Project Rusty Triumphs in Scotland - One out - 25/08/25

[captain_70s]

Longer days at work mean less motivation to weld in the evenings...

Cleaned up the manifolds. (Left side done, right side untouched).

There is a flap in the exhaust manifold to direct exhaust gasses up against the bottom of the inlet manifold. Seemingly to improve cold starts/running/economy. Naturally this was seized solid and it took a couple of hours with the MAPP gas torch and big hammer to get it to free up.

Conventional wisdom seems to suggest wiring it closed causes no ill effect. It being stuck open can cause vapour lock. Under the little cover on the right is a coil spring which I think actuates the flap as it expands/contracts. Or it would, had it not crumbled to dust in my hand.

Downpipe stud has also seen better days...

Dragged the water pump out the boot and wire wheeled it. There are a couple of threaded inlet/outlets that are badly corroded and will need replaced.

Spins freely but chances of it pissing coolant out are probably very high. Not sure of the logistics of having it serviced.

Tested out my expensive paint removing discs on the angle grinder. Very satisfying. 

Chucked bits loosely on the engine to keep them out of the way. 

[Matty]

Is the pump not shared with the later straight sixes like the Ventoras? If you could get a new un it's probably better for peace of mind?

[captain_70s]

1 hour ago, Matty said:

Is the pump not shared with the later straight sixes like the Ventoras? If you could get a new un it's probably better for peace of mind?

Similar but different.

I don't think you can actually get new water pumps for any variation of the 6 pot. There is something to be said for the parts supply of BLMC stuff, even if most of it is junk!

A browse of the owner's club mag and Google has shown that there are a few places doing refurb pumps on an exchange basis. So a solution is at hand if it proves leaky.

Obviously they can be rebuilt by DIY, but it sounds like one of those jobs that's a bit of a faff and potentially ends with a pump that lasts 50 miles because you misaligned something...

[Dyslexic Viking]

I had a look at the water pumps for 6-cylinder Opel now and new ones are available but they look different unfortunately.

[Matty]

1 hour ago, captain_70s said:

Similar but different.

I don't think you can actually get new water pumps for any variation of the 6 pot. There is something to be said for the parts supply of BLMC stuff, even if most of it is junk!

A browse of the owner's club mag and Google has shown that there are a few places doing refurb pumps on an exchange basis. So a solution is at hand if it proves leaky.

Obviously they can be rebuilt by DIY, but it sounds like one of those jobs that's a bit of a faff and potentially ends with a pump that lasts 50 miles because you misaligned something...

Still a result. If you can get a refurb exchange it's like having new anyway. Great to see you cracking on with this 👏 

[Dyslexic Viking]

This is a 6 and 4 cylinder 50s and 60s Opel water pump.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/388284958055?fits=Make%3AOpel&_skw=opel+blitz+water&itmmeta=01JZA7ZW0K1EH28Y581GWBT1BH&hash=item5a67964567:g:OAQAAOSw35NagCkC&itmprp=enc%3AAQAKAAAA0FkggFvd1GGDu0w3yXCmi1dqtP%2FQupZEUm%2FEcDsOWSerELbRcyEFHOpRoZjwPi5PN1EwcIMB9RY7awARwKJ86BpWKwqePzDU%2BAhWPK49sB6qgRahIYenN9AOr10tzhAZ%2BWiWRmehlAJCHZDK4tsfqaIRyAsKwarQkfcEL0zGOjoeedvHDQdKL6%2FWS6swicMEgi3YAaDF%2Fsj2Wy51fd2nMlDF1iemX3To4ITCkE55txdSZ6zg79I6I4dKDX0CAgmlW2n8Ph6UMLcj5hcdbCSTqXg%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR7zA_8f6ZQ

[captain_70s]

Updates!

Acclaim has left the building. Massively hassle free sale to @RetroShite. End of an era but it was just sitting on the driveway going rusty and I've oversubscribed on project cars. Ironically when it left it was my only fully functional car...

Immediately before it was due to leave the exhaust snapped in half and I foolishly figured it'd be easier to take it off and weld it up rather than bodge in situ.

Unfortunately during removal it promptly fell to bits in multiple other locations...

Fucksake.

Promptly fired some amazing* welding at the problem...

The following is probably my finest ever welding work.

Ironically on reassembly it started blowing at the manifold/downpipe flange. Fucking thing.

I then collected the spare parts for it from the super secret storage location.

Note to self. Bring gardening tools on the next visit to the lock up...

The Volvo ran out of MOT. Threw it at the garage where it promptly failed.

The wipers have never automatically parked, they park wherever you switch them off. From what I understand this shouldn't be a fail, but I'm going to borrow the relevant relay from another Scotoshiter to get it through the test....

Headlight aim has never been an issue before. I'd put good money on their testing rig being buggered.

Horn was buggered. I have solved this.

Had a nose at the bad tyre.

Naturally its the newest tyre on the car, probably hasn't done 1,000 miles. Was supposed to be replaced today but the mobile fitter simply never showed up...

Ordered lower ball joints for it. Not that I can feel any play in either of them. Unfortunately taking an age to arrive so aren't going to get the free retest...

Not much going with the Cresta. I've been polishing chrome in my downtime...

Rummaged through my bits and found the parts to assemble a decent front grille, as the one that came with the car was pretty rough...

It will take some jiggery pokery to get it all to fit together properly. It's a mix of '55/'56 parts which aren't quite identical.

I also actually got to see an intact Vauxhall E Series in the metal for the first time!

Also a '56, but a 4-cylinder Wyvern.

I also got tired of the Cresta sitting on a flat tyre.

Modern rubbish that can't even last 40 years...

Superior 70 year old rubber...

The Dolomite has been largely trouble free and has been the go-to daily.

It was also my Shitefest transport.

It has recently started overcharging, the charge light dimly glows. Bought a repair kit and replaced the regulator. Still overcharging.

The brand new parts were actually rustier than the bits on the car, so I don't exactly trust them...

All the wiring for the alternator goes through a multiplug into the rectifier, which seems to be fine. I think it's earthed straight through the casing.

Yesterday I changed the oil. Today I engaged in some turd polishing.

Add in a bit of satin black rattle can and we have a set of fully restored* wheels.

Rustival this coming weekend. I'm in Redcar for work the next two days. Ideal prep time...

Oh. I also managed to wash my garage.

The joys of the "outside" tap being inside the garage. Hose partially came off the fitting and fired high pressure water all over the place while I was washing the car...

[Dyslexic Viking]

Looking forward to when the Vauxhall is finished as is one of my favorite cars on here.