The day Trigger turned into Junkman - P6 Content

[trigger]

 

I got the repaired radiator back today, costing me £180 for the privilege, it all went back in easy enough though.

 

 

So with this all fitted i couldn't not take it for a road test so next stop was Felixstowe sea front.

 

 

 

I love that interior.

 

 

All was good, no drips (other than the driver) so I'll call that a successful outing for a change. I must say the car is a absolute joy to drive, ok it's not going to win races but it chugs along nicely with brakes like a modern car and it just glides over speed bumps and rough roads, it's really impressive even by todays standards so i can only imagine what they were like when they came out in the 60s.

[plasticvandan]

One of my favourite cars of all time,I like the slight box whine and general feeling of safety and comfort they give the passenger as well.

[cort16]

I can't decide if I prefer this dash to the v8 one. I really like the centre clock but I think I prefer the v8's speedo console.

Hopefully that'll be it for the spends for a while.

[Junkman]

it's really impressive even by todays standards

What do you mean?

 

Show me one single newfangled tosh that comes even remotely close!

[Spottedlaurel]

Good that it's gone back together OK and all is well now.

 

My recent recore for the 1200 was about £125 all-in. Obviously that's a bit smaller, but Express Radiators in Norwich who I used were a tad cheaper than a place in Ipswich when I was ringing round for prices.

 

I think you were right not to go for the Allegro. Who knows what that needs, and with winter on the way you won't have so many opportunities to use them all.

[trigger]

I think it done the right thing not buying it now in hindsight either, especially now that the Dolomite is having engine problems and will need stripping back down again, i think the new head gasket either hasn't sealed between ports 2 and 3 or it's dropped a valve as it's running on 3 cylinders, Its really annoying but it's not too much hassle to sort out, it just means that have to remove the head again.

[vulgalour]

Wow, I thought I was relatively up-to-speed on this thread, guess not!  I am just a teensy bit jealous of your Rover, it's one of the best colour combinations and I'm even willing to forgive it the leather seats because they look right in a P6.

[trigger]

I love it to be honest, the only fault which is very minor to be honest is that it's a bit slow, You have to work it a bit to get any oomph out of it and then you see the fuel gauge take a bashing! I've ordered a Powerspark electronic ignition kit for it tonight to see what difference it makes, it feels a bit hesitant and "fluffy" when accelerating and as the points and low tension lead all look a bit tired so i can't see it doing any harm upgrading them, I've ordered the same setup for the Dolomite too!.

 

I took it to Long Melford on Sunday with my little girl and wife and it got a number of nice comments from passing people.

 

[plasticvandan]

I think it done the right thing not buying it now in hindsight either, especially now that the Dolomite is having engine problems and will need stripping back down again, i think the new head gasket either hasn't sealed between ports 2 and 3 or it's dropped a valve as it's running on 3 cylinders, Its really annoying but it's not too much hassle to sort out, it just means that have to remove the head again.

Remember that guy who ran up to you offering a headgasket set?and I said always accept spares... I predicted it!

[cort16]

I can't go out in mine without people asking me about it or trying to buy it. A bit embarrassing when it won't start or has over heated and conked out at the side of the road mind you.

 

Are you sick of people saying "is it a v8?" When I had my SD1 every conversation went like this.  

 

"Wow, I've not seen one of these in a while......."

"is it a v8.?"

[trigger]

Most conversations go "You should have bought a V8, I told you to buy a V8"...    

 

 

Remember that guy who ran up to you offering a headgasket set?and I said always accept spares... I predicted it!

 

Trouble it that it's the wrong gasket set, it's for a non recessed head, I had to buy a new set for £18 online instead. Hopefully we will get the head off on Saturday and see what the problem is, tThe garage who did the clutch offered to adjust the tappets and dad thinks they may have over tightened them and damaged a valve, i won't know until we get the head back off again though.

[cort16]

If I tried to defend it by saying "well actually the 2600 wasn't far off the v8 performance wise.." you could see them instantly drifting back back to thinking about the packet of jelly baby's they had in their pocket or whatever.

[dollywobbler]

The 2000SC is hard work. I owned mine AFTER having owned a V8, so it was always going to be a poor comparison. Just as thirsty if you drove it as quickly as V8 would go. 

 

Bloody good of Sean Locke to pose with your daughter and car though.

[trigger]

This is the 2200 SC which is apparently more torquey? I wouldn't know, i probably should have got a 2200 TC but this came up and i really liked it and I'm glad i did it. As for Sean Lock... You cheeky git!

