Six Cylinders Motoring Notes

[Mrs6C]

I have just returned from 100 miles in the MG Metro and can report it is running very well. First time I have driven a Metro in the dark for several years and the lights seem quite good. One small victory was the instruments lights came back on for a while after running over rough road near home! 

FTFY...

[Asimo]

Well that did not go to plan, I thought I would do a trial fit and see what wiring I would need, but I can't get the blanking panel out.

If the saloon dash is like the coupe dash, there is a large washer and screw at each end of the hood piece (over the instruments) and if you undo these screws this cover lifts off. It is surprisingly heavy, plastic covered steel I think. Might help with radio install.

[Six-cylinder]

If the saloon dash is like the coupe dash, there is a large washer and screw at each end of the hood piece (over the instruments) and if you undo these screws this cover lifts off. It is surprisingly heavy, plastic covered steel I think. Might help with radio install.

 

Thanks yes I have these screws, but the drivers door is too close to a another vehicle to be able to open it fully so I have to wait until we do a shuffle. 

[Six-cylinder]

I have some good news to share with you for a change!

 

If you remember Mrs6C's Cadillac did not make the South Coast Shiters meeting back in April  because it would not start. Since then we have fiddled with it a few times including trying to start it in N instead of P and changing the battery. All to no effect.

 

Finally I had a go at persuading my local semi retired Auto sparks who does not do modem stuff that that with a brain his size and the fact with have the factory manual and wiring diagram that he could help us! After a bit of talking him round he gave in and agreed to come to see me next Wednesday AM. I described the symptoms and he said transmission inhibitor switch, I explained I had tried N as well as P. He said I should vigorously move the gear selector with the key in the start position. BINGO it burst into life and now starts every time.

 

We still have the boot lock to deal with that will not lock down, it has an electric closer.

[Mrs6C]

Funnily enough our 1958 FE35 diesel tractor has an inhibitor switch to stop it being started in gear and this often sticksafter a winter lay-up. Vigorous stick-wiggling (ooh-err-missus!) does the trick though. Wonder if the boot close is the same? Will check over the weekend...

[Six-cylinder]

ZX is back on the road after a local mobile mechanic fitted a new clutch cable on Friday. Annoyingly it was so out of adjustment the clutch dragged and I had to adjust it because he couldn't come back till Monday.

 

OK not on the road but in a grass field, but it had to drive on the road to get there!

[Mrs6C]

Funnily enough our 1958 FE35 diesel tractor has an inhibitor switch to stop it being started in gear and this often sticksafter a winter lay-up. Vigorous stick-wiggling (ooh-err-missus!) does the trick though. Wonder if the boot close is the same? Will check over the weekend...

Yep!

 

The boot closure motor now works fine. Suspect that the same 'neutral safety switch' inhibits its operation as well as the starter, to stop it being opened when in gear...

 

To celebrate, I gave the car a wash and took it to the Citroen DS rally...

[Six-cylinder]

The Saab got an unusual outing this morning, a few days ago a call went out for a large convertible for the Town Mayor of Brackley to ride in for the Brackley parade. I figured that what they wanted was a wonderful vintage tourer but offered the Saab just in case. I don't need to say more........ 

[Tadhg Tiogar]

The Saab got an unusual outing this morning, a few days ago a call went out for a large convertible for the Town Mayor of Brackley to ride in for the Brackley parade. I figured that what they wanted was a wonderful vintage tourer but offered the Saab just in case. I don't need to say more........ 

 

As long as it's a product of a defunct car maker, I don't think anyone would object!

[Six-cylinder]

16^th June Field of Dreams open day

 

You are invited to just drink tea with us, fix your own car or work on our stuff.

 

I would like to do some prep for the Festival of the Unexceptional weekend.

 

These are some ideas I have for this weekend.

 

Cut the grass with ride on

Turn on water

Spitfire brakes

Clean scrap Range Rover to Photo and sell

Fire up JCB

Test lay tempory section road I have

Resite yellow Visa shell

Tidy yard for max space

Take head off spare Visa engine

Trim Hedge around entrance

Strim around entrance

Wedge gate post more upright

Service chain saw

Fix Peugeot 50cc field bike

Pull failed bearing out of Hayter Condor ride on cylinder mower

 

I am happy to extend from one day to include Sunday 17th if there is any interest.

 

For those wishing to camp at the weekend please make yourself know, arrive when you like, stay as long as you like, we just need to arrange entry to suit you.

 

PM me for the address if you have not visited before.

[Six-cylinder]

Any body coming from the North East should note the A508 - A5 - A422 roundabout is closed this weekend for road works.

[phil_lihp]

Marvellous stuff, I shall be there in the camper from Friday night and can stay on until Sunday whenever, I have kept the weekend mercifully free for once.  Very much looking forward to it.

