The new news 24 thread

[Guest Hooli]

Liking some of those little pickups POD

[Guest Hooli]

If it's passed now, does that mean it's been hidden or fixed (possibly quickly/badly)?

 

Normal bodge is to weld a plate in & weld it to the spring hangers rather than do it properly.

[cobblers]

Anything with an overspray on the rubbers paint job needs a good hard looking at really.

[SiC]

Current MOT for reference:

Test date: 27 June 2017

Expiry date: 26 June 2018

Test Result: Pass

Odometer reading: 56,058 miles

 

Advisory notice item(s)

Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Nearside Outer sill corroded

 

It's been 3 months since today's MOT and its first MOT. Thinking about it, when I saw the MGB outside, it probably was around March time. Possibly it's previous owner putting it in for an MOT and seeing if it'll pass?

 

I find it unlikely the garage themselves would have put it in for an MOT to begin with mind. As they have MOT testers themselves, they don't need to put it in for a test to find out what it will and won't pass on.

[Guest Hooli]

If the outer sill has gone, then the middle section & that castle bit will have. Price up a new heritage shell & just* swap it all over...

[Sigmund Fraud]

If it's passed now, does that mean it's been hidden or fixed (possibly quickly/badly)?

 

The problem with popular classics like the MGB (also the Mini, Beetle, 2CV) is that there's plenty of demand for them out there, often by the midlife crisis types who know little about cars but fancy a "first classic".

 

Such a market invites unscrupulous characters who "recommission" or "restore" crappy examples to a very presentable (but usually structurally poor) state and sell them for profit.

 

I fear that the example above belongs to that category.

[SiC]

Underside picture from yesterday:

 

Too dark out there atm to go and take any more. As its so local, I'll still have a wander over tomorrow afternoon, have a chat and a better look over it. Just go in with a much more open mind and certainly not rush.

 

Thanks for the advice guys. Could have really saved me potentially from buying a dud.

[Sigmund Fraud]

Nobody seems to be talking about this photo.

 

Is that level of shonkiness normally in the wing / scuttle joint?

 

That area looks pretty good by 'B standards, actually ! In most unrestored Bs, applying pressure to this area with your thumb results in a somewhat alerting "CRUNCH" sound.

[Sigmund Fraud]

After 3-4 years of crawling my way up the pay scale,I've finally had a rise that will enable me to become an autoshiter again still need something economical and pre 88, budget up to a bag.. I'm thinking 205 diseasel?

 

This one is not a diesel, but looks bargainous.

[They_all_do_that_sir]

Stuck a new fan belt on the focus a week ago. Its a stretch belt so there is no way to adjust tension.

 

The bloody thing screeches like mad when you start the car, and occasionally when driving. Obviously the wrong belt?

 

I would just ignore it but the water pump runs off this belt. Fucksticks.

[twosmoke300]

Water pump seizing up ?

[anonymous user]

Stuck a new fan belt on the focus a week ago. Its a stretch belt so there is no way to adjust tension.

 

The bloody thing screeches like mad when you start the car, and occasionally when driving. Obviously the wrong belt?

 

I would just ignore it but the water pump runs off this belt. Fucksticks.

Chuck some talcum powder on it

[Brodders]

A friend from work was getting married yesterday and asked if I could help out.

 

 

A nice day was had by everyone (despite the rain) and the 75 got a final run out before the insurance ran out. So for the next few days I shall be cycling everywhere.

[stillOrange]

Engine check light in my wife's 6 months old Volvo came on.

All moderns are shit!

I hope she will learn from this and will want a next car without a engine check light

[richardmorris]

Underside picture from yesterday:

20170626_201740.jpg

Too dark out there atm to go and take any more. As its so local, I'll still have a wander over tomorrow afternoon, have a chat and a better look over it. Just go in with a much more open mind and certainly not rush.

Thanks for the advice guys. Could have really saved me potentially from buying a dud.

 

Take a magnet!

[anonymous user]

Engine check light in my wife's 6 months old Volvo came on.

All moderns are shit!

I hope she will learn from this and will stick a piece of tape over it

like everyone else

[Sigmund Fraud]

I've just given a man a handful of cash in exchange for two keys and a little piece of green paper...

[OwdChina]

Off for smog test we go.............

 

 

And it failed........quite badly, the computer print out stated GROSS POLLUTER. The numbers were pretty high.

