Six Cylinders Motoring Notes

[Six-cylinder]

Yesterday I took Morris to an MG Car Club lunch. Nothing remarkable except a Nissan Silvia unconnected to our group with a lady who bought it new.

[Six-cylinder]

I had some bad news today about the Vauxhall Carlton Estate.

Repair immediately (major defects):

• Offside Front Fuel hose leaking (6.1.3 (b) (i))
• Nearside Front Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))
• Nearside Rear Sub-frame pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))
• Offside Rear Sub-frame pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))
• Offside Front Drag link end ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))
• Rear Brake disc significantly and obviously worn (1.1.14 (a) (i))
• Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (1.6 (b))
• Engine MIL inoperative or indicates a malfunction (8.2.1.2 (h))
• Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))
• .
•  

Monitor and repair if necessary (advisories):

• Fuel Pipe/s corroded ALL
• Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))
• Alternator warning light on

[Six-cylinder]

Today Slowsilver did another grass cut of the FoD in preparation for the FoD Open Weekend.

Today I have driven both the V70 and the 940 and prefer the 940 by a small margin mainly because of the more comfortable ride. Anybody also driven both and have a favourite?

[High Jetter]

46 minutes ago, Six-cylinder said:

I had some bad news today about the Vauxhall Carlton Estate.

Repair immediately (major defects):

• Offside Front Fuel hose leaking (6.1.3 (b) (i))
• Nearside Front Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))
• Nearside Rear Sub-frame pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))
• Offside Rear Sub-frame pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))
• Offside Front Drag link end ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))
• Rear Brake disc significantly and obviously worn (1.1.14 (a) (i))
• Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (1.6 (b))
• Engine MIL inoperative or indicates a malfunction (8.2.1.2 (h))
• Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))
• .
•  

Monitor and repair if necessary (advisories):

• Fuel Pipe/s corroded ALL
• Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))
• Alternator warning light on

Rear subframe & brake pipes are the worst, shirley? The rest is easy.

[Six-cylinder]

On 23/05/2024 at 09:18, Tommyboy12 said:

The Mini being spritely will depend on the diff ratio more than anything. Minis feel quick if theyre on a 3.4 diff even with 40hp. Ive driven a 998 with a 3.9 diff and it was almost quick, but it was doing 5000rpm at 70mph! But if its a 2.9 (as per Mini City E) it will feel sluggish but have super long legs for the motorway. My 998 (which 10" wheels) has a 2.9 diff and you can definitely feel it once youre into 4th. But it also does 70mph at 3500rpm so is a real nice motorway cruiser.

My Dec 1982 Brochure says the Mayfair could have 2.95 or 2.76 Final Drives. Anyway I can tell without taking it apart?

[juular]

The 740 and 940 series are so pleasantly smooth and comfortable, they feel very right. In terms of refinement they do not feel their age. It's unfathomable that the 240 outlived the 740, it feels like a tractor in comparison.

I do however really like the 70 series for a long drive. The seats just fit me better and I find it easier to get the perfect driving position. It is a much stiffer car which makes it less pleasant on country roads but on the motorway the smoothness and stability is brilliant. Plus, the 5 cylinder noise is fantastic, and a T5 really flies.

[Six-cylinder]

This morning I took Morris to Hobnob with Bentleys!

This afternoon Colin from The Milton Keynes Classic Car Club came to the FoD to finish cleaning up his 1979 Mercedes 450SLC that he had delivered 1-4-24 after sitting for 20+ years. It starts and runs, but badly on less than 8 cylinders. We have changed the petrol twice and Colin's garage thinks it is injectors so it goes into them later next week. Fingers cross they nail the problem and the project can proceed to a running driving car. 

[Tommyboy12]

On 24/05/2024 at 23:07, Six-cylinder said:

My Dec 1982 Brochure says the Mayfair could have 2.95 or 2.76 Final Drives. Anyway I can tell without taking it apart?

If you have the engine number I can tell you. I am a boring catalogue of knowledge 😅

[Six-cylinder]

2 hours ago, Tommyboy12 said:

If you have the engine number I can tell you. I am a boring catalogue of knowledge 😅

Fantastic, the car is away at the moment being welded so I don't have easy access to it. When it returns or I get the V5C back from the DVLA  I will give you the number to decode.

