r.welfare Posted May 25, 2020 Share Posted May 25, 2020 I’m no great mechanic but it was ok. The rearmost ones each side are the hardest as there’s not much clearance against the inner wings. There’s just a lot of engine in the bay. I changed a headlight at the same time and that was a faff. The engine note makes it all worthwhile HillmanImp 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LightBulbFun Posted May 25, 2020 Share Posted May 25, 2020 4 minutes ago, Angrydicky said: Thanks for the thought, but I've already been there The ledger revealed it was supplied new to an A.C. Starr Esq. on 18/9/1953. Here's the Somerset outside the address it was first registered to, in Romford. ah very cool (somewhat fitting initials there!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HillmanImp Posted May 25, 2020 Share Posted May 25, 2020 2 minutes ago, r.welfare said: I’m no great mechanic but it was ok. The rearmost ones each side are the hardest as there’s not much clearance against the inner wings. To be fair he said it was just because he'd never worked on one of these before so wasn't overly keen. Plus I probably put him off. Maybe I should try harder. I probably won't though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
00833827 Posted May 25, 2020 Share Posted May 25, 2020 Big work on the kangoo this evening. This: To this : mrbenn, Split_Pin, The Moog and 5 others 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Split_Pin Posted May 25, 2020 Share Posted May 25, 2020 1 hour ago, Angrydicky said: I gave my Somerset a grease up earlier, followed by a bath and a quick blast up the road: It ran really well but the multimeter confirms the alternator is goosed, it’s only showing 12.5v at idle and not much more when I blip the throttle, which would be below par for a dynamo, let alone an alternator. I chucked the multimeter on the Rover battery to check it, 14.3v at idle. The alternator came in a conversion kit a few years ago, it’s a proper cheap no name one. Squeals like a bastard when it’s cold too. Anyone got a good one kicking around? That is lovely. No other words required in my opinion! Angrydicky 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
busmansholiday Posted May 25, 2020 Share Posted May 25, 2020 On 5/24/2020 at 9:11 PM, barefoot said: forgot to mention, the fair wife thinks block paving looks really, really pretty, whereas I am becoming more & more aware that our selection of elderly cars all leak oil to varying degrees... Can anyone else see trouble ahead? Been there as well. Got around it by buying Mrs BMH a car that she liked and wanted but also leaked oil. Amazingly, when she realised it was her car covering the drive in oil (not me accidentally* spilling it whilst working on stuff) all comments on the state of the drive stopped. somewhatfoolish, barefoot and Three Speed 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
busmansholiday Posted May 25, 2020 Share Posted May 25, 2020 23 hours ago, lanciamatt said: They repainted Barnsley main colliery other month, looks nice now. There is a preservation group too looking after the grounds too, put benches there etc. Been watching them do it every time I've cut over the back there whilst taking my Mrs to and from Oakwell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wuvvum Posted May 25, 2020 Share Posted May 25, 2020 I've said it before, but I bloody love that Somerset. The B series conversion transforms it. Angrydicky 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angrydicky Posted May 25, 2020 Share Posted May 25, 2020 5 minutes ago, wuvvum said: I've said it before, but I bloody love that Somerset. The B series conversion transforms it. I must admit, it had been so long since I’d driven it I’d forgotten how quick it is! Well, compared to the Standard ? wuvvum 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wuvvum Posted May 25, 2020 Share Posted May 25, 2020 Had the Tempra up on the ramps again today, to reattach the rack boot properly and have another go at tightening the fanbelt. I managed to get it fractionally tighter, but it still squeals for a bit after starting, especially if there's load on. I reckon it probably needs a new belt - it's been squealing for a while so is probably quite worn - but I'm fucked if I'm going to take that job on myself. It actually probably wouldn't be that hard with the car on a proper ramp, but with my limited facilities and not having arms like octopus tentacles it's an awkward bastard. I've had enough of the bloody thing now anyway, I'm going to sell it I think - I have more than enough projects already without the Tempra becoming one as well. It's still perfectly usable but it's pissed me off now and I've lost my affection for it. While I had the ramps out I stuck the Innocenti up on them to have another look at the front subframe which I need to change at some point soonish. It's only the nearside that needs doing - the offside has been protected by having oil splashed on it over the years and is still solid. In theory it doesn't look like a difficult job - two bolts at the front, two at the rear, and then just unbolt and remove the lower suspension arm and the anti-roll bar. However at least one of the bolts has corroded into what appears to be a solid blob of rust and has about as much chance of coming undone as the Innocenti does of winning a drag race against the