The new news 24 thread

[Lord Sterling]

Well, today I took a trip back down to the scrappy to pick up the bonnet, door cards for the Micra and some bits of Rover trim.

 

When the weather finally made up its mind and stayed sunny, I decided to tackle the door cards on the Micra. They'd been looking pretty manky for a fair few years and let the car's interior down. Changing the cards would have taken about 5 mins a door, however, the new cards had a bit of scrapyard grubby oil stains and a few bits and bobs. I took both cards apart, took all the good bits and made up a couple of nice door cards.

 

Old door card, grubby and 'orrible...

 

Replacement door card, fresher looking...

 

Getting the bonnet home was a doddle:

 

Dont worry, I did put some floor mats in between the leather seats and bonnet edges.

 

Next on the list is to sort out the Sterlings starting troubles. That should be interesting....

[ashmicro]

I'll have to track down a UK spec fusebox cover, but this will do for now.

 

.

 

Assuming the UK spec cars have the fuses laid out in the same order! Could turn into a real head-scratcher on a rainy night if they aren't.

[Shep Shepherd]

Finished cleaning and polishing The Volvo's paintwork this evening:

 

 

Hopefully, it will remain looking half-decent until at least next weekend

[eddyramrod]

Good job there old boy!

[catsinthewelder]

When we picked up our Austin 1100 this time last year I managed to break the ignition switch, it still worked but somewhat too well as any key would fit it and start the car. Well this week our luck finally ran out and the lock refused anything entry convieniently while Ms C was picking the kids up from school.

 

A quick skive from work and a 4 pound hammer got the key back in again on a fairly perminent basis where it has remained for the rest of the week. As the postman dropped off the replacement this morning I figured that I'd best get it sorted out. Now I assumed that having bought the correct part for the car it'd fit straight in place but thats without considering that it's a 40 year old car of a type that was produced with at least half a dozen different dashboard arrangments over the years.

 

Suffice to say that I've ended up completely rebuilding the dashboard, fixed the speedo, tidied up the wiring and upholstered it all with some vinyl that I got at Cholmondley.

[eddyramrod]

A Cypriot bought a display cabinet from me a few weeks ago (that's three I've sold now, of the six I had). While arranging delivery, as I still had the pickup at that time, he was looking around my yard and makeshift workshop, and eventually engaged me to effect a few cosmetic repairs to his 250cc motorbike. Painting the mirror stems, footpegs and luggage rack... stuff like that. He was going away for two weeks so it seemed like a good idea. Upon his return he was ill for a week, which gave me a further week that I didn't need as I'd done what we discussed. Anyway a week later he rolled up and admired what I'd done, then asked me to do a few more bits. No problem, says I. Except we are about 12 weeks into Cypriot summer now and it's only going to get hotter. OK, work in the evening... except my skin reacts (badly) to pretty much everything and it really doesn't like heat. I'm red-raw from scratching and my entire skin feels like it's on fire. So this morning when he phoned I had to tell him, I've done exactly nothing on his bike. I can't comfortably sit, stand, walk or lie down. I'm spending big chunks of the day sitting around in my shorts, covered in calamine lotion, in fact that's how I am now (and it's 2.30am). Sleep is a foreign language to me. Oh, and I'm driving a car with vinyl seats...

 

Reading this back, I probably should have put it in the Grump thread but I thought as it involved a motorbike it had a right to be where it is.

[nigel bickle]

Eddy -if heats a problem -what the hell are you doing in Cyprus?

[MrDuke]

This too should probably be in the GOMP thread, but hey.

 

New shite has now arrived at Duke Towers. As seen on the blue forum, from whence it came, via a 250-mile drive with stuck throttle and boiling coolant

 

 

I've loved these ever since my brother had a Mk1 XR2 back when I were a wee squirt, and the chances of finding a rot-free shell for sensible money are very slim, hence my joy at getting this one. I took it as a non-runner, but after some new ignition bits the engine sounds sweet, and it drives fine, no pulling or wobbling at all. Plus there's a set of polybushes in the boot waiting to be fitted, some 4-spokes nearby with my name on them, and some mild lowering springs on the way. MOT on tuesday which shouldn't throw up much, then it just needs some fettling to make it pretty.

