Six Cylinders Motoring Notes

[Six-cylinder]

This afternoon Colin came round to work on his Mercedes 450SLC.

He jacked it up and removed the front wheels as he has new tyres to have fitted. 

The big one was trying to start it. We had established previously it was not locked up but could not hear any noise from from the fuel pump. We checked for a spark and that was good so we just sprayed a bit of easy start and the engine came to life smoothly. We called that a win!

Feeling very pleased at the progress he celebrated by cleaning some chrome!

Next is to get the fuel pump and lines sorted.

Also while there is little rust there are a few bits of body that need rubbing down and rust protecting. 

[richardmorris]

To be honest, I’d missed any mention of an April meet. I’ve delayed swapping cars around because of the wet weather, and the 2cv being poorly. For the first time ever, I’m not likely to have a classic to drive on drive it day.

[Six-cylinder]

Then we turned our attention to the Vauxhall Royale. The aim was to get the HT leads fitted and get it started.

We were not doing very well so we called for reinforcements in the form of @ianbmw a Monza owner.

The engine turns over nicely but while we have power to the coil we have not got a spark at the points.

More thought has to be given before we tackle it again.

 

[hairnet]

22 minutes ago, Six-cylinder said:

 

 

put the plate on the c15 he might not notice the next time

 

[hairnet]

9 minutes ago, Six-cylinder said:

 

@Skizzer you know where to take yours - six cyl 1 skiz 0 etc (kidding martin)

[Six-cylinder]

I like this time of year.

Yes another local Classic Car gathering, this time with Volvo 480.  The 480 is now sold but I had to get to one more car show with it before it leaves.

 

[Six-cylinder]

Yesterday I received 5 brown envelopes in the post.

Yes 5 cars needed to be retaxed, but they were all were FREE!🙂

[Six-cylinder]

The Past!

The Dream!

The Reality!

 

[Six-cylinder]

The Past!

The Dream!

The Reality!

Mrs6C said don’t do it, but I gave into peer pressure and bought a black 1984 Austin Mini Mayfair.

The trouble is that it is a project that needs a lot of welding and as yet I have no idea if the engine and gearbox are any good. As it has not been on the road for 24 years I have to assume the brakes and exhaust will need attention and the interior has been exposed to the weather.

Yes this car is a full restoration project and I said no more projects. If you can spare a few working brain cells please put them in a jam jar and send them to me!

Now what, first off is to see if I can get it started which I am looking forward too.

[beko1987]

Oh it looks lovely*. Forgive me if I pass on sitting in it when we clean it out and assess it/you have a little cry 

[Six-cylinder]

1 minute ago, beko1987 said:

Oh it looks lovely*. Forgive me if I pass on sitting in it when we clean it out and assess it/you have a little cry 

I have had a peak under those seat covers and I am hopeful the luxury Mayfair Raschelle upholstery can be saved.

The headlining needs antibac as well.

I need to get the seats out as soon as possible as there is no drivers door and side window. They will have to come out for the welding anyway.

[Dobloseven]

If there's no drivers door, you'll have to get in from the passenger side!

[egg]

ooh blimey. Can I suggest the first part you need...

[grogee]

"SPARES OR BRAVE REPAIR" 

[Stinkwheel]

Thanks Chris, i was having mini hankerings, now i think im cured 😁

[hairnet]

 

[hairnet]

[Shite Ron]

I will be following with interest, I am starting to really want a proper Mini on 10” wheels and that looks like what is probably  in my price range. Great to see progress on the Royale too, another interesting car and yours is in the best colour too. One day I hope I can attend a FOD event.

[beko1987]

1 hour ago, Six-cylinder said:

I have had a peak under those seat covers and I am hopeful the luxury Mayfair Raschelle upholstery can be saved.

The headlining needs antibac as well.

I need to get the seats out as soon as possible as there is no drivers door and side window. They will have to come out for the welding anyway.

Oooh that's good then, would it be worth removing it all, cleaning and putting it in the container? 

Would the bolts even need undoing it would Charlie just be able to lift the seats out runners and all😂

[Tommyboy12]

As an utter Mini licker this looks like my idea of fun!

The front end looks pretty solid despite the colander in the rear. I would put money on the scuttle closing panels being non-existent despite the solid scuttle though. Looks like its going to need the waist rail as well as the rear quarter panel on the passenger side.

M-Machine in Darlington is a great source for panels. Good prices and good quality panels http://preview.m-machine.co.uk/

Id be happy to tinker at a FoD event! 

[rob88h]

3 hours ago, Six-cylinder said:

Thoughts and prayers. 

[adw1977]

3 hours ago, Six-cylinder said:

 

I think you'll need more than just that can of WD40 to get it going!

[hairnet]

4 hours ago, rob88h said:

Thoughts and prayers. 

For the transit

[Six-cylinder]

6 hours ago, Shite Ron said:

Great to see progress on the Royale too, another interesting car and yours is in the best colour too. One day I hope I can attend a FOD event.

We were disappointed that we could not get a spark from the Royale's ignition system so yesterday I put the bat Royale symbol in the sky to summon a local retired Auto sparks. 

9am this morning at the FoD he spotted the problem in 5 minutes. The coil feed wires, both run ballast and starter fed 12v had been cut off and we had plugged in an unknown alternative wire.

He added a wire to repair the damage and get the feed to the coil and we have good healthy starks.

Next stage is a bit of testing with easy start to see if it will run.

[hairnet]

beast

[wuvvum]

10 hours ago, Six-cylinder said:

The trouble is that it is a project that needs a lot of welding

Welding schmelding.  MOT exempt innit - get it running and drive it as it is.  You won't even need to worry about the brakes - just stick a foot through the floor and stop it that way.

That must be one of the last of those with 10" wheels - my B-plater was on 12", which made tyres easier to find.  Mind you I'm sure you could borrow* a couple off the Invacar if need be.

[Six-cylinder]

3 hours ago, wuvvum said:

That must be one of the last of those with 10" wheels - my B-plater was on 12", which made tyres easier to find.  Mind you I'm sure you could borrow* a couple off the Invacar if need be.

I have already had my card marked about stealing the wheels from an Invacar!🙂

[Six-cylinder]

A just arrived Mini respray kit!

 

[AnthonyG]

OMFG.

Still, on the bright side, it makes the Royale/Saab 95/Error 404/other random project look more or less mint. 

Re the Royale, a recent purchase of several 70s Autocar mags included one with a road test of the first Senator, and from this I discovered they had different engines!  Another ‘I never knew that’ factoid. The Royale had a 2.5 whilst the Senator had a 3.0.  Even this road test, whilst it loved the Senator, did wonder if the extra cost (£1544, a significant amount of money in 1978) over the Vauxhall was really worth it. 

[Six-cylinder]

This afternoon Colin came round and we stripped the interior of my Mini. Yes it needs some repairs but is not quite as bad as I expected.

The seats are very good under those seat covers. Yes that is a welly boot stuck to the seat cover.

The bad news is the engine is stuck. We put WD40 into the plug holes and see if that helps.