Remembering this is an Autoshite budget project and I can't find any used wheels with legal tyres for sale also new 10 inch tyres are so expensive I have been wondering how a set of used 12 inch with useable tyres would affect the gearing?

[Tommyboy12]

2 hours ago, Six-cylinder said:

Fantastic, the car is away at the moment being welded so I don't have easy access to it. When it returns or I get the V5C back from the DVLA  I will give you the number to decode.

Remembering this is an Autoshite budget project and I can't find any used wheels with legal tyres for sale also new 10 inch tyres are so expensive I have been wondering how a set of used 12 inch with useable tyres would affect the gearing?

The rolling radius of 10" and 12" tyres for Minis are almost identical. It'll be 2-3mph difference maximum at about 60mph. If budget is name of the game id suggest some wheels and tyres from a failed project. Plenty of 12" Mini lites kicking round from people who bought wheels before realising the amount of welding required 😅

[chaseracer]

Is it true that Hillman Imp wheels fit a Mini (though not a MINI...) or am I talking out of the wrong hole?

Again.

🙂

[richardmorris]

54 minutes ago, chaseracer said:

Is it true that Hillman Imp wheels fit a Mini (though not a MINI...) or am I talking out of the wrong hole?

Again.

🙂

Google says no. Dangerous.

same PCD but more offset and larger holes.

[High Jetter]

5 hours ago, chaseracer said:

Is it true that Hillman Imp wheels fit a Mini (though not a MINI...) or am I talking out of the wrong hole?

Again.

🙂

My instinct says no.

[Ghosty]

940 vs V70...
close enough, I've had a 740 and an 850. I preferred the 850 to live with, more comfortable, less fragile bits, more performance for the same fuel economy, more features, and better handling. I found it a less gloomy place to be, and slightly better thought out.

[Peter C]

On 21/05/2024 at 12:48, Six-cylinder said:

Date for FoD Open Weekend

15/16 June 2024

Is there room for a blue Ford Sierra?

[chaseracer]

6 hours ago, Peter C said:

Is there room for a blue Ford Sierra?

There's ALWAYS room for a blue Ford Sierra... 😎

[Six-cylinder]

Today was prep day for cars and @Slowsilver came to help. One of the great thing about having Slowsilver help me apart from the chauffeur driven Maxi is he insisted we check oil, water and tyre pressures of cars that have been slumbering before we drive them about.

The Metro is going to Gaydon Sunday for the Mini and Metro show so it needed to come out of storage. It started with a jump easily.

We also got out our Citroen DS as next weekend is the national DS Rally again started easily with a jump and I have driven it home with no problems.

Tomorrow, Saturday is MK Modern Classic Breakfast meet and I fancy taking the Metro to that.

We also had to start and move the Lancia Gamma but did not have time to drive it other that in and out of storage.

The Renault 4 bonnet is still stuck shut as the rod that opens it feels like it is disconnected. I managed to wedge the back edge, of the tip forward bonnet open to see the catch but the extra long screwdriver I had was not quite long enough and I need one half the width of a Renault 4.

 

[Christine]

Oh yeah  , mower!   ...    National 68 mower free , but it'll need collecting near East Grinstead . Owner passed away  ?  Dangerous as ! 

[wuvvum]

10 minutes ago, Christine said:

Oh yeah  , mower!   ...    National 68 mower free , but it'll need collecting near East Grinstead . Owner passed away  ?  Dangerous as ! 

If you want to talk dangerous mowers, @Talbot is your man.

[High Jetter]

1 hour ago, Christine said:

near East Grinstead . Dangerous as ! 

Yea, best avoided!

[AnthonyG]

I will be able to make this now. Are there any specific plans for stuff to do?  
Apart from collect fish and chips in a Morris 1300, that goes without saying. 

What’s the status on the Saab 95? I remember it starting and running but don’t recall it moving about much - did it need work on the brakes or clutch? 

[Bear]

On 24/05/2024 at 22:29, Six-cylinder said:

Today Slowsilver did another grass cut of the FoD in preparation for the FoD Open Weekend.

