Project Dollywobbler's Invacar - Ongoing

[LightBulbFun]

9 minutes ago, Fumbler said:

That I wouldn't know. It was most likely a designer from AC coming over to see his work in action. I might ask if I remember next time I speak with him!

yes please! if you could pick his brains for all things invalid vehicles for me that would be awesome

[Zelandeth]

This is exactly why I'm adamant that TPA is getting a brake fluid warning light.

My handbrake is pretty good, and will stop her pretty quickly from 20mph.  At 60 however it would be a different matter - especially given that one-handed steering isn't the most stable of arrangements.  I don't feel the need to have a gauge and a warning light for everything...but not having one for the brake fluid bothers me.  I'd be happy if everything on the dash was a speedometer, fuel gauge, oil pressure light, either a voltmeter or no charge light and a brake fluid level warning light.  Temperature gauge if it's water cooled.  Anything else is optional.

Really sad I won't be able to get TPA along to the RR gathering this weekend.  If I were willing to refit my horribly bodged throttle cable and cross my fingers I could...and who knows...I might be lucky.  However there's a big step from a 15 mile run to the FotU on roads I know well, which is the furthest I've had her so far...and 75 miles on roads I've never driven before, to an event where she'll probably have to do a bit of hard work too.

Just seems a little optimistic. 

 Maybe I should take the van...that getting caned up the hill would probably look nearly as comical and probably sound twice as daft.  Though to be honest I'm not likely to have energy to spare anyway, so it's likely to be a moot point anyway.

[LightBulbFun]

1 hour ago, Zelandeth said:

If I were willing to refit my horribly bodged throttle cable

oh that reminds me, @dollywobbler while your snapping photos for me if you could also grab photos of how the throttle cable is run in TWC that would be most helpful

we had to replace the throttle cable on REV when it snapped on the 20th, but we had another look at things over the 10th/11th and we dont think it was run properly, so I figured TWC would make for a good reference point in this regard to see how it should be run

[dollywobbler]

9 hours ago, Zelandeth said:

This is exactly why I'm adamant that TPA is getting a brake fluid warning light.

My handbrake is pretty good, and will stop her pretty quickly from 20mph.  At 60 however it would be a different matter - especially given that one-handed steering isn't the most stable of arrangements.  I don't feel the need to have a gauge and a warning light for everything...but not having one for the brake fluid bothers me.  I'd be happy if everything on the dash was a speedometer, fuel gauge, oil pressure light, either a voltmeter or no charge light and a brake fluid level warning light.  Temperature gauge if it's water cooled.  Anything else is optional.

Really sad I won't be able to get TPA along to the RR gathering this weekend.  If I were willing to refit my horribly bodged throttle cable and cross my fingers I could...and who knows...I might be lucky.  However there's a big step from a 15 mile run to the FotU on roads I know well, which is the furthest I've had her so far...and 75 miles on roads I've never driven before, to an event where she'll probably have to do a bit of hard work too.

Just seems a little optimistic. 

 Maybe I should take the van...that getting caned up the hill would probably look nearly as comical and probably sound twice as daft.  Though to be honest I'm not likely to have energy to spare anyway, so it's likely to be a moot point anyway.

Shame. How do you feel about the National Microcar Rally next month?

I think hill sessions are sold out. Though there may be some Invacar action at lunchtime at the Gathering...

[dollywobbler]

Ugh. Typically, I can't find the old master cylinder so I've just topped it up again. But, I did get air in the system and I now can't find my bleed kit. And I have no assistant. So I'm back indoors watching Dirt Every Day instead...

[LightBulbFun]

24 minutes ago, dollywobbler said:

Ugh. Typically, I can't find the old master cylinder so I've just topped it up again. But, I did get air in the system and I now can't find my bleed kit. And I have no assistant. So I'm back indoors watching Dirt Every Day instead...

how does bleeding go, can you hang a couple bricks in carrier bags off the handle bars or something?

if it makes you feel any better I have not had much luck in the way of repairs on my Invacar either, Throttle cable is being a PITA still, and when I went to replace the crusty fuel hose in hopes of stopping a slight fuel leak, we discovered it was actually a small hole in the tank

extra frustrating as the Tank had just been fitted before I bought her (although we don't know the history of the tank exactly) im hoping  the hole is able to be patched with something

fuel is only dripping out every now and then so it cant be a massive hole hopefully!

luckily the brake fluid in mine has not changed level since I got her but it needs changing, brakes are not really there and its not supposed to look like maple syrup LOL (and when the brakes do finally grab she pulls to one side quite hard and also the front wheel does not spin freely so i think the shoes are grabbing there a bit, but its drums that have sat for god knows how long so nothing too surprising there, hopefully just a bit of adjustment will see that good)

does remind me that I forgot to inspect the brake lines when I had her up in the air when inspecting the fuel leak situation....