 

 

So why am I not feeling any love? I was genuinely looking forwards to having a rolling project to get stuck into, this was ideal as it only needs minimal welding (which I can't do), is pi55-easy to work on even for a mechanical retard like me, and all the parts are available without being cripplingly over-priced. Plus being a 1.1 it's mega-bargainous to run. But now that it's sat outside, I'm really struggling to feel any motivation at all.

 

Balls.

 

At least it should be fairly easy* to punt on once it's MOT'd, especially as I won't be trying to turn a profit. I'm led to believe some local rallying types may just rip my arm off.

[eddyramrod]

Eddy -if heats a problem -what the hell are you doing in Cyprus?

 

Yeah, good point. We did come over in the summer of 2008 to see how hot it could be, and my skin didn't throw up any warnings, so we took that as a good thing. Almost four summers (and three winters) later, seems we were wrong. Hey ho, just one more mistake to add to the catalogue. We expected our arthritis to improve, for both of us; it hasn't, and for Mrs R has gone worse and worse almost on a daily basis. In fact for her health, the whole experience has been a complete shambles. About the only thing that hasn't given any trouble has been my 50-year-old asthma, despite daily contact with domestic animals. It'll be interesting to see how our bodies react to the Lake District (we lived by the sea before we moved).

[trigger]

A mate of mine used to have a Fiesta exactly the same as yours Duke, It was only a 950 but lowered on pepperpots and with a straight through exhaust, It was still great fun to drive apart from when i borrowed it once to go to Mcdonalds and didn't know that the reverse gate linkage was gone and nearly rammed a police car up the front when it went into reverse instead of 1st...

[MrDuke]

^^^ Yep, same on mine there's about 0.5mm difference between 1st and reverse!

 

I think the main problem is that I have a huge list of wants for it (as opposed to needs) and the lack of funds/ability is frustrating. I've been hitting up some other forums for inspiration and mojo boosting, but I just end up lusting after engine conversions, pricey wheels, ultra-rare bits of plastic, etc. Which completely defeats the object of why I decided to get the car in the first place. I don't think it's the kind of car that I could just fix up and be happy tootling around in, I'd always be trying to get it handling better or going quicker.

 

Annoyingly, when I phoned up my friend Kev to discuss rimz, he informed me about the mint '86 Cherry he's selling, and the more I try to put the idea down, the more sense it seems to make. Nice* bit of old tin, as reliable as old tin gets, and no temptation to be 'tweaking' it beyond the wheels because, well, it's not that kinda car.

I might just break my shortest-ownership record at this rate...

[Lord Sterling]

Next on the list is to sort out the Sterlings starting troubles. That should be interesting....

 

Well today I took the Sterling up to my garages to see if I could dig out any parts regarding the starting problems. I tried a new coil, that wasnt it, a spare ignition lead, that wasnt it, some small starter module thingy that sits on the bulkhead, that wasnt it, so now it look as if the starter motor is the problem (again, and when I say this, its because I had this problem on the old Sterling) I have a spare starter motor now lobbed into the boot, problem is, I'm not sure if its the old one I pulled off the old Sterling or another one I've managed to accumulate. I think I've got another one in the loft so I shall have a shufty later before I go tackling it.

[Shep Shepherd]

Good job there old boy!

 

Thanks! Pity it took me a whole week of evenings to do, though - bloody rain!

[Cavcraft]

^^^ Yep, same on mine there's about 0.5mm difference between 1st and reverse!

 

I think the main problem is that I have a huge list of wants for it (as opposed to needs) and the lack of funds/ability is frustrating. I've been hitting up some other forums for inspiration and mojo boosting, but I just end up lusting after engine conversions, pricey wheels, ultra-rare bits of plastic, etc. Which completely defeats the object of why I decided to get the car in the first place. I don't think it's the kind of car that I could just fix up and be happy tootling around in, I'd always be trying to get it handling better or going quicker.