[dollywobbler]

This is the 2200 SC which is apparently more torquey? I wouldn't know, i probably should have got a 2200 TC but this came up and i really liked it and I'm glad i did it. As for Sean Lock... You cheeky git!

 

Ha! Sorry, couldn't resist. I think the 2200SC is the one I haven't driven. Should certainly have more grunt than a 2000, but will still need winding up a bit to get a hoon on. You can drive them like a 2CV though. Accelerate once, then just try not to slow down. They handle well enough that you can get a hurtle on - though whether I'd choose to do so with a young family aboard is a different matter!

[cort16]

These do handle, brake and ride amazingly well. There's no comparison it to the cortina, which crashes and bangs all over the place and could be out braked by a coal train.

There seems to be quite a lot of body roll but when you push them the change direction amazingly well. I suspect the lack of power steering makes mine feel a bit more positive.

[Junkman]

The power steering on these is beautifully weighted.

[trigger]

I've not had much to add on this really, i collected it from my father in laws garage on Tuesday where it's sat since the end of October, give the car it's due, i pulled the choke out, turned the key and it fired straight up.

 

It was nice to drive it home again, it really does drive very nicely, as the paintwork was a bit matt and scratchy i went over it with my mop yesterday and some 3m fast cut plus polish, it come up a treat, today i gave it a hand polish with some Autoglym auto resin polish. I've never polished it before and it now looks lovely.

 

Apparently I'm a naughty boy for putting my Morris Marina mug on the bonnet!

 

 

Yesterday afternoon i ordered some new jacking hole bunges from Wins and amazingly they arrived 9am this morning! They look much tider than the split old ones.

 

 

It turns out the exhaust boxes are stainless so i gave them a polish although the pipe was a bit rusty so sanded it with some emery cloth, i might get a bolt on trim for it.

 

 

You might also notice i sacked off the old Fog lights, i want to remove the tow bar too but it looks a right faff plus its extra protection for if i ever got hit and it also give the next owner the option of refitting the tow ball if they want it.

 

 

I did change the rocker cover gasket too but i didn't bother with photos of that, lastly I've fitted a AA badge to the front, the jury is out on this, i quite like it though.

 

 

[bub2006]

Is that the original plate trigger or a private plate? Looks very tidy.

[oldcars]

Looks spot on. What's fast cut plus like to use? Heard it has a lot of cut and easy to strike through with,

[trigger]

It's the original plate still Bub, it's probably worth something i guess.

 

It's the first time I've used the stuff Shumarialto but i found it much easier and cleaner to use, no polish splatter everywere to clean off and i didn't have any problems with it polishing though the paintwork.

[bub2006]

Can't recall last time I seen a 2 number reg (moderns excluded obviously) let alone a 1 digit.

[oldcars]

It's the original plate still Bub, it's probably worth something i guess.

 

It's the first time I've used the stuff Shumarialto but i found it much easier and cleaner to use, no polish splatter everywere to clean off and i didn't have any problems with it polishing though the paintwork.

cheers,did you use a rotary or da polisher with it?

[trigger]

I use a DA polisher, the £45 Silverline one from Amazon, had it about 5 or 6 years now and it's brilliant for the money.

 

Edit - This one. Silverline 264569 Sander Polisher 1200 W https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B002QS1LZ2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_Pevxyb9YCT8CE

[oldcars]

That looks a good bit of kit. I have a da one to, its like a copy of the meguiars one. Had it a few years, need to give the 75 a going over next year and the Shuma. Bit wary of using it on the Rialto so i always hand polish that.

[MarinaJosh]

Looking good! Needs some proper period plates though!

[trigger]

Looking good! Needs some proper period plates though!

I wanted to buy a set but everywhere wants £100 for a set in the correct size as the rear plate isn't a standard size. The current plates were fitted in 1982 so at least they are the right font.

[MarinaJosh]

Damn Those plates look damn clean for their age!

[chaseracer]

Square AA badge suits it, Trig.

[trigger]

Damn Those plates look damn clean for their age!

To be honest if i do buy this Ital van, which i should be getting in the next few weeks if it all goes to plan then something will probably have to go as i don't have the space for everything, what with this and having the Dolomite as well so that would mean that i might be selling this sadly in the Spring so i don't want to go spending lots more on it, if i was keeping it i would just bite the bullet and buy the plates! I'll see what happens first though.