Today I have driven both the V70 and the 940 and prefer the 940 by a small margin mainly because of the more comfortable ride. Anybody also driven both and have a favourite?

Always 940.740 over FWD.

[Six-cylinder]

This weeks problem is my Rolls Royce stopped charging.

With the help of my friend Duncan from the Triumph Club I finally got the dynamo off and took it for test and repair to an Auto sparks in Aylesbury. They report 2 of the 3 brushes are worn and the other one is homemade and sticks in its holder. I have ordered new Brushes today.

Yesterday we did a compression test on my Mitsubishi Sigma which with a range of 15-80 psi is low. It looks like both banks need new head gaskets. I am now looking for the parts and the mech I have asked to do it is doing his homework on the job, but I think he will find it is straightforward.

Daily driver this week is my Citroen DS.

[Six-cylinder]

On 03/06/2024 at 23:40, AnthonyG said:

I will be able to make this now. Are there any specific plans for stuff to do?  
Apart from collect fish and chips in a Morris 1300, that goes without saying. 

What’s the status on the Saab 95? I remember it starting and running but don’t recall it moving about much - did it need work on the brakes or clutch? 

I believe the  @juular will be here is weld their BX and @MrsJuular to dismantle her spares Ami 8. I think @Talbotwill be here finishing the barn roof.  @beko1987 will be with us to clean up the Mini Mayfair interior, which is out of the car. Beko also says he will pressure clean some of the cars that have got very green over the winter.

I am hoping @juular can weld on the cutter wheel that has broken off the garden tractor back on.

We need to organise a parking space for the black Visa GT which is returning the following week. 3 years ago I agreed with a welding garage  to do all the the welding to make it safe and legal. They started with enthusiasm but soon the project stalled and the car has just sat.

The Royale needs it's carb looking at as when you connect a fuel supply  the float does not shut it off and petrol bubbles up through the carb.

The Morris 1300 has acquired a misfire and needs looking at. It seems worst after a roundabout or bend so I am thinking the carb should be cleaned out and the fuel line check to see it is clear.

Last time we played with the Saab 95 we got it going but the brakes were stuck, the fuel tank leaked and the lights etc needed fitting. The @MrsJuular put the lights and wiring in. @Andyrew arranged for the fuel tank to be reconditioned but it needs refitting. I am sure the brakes will needs unsticking again.

It would be so nice to have a moped working for site transport.

Colin's Mercedes 450SLC might be back from it injectors being cleaned.

The Carlton Estate has an MOT fail list to sort.

Repair immediately (major defects):

• Offside Front Fuel hose leaking (6.1.3 (b) (i))
• Nearside Front Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))
• Nearside Rear Sub-frame pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))
• Offside Rear Sub-frame pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))
• Offside Front Drag link end ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))
• Rear Brake disc significantly and obviously worn (1.1.14 (a) (i))
• Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (1.6 (b))
• Engine MIL inoperative or indicates a malfunction (8.2.1.2 (h))
• Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Monitor and repair if necessary (advisories):

• Fuel Pipe/s corroded ALL
• Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))
• Alternator warning light on

 

 

 

[jonathan_dyane]

I don't think the engine MIL is actually a fail on a vehicle of this age

[Ghosty]

55 minutes ago, jonathan_dyane said:

I don't think the engine MIL is actually a fail on a vehicle of this age

Correct, EML is only a fail on cars made 2003 and later.

[AnthonyG]

Carburettor rebuilds are not really my thing, there are far too many precious little bits to lose…😄

Happy to bring along the BMC factory manual I have though - covers both the HS2 and HS4 SUs. 

[AnthonyG]

You are welcome to borrow this for as long as you own the car. 

[Six-cylinder]

18 minutes ago, AnthonyG said:

Carburettor rebuilds are not really my thing, there are far too precious little bits to lose…😄

Happy to bring along the BMC factory manual I have though - covers both the HS2 and HS4 SUs. 

I noticed today the fuel has drained out of the filter by the carburettor. 

 

[Six-cylinder]

On 07/06/2024 at 19:03, AnthonyG said:

You are welcome to borrow this for as long as you own the car. 

Thanks, I do have one and a Haynes manual.