[Zelandeth]

Regarding the National Microcar Rally... I'll have to see.  Saturday is out as I've a dentist appointment smack in the middle of the day.  Also have a birthday in the household in the middle of that week, so not sure if that weekend is the one folks are going to want to do something.

Biggest question mark for me though will be whether I'm up to it, which currently is a question I'm having to ask myself every day at the moment.  I'd definitely like to get along to the event (especially if the organisers aren't going to pull the "that's not a real microcar" nonsense that I've heard muttered in a few quarters) as that's half the point of having the car in the first place!

Regarding your fuel leak LBF, if it's a relatively small one like that, chances are the tank could be repaired by a specialist provided it's not totally rotten. 

Brakes may well respond to adjustment.  It's quite astonishing how much difference a quarter turn on the adjusters can make.  Even if you need to swap out a wheel cylinder or two, they're cheap at least (and you probably have spares) and replacement isn't a huge job.  Though getting everything back together in the drums will have you inventing new swear words until you get the knack of it.

...As I discovered when I had the nearside rear brake on KPL apart four times on one day early in the resurrection of things from my side!  Important thing you need to remember - the springs go *behind* the shoes otherwise they foul on the hub.  This makes reassembly 759% more awkward as obviously the shoes are then in the way... it's entirely doable though with a bit of patience and a set of pointy pliers.

Once the pipework has been checked over (and tyres sorted) a few firm stops from speed on a firm surface should help clean up the friction surfaces too, TPA really struggled for braking effort until I'd done a couple of miles.  I doubt on grass you're going to be able to really get enough speed up or apply enough braking force to do much.

[LightBulbFun]

Yeah id like to make it to the NMR myself (given the Invacars that will be there  ) too but its a big old distance away from here so I don't really know if I can, im certainly not going to be able to public transport my way down sadly

in an ideal world id drive down there and back as I now own an Invacar to exhibit  But Its less than a Month away at this point and I dont even have a full driving licence yet and REV still needs fettling before she is road worthy

 

Hopefully its just a small hole yeah, the rest of the tank looks to be in good shape thankfully, (but hence why its a bit frustrating that its leaking LOL) I know @Mrs6C mentioned some sort of special thing for patching small holes in fuel tanks but I cant recall the name

its like the Fuel tank/fuel safe equivalent of that fibreglass stuff you used on the body work repairs for TPA  

indeed luckily we have spares for both the Master and wheel cylinders but hopefully the ones in Rev are good, nothings leaking/weeping AFAIK so thats a good sign I think! a decent plier set is something ill have to get as well now you mention it

(I imagine a lot of this work will be happening at the FoD where there are tools and the like but once REV home ill be my own in that regard so if I ever have to revisit the brakes again down the road it will be good to have the tools to do so!)

indeed id like to get REV out on some solid ground at some point  its pretty clear Model 70's are not meant for high speed runs on a bumpy grass field! 

[dollywobbler]

23 hours ago, LightBulbFun said:

how does bleeding go, can you hang a couple bricks in carrier bags off the handle bars or something?

 

Actually, when I did it the first time, I think my assistant was unavailable, so I just rested my trolley jack on the handlebars. Might be doing that again today. I'm battling between not really having the energy to do anything, against needing TWC working by the weekend.

[dollywobbler]

My mate came over, the brakes were bled and the bars feel much more positive now. I'll give her a few test runs before the weekend and keep an eye on the level.

[LightBulbFun]

1 hour ago, dollywobbler said:

My mate came over, the brakes were bled and the bars feel much more positive now. I'll give her a few test runs before the weekend and keep an eye on the level.

Woo  

Probably worth keeping a bottle or 2 of brake fluid in TWC somewhere just incase now?

 

(side note are you still planning to check the engine compression?)

[dollywobbler]

I'll keep an eye on the level for sure. I'm still not up to doing much, so I doubt engine compression will get tested any time soon.

[SiC]

On 8/13/2019 at 12:55 AM, LightBulbFun said:

oh that reminds me, @dollywobbler while your snapping photos for me if you could also grab photos of how the throttle cable is run in TWC that would be most helpful

we had to replace the throttle cable on REV when it snapped on the 20th, but we had another look at things over the 10th/11th and we dont think it was run properly, so I figured TWC would make for a good reference point in this regard to see how it should be run

I followed the exact same path as the original came out of! Including putting it through the belt area and into the eyelet for it in that area. Cross referenced it with Mrs6C car too. 