[dollywobbler]

Saddened that I can't make it, especially as I'm at Silverstone on Thursday! Will wave in passing...

[Ghosty]

I don't have enough money to come down this week, but I'll be down for FotU next month.

[mat_the_cat]

I will be there, but might make more sense now that there is the option for Sunday camping (thanks) for us to arrive on Saturday and leave Sunday. Save an LT-sized space!

[Six-cylinder]

Confession time

 

I bashed the DS on a tree that grew in the drive when I wasn’t looking!

[Tadhg Tiogar]

Confession time

 

I bashed the DS on a tree that grew in the drive when I wasn’t looking!

How's that going to look on the insurance claim form?

 

"Turning into my drive I collided with a tree I didn't have...."

[Six-cylinder]

How's that going to look on the insurance claim form?

 

"Turning into my drive I collided with a tree I didn't have...."

 

Unfortunately the way the insurance industry works these days if I claimed I think I would end up worse off. I think I would suffer increased premiums for several years not only on the policy I claim on but my other policy as well, for being involved in a accident.

[richardmorris]

The Saab got an unusual outing this morning, a few days ago a call went out for a large convertible for the Town Mayor of Brackley to ride in for the Brackley parade. I figured that what they wanted was a wonderful vintage tourer but offered the Saab just in case. I don't need to say more........

 

And just what the hell was wrong with the 2cv?!

[richardmorris]

Any body coming from the North East should note the A508 - A5 - A422 roundabout is closed this weekend for road works.

 

I will try and come up Saturday, but I now need to go to the bank in the morning so possibly won’t be there until midday. What’s the weather forecast like?

[Six-cylinder]

And just what the hell was wrong with the 2cv?!

 

Mine run out of MOT last month.

[Six-cylinder]

Time to catch up

 

The Cadillac played up again not wanting to start, I have had our local friendly Auto Sparks round and he says it is nothing to do with his electricity! That’s it he passed the buck and blamed a bush in the gear selector system not moving the gearbox arm far enough to release the inhibitor switch. A new bush is now needed and Mrs6C has seen a youtube video of how to make one!

 

The Gamma lost the use of the n/s front indicator over the weekend and I checked the bulb to no effect. The Auto Sparks looked at it for me to find the earth tab in the bulb holder is broken off, he has bodged a wire in to earth it while I look for a replacement.

 

My Saab has just started to slip its clutch under high boast. 

 

My CX has not moved on but at least the auto sparks says the gauge I have is suitable for checking the fuel line pressure and from a Citroen Car club member I have some other injectors to try.

[richardmorris]

Time to catch up

 

The Cadillac played up again not wanting to start, I have had our local friendly Auto Sparks round and he says it is nothing to do with his electricity! That’s it he passed the buck and blamed a bush in the gear selector system not moving the gearbox arm far enough to release the inhibitor switch. A new bush is now needed and Mrs6C has seen a youtube video of how to make one!

 

The Gamma lost the use of the n/s front indicator over the weekend and I checked the bulb to no effect. The Auto Sparks looked at it for me to find the earth tab in the bulb holder is broken off, he has bodged a wire in to earth it while I look for a replacement.

 

My Saab has just started to slip its clutch under high boast.

 

 

I think you need a full time sparks and service mechanic. It could work out cheaper in the long run! Elton john (who lives not too far from me ) apparently has a staff of four looking after his fleet.

[Six-cylinder]

Today Slowsilver came round to help me improve the looks of our Metro, no he didn’t add Yugo wings but prepared and primed the temporary black painted wings on the car.  

[chaseracer]

I'll be there early on Saturday.  Be good to see folks.

[richardmorris]

Today Slowsilver came round to help me improve the looks of our Metro, no he didn’t add Yugo wings but prepared and primed the temporary black painted wings on the car.

 

 

 

Does he do Mercedes? Mine will be up Saturday.

[Six-cylinder]

Does he do Mercedes? Mine will be up Saturday.

 

There is a queue you know, Triumph, Jaguar, Lancia, Alfa, BMW, Citroen, Maserati, Mazda..................

[Guest Hooli]

Looks fun but funds & being on-call this week means I can't travel that far.

[Tadhg Tiogar]

....My CX has not moved on but at least the auto sparks says the gauge I have is suitable for checking the fuel line pressure and from a Citroen Car club member I have some other injectors to try.

I'd like to come along and see your CX, but I don't know if it's wise to bring mine....

[Six-cylinder]

I'd like to come along and see your CX, but I don't know if it's wise to bring mine....

 

My CX is stored 6 miles away and still a non runner so it won't be about. Why not bring yours there is safe off road parking?