How much shite is too much shite? Electrical Storm

[Supernaut]

On 02/11/2020 at 15:04, Saabnut said:

I have a tub of turntable grease so will try that as well.

As hinted earlier, a new project joined the fleet today.  A bright start to the day, with importantly no rain, so a quick call and Saturdays delayed collection was on.  No separate collection thread as it was only 20 miles away. Arrived to find the PO had charged the battery so it started and drove out, if slightly noisily as the exhaust is blown. First opinion is that sorted and a bit of TLC and it may well return to the road.

Half an hour later and it is back at Chez Saabnut. I am now heading to my shed for photos of my lift motor and tonight I will hopefully find time to update this thread with the latest Cobra revelations.

Looks tidier than another certain K reg Saab round here that was off the road for a bit before being rescued.

Also, what about the other red 900 convertible you have...?

[Minimad5]

Crikey, not sure how I missed this thread first time around, but WOW.

Also that Holden Suburban is full of win, I certainly won't* be keeping an eye out if it becomes available 

[cort1977]

Good news on the bearings and stroker crank. 

You would think it wouldn't have been hard for them to find the correct sump gasket for a SBC.  There were millions of that engine produced.  Was it just to get it buttoned up and off the ramp instead of waiting for delivery of a new one I wonder?

[Saabnut]

Another update as it is peeing down with rain here, the BMW is blocking the access door to my shed and the ground is waterlogged so moving it out of the way is a no no. Fortunately my friend Jason has sent an update or two this week so I can summarise here whilst watching the BTCC on telly and supping more superior* vintage* wine. According to Jason, replacing the sump gasket with the engine in situ, even having lifted it, is a pig of a job and probably explains the goo used previously!

Before the sump could be replaced, the front timing cover needed to come off to replace the leaking gasket. Before the cover could come off, the front pulley/harmonic balancer has to be removed, and as above a special tool is required to fit it. First the pulley had to come off which required the use of this

Which soon had it off and the timing cover was unbolted

This revealed the timing chain, and like the rest of the internals is in good condition

Once everything was checked and cleaned, it could have the new gasket fitted and put back together

Next the (expensive) special tool for refitting the pulley

in use

After which the sump could go back on

 

After which the sump bolts could be secured

Next job I believe is to repair the exhaust collector where a location tag had snapped allowing the exhaust to wear through, and whilst doing that he will fit blanking plugs so lambda sensors can be fitted for the upcoming rolling road session.

[Saabnut]

Like most on here, my shed/workshop is always full despite being a bit* bigger than average. As a result I end up working outside a lot of the time, or if raining just inside the shed in the doorway. If the contents of the shed were better organised, there would be plenty of room, but the main problem to getting this space usable is to get the cars neatly in line would require emptying the shed to get room to move the cars. It does not help that a couple are basically shells with no wheels.

For many years I have half heartedly promised myself a set of wheel skates, preferably hydraulic. A few months ago I used a set at a friends and my mind was set. Looked on evilbay and a set of 4 from my favoured supplier SGS was £271 but due to living in the back end of beyond they wanted £120 plus VAT for delivery. Had them delivered to my friend in Perth, which was free! Ordered at 1630 on Wednesday, delivered to Perth at 1030 Thursday, and today my friend delivered them to me at the cost of a cup of tea!

Very impressed with the quality, and tomorrow I planned on starting the great shed tidy up, but instead I am going to look at another addition to the fleet!

[juular]

I have a set of their wheel dollies and have been very impressed with the quality given how reasonable they were. They've got me out of a difficult situation a few times and always handy to have.

[TrabbieRonnie]

On 11/15/2020 at 3:32 PM, Saabnut said:

Another update as it is peeing down with rain here, the BMW is blocking the access door to my shed and the ground is waterlogged so moving it out of the way is a no no. Fortunately my friend Jason has sent an update or two this week so I can summarise here whilst watching the BTCC on telly and supping more superior* vintage* wine. According to Jason, replacing the sump gasket with the engine in situ, even having lifted it, is a pig of a job and probably explains the goo used previously!

Before the sump could be replaced, the front timing cover needed to come off to replace the leaking gasket. Before the cover could come off, the front pulley/harmonic balancer has to be removed, and as above a special tool is required to fit it. First the pulley had to come off which required the use of this

Which soon had it off and the timing cover was unbolted

This revealed the timing chain, and like the rest of the internals is in good condition

Once everything was checked and cleaned, it could have the new gasket fitted and put back together

Next the (expensive) special tool for refitting the pulley

in use

After which the sump could go back on

 

After which the sump bolts could be secured

Next job I believe is to repair the exhaust collector where a location tag had snapped allowing the exhaust to wear through, and whilst doing that he will fit blanking plugs so lambda sensors can be fitted for the upcoming rolling road session.

'Liked' for the wire-locking!  Spent many a happy* hour under various aircraft with my locking pliers... good times.

[Tayne]

On 11/15/2020 at 3:32 PM, Saabnut said:

Another update as it is peeing down with rain here, the BMW is blocking the access door to my shed

I thought you didn’t like BMWs?