So it's back home and check through everything.............and the brand new EGR is not holding vacuum. Down at the parts store it was swapped for another, which does work.

 

 

This threw up a new problem, cos now the thing wont run with the EGR vacuum line connected. Now, there is a control vacuum dump valve which regulates just how much to open the EGR depending on engine speed, and it gets its vacuum from a port on the back of the carb. Investigation reveals that for some reason this port is not drilled, although the tube spigot is there, it does nothing. The answer was to Tee into the distributor advance/retard line, on the front of the carb..........NOW it's working........back to the test station.

 

AAAAAnd it's another fail. But only a fail, the numbers have dramatically improved. The tester seems to think , as do we, that the Cat is fucked. The exhaust system was replaced not many miles ago (10 years mind) and the original Cat was reinstalled.......which means its 38 years old.!

 

Enter another quirkey California rule # 3 billion odd.............Cats can only be installed by State Registered and licenced Exhaust Fitters. You cannot do it yourself........it is against the law and comes with a hefty fine. Fucks Sake.

 

Waiting for the Cat to be replaced.

 

 

 

[danthecapriman]

Off for smog test we go.............

 

CIMG1972.JPG

 

And it failed........quite badly, the computer print out stated GROSS POLLUTER. The numbers were pretty high.

So it's back home and check through everything.............and the brand new EGR is not holding vacuum. Down at the parts store it was swapped for another, which does work.

 

CIMG1929.JPG

 

This threw up a new problem, cos now the thing wont run with the EGR vacuum line connected. Now, there is a control vacuum dump valve which regulates just how much to open the EGR depending on engine speed, and it gets its vacuum from a port on the back of the carb. Investigation reveals that for some reason this port is not drilled, although the tube spigot is there, it does nothing. The answer was to Tee into the distributor advance/retard line, on the front of the carb..........NOW it's working........back to the test station.

 

AAAAAnd it's another fail. But only a fail, the numbers have dramatically improved. The tester seems to think , as do we, that the Cat is fucked. The exhaust system was replaced not many miles ago (10 years mind) and the original Cat was reinstalled.......which means its 38 years old.!

 

Enter another quirkey California rule # 3 billion odd.............Cats can only be installed by State Registered and licenced Exhaust Fitters. You cannot do it yourself........it is against the law and comes with a hefty fine. Fucks Sake.

 

Waiting for the Cat to be replaced.

 

CIMG1973.JPG

It's crazy having to re-smog that truck given its age! Great job so far though.

 

Although I'm secretly hoping it won't pass and the owner gets sick of it and sells! I'd love to have it and bring it over here. It's a brilliant looking old thing!

[anonymous user]

I've just given a man a handful of cash in exchange for two keys and a little piece of green paper...

Keys to left luggage lockers and directions to them, hopefully the negatives will be there.

[Sigmund Fraud]

Keys to left luggage lockers and directions to them, hopefully the negatives will be there.

 

It's all good, as long as the missus doesn't get hold of them...

 

Oh, hang on... I was talking about a new car purchase, not about that... erm... other situation I've been dealing with !

[DodgeRover]

Off for smog test we go.............

 

CIMG1972.JPG

 

And it failed........quite badly, the computer print out stated GROSS POLLUTER. The numbers were pretty high.

So it's back home and check through everything.............and the brand new EGR is not holding vacuum. Down at the parts store it was swapped for another, which does work.

 

CIMG1929.JPG

 

This threw up a new problem, cos now the thing wont run with the EGR vacuum line connected. Now, there is a control vacuum dump valve which regulates just how much to open the EGR depending on engine speed, and it gets its vacuum from a port on the back of the carb. Investigation reveals that for some reason this port is not drilled, although the tube spigot is there, it does nothing. The answer was to Tee into the distributor advance/retard line, on the front of the carb..........NOW it's working........back to the test station.

 

AAAAAnd it's another fail. But only a fail, the numbers have dramatically improved. The tester seems to think , as do we, that the Cat is fucked. The exhaust system was replaced not many miles ago (10 years mind) and the original Cat was reinstalled.......which means its 38 years old.!

 

Enter another quirkey California rule # 3 billion odd.............Cats can only be installed by State Registered and licenced Exhaust Fitters. You cannot do it yourself........it is against the law and comes with a hefty fine. Fucks Sake.