The cable is longer than necessary as we left some so it could be adjusted. It might need more slack around the bend areas as it is probably a bit on the tight side. Also, as we said on the day, there is an adjustor at the carb end of the cable which may tweaking and we ran out of time to fully get right. 

[dollywobbler]

The Model 70 model has landed.

Not bad. Gutter above the windscreen is a little incongruous, and the wiper is incorrect (rarely chrome, parks the other side) but not a lot of choice when it comes to model Model 70s. Overall I'd say a good job. £79 plus P&P and you can have whatever number plate you like for another £7.50. No connection to me, details are here: https://t.co/Q8C63hycEM

Brakes seem to be holding up, and feel much more positive, making me thing there had been air in the system for a while. Maybe I hadn't managed to bleed them properly before... Anyway. She's all set for Sunday at the Retro Rides Gathering. See you there if you're going. Should be going up the hill at lunchtime.

[LightBulbFun]

very cool and cute  

nice to hear he will do custom number plates  I wonder if he will do 10 inch wheels

I also see he painted the front indicators

yeah I noticed the lip at the front as well, but the windscreen wipers where chrome back in the day but obviously after over 40 years of existence thats changed, so thats neither here nor there for me

GPG721K is a good reference for how Model 70's looked back in the day/when new, since she has been off the road since 1978! (id love to know the story behind GPG721K)

[wuvvum]

32 minutes ago, dollywobbler said:

The Model 70 model has landed.

£79 plus P&P

Fark me, I'd want an actual Invacar for that money.

[dollywobbler]

It is true that it is getting on for the price I paid for TWC...

[LightBulbFun]

its expensive yeah but I do understand the work that goes into them  defo plan to get one myself at some point if I can ever afford it, also waiting to see if there will be any more options or any revisions to sort out the niggles

as a side note I know its not a toy, but my inner 4 year old wants to know, do the wheels move can you roll it about on a surface?

[Mrs6C]

5 hours ago, LightBulbFun said:

very cool and cute  

nice to hear he will do custom number plates  I wonder if he will do 10 inch wheels

I also see he painted the front indicators

yeah I noticed the lip at the front as well, but the windscreen wipers where chrome back in the day but obviously after over 40 years of existence thats changed, so thats neither here nor there for me

GPG721K is a good reference for how Model 70's looked back in the day/when new, since she has been off the road since 1978! (id love to know the story behind GPG721K)

GPG 721K has got a sunvisor! Dolly hasn't...

[LightBulbFun]

14 minutes ago, Mrs6C said:

GPG 721K has got a sunvisor! Dolly hasn't...

she should! it might be folded up out of the way tho, it should swing down, although the hinges might be quite stiff I know they are very stiff on REV

its worth noting the one in TWC has a mirror where as the one in REV does not IIRC

they a rover part or at least the ones with mirrors are, there where some for sale on ebay a while back being sold by Barry lee on ebay https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/invacar70/m.html?_nkw&_armrs=1&_ipg&_from&_sop=10&rt=nc&_trksid=p2046732.m1684

thats his ebay account, he seems to be selling off his stash of Model 70 parts, so I keep an eye on it incase anything pops up that the autoshite gang needs  

heres an example of a sun visor itself that he sold (He sold a couple I think @OliD-E managed to grab one )  https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/133066803653

maybe someone can ID which rover its from exactly?  

[wuvvum]

Does TWC have a CD player?

[LightBulbFun]

the record for that does have actual art IIRC  

here it is on youtube

 

 

Im STILL trying to work out what the lyrics are to this day LOL

[dollywobbler]

As per the News thread, TWC can add Shelsley Walsh to her growing list of motorsport conquests.

It was a fun day at the Retro Rides Gathering, though not without its challenges. Firstly, the chap who ran the bouncy castle managed to reverse into TWC - thankfully spotted by others. There's a new crack in the body on the front corner, but I'm not sure it's worth the hassle of doing anything about it. TWC is hardly immaculate, and I'm not sure I can be doing with the hassle. Very annoyed that he just drove off though. I was having breakfast at the time so missed the action. Then someone rolled their pushchair into the rear corner...

The run up the hill (in the lunchtime parade) was not very exciting, with a 20mph maximum until the final stretch. At which point a 389cc racing lawnmower caught me up... The run back down the hill was far more exciting! Turning and braking always fun in an Invacar.