Is it yours, or just resting outside your shed?

[Saabnut]

51 minutes ago, Tayne said:

I thought you didn’t like BMWs?

Is it yours, or just resting outside your shed?

Yes, it is mine and the reason I don't like them as much as I did (it is a motorbike)

[Tayne]

Ah, I was struggling to imagine you with an oil guzzling, rusty winged saloon.

[Zelandeth]

2 hours ago, TrabbieRonnie said:

'Liked' for the wire-locking!  Spent many a happy* hour under various aircraft with my locking pliers... good times.

I enjoy the fact the Jag uses lockwire in several places.  Had to buy a set of pliers and some wire though when I first discovered that...first thing to get it will be the brake caliper retaining bolts.  Especially as whoever had the calipers off last didn't use it.

[Saabnut]

Well,  been a busy couple of days. Yesterday I had a tip off that a local dealer who is very well thought of had a recent arrival that I have been planning on buying for the last 20 years. A quick call to my friend who knows more about them than I do and we headed down to Glamis for a look. It was all I had hoped it would be so a deal was struck and I had bought the newest and slowest member of the fleet. Powered by 780cc of devils fuel and 2 speed, it is a 2011 model. What thing of beauty has been acquired?

Now I can do some proper gardening!

Today I took the Discovery for MOT. On arrival I found that my usual, trusted tester was off sick, so instead I had the new boy who has a fresh testers ticked and new that things were not going to go well. As he drove in I noticed the offside rear brake light had failed, despite being fine last night when I checked the lights and replaced a sidelight bulb. Bugger. The tester then spent over an hour going over it with a fine toothed comb. Eventually, the verdict, as expected, a fail.

Failed on the brake light and the headlight beam pattern on the offside. A quick check showed condensation on the inside of the lens. He then said how good a condition it was! Annoying thing is my usual tester would have told me to fix the faults and given me a ticket as he knows I would, but hey ho. Got home and cursed the designer for over 3 hours as that is how long it took to change a bulb! Had to dismantle the fold up rear seat then remove the skin off my knuckles as the rear light was removed. If the securing stud had been a half inch over, it would have been a much easier job, and everything was seized up. Looking at the seals, I don't think it had been out before. Once the bulb was replaced I decided to leave the lot in bits until after the retest just in case. Next, the headlight. Out with the bulb and a hair dryer in the back whilst I went for a cup of tea.

A bit later and most of the condensation had gone, and a quick warm up of the lens with my hot air gun soon saw it dry. Just got to hope they can fit in a retest tomorrow  and all should be good.

 

[puddlethumper]

Lucky you got a few spare Autoshite dealer stickers, ay ?

[mat_the_cat]

1 hour ago, Saabnut said:

Well,  been a busy couple of days. Yesterday I had a tip off that a local dealer who is very well thought of had a recent arrival that I have been planning on buying for the last 20 years. A quick call to my friend who knows more about them than I do and we headed down to Glamis for a look. It was all I had hoped it would be so a deal was struck and I had bought the newest and slowest member of the fleet. Powered by 780cc of devils fuel and 2 speed, it is a 2011 model. What thing of beauty has been acquired?

I never realised Komatsu did smaller stuff like that - looks a handy bit of kit!

We hired a bigger one a few years back to level some land and dig out stumps, it was on something like 20,000 hours but did the job despite being well worn in...

Wish I could justify one but we just hire one when needed - fortunately delivery is not too far for us, unlike you!

[Zelandeth]

Those mini diggers are properly useful bits of kit.  Important question for you up there: Does the heater work?

[Saabnut]

@Zelandeth the blower works, not sure about the heater as I have not run it long enough. Tomorrow I collect it and get to play with it properly so should know soon!

After yesterdays pain (literally with regard to my knuckles) today was a better day. First this went for a retest and is good to go for another 12 months

Also today, another one went for test. The Boris MOT runs out at the end of November, so to give me a bit of time to repair any faults, in it went. MOT now runs out end of November next year! Will take that!

[Saabnut]

Today I collected the digger (OK I cheated, my friend collected it with his van and trailer and I just went along for the ride! Very happy with it

Good news - the heater works!

[Cavcraft]

Can we have that bottom photograph on every page of the Autoshite calendar, please?

[stripped fred]

I am always fascinated by these little diggers. I don't really have much experience of them so please post up how you get along with it. I assume they have little diesel engines?

[Saabnut]

This one has a 780cc Kubota 3 cylinder diesel. 

Today was a day of trailer fixerating.. My ever reliable Ifor Williams had picked up a puncture and the current tyres were approaching 6 years old and bitter experience has shown they start to deteriorate rapidly after 7 years and the original 15 year old rims were starting to get very rusty so I decided it was the perfect opportunity to replace them all. £270 of evilbay specials and today I fitted them. Also refitted the jockey wheel as I had remembered to buy a replacement clamp. I no longer need to use a trolley jack to hitch/unhitch which is nice.

