The new news 24 thread

[Bear]

Hahah! It's already about 1/4 done. Debating whether to drop headliner (and replace sunblind) or clean in situ.

[cort16]

It's a small town so someone will know the story. My Dad's going to ask about and see what he can find out.

[dave21478]

IIRC our own ScaryOldCortina fell victim to this sort of situation with an ex owner of a car turning up and claiming it stolen?

Didnt end well, I think.

[oldcars]

I was given a selfie stick as a christmas gift. Sorry i am now a complete moron. Of to take photos of ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME 

[Stanky]

Spent a happy morning tinkering with the cars, the Nissan got a coolant flushed, headlight replaced and refill with lovely fresh coolant. The Saab got new oil and filter which is a doddle of a job as the filter is just an element that you take out of it's little house near the top of the engine, rather than a spin-on affair which slops oil in your eyes and beard as you remove it from underneath.

 

Went down to the municipal waste redistribution facility and offloaded all the oil, a gallon of old coolant (I was amazed they took this as its not really 'household') the old kippered clutch and a load of boxes. Sadly they had no mowers, as my stock is severely depleted after one went on the 23rd and another one went this morning. I shall have to have another scout in a couple of weeks time.

[Bren]

Our focii passed it's MOT with no advisories.

 

I told the tester about the previous advisories on corrosion, he told me the car was very clean for its age - he then asked me if it was tested previously at a certain garage in town?

[scaryoldcortina]

IIRC our own ScaryOldCortina fell victim to this sort of situation with an ex owner of a car turning up and claiming it stolen?

Didnt end well, I think.

 

Yeah, sort of. I bought a derelict and scrap Datsun 240z from an old guy who was moving to a nursing home and selling his house. When I sold it on eBay some time later a different guy with a logbook reported it stolen, and I got arrested and lost the car.

[HMC]

Feeling very much like the NHS should be offering me a counselling service as I have agreed to buy yet another alfa. Full details to follow. It's done 200k, was cheap, and has over 6 grands worth of bills just over the last couple of years. All of which leaves me undecided as to how wise I've been.

 

WCPGW?

[anonymous user]

Don't worry, think of the £6k someone else spent on the Alfa as a saving and put it towards private psychiatric care

[dollywobbler]

Want a video of a hopeless mechanic? Well, it's your lucky day.

[drum]

I could have made a similar vid today DW!

 

The disco's brakes failed on Saturday. As in, I pressed the pedal, had some braking effect then the pedal went to the floor with a clunk. Luckily, I wasn't going fast or going down a steep hill or approaching a junction, and pulled in to the side of the road for a wee look. Turns out a pad had fallen out the near side rear calliper.

 

That's what happens when you ignore noisy brakes for a few miles.

 

With no pad in place the piston pushed against the disc, but it wasn't providing much braking effect and by the time I had gingerly driven home, it had worn an edge off.

 

 

Meanwhile, the alfa failed its mot this morning. Brake judder, cv boot and an advisory for front discs.

 

With Frank (the storm) blowing in tomorrow I hit the credit card hard at the local motor factors (£360! Although that included a £55 surcharge for the disco calliper and about a ton for a land cruiser wheel bearing) and endeavoured to sort both cars today.

 

Did the disco first and nearly came undone when the wheel nuts wouldn't. Bent the wheel brace in the process. Silly 12 pointed bolt heads holding the calipers on were originally 13mm but I had to hammer a half inch socket on them. One new n/s caliper and a stripped and cleaned the o/s with fresh grease and gaiters on the slider pins.

 

 

Bleeding a disco 2 seems to be a right pain, took me ages. I thought I would have to bleed the master cylinder but I got a pedal eventually.

 

On to the alfa. I thought I would cheat and try one of those split boots that glue together. It was a faff but saved time. Will it last though?

 

Both front discs and pads replaced reasonably painlessly. Hopefully I can get it in for a retest tomorrow.

 

In other news the alfa's turbo actuator isn't doing anything. Not sure yet whether it's the solenoid or no vacuum.

[trigger]

What do we think of this? A local body shop has just painted this 75 in Autolak Flat Stonechip, it's the first time I've seen someone actually paint a whole car in stone chip!

 

 

 

 

 

[HH-R]

Is the owner Ed China?

 

It looks shite.

[Timewaster]

Very streaky finish.

 

Not a job to be proud of If you ask me.

 

And you did.

[tommotech]

It looks like Tarmac painted it with a rake.

 

FFS, why, just why......

[HH-R]

See high end/new Audis/BMWs with matte black treatment too (though it might be vinyl), looks terrible.

[Pillock]

I like that!

Novelty yes but it contrasts well with the chrome

[DeeJay]

First thing I think is,

"What are they hiding?".

[ruffgeezer]

I've just had a read of this month's practical classics, is it really true that @dugong has sold the knob van?

[trigger]

I believe Practical Classics magazine now own it.

 

I've found some more photos of that Rover.

 

 

 

[Inspector Morose]

Why in gods name would you want to do that?

 

Like it though.

[ruffgeezer]

Oh fucksocks.

[gm]

for the benefit of scot-o-shiters, this weekend is the diesel gala at Bo'ness railway - I don't know much about trains but there seems to be a bit of interest amongst you - I'm trying to change a shift so I can come along on Sunday and see them in action

 

http://www.bkrailway.co.uk/winter-diesel-gala-news-jan-2016/

 

if I'm reading this timetable right, it looks like there will be double and treble header trains running - should be plenty noisey

 

http://www.srpsdiesel.co.uk/SRPS%20Winter%20Gala%202nd%20and%203rd%20Jan%202016%20Timetable%20V3.pdf

 

 

[oldcars]

What do we think of this? A local body shop has just painted this 75 in Autolak Flat Stonechip, it's the first time I've seen someone actually paint a whole car in stone chip!

 

 

 

 

 

Now that's a tidemark of a winner

 

I see the trim was all masked rather that coming off, good move as most* of the clips break and the cost for new ones is 2 x laguna!

[garbaldy]

I've just had a read of this month's practical classics, is it really true that @dugong has sold the knob van?

I hope not, still waiting in anticipation.

[MikeKnight]

I really, really, like that 75...

 

*skulks back into the shadows*

[Bear]

Why in gods name would you want to do that?

 

Like it though.

 

The car is pale blue metallic. That's enough reason.

 

TBH I'm looking at it, looking at my Beetle's manky sills, remembering that Real Beetles have black rubber running boards, and a plan is forming

 

Did they even key the old paint? Looks remarkably shiny...

[Pillock]

I saw a type3 VW finished in speckle effect plasticote, looked a bit scene but at least you've not got to worry about stone chips! Just the entire panel rusting away underneath.....

[beko1987]

I really, really, like that 75...

 

*skulks back into the shadows*

Same here!

[dollywobbler]

Must admit, I quite like matt paint too, though not sure about textured stonechip.