Reliant Rialto

[scaryoldcortina]

Last one I did had so much corrosion around the studs I ended up dangling it from the engine hoist for a couple of days until the engine fell off the head.

[bub2006]

He has had reliants as his only transport for nigh on 40 years now and he said he never had this much hassle before. Liners have sunk, valve springs on 1 and 2 can be compressed by hand too. He wants an estate ideally but reliants now are so expensive you can't afford to be picky

[oldcars]

Had a look at the advisories last night. Mate fitted two new rear tyres and adjusted the front hub, he had the cap off in seconds, sometimes its best to leave these things to the pros 

When i got home i refitted the wheel trims with cable ties and even slicked up the tyres 

[oldcars]

Gave this a good wash yesterday its looking well. Shame there was a really heave frost last night  .

Wiper wont work at all, it has not parked properly for 6 months or so now wont go at all. Screen was frost free, but the body was still frosty. Fingers crossed it just frozen.

[oldcars]

Wiperage has self healed, result 

[plasticvandan]

Sounds like water has leaked through the spindle grommet (common cause of dead radios) and got into the wheel box and frozen.

[oldcars]

It does sound like that. I fixed the leak on that a few months back, maybe some water still in it from before. Radio is dead from the old leak. will pull it out and see if its dry behind it. 

[oldcars]

Just been using this really. New exhaust has arrived today, two weeks ago i ordered it. Missing all the clamps i was told it was coming wuth, so they are on there way now. Then i need to fit it. Manifold bolts should be ok as new studs were fitted two years back. Hangers on the back look a bit rusty. Never done an exhaust before so see how i get on.

[Eddie Honda]

Manifold bolts should be ok as new studs were fitted two years back.

hohoho!

[oldcars]

Bolts came out ok. Back box bolts hard going, but new exhaust system is fitted. Bit of waxoyl spray underneath car as well. There is a small blow where the backbox fits the pipe. How's it best to sort that?

[Mally]

Holts Gum Gum.

Can remove the box and coat the joint then replace, or try just squeezing a bit in the leak.

Read the instructions, it's a while since I used it, but you may have to dampen the area first.

[oldcars]

Thanks, need to get some.

[Eddie Honda]

Make sure the backbox is fully home? For all the bother it sounds like you need to borrow one of these (I've got a set, but miles away)

 

 

Helps, especially when putting used bits of pipe back on to "unpinch" them.

 

Also as above, assembly paste.

[oldcars]

Make sure the backbox is fully home? For all the bother it sounds like you need to borrow one of these (I've got a set, but miles away)

 

 

Helps, especially when putting used bits of pipe back on to "unpinch" them.

 

Also as above, assembly paste.

I think the back box in fully home, its hard to try and do it on your own, but i'm sure it is. Popping to a mates tonight as he has a ramp, doing it on axle stands was hard work.

[oldcars]

Make sure the backbox is fully home? For all the bother it sounds like you need to borrow one of these (I've got a set, but miles away)

 

 

Helps, especially when putting used bits of pipe back on to "unpinch" them.

 

Also as above, assembly paste.

You were spot on, back box not seated properly on the pipe. Bit of paste and seated it correctly and its all sorted. Mate said stick to my day job, kwik fit won't want me  

[Eddie Honda]

Lol

 

My exhaust installations are variable. It's certainly easier if the pipe has all the right bends in all the right places (some cheap aftermarket ones need the big persuader)

[oldcars]

My full system was really cheap, £46 delivered. Seems to fit well, bends correct and all seems good.

[Split_Pin]

I'm gonna get my ass in gear and start reading more of these '1 car' threads, Just spent my lunch break reading this from beginning to end and I really enjoyed it. I had no idea the engine was pretty much inside the cabin on these, with access plates on the side for access - brilliant!

 

Very impressed with your work on the HGF, threads like this keep me inspired with my shite-fixing mojo.

 

Hopefully I'll see it around, I'll get a bit hot and bothered about seeing a 'saloon' example like yours, I recall being excited spotting them as a kid

[oldcars]

I'm gonna get my ass in gear and start reading more of these '1 car' threads, Just spent my lunch break reading this from beginning to end and I really enjoyed it. I had no idea the engine was pretty much inside the cabin on these, with access plates on the side for access - brilliant!

 

Very impressed with your work on the HGF, threads like this keep me inspired with my shite-fixing mojo.

 

Hopefully I'll see it around, I'll get a bit hot and bothered about seeing a 'saloon' example like yours, I recall being excited spotting them as a kid

Thanks, i enjoyed doing the headgasket on it. It was in my pals garage. He has now sadly passed away it was really the last car job he ever did really. Sad, he was a great guy, taught me loads of stuff. 

Saloons are quite rare. There is a yellow one same year in Dunfermline for sale for £250. I really fancy it but no time really to do anything with it. Bit of a bargain i think.

[Split_Pin]

That's sad about your friend, at least you both enjoyed working on it though.

[stuboy]

cool work dude

[oldcars]

Just been using this really. Not been great at starting in the damp the last few mornings. Did my weekly checks this morning and the oil is on the minimum. Was fine last week. Valve stem seals were done two years ago and there is no smoke, water is still clean so no sign of mixing. Will get some more 20/50 Comma ordered up and top it up and keep an eye on it. These is a small oil leak but not enough to lose what it has done.

[oldcars]

Topped up oil and it has been fine ever since. Noticed over the last few days black on the ground near exhaust. Never seen this before. When on choke from cold if you put your hand near the exhaust it goes black, but when choke in and its up to temp its fine and a clean exhaust. Don't remember it being like this before, what could the cause be?

[plasticvandan]

Normal.excess fuel due to being on choke.if it needs choke for more than a mile or so its running too rich.

[dollywobbler]

Yup, a combination of soot from rich running - which engines do when cold - and the moisture in the exhaust. Once watched a Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud hurl a load of black shite all over another Rolls at a specialist! Exhausts that turn down are rather kinder in that regard - at least then it only goes on the floor.

[oldcars]

Normal.excess fuel due to being on choke.if it needs choke for more than a mile or so its running too rich.

Yes it's on choke for about three miles I would say. Will lean it off, would one flat on the mixture nut be OK?

[plasticvandan]

Brainfart moment,meant too weak,prob needs richening,I couldn't tell you how many flats,I used to use my ears!

[oldcars]

First proper winter morning with ice on the inside of the screen  .

I always run the car with the heater on. When its off it blocks off the heater matrix. Would running it off for a wee while make the engine warm up quicker? Just a thought as it takes a bit of time to defrost the screen 

[adw1977]

I always run the car with the heater on. When its off it blocks off the heater matrix. Would running it off for a wee while make the engine warm up quicker?

I would have thought so. Turning the heater up to max used to delay the inevitable overheating in a crap 309 I had many years ago, so logically the reverse should be true.

[Mally]

Leave it running on the road for 10 minutes to warm up whilst you have breakfast.

With a bit of luck someone may steal it.