After which I had another play with the digger by levelling off the ground where I park it. My mate would have done it in 2 minutes. These things look easy.......

[Saabnut]

Digger still isn't easy.......  

Bit of a shock this week. An actual fleet reduction has happened.

First, this one left the fleet:

Never gelled with this one, I hated the driving position, otherwise it was OK, just too modern. The car has left (and since been MOTed) but the deal still has not been finalised. Either some cash or another car will be coming my way, we shall se what happens.

Today, this one went to a new owner:

This one I liked, but a friend recently had a leg amputated and needed an auto and fancied it, so it will be leaving next week, although already paid for.

What next, he wonders......

[Saabnut]

Just after Shitefest 18 the Bentley went to Lemans but on the way back developed a fault in the central locking meaning only the nearside rear door would open. It is not very elegant entering a Bentley by the rear door then climbing over the seats, so it was parked in the shed awaiting its turn. Due to a little* clutter in the shed, it went in on an angle and the wedge shaped bit of floor became the £it will be fine there for 5 minutes" pile. As I recently bought some wheel skates, I decided to tidy the pile and straighten the car, which should free some space by my workbench when I move another couple of Saabs.

Spent the day moving stuff and lifted the rear wheels. Went to lift the front nearside and realised I had left the steering on full lock so needed to straighten the wheels. I had left the windows down but due to the proximity of a Saab straightening the wheels with no PAS would have meant clambering over the seats.  Despite sitting for over 2 years, decided to see if it would start to get the PAS working. Switched the (OE) battery isolator on, reached through the window and turned the key. Turned over half a dozen times before starting and settling down to a smooth idle. A broom handle to the throttle pedal from the NSR door meant it could be revved. A bit of condensation from the exhaust was to be expected.......

Straightened the wheels and left it to warm up. Of course, a 6.75 litre turbocharged V8 makes signifivant fumes so it filled my shed, so decided to call it a day for today and will probably* move it tomorrow.

[big_al_granvia]

that is braw, wee bit of white clag

[tul66]

Can I ask how much you paid for the digger? I'll be looking for one next year to landscape the garden & take down a garage.

[beko1987]

We cleared the garage of midges with similar application of an ac cobra iirc? 

[The_Equalizer]

"Of course, a 6.75 litre turbocharged V8"

Have you shoehorned a Turbo R lump in it, or have I got completely the wrong end of the stick? 

[Tayne]

I don’t believe that @Saabnut did the conversion but yes it has had the transplant.

Richard, @Supernaut and I took it for a spin at Shitefest 18 and can confirm it goes very well.

[Saabnut]

10 hours ago, tul66 said:

Can I ask how much you paid for the digger? I'll be looking for one next year to landscape the garden & take down a garage.

It is a 2011 Komatsu PC16 zero swing with all the desirable bits (expanding tracks, two speed tracking, quick hitch, full cab c/w heater etc) with 2500 hours and 4 buckets. Came fully serviced from a dealer and cost me £8400. He had diggers from £5500 but in the digger world you very much get what you pay for. Very happy with it and by spending a bit of time tidying the paint I could probably make a profit. Diggers hold their value well.

[Saabnut]

8 hours ago, The_Equalizer said:

"Of course, a 6.75 litre turbocharged V8"

Have you shoehorned a Turbo R lump in it, or have I got completely the wrong end of the stick? 

Yes, Turbo R running gear. Done back in the 90s, it was the first such conversion and was done for racing! I have a picture in a very expensive book showing it on track back in the day.

[Saabnut]

Two days later and I have still not moved the Bentley! Maybe tomorrow....

This morning I spent on the phone, adding to the fleet! Not motorised this time, just another trailer, after all 8 is not enough! OK, I accept 3 car transporters may be a bit excessive, but they are all different sizes. The Ifor Williams is for the big stuff, the medium one is for towing behind a car rather than the Disco if the car to be moved is not too heavy and the third one is a custom build for the Sonett and is narrow enough to fit in a standard garage. Three are boat trailers complete with boats, one is a chassis awaiting conversion and one is a small box trailer awaiting work. So today I have agreed to buy a 3.5 tonne plant trailer for moving my plant around.

Today I had another little play with the digger, and I managed to not break anything so counting that as a win. Getting a bit better with it but it is going to take a while! I did work out how to operate the quick hitch though and managed to change the bucket. Progress. As the sun was shining I grabbed a few photos of the plant fleet:

The new trailer is down in the borders and as I still need to get the Disco up to full power for towing, I have booked it into a specialist next Monday in Sheffield (before anyone complains about travel rules, the Disco is essential to my business, I have tried local so called specialists and I have arranged socially distant accommodation whilst down there, an empty house) so will pick up the trailer on the way back.

So, I can offer shitely services for anything that will fit in a Disco between Aberdeen/Sheffield and Sheffield/Borders or anything that will fit in a Disco or trailer between the Border/Aberdeen. Southward journey will be Sunday or early hours Monday, return trip later in the week.