'd agree as well, the spoiler balances the car out quite well - as you've said, that grill doesn't do it any favours though.  The Rover is looking great now, you've got a good one there.

[Partridge]

Also, more sticker removal.

You should have left it like that. Sell advertising space to a ham factory or a square factory. Or a square and ham factory?

[Angrydicky]

I must admit if it was mine I'd like to put it back to original, including steels and Rover hubcaps, no spoiler and the original grill. But it doesn't look awful the way it is now. In fact, when I saw it in the flesh last week I was very impressed by the condition of it. With the exception of the paint on the bonnet, which looks like it was cleaned with a brillo pad, the whole car is in very good condition for a J reg.

[Ghosty]

I like the spoiler, saloons don't quite look right without one to me, as if the boot's too long or something. If it was me I'd keep it, but change the grille, back to grey bumpers and put 416GTi cross spoke alloys on it.

[richardmorris]

It's also something to hold on to when the car needs pushing.

[phil_lihp]

Forgot to say, there's a 1992/93 one being broken for spares by a local ex-Rover dealer just round the corner from my office, if you need any bits let me know.

[Parky]

Good tyres those Uniroyals - just changed my daily's tyres and went for the Dunlop BluResponse - A rated in the wet but quieter than the Pirellis that were on there. Ransports were my second choice but the Dunlops seemed to be quieter in tests and road noise is high on mine

 

Used Blackcircles with an Indy garage in Dagenham getting the biz - really good so for any Essex Dwellers, try Peter James Motors at the Bull Roundabout. Quite near you I think TetleySmooth...

 

Didn't use Kwik Fit - I do like my local one but don't find them all that cheap to be honest, and the selection is either Ditchfinders or megapricey ones

[cort16]

You should fit I've if those big spoilers from an mg zs.

[dollywobbler]

Folk are very kind. Three people have now gifted me little things for this car. I'm hugely grateful. Today, I received a tiny bit of trim and a clock. Haven't fitted the clock yet, but the day is young.

 

Where the trim should be.

 

New trim. I really need to get the boiled linseed oil out now.

 

Looks tidier though.

 

I'm eyeing up a megamile roadtrip this weekend and am now worrying about the timing belt. As I'm short of cash, I think I might go all pikey and just replace the belt unless the tensioner/water pump feel particularly grim while I'm changing the belt. It doesn't seem a particularly difficult change, so I can always do it again with MOAR new components when I'm feeling flush again.

[andy18s]

^^  Is it me or do those wheels and spoiler give it a late 80's Audi 90 look ?

I'd leave it just as it is

The reason peeps looked annoyed when you pass them in an "old Rover" is because you Are passing them in an old Rover.....

[Jimcit]

Love it when you get a simple little fix like that bit of trim.  The sort of thing I'd eye up every-time I approached the car and feel a bit of satisfaction.

[dollywobbler]

Even better, no sign of rot. What usually happens is that corrosion spreads from the holes and the trim just falls out. In this case, the old trim must have been hit, as the lugs had snapped off. I first had to remove them. I also chose the moment to go around the car with Bilt Hamber stuff - Dynax S50 for the sills (it already has convenient holes and bungs in the sills, A and B posts) and Dynax UB for the underside. I also removed the rear wheelarch lip trim and squirted a load of wax around before refitting them. Offside is worse for some reason, already quite bubbly.

 

I have now also replaced the clock. I hope this one keeps time. The one it came with kept resetting. I put it down to Heritage seeing as the Maestro van was also hopeless on the clock score.

[twosmoke300]

Honda tensioners are steel and very reliable as are the water pumps . If they spin nicely and no signs of leakage out of the pump drain then just put a belt on. Never did kits or pumps when I worked at a Honda dealer . This change everything mentality is a vag group thing where the bits are piss poor quality

[dollywobbler]

Oh good. Did forget to order an alternator/PAS belt though. That was probably silly as they look quite old. Mind you, PAS pump sounds quite knackered, so that might be a job for another day. 

 

It's also getting through oil at a rather alarming rate (for what is a modern in my book). It certainly burns it. Who said Honda engines were reliable? Apparently the piston rings are shite. Mind you, the Sirion was an oil burner when I got it. Just putting decent, fresh oil in it about 3000 miles before it was due made a huge difference. As I'm road trippin' at the end of the week, I may well go crazy and slosh a load of fresh oil in. 

[KruJoe]

The clattery grumble from mine at Welshfest was the failing water pump. It gave me loads of warning, and only used a pint or two over that weekend. Once I had I had it off and in my hand, it was clearly shot - rough as arses and loads of play in the bearings.

 

Have you priced up a pump Ian?

I'd say do it while you've got it opened up. Having said that, I paid for someone to do mine, I couldn't afford the risk of getting it wrong, or getting stuck half way through, as I have nowt else on the road just now.

[dollywobbler]

Paying someone else isn't an option at the moment, and I'd rather get it done before I have to drive all the way to Kent in it. There is perhaps a risk that I'll balls it up, leaving me with only the 2CV to travel in, but hey, what's life without some risk? This is all assuming my impact gun can actually shift the crank pulley bolt. 

[twosmoke300]

tipex is your friend.

[mat_the_cat]

If they spin nicely and no signs of leakage out of the pump drain then just put a belt on.

 

That's usually my logic too, especially if the belt is likely to be changed in the future on the basis of age rather than mileage. I've only once had to replace one pump between belt changes, so I'm quids in compared to if I'd replaced pump and tensioners every time. If you're paying for labour then the cost of the parts is less significant in the grand scheme of things, but if you count your time as free...

[dollywobbler]

I have a timing belt, and the PAS belt - it looks ropey so no point refitting the old one. Bit concerned about how I'm going to lock the engine, but I'm planning to crack on shortly.