V70. Best case scenario will be that it snaps off when I get the breaker bar on it - worst case I'll have to remove the subframe mounting bracket from the car as well and try and get them apart off the car. I'm going to have to take the bracket off at some point anyway as it needs a patch welding on the front panel near where it bolts on. Whilst it was up in the air I decided to do what I'd been putting off for some time and do a proper assessment of the grot situation. It's actually not as bad as I feared. Apart from the aforementioned rotten subframe and bit of grot near the mounting point, it's also going to need a patch in the front inner arch on either side, right at the front below the headlights, and a patch about 6" by 4" right at the back of the nearside rear floorpan and bottom of the inner arch. And that is all I could find. The sills have some surface rust but genuinely appear to still be solid. Remarkable really given that it's a 27-year-old series-production Italian shopping car which has been in Blighty for at least 15 years, most of those outdoors, and did daily duty for me for a year and a half. Even more remarkable is that it appears to never have been welded before. So with the bits of welding done, a new exhaust centre section (which I can get, although not cheaply), a new pair of headlight mountings (ditto) and the subframe fitted it shouldn't be too far off a test. That's about all I got done today - most of the rest of the day was spent mowing the lawn and playing with bicycles. I am suffering from a bit of a shortage of mojo at the moment - primarily because I'm still constantly chasing my tail. I currently have 12 cars, a van and two mopeds, and apart from the Rover 45 (which is departing soon anyway) every single one of them needs work doing. It's daft really. My efforts to trim the fleet don't seem to be getting very far - obviously it's a bit of a rubbish time to be selling cars, but whilst they're still sat there I keep feeling like I should be doing the jobs they need (hence spending pretty much an entire day of my life doing the CV joint on the V70, and most of another day getting the rear door to open). If I could concentrate on just two or three vehicles then I'd be a lot more inclined to just crack on and get them done - the Innocenti and Spacy would both be on the road by now, the 75 would be fully sorted and even the 164 might have had some attention. As it is they just keep getting pushed to the back of the queue by other projects, many of which weren't even bought as projects in the first place. Angrydicky, RobT, BorniteIdentity and 4 others 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mitsisigma01 Posted May 25, 2020 Share Posted May 25, 2020 11 hours ago, richardmorris said: great colour I'd rather have a picture of the delivery vehicle, looks a nice bit of kit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mitsisigma01 Posted May 25, 2020 Share Posted May 25, 2020 1 hour ago, wuvvum said: While I had the ramps out I stuck the Innocenti up on them to have another look at the front subframe which I need to change at some point soonish Of course you sprayed all the bastard looking nuts and bolts with penetrating oil to prepare for when the big day comes??? Might save some knuckles and skin ?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wuvvum Posted May 26, 2020 Share Posted May 26, 2020 I did indeed. There is only so much penetrating oil can do though - it cannot restore threads that have completely dissolved... chadders 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floatylight Posted May 26, 2020 Share Posted May 26, 2020 Youngest is 17th today and we have just made an impromptu decision to go and have a look at his *new car and see if we can get it running.. It's free, needs some attention but should make a great first car..Discussions are in place to get it transported to us as it's been off the road for a while..Have a pic as a clue and a pointer as to what needs doing....Sent from my SM-A505FN using Tapatalk paulplom, Craig the Princess, LightBulbFun and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brownnova Posted May 26, 2020 Share Posted May 26, 2020 Wales still on lockdown, baby due in 2 weeks, economy in uncertain territory, Yugo project making slower progress than a glacier... So why am I considering buying another project car sight unseen (With a Boris MoT admittedly)... apart from the fact that it’s reasonably well priced and @Mrsbrownnova says it’s an ideal present for her... loserone, Floatylight, paulplom and 9 others 10 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anonymous user Posted May 26, 2020 Share Posted May 26, 2020 Well you do have a bit more parking to use Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brownnova Posted May 26, 2020 Share Posted May 26, 2020 Exactly.... would be rude not to take full advantage of it... Tickman 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobT Posted May 26, 2020 Share Posted May 26, 2020 24 minutes ago, brownnova said: it’s reasonably well priced and @Mrsbrownnova says it’s an ideal present for her... Well based on that, GIB sharpish! Is it far away? Delivery probably the best bet as you're still in lockdown. brownnova and Floatylight 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HMC Posted May 26, 2020 Share Posted May 26, 2020 29 minutes ago, Floatylight said: Youngest is 17th today and we have just made an impromptu decision to go and have a look at his *new car and see if we can get it running.. It's free, needs some attention but should make a great first car.. Discussions are in place to get it transported to us as it's been off the road for a while.. Have a pic as a clue and a pointer as to what needs doing.... Sent from my SM-A505FN using Tapatalk 205? