Project Dollywobbler's Invacar - Ongoing

[madrat]

[timolloyd]

Bird shit on the fuel gauge? Scrap it.

[dollywobbler]

Had an issue yesterday. The engine cover lock seized.

 

Had to remove the inner bulkhead, undo the hinges and then gently tug on the cover in many directions until it finally came free. Slightly terrifying with freezing cold fibreglass. Lock freed off and refitted and it now seems to release. Had another little drive to celebrate. Will need to get some fuel as I've now covered over a mile going back and forth on the driveway! Still spitting a bit when revved from idle, but starts absolutely beautifully.

 

Most annoying thing is the lack of time. Work deadlines mean it's the odd hour here and there at the moment, with tinkering time also getting absorbed by the Honda. 

[PhilA]

Did they ever fit these with "proper" bumpers (chromed metal) rather than just leaving them with the bumper-car fiberglass lip?

 

Phil

[dollywobbler]

Nope. No bumpers. Despite the fact that owners crashed a lot...

[PhilA]

Probably came down to money. The styling is such that it would probably suit a pair.

 

Phil

[Zelandeth]

Interesting.  Take it getting the pins out of the hinges wasn't an option?  That's how mine came off.

 

Haven't managed to get the inner bulkhead out of mine yet.  Couple of the screw heads are stripped.  Likewise my engine cover lock is seized - albeit luckily in the open position.

 

Thanks for that shot...tells me exactly where the number plate light lives...

[dollywobbler]

Ah yes. My number plate light doesn't work, and the screws that hold it in place are rusted. This is a problem.

 

Didn't even know you could remove the hinge pins!

[Zelandeth]

Ah, that is a problem.  As I understand it the metal cap holds the rubber "boot" in place, so you're stuck without getting the screws out.

 

If you're worried about mangling it getting it off the car in one piece I do have a spare number plate light you're welcome to.

[PhilA]

Otherwise ones like that in stainless steel are still available here, albeit not with glass lenses any more. They don't have LED guts, at least.

 

All the ones I found on eBay UK are black plastic and LED.

 

Phil

[st185cs]

Hello DW,

 

I was back at the field of dreams today to remove another little blue beastie! Only the dregs left now including this little number - think I might try and retain the colour scheme. What do you think?

 

Mark

 

[dollywobbler]

Ah, I can guess whose car that was! I'm glad TWC avoided the fate of being used as a field car.

 

Have you got any working doorhandles in the stash? I've only got one that works at the moment. The other won't unlock (key turns, but sticks before doing a full rotation. Various fluids have been tried with little joy).

[STUNO]

To go back a bit ...to that washed out Mustang.

On another thread of his about changing the oil he gets "advice" to wash out the engine with 20-30 gallons of water, and turn it over a bit.

Probably he believed that and thought it was a good idea. I feel a lot of sympathy for him, he needed help and mentoring, not the answers he got 

 

Now back to Invacars with dodgy valves.

[Jimbo]

Bumped into this little gem today and thought of my favourite Puch powered licker.

[Jimbo]

 

Forgot to post the bonnet bling...

[dollywobbler]

Lovely! I would still very much like to own a Haflinger.

[PhilA]

The plastic bags go over your knees to improve your odds in a crash?

[dollywobbler]

The plastic bags go over your knees to improve your odds in a crash?

 

No, those are the child seats.

[Kiltox]

Spiritual successor here? https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6kwe4AhSkr4

[dollywobbler]

Amazing. Bet Smart are well chuffed with that thing. Seems a little short on suspension...

[dollywobbler]

Recent progress* summed up.

 

[Zelandeth]

Finally having a working ignition light on the dash, I can confirm that mine behaves very similarly to yours, though I think it goes out at a slightly lower engine speed.  I've got a couple of spare regulators here, so might try one of those to see if it's different and if not, have a bash at adjusting it.

[SiC]

Spiritual successor here? https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6kwe4AhSkr4

Seems like you can buy them here:

https://www.aliexpress.com/store/group/Electric-Car/436811_503950529.html?dp=28d22e0fade4d145a6e71fcee5ddacf4&af=322707&cv=47843&afref=https%253A%252F%252Fwww.youtube.com%252F&mall_affr=pr3&aff_platform=aaf&cpt=1519930689461&sk=VnYZvQVf&aff_trace_key=fd882c35ee644fc697e009633aaa0050-1519930689461-06767-VnYZvQVf&terminal_id=c3efad402f0d49e5a890dfaefb422fb0

 

You wanted a Range Rover Kiltox. How about this one:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/A-new-type-of-environmentally-friendly-energy-electric-oil-and-electricity-dual-purpose-scooter/32645454713.html

 

So who's going to be the first on here to buy one?! Someone totally has to buy that and turn up to a Land Rover enthusiasts show. I bet you could register one of those as a Quadcycle (like a G-Wiz) and drive it legally over here.

[dollywobbler]

Not much snow here.

 

Oh, there it is!

[Squire_Dawson]

From my experience of seized fixings, I would advise that the correct size screwdriver is essential. This might sound obvious, but it's amazing how many people just apply any old screwdriver! If these are Philips or Posidriv, then you want a medium/large one which won't slip. Don't be afraid to put your force to it to add some weight so it won't slip.

I would be surprised if the bulb has failed - it's much more likely to be a connection issue especially if it's one of those rotten push-in bulbs.

[dollywobbler]

From my experience of seized fixings, I would advise that the correct size screwdriver is essential. This might sound obvious, but it's amazing how many people just apply any old screwdriver! If these are Philips or Posidriv, then you want a medium/large one which won't slip. Don't be afraid to put your force to it to add some weight so it won't slip.

I would be surprised if the bulb has failed - it's much more likely to be a connection issue especially if it's one of those rotten push-in bulbs.

 

I'm slightly lost with this one. Are you on about my Invacar or Zel's?

[Squire_Dawson]

I don't know. Whichever has the defective no. plate lamp. But it can go for either, I suppose.

[dollywobbler]

Ah, ok. That is me. Violence will be the only answer for that sodding light. As with so much on these cars, there are no captive nuts, so just horribly rotten nuts in a place you can't easily get. That's more of a problem than the screws to be honest.

[Squire_Dawson]

Plusgas is your friend, small nut sizes may be well be BA on this car, patience is key, but sometimes you have to write them off through corrosion and replace with new.

[dollywobbler]

In the words of Junkman, they're f*cked.