Project Dollywobbler's Invacar - Ongoing

[dollywobbler]

It's an option, though any hire place is quite a schlep from here. As it happens, Mrs DW is going out, so it isn't going to happen today. More time for thinking!

[Saabnut]

Go and visit your nearest vintage car enthusiast (anyone with a pre war car). Ask to borrow a whitworth spanner and then remove mount. ALL pre war car owners have whitworth spanners (if they work on their own car obviously) and most higher spec cars came with a toolkit that included whitworth spanners. Then return the spanner with a couple of beers. Job done.

 

As a matter of interest, all british cars until well into the 80s came with a couple of whitworth bolts, the battery terminals! All were whitworth until the modern trend of 10/11/13mm terminals. As a result, check your local car repair place. If they have been in business any time they will probably have a whitworh spanner of the correct size.

[dollywobbler]

It's ok. Turns out I'd removed the nuts from the bolt anyway, so the mount is out.

 

Also, decision made. Gearbox is in. Could manage that on my own.

 

What I don't think I'll manage on my own is getting the engine in. Turns out it will also fit in from below. Sadly, Mrs DW is out so I've no assistant. I did have a go at raising it on my trolley jack on my own, but it's a recipe for disaster, so I've stopped for a brew instead.

[Stanky]

Well done DW, thats 50% of the job sorted right there! I reckon use of the trolley jack with an assistant might well work. Keep us posted.

[cpjitservices]

Did you come across any mice then Ian? 

[Datsuncog]

^^^ Just doing a solo gearbox swap on a near-extinct car, on a freezing cold February afternoon, casual as you like...

 

Sometimes I fail to appreciate that we are truly in the presence of grand masters of shite. Enjoy that brew, dude - well earned.

 

Fingers crossed, we're on the very cusp of seeing TWC mobile for the first time in 15 years or so.

[PhilA]

As much as you know we're all itching to see this in place and running, that's sensible.

 

No point hurting yourself. Though if you do, I guess you've got the right vehicle...

 

 

Phil

[dollywobbler]

Did you come across any mice then Ian? 

 

No, I think they ran away when we were loading them up. Plenty of evidence that they were living in the spare engine though...

 

I do wish I had a proper garage trolley jack with a nice, wide jack pad. That'd make this so much easier. Tried adding a block of wood to mine, but that just created even more wobble factor. Sensible to wait. If I'm aiming to have it on the road in March, there really is no sense rushing.

[Stanky]

(change of name to Trolleywobbler?)

[Angrydicky]

I've got boxes and boxes of Whitworth spanners (and AF) hoarded from years of boot sales (you can't give them away as they are useless these days unless you own old vehicles). Sadly, I couldn't be further away from Wales. 

[dollywobbler]

It's ok. I obviously found some way of removing the bolts, even though I'd forgotten that I had...

 

Today hasn't gone well.

 

We were struggling because the spare engine has studs, whereas the one that came out didn't (well, it did, but the studs came out rather than the nuts on them undoing). Then this gearbox mount tore out. I thought it looked a bit ropey yesterday. I was right.

 

I think we'll have to abandon things for now. Once I have a new mount, I'll do a double-nut job to get the studs out, and then we can try again. Frustrating.

[DeeJay]

God, this bugger is putting up a fight.

You'd think it didn't want to go on its holidays to SF18 and maybe flying around a few racetracks. 

[dollywobbler]

Alas, even if roadworthy, it won't be coming along to SF18. Its first show will be the Festival of the Unexceptional in July. So, there's really no panic about dates or whatnot. I just need to find something else to work on while I wait for parts (once I've found parts - seems a fairly generic sort of a mount).

[dollywobbler]

Got the bush off. Part number came up with one supplier of Land Rover bits, nowhere else. Ordered a pair.

 

Also removed the studs from the engine with the two-nut trick. Stupidly, I lifted the engine out on my own, but don't appear to be broken. That should now be easier to fit, though there's not much point rushing with a broken mount.

 

Pondering what to work on next. Door handles perhaps, as I know they're a problem.

[madrat]

I had one of those days yesterday

[dollywobbler]

Door handles are a world of seized nuts and cheese screws. SOD THIS. I'm off to watch the rugby instead.

[DeeJay]

I had one of those days yesterday

I had one of those days years ago, I do bugger all now.

Although I could procrastinate for England.

[sierraman]

The different controls available look scarily difficult to master. One careless knock and you've locked the wheels up and steered full on to the left!

 

I do remember these when they were about, a disabled lady on our estate had one.

[dollywobbler]

The great thing about having a garage is that you can just down tools to watch the rugby, then just carry on several hours later. This evening, I refitted the driveshafts, which is about all I can do on the driveline until I get the new gearbox mounts. Now it appears than my Invacar is hovering.

[iainrcz]

Been following your YouTube videos, and enjoying the shenanigans.

I do however have one complaint, rugby!?

Pfft

 

And I guess that was a no to me sending my wife to you for some training? Lol

 

Sent from my VFD 710 using Tapatalk

[dollywobbler]

New transmission mounts have arrived. One of them had this fantastic label attached!

 

Amazing. Was going to fit it, but it is far too bloody cold out there today.

[Zelandeth]

That's been sitting on a shelf for a few years then!

[dollywobbler]

Indeed. I bought it from a surplus place, so they must have picked it up as a job lot. Does make me wonder if they have any other Invacar parts...

 

This is the company. https://www.johnrichardssurplus.co.uk/ 

[jonny69]

Have you bought Whitworth spanners yet? I was about to come on here with some hilarious smart-arse comment about just getting the bleddy size you need for about £3.50 on eBay but it looks like you can get a full new set from Silverline for £14. So that shut me up.

[dollywobbler]

No. I'm sure 13mm socket abuse will suffice, or fitting some non-Whit bolts. I've got some M8 all-thread somewhere, so could just use that at some nuts I imagine. Seems a bit much to buy a spanner when it's just a pair of bolts.

[plasticvandan]

that label has the address of the secret invacar headquarters in heywood,where several hundred complete cars were racked out along with tons of spares,nearly all destroyed.

[dollywobbler]

that label has the address of the secret invacar headquarters in heywood,where several hundred complete cars were racked out along with tons of spares,nearly all destroyed.

 

They've just stated on Facebook that they might have more spares that managed to escape. Seems there was a big sell-off in about 1998, and this company bought a complete Invacar and a load of spares. Gives us hope.

[Mally]

New transmission mounts have arrived. One of them had this fantastic label attached!

 

Amazing. Was going to fit it, but it is far too bloody cold out there today.

 

I went to School in Heywood 60 years ago. I could have picked them up and saved them for you.

[Christine]

I had a job there once... smashing up distributors , and cutting exhausts in half 

[dave21478]

.... I've got some M8 all-thread somewhere, so could just use that at some nuts I imagine....

 

Best not, if you can avoid it. allthread is useful for loads of things but it is incredibly soft compared to even the lowest spec of proper bolt.