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richardmorris Posted May 26, 2020 Share Posted May 26, 2020 11 hours ago, mitsisigma01 said: I'd rather have a picture of the delivery vehicle, looks a nice bit of kit Next time. I think it was just a tilting trailer towed by a Toyota hilux thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floatylight Posted May 26, 2020 Share Posted May 26, 2020 205?Oooh, close, sadly today's visit postponed till Saturday due to yoof having other plans..Sent from my SM-A505FN using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brownnova Posted May 26, 2020 Share Posted May 26, 2020 1 hour ago, RobT said: Well based on that, GIB sharpish! Is it far away? Delivery probably the best bet as you're still in lockdown. Yeah, probably a delivery job... which means no seeing until after monies have changed hands... which is scary... spike60 and RobT 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lanciamatt Posted May 26, 2020 Share Posted May 26, 2020 Freshly painted Split_Pin, richardmorris, 00833827 and 3 others 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carlosfandango Posted May 26, 2020 Share Posted May 26, 2020 Yes. Yes this is happening. CFD Dannyk, jumpingjehovahs, paulplom and 4 others 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skizzer Posted May 27, 2020 Share Posted May 27, 2020 On 5/25/2020 at 10:52 PM, wuvvum said: As it is they just keep getting pushed to the back of the queue by other projects, many of which weren't even bought as projects in the first place. I feel your pain brother Wuvvum. Arthur Foxhake 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spike60 Posted May 27, 2020 Share Posted May 27, 2020 After spending some time and monies on the Merc SEC it's been pressed into service doing actual going places duties including 3 days commute to work . It's been a pleasure to use, no unexpected developments though at 35 years old there's always a list, - headlining, steering wheel, pull like fook to the left etc. Like a lot of folk on here I suffered buyers remorse with it, however I went to see another garage find 500 SEC for sale locally and felt waay better. It's currently on about 1/2 what I paid for mine but I'm not sure I'd want it given...... Here's mine basking in the evening sun after a hard day at the dock car park. It's sharing the duty roster with the 2.8 BMW Z3 as it would be a shame to leave this garaged while the sun shines and it's still a fine thing to drive so it's one in, one out in garage terms. HMC, Vantman, jumpingjehovahs and 10 others 13 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richardmorris Posted May 27, 2020 Share Posted May 27, 2020 My mechanic friend rick has been ill with the virus ( he drives buses in London now ) so been a little delayed in replacing the Mercedes’s nearside front suspension. He’s asked if I want aftermarket or original parts. Given that I don’t want to do it again, and there’s hardly any difference in cost I’ve gone for Mercedes. £348 he’s just whatsapped me. puddlethumper, Six-cylinder and spike60 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spike60 Posted May 27, 2020 Share Posted May 27, 2020 26 minutes ago, richardmorris said: My mechanic friend rick has been ill with the virus ( he drives buses in London now ) so been a little delayed in replacing the Mercedes’s nearside front suspension. He’s asked if I want aftermarket or original parts. Given that I don’t want to do it again, and there’s hardly any difference in cost I’ve gone for Mercedes. £348 he’s just whatsapped me. I've just replaced the front pads, discs and sensors on the 2007 Mercedes E320 cdi, genuine MB parts delivered were about the same as mid range ECP parts. beko1987 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richardmorris Posted May 27, 2020 Share Posted May 27, 2020 1 minute ago, spike60 said: I've just replaced the front pads, discs and sensors on the 2007 Mercedes E320 cdi, genuine MB parts delivered were about the same mid range ECP parts. When rick was busy a couple of years ago when I needed the off side frame doing the bill from Mercedes ascot wasn’t horrendous for a main dealer. Parts for the subframe about the same cost as he’s just quoted and labour the same again. They are actually a lot better than Citroen in parts prices for older cars. I have told rick that I will pay for the spring tool he’s ordered for the job and expect it to be four or five hours labour. Annoyingly the car still drives perfectly so I doubt I’ll notice the money spent on it. Then there’s the body work needed after bambi took a header into the door. spike60 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carlosfandango Posted May 27, 2020 Share Posted May 27, 2020 New tyres fitted. It feels a little less shite but I like it all the same. CFD brownnova, Supernaut, paulplom and 5 others 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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