 

Annoyingly, when I phoned up my friend Kev to discuss rimz, he informed me about the mint '86 Cherry he's selling, and the more I try to put the idea down, the more sense it seems to make. Nice* bit of old tin, as reliable as old tin gets, and no temptation to be 'tweaking' it beyond the wheels because, well, it's not that kinda car.

I might just break my shortest-ownership record at this rate...

 

KFW Kev? I bet he'd do a deal on your Fiesta too.

[phil_lihp]

Spent far too much time the last few days attempting to dismantle the utterly seized brakes on the Nova. Finally after a huge amount of effort I got the pads out (pistons were jammed solid), then spent several hours more attempting to get the caliper bolts undone. Ended up finally releasing one with a loud CRACK as the rust seal broke using a frankly brilliant combination of allen key, wheel wrench and part of a Kia roof bar to get enough leverage on it in the confined space of the garage. Second one was the same, haven't attempted the other side yet. Bolts holding the two parts of the caliper together are in even worse condition so not quite got the motivation to attempt those yet.

 

On the plus side, didn't ruin anything except the caliper bolt dust covers in the process, the pads look like new under the grime and the discs aren't scored so if this disaster ever goes back together that'll save some money. Certainly learning things anyway!

[vulgalour]

I appear to have convinced the boyfriend that his initial desire to get a Mk1 Triumph GT6 is perfectly rational and he's now got one lined up he wants to buy. Thing is, while I'd consider a Herald to be shite, I'm not sure a GT6 qualifies, what do you reckon? First order of business will be to bin the minilites it's on either way, I've threatened that I will hurt him if he keeps them.

[wuvvum]

I've done bugger all of any use today, due solely to the FUCKING RAIN. I did take the Rover out for a spin and it seemed to be behaving itself today (although that's no guarantee that it'll still be behaving itself next weekend). At one stage I was contemplating taking the Solara to Shitefest, but it now looks like I'll be picking up some body panels from Kettering on the way there, and I doubt they'll fit in the Talbot. I did start the old girl up today though, and noticed that now the water pump noise has gone I could hear that the PAS pump is sounding a bit rattly too. It's not too bad at the moment though, and it has its own drive belt so if it does shit its pants the water pump and alternator shouldn't be affected.

[MrDuke]

moan

 

KFW Kev? I bet he'd do a deal on your Fiesta too.

 

Already tried that he's trying hard to clear space and free up funds, so that's a non-starter. Never mind, if I do punt it on, it'll be at far less than it's worth so I shouldn't have too much trouble.

 

 

 

EDIT: Well, that solves* the dilemma. It seems that the budget I'd set for getting the Fez up to scratch (or somewhere approaching scratch) does not now exist, thanks to yet more financial woes. Yes, I could drive it around with no sound-proofing/headlining/air filter/choke etc for a few months, but unfortunately Mrs_Duke has to travel in it too, including a forth-coming 450-mile round trip to see family in Southernland. And it's also stuff like underseal and fresh paint that I won't be buying, the absence of which will lead to many worlds of pain in the future.

Oh well, it was a nice idea while it lasted

 

Anyone want to buy a Fiesta........

[dollywobbler]

Spent the weekend swimming in a field in Cambs with other 2CV types. Took six bloody hours to get there, due to flooding between Kidderminster and Bromsgrove, and OMG TRAFIC KAOS on the M42.

 

The flooding was ridiculous. Yes, there were a few deep bits that needed tackling with care, but people just kept on stopping dead at the merest puddle. 2CV didn't seem at all bothered by any of it, even when deluged by cars coming the other way. My feet got wet though...

 

The traffic was also ridiculous, not helped by stuff (mainly Renaults) breaking down in the jams, making things even worse. 2CV didn't seem at all bothered by crawling along.

