Six Cylinders Motoring Notes

[Six-cylinder]

2 minutes ago, richardmorris said:

Wasn’t the main problem with dynamos that they didn’t charge at idle? So alternators took over.

 

That is true, but it still used to charge when the revs raised a little. Now does not until it is spinning quite fast and these have adjustable regulators and I am hoping some adjustment will correct that.

[Six-cylinder]

The indicator is back in the Mercedes E320 and working but does not feel very secure.

I am going to ask @Mrs6C to take a look at it tomorrow.

[ianbmw]

1 hour ago, richardmorris said:

I note that the ABs lamp is now out, not necessarily the fault fixed.hahahaha 

The fan belt fell off during the test! But they carried on regardless.

 

but without the alternator charging, it throws an ABS light on due to not enough grunt.

[richardmorris]

31 minutes ago, ianbmw said:

The fan belt fell off during the test! But they carried on regardless.

 

but without the alternator charging, it throws an ABS light on due to not enough grunt.

Bit like my last 2cv test. No wipers, lights or headlights etc. well no the battery was dead and alternator wasn’t doing anything. Enough charge to get to the test though, and was running to do emissions .

[ianbmw]

In all honesty, with a leaking fuel pipe and the fan belt not charging the alternator, they should of stopped the test .

They also failed it on the EML light being on. However it’s a pre 2003 petrol and therefore, that’s not a failure.

 

im just going to take it to the local MOT man to me, who just does MOTs  and doesn’t pick up a spanner……or a watering can to put washer fluid in…..or a screw driver to adjust headlamps.

[Six-cylinder]

Soggy cars!

[Tommyboy12]

Bit wet everywhere really. Im glad I got time to weld on Saturday in the glorious sunshine

[ianbmw]

i Identify as a Carlton mechanic and not a diver, sod fixing it tonight!

[hairnet]

thats not funny

[AnthonyG]

Does this mean the FoD is cut off? 🌧😮!

[High Jetter]

3 hours ago, ianbmw said:

i Identify as a Carlton mechanic and not a diver, sod fixing it tonight!

Not a ford man, then?

[Six-cylinder]

4 hours ago, ianbmw said:

i Identify as a Carlton mechanic and not a diver, sod fixing it tonight!

I don't know what you are complaining for as you have a Land Rover and the water in the yard will only be an inch deep!

[richardmorris]

On 21/09/2024 at 18:48, Six-cylinder said:

The indicator is back in the Mercedes E320 and working but does not feel very secure.

I am going to ask @Mrs6C to take a look at it tomorrow.

At least put one of the spare orange bulbs ( in the cardboard box in the boot) in the other side. I preferred the Philipps chrome orange to get rid of the fried egg look.

[ianbmw]

Today I identified as a 90s Vauxhall diagnostic machine and turned the engine management light out!!!

it was a hugely time consuming task, requiring many hours studying wiring diagrams and following wires…

That’s a fib, I just looked around and saw a plug loose….plugged it back in and the EML went out!

Rear bushes were, predictably a pig so I am going to make something tomorrow to push them home.

I’ve also set the ambitious goal of getting a clean sheet MOT on it……a V sign to the previous MOT tester who fell out the wrong side of the bed, didn’t have his coffee, must of stubbed his toe and was clearly a Ford man.

 

petty? Maybe!

 

 

[Six-cylinder]

15 hours ago, ianbmw said:

Today I identified as a 90s Vauxhall diagnostic machine and turned the engine management light out!!!

it was a hugely time consuming task, requiring many hours studying wiring diagrams and following wires…

That’s a fib, I just looked around and saw a plug loose….plugged it back in and the EML went out!

Rear bushes were, predictably a pig so I am going to make something tomorrow to push them home.

I’ve also set the ambitious goal of getting a clean sheet MOT on it……a V sign to the previous MOT tester who fell out the wrong side of the bed, didn’t have his coffee, must of stubbed his toe and was clearly a Ford man.

 

petty? Maybe!

 

 

 

[Six-cylinder]

What is was like to reverse in the rain before heated rear windows and rear wipers!

[LightBulbFun]

50 minutes ago, Six-cylinder said:

What is was like to reverse in the rain before heated rear windows and rear wipers!

isn't that what you have @Slowsilver kept in the boot for?

[Six-cylinder]

I bit of a momentous day for my Mini Mayfair yesterday, it moved under its own power for the first time in 25 years. Ok it was only the length of Geoff’s short drive but it had been a battle to release the clutch which turned out to be hardly wore just stuck.

Today Geoff has refitted the grill making it look complete.

Don’t worry @ianbmw there is still a fair bit to do including refitting the entire interior of the car and I don’t see it beating the Carlton back to being on the road!

[BorniteIdentity]

1 hour ago, Six-cylinder said:

I bit of a momentous day for my Mini Mayfair yesterday, it moved under its own power for the first time in 25 years. Ok it was only the length of Geoff’s short drive but it had been a battle to release the clutch which turned out to be hardly wore just stuck.