Spent most of the afternoon chatting to Brownovas or RatDat and suddenly it was all over. Which was a shame, as I felt absolutely knackered and had a 2hr drive home. A final cup of tea perked me up a bit, but it was still a hard, noisy slog. With the new pulleys, she rattles along merrily enough at 50-55mph, but still doesn't like hills and is so, so loud. I forgot my ear plugs... There is the constant fear of death thing too. You never relax for a moment. Then the screenwash pump fell off when I tried to operate it, suggesting my cable tie fixing technique leaves something to be desired. Still, spark plugs remained entirely where they should be and the brakes didn't fail, so all good.

Back into storage for TWC now. I have some optional fettling to do ahead of the National Microcar Rally, mostly trying to stem oil leaks from the engine. I also need to buy some more 20w50...

 

[LightBulbFun]

usually its said its people in invacars crashing into things not things crashing into invacars! real shame about the body work damage, 

shame about the 20Mph limit as well, apparently the early Model 70's (before they moved the battery up front etc) had so much rear weight bias that if you launched one hard enough you could pop a slight wheely  

but as you said social media "I am yet to find a way to launch a Model 70..."  to be fair neither have I! much like TWC, if I try to go wide open throttle in REV when standing still idling, she will either bog down and die or bog down fart cough get moving slowly if you let off the throttle a bit then suddenly pick up and go

which to be fair if someone came me when I was sitting down and suddenly told me to run as fast as I can, id probably do the same thing!

happy to hear the new pulleys are working well and she is not spitting out spark plugs 

speaking of pulleys the workshop manual rather curiously rather then talking about drive belt tension specifically states that the distance between the centers of the 2 shafts carrying the pulleys should be 10.25 inches apart,  it would be interesting to see how yours is set, and if setting it to 10.25 inches specifically, makes things better or worse...

(same goes for TPA in that regard)

[Scruffy Bodger]

I see you made it ok to Retrorides yesterday  I'd have said hello but when I first spotted the car you were speaking to a small group of people and by the time I came back you'd gone. Hope you enjoyed the day

[dollywobbler]

2 hours ago, LightBulbFun said:

usually its said its people in invacars crashing into things not things crashing into invacars! real shame about the body work damage, 

shame about the 20Mph limit as well, apparently the early Model 70's (before they moved the battery up front etc) had so much rear weight bias that if you launched one hard enough you could pop a slight wheely  

There wasn't a speed limit - that was all she could do! Shelsley is quite steep. In fact, the coming down REALLY demonstrated it! Video later this week.

[3VOM]

On 8/16/2019 at 12:47 PM, wuvvum said:

Does TWC have a CD player?

I had to check - I thought that voice sounded like Mr B and it was.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collapsed_Lung_(band)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mr._B_The_Gentleman_Rhymer

 

[Scruffy Bodger]

LBF, Shelsley is a lot steeper than it looks in videos, photos. I was there last year and some old boy decided to think he was having a heart attack after climbing it, the paramedics had to attend and send for an ambulance! There was a chap up there in a wheelchair yesterday, fuck knows how they got him up there as he was nowhere near a track entry point, fair play to his mates if they hauled him up there. It does go to show that the Invacars are more suited to the road than some might think, TWC copes with Angel Bank which is local to me and has claimed many a victim over the years. A Model 70 I remember well used to tackle it at least once a week well into the 90's too. Saying that there are a few others round here which would properly test it as they are considerably steeper but not as long.

[quicksilver]

3 hours ago, LightBulbFun said:

shame about the 20Mph limit as well, apparently the early Model 70's (before they moved the battery up front etc) had so much rear weight bias that if you launched one hard enough you could pop a slight wheely  

but as you said social media "I am yet to find a way to launch a Model 70..."  to be fair neither have I! much like TWC, if I try to go wide open throttle in REV when standing still idling, she will either bog down and die or bog down fart cough get moving slowly if you let off the throttle a bit then suddenly pick up and go

 

I did wonder what would happen if you were to start one in gear with the throttle wide open as there doesn't seem to be anything to prevent you doing that. I had visions of it careering off at high* speed and wobbling into the nearest hedge but maybe it wouldn't be that spectacular. I have no desire to find out for myself though.

[dollywobbler]

4 minutes ago, quicksilver said:

I did wonder what would happen if you were to start one in gear with the throttle wide open as there doesn't seem to be anything to prevent you doing that. I had visions of it careering off at high* speed and wobbling into the nearest hedge but maybe it wouldn't be that spectacular. I have no desire to find out for myself though.

Would just be the same as going wide open throttle from a standstill. Clutch engages early, so you just gently accelerate away.