 

Event was a right good laugh, even with the mud. 2CVs are one of few cars that can manage to get traction on a very muddy field. Moderns and H vans were really struggling. I reckon my BXs would have too. Skinny tyres FTW! Then headed home, driving foot-to-the-floor for three hours to get to Shrewsbury where we had a much needed break. I was a bit worried that the fan was making a funny noise though. I was right to be worried. 10 miles from home, the fan came away from the pulley. This happens occasionally due to corrosion and fatigue. Bother!

 

Here's my wife looking grumpy. To be fair, she was smiling, but I said: "The car's broken. You can't look happy!"

 

Annoyingly, I had barely any tools with me and no spare fan, so it was game over. A friend came out to tow us home, reminding me just how terrifying being towed is! At least we got home in the end. In fact, it took about as long as it took to get to Cambs in the first place. It's the first time that my 2CV has needed recovery since I bought her in 2000 though (she has occasionally required breakdown services to carry out a roadside repair, but not since 2003) so I can't complain too much!

[trigger]

Oh shite, Coming to Shitefestâ„¢ in the Cortina is starting to sound doubtful... The cars at the garage today having the front bushes fitted and cambelt changed as well as the propshaft doughnut and it seems the rear axle has started to come afloat, the upper radius arm bushes has perished making the axle moves about.

 

I thought the rear end was very skiddish, the mechainc also thinks that's the reason the centre doughnut as gone as it looks like it's been like it for a long while, So if i can't find a pair of bushes or link bars in the next few days then I'll have to come in the Golf.

[dollywobbler]

Pretty standard on a Cortina Mk3 I think Trig, so hopefully some bushes can be located. GR12 4 REAR WHEEL STEER!

[Angrydicky]

 

 

One for the calendar I think!

[trigger]

Pretty standard on a Cortina Mk3 I think Trig, so hopefully some bushes can be located. GR12 4 REAR WHEEL STEER!

 

Yeah it seems to be comon fault on them, sadly all the local motor factors have no stock of them and even Firstline don't make them anymore so it's a case of ordering a pair of ebay and hoping they are here before the weekend and that the garage will have time to fit them...

 

The worrying thing is that the front bushes were shagged as well, how did it pass the mot last September like it?.

[dollywobbler]

Dicky - not sure my wife is so keen on the calendar plan. On the other hand, I think a calendar dedicated to grumpy partners with a broken down car sounds a great idea!

[catsinthewelder]

Ms C could have featured several times over the last couple of weeks. Does anyone have a cheap car for sale as mine are all f**ked.

 

The BX needs a clutch badly as well as a driveshaft boot and some welding for it's imminent MOT so gearbox out. The oil light is flickering on the Austin, so thats new pump time which means engine out and the VW still isn't charging

[Timewaster]

I appear to have convinced the boyfriend that his initial desire to get a Mk1 Triumph GT6 is perfectly rational and he's now got one lined up he wants to buy. Thing is, while I'd consider a Herald to be shite, I'm not sure a GT6 qualifies, what do you reckon? First order of business will be to bin the minilites it's on either way, I've threatened that I will hurt him if he keeps them.

 

I, however, might be interested in a set of minilites for a spitfire

[Pete-M]

Why would anyone bin Minilites? They're nearly the greatest alloy wheels of all time.

 

Oh, is it the "they're popular so they're shit" thing? If so, I still don't understand that way of thinking.

[dollywobbler]

I think some people just like normal wheels. Surely it's not such a random idea on Autoshite to prefer steelies?

[Shep Shepherd]

I think that many older cars look far better with steel wheels than alloy wheels, especially when they are fitted with interesting hubcaps, embellishers or wheeltrims

[vulgalour]

I just really hate Minilites, it's nothing to do with popularity and if it were, then I'd have to hate slot mags, which I don't. I don't think the Minilite - or other wheels like it - is a particularly nice design.

 

He found a more different GT6 he's going to have a look at that is on the original steels and chrome trims, which I've not seen a picture of but will undoubtedly look a bajillion times nicer. If there's minilites up for grabs, I'll let you know, Tontops.