Today Geoff has refitted the grill making it look complete.

Don’t worry @ianbmw there is still a fair bit to do including refitting the entire interior of the car and I don’t see it beating the Carlton back to being on the road!

Flashy git with your Chrome bumpers. 

My clutch was also very stuck as well.  @alf892 used abject violence on the slave cylinder and it's worked ever since, albeit much like a switch rather than with any feel and travel.

Great work.  Minis, despite being so numerous, are still special little things.  I'd urge anyone to have one as a weekend toy for trundling along B roads and the like.

[hairnet]

chris youre nuts

[richardmorris]

6 hours ago, LightBulbFun said:

isn't that what you have @Slowsilver kept in the boot for?

To shout out beep, beep, beeeeep noises, or wipe the window?

[Noel Tidybeard]

8 hours ago, Six-cylinder said:

What is was like to reverse in the rain before heated rear windows and rear wipers!

slowsilvers day off then?🤣

[Noel Tidybeard]

3 hours ago, BorniteIdentity said:

Flashy git with your Chrome bumpers. 

 

iirc nimbus grey bumpers are made of unobtanium

[High Jetter]

4 hours ago, hairnet said:

chris youre nuts 😀

R U their new butler? 😀

[Stinkwheel]

10 hours ago, Noel Tidybeard said:

iirc nimbus grey bumpers are made of unobtanium

Depends if you want genuine or reproduction, if reproduction, no problem and not too expensive really

I shall just be repainting the originals on our City E

And @Six-cylinder, your mini progress is making me jealous, I must get on with more welding at the weekend, although have had it running now, lots of squirrels stored nuts and rubbish shot out the exhaust across the garage 

[Tommyboy12]

Its making me jealous of progress on mine and I am actually making progress!

[Six-cylinder]

3 hours ago, Stinkwheel said:

Depends if you want genuine or reproduction, if reproduction, no problem and not too expensive really

I shall just be repainting the originals on our City E

And @Six-cylinder, your mini progress is making me jealous, I must get on with more welding at the weekend, although have had it running now, lots of squirrels stored nuts and rubbish shot out the exhaust across the garage 

 

2 hours ago, Tommyboy12 said:

Its making me jealous of progress on mine and I am actually making progress!

I have chrome bumpers because I am better than the rest the front one was missing when I bought the car. The rear one had rust holes, was dented and Geoff offered me used Chrome bumpers.

Last year Colin from the Milton Keynes Classic Car Club helped me with a couple of cars and this year he asked if he could bring his newly purchased 1979 Mercedes 450SLC project to the FoD while he worked on it. He then told me there was a project Mini for sale from the same garage sale where it had sat for ever. I told him I did not need a Mini project and he asked twice more and told me it was cheap and because he had restored several Minis would be able to help me with it. In the end I gave in much to the dismay of Mrs6C and Colin had it delivered next day.

When it arrived I was enthusiastic, but when we striped out the interior realised it needed a fair amount of welding and my heart sank knowing at commercial rates this was not viable. I told Colin I was going to sell it on and he said nonsense my friend Geoff will weld it up for you. Pick another welder off the tree came to mind! 3 days later Colin said I have spoken to Geoff and he is willing to help. I said he had better come and see how bad the car is before we ship it to him. Geoff came to look and said “it is not as bad as some I have done for myself” and off it went just for the welding. Then I got comments like while I have it up in the air do you want me to replace the brake pipe that goes under the subframe. Do you want me to go through all the brakes, shell we see if we can start it………….

Well thank you Geoff you have saved this car and I am enjoying seeing it progress with me just buying the parts.

Milton Keynes has a Mini Group that meet up first Thursday each month at the Giffard Park pub. All Minis both classic and modern. Anybody who has an interest in Mini's come along. They are on facebook.

[IronStar]

Very heartwarming seeing another Mini going back on the road soon. Especially when it would be scrapped if it wasn't for some real dedication and being surrounded by the right people. 

I really love these when they work right, it's just a shame that mine never was working right and is spending its days at a specialist garage. 

Great work!

[Tommyboy12]

The jobs always get worse as you progress. I was determined not to remove the rear subframe on my project and then the captive nut fell out when I peeled off the oversill that had been welded on so now I am resigned to that. Which also means doing the brake pipe under the subframe, and then doing the fuel line and the battery cable and so on and so on...

[Stinkwheel]

22 minutes ago, Tommyboy12 said:

The jobs always get worse as you progress. I was determined not to remove the rear subframe on my project and then the captive nut fell out when I peeled off the oversill that had been welded on so now I am resigned to that. Which also means doing the brake pipe under the subframe, and then doing the fuel line and the battery cable and so on and so on...

The cascade of jobs.

I was determined not to remove the windscreen, then i did.

I was determined not to pull the front hubs apart, until you guys pointed out it had metro ones, now its used hubs, new ball joint, new wheelbearings, new driveshaft gaiters, rebuild calipers, new discs etc etc

But its been off the road since 92, so i guess it doesnt hurt to do it all