 

Waiting for the Cat to be replaced.

 

CIMG1973.JPG

 

Fingers crossed for next time!

 

Just out of interest what would a truck like that be worth out there?

[OwdChina]

It's crazy having to re-smog that truck given its age! Great job so far though.

 

Although I'm secretly hoping it won't pass and the owner gets sick of it and sells! I'd love to have it and bring it over here. It's a brilliant looking old thing!

Jeeeesus Christ All Fucking MIGHTY................Get this.

Because the truck was built with parts that are no longer applicable or available..........ie. choke control that works off the vacuum and exhaust heat ( "V" manifold plugged and vacuum plugged ) this leaves some redundant pipe pick ups, which are capped off correctly with rubber caps and a steel plug fitting in exhaust side................aaaaaaaaaaaand the distributer has been replaced with a more modern equivalent which no longer needs 3 vacuum pipes going to it..........and the blanked off back of the carb thing.

HOWEVER some 30ish year old idiot, who wasn't even born when this truck was sold thinks he knows better than us........."all pipe connectors must be connected before we even do the sniff check"..............................

 

Enter "Tony"..........much respected local race engine builder.........and good friend :

 

""""""SUUUNNN........... just put a cat on it coz you've no idea how this shit even works"

 

Cat goes on tomorrow........................AAAAAAAGGGGGGH

[egg]

Top 5 MOT fails are apparently as follows...

 

1. Suspension wear

2. Tyres

3. Headlamp aim

4. Wipers

5. Numberplate lighting

 

https://cazana.com/uk/insights/top-five-mot-failures?utm_source=Cazana+Monthly+Newsletter&utm_campaign=ed7cb278ba-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2017_06_29&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_233bd0c3cb-ed7cb278ba-113035827

[worldofceri]

Only because "wheel trims look shit" is still pass and advise.

[BorniteIdentity]

I went to the excellent Japex garage in salubrious Hertfordshire earlier to book me an MOT for the Granvia (My 6th test in 2 months).  They had a charming little MK2 Golf in the workshop which made me very nostalgic and has me now looking at them on eBay.  Regulars to the 'Memoirs' blog will know I had a MK2 8V when I was 19 and I was very fond of it - only selling when work encouraged me to have something modern and presentable.  (Ironically, it was 15 years old by that stage - I now drive about in an 18 year old car and would never consider changing for appearances)

 

Anyway, it's weird.  Despite nearly everything having coilovers, roof racks, g60 steelies, smoked lamps, big bumpers and the bizarre "type 19" keyword - prices of the sweet and unbastardised ones still seem quite reasonable.

 

£1000 looks to be enough to get into a reasonable 'Driver' or GL.  Compared with Fords of the same era, they're pretty close to double - certainly 50% more.

 

Did I miss something?  Is it just that's the only budget the pineapple brigade have??

 

Anyway.  Definitely considering.  The problem is there are too many cars on my WLTM list right now.

[oldcars]

Top 5 MOT fails are apparently as follows...

 

1. Suspension wear

2. Tyres

3. Headlamp aim

4. Wipers

5. Numberplate lighting

 

https://cazana.com/uk/insights/top-five-mot-failures?utm_source=Cazana+Monthly+Newsletter&utm_campaign=ed7cb278ba-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2017_06_29&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_233bd0c3cb-ed7cb278ba-113035827

I was mot checking an old Transit camper earlier. Suspension wear was up there, along with rot. It also had an advisory for "wheel trims" 

[captain_70s]

Top 5 MOT fails are apparently as follows...

 

1. Suspension wear

2. Tyres

3. Headlamp aim

4. Wipers

5. Numberplate lighting

 

Add "structural corrosion" and that'd about sum up my MOT every year...

[cort1977]

Jeeeesus Christ All Fucking MIGHTY................Get this.

Because the truck was built with parts that are no longer applicable or available.....

 

I know California is a great place to live in some ways but it seems a bureaucratic nightmare in other ways.   State income tax, smogging old cars, expensive gas, astronomical house prices, horrendous traffic.  

 

The Texas test for an older car consists of checking the lights and brakes and hopefully the tyres and costs $7.   Of course I do have to live in a humid swamp for six months a year but it's swings and roundabouts.

[DodgeRover]

And you can have your own 50 cal machine gun...