Project Dollywobbler's Foxy little number

[plasticvandan]

The chassis and engine location are identical,it's just the body that's in a different position.

[plasticvandan]

The obsession with sticking bike engines in baffles me.The Reliant engine with a light tweak can rev to 7000rpm,do 70,mpg (on cheaper petrol) and weighs around 50kg.

As you will find,due to the bulkhead,the engine has to go in/out from the top (3wheeler from underneath

[dollywobbler]

Well, the good news is that my new engine is a 1977 Robin one, which apparently should go in with no bother. Collecting it Sunday, not sure whether in 2CV or Rover yet.

[fordperv]

41Bv23zKTrL._UY395_.jpg

 

Plus

 

F0251508-01.jpg

 

Equals

 

engine.jpg

 

 

Yes, I know that's a Reliant Kitten, but near enough.

I imagine that goes quite well being so light

[Noel Tidybeard]

shirley the only sensible option other than a robin reliant engine is a bazuki 1000 out of a suzuki rascal/bedford carry 5 speed FTW

[plasticvandan]

Well, the good news is that my new engine is a 1977 Robin one, which apparently should go in with no bother. Collecting it Sunday, not sure whether in 2CV or Rover yet.

These were the best made 850s of them all,so hopefully you have a good one.one important thing to do before fitting it is to undo the water jacket drain plug at the rear of the engine below the manifold,get some stiff wire/welding wire,and stick a hose down the thermostat hole,and rod out the back of the block,they silt up badly if theyve not been flushed out,and overheat as the water cant circulate round the back

[dollywobbler]

Got the engine home. Here isn't a photo of it (it is in the boot, along with a gearbox).

[mk2_craig]

Wonder what that did to the Rover fuel consumption.

[binhoker668]

Bit late I guess, but saw this yesterday in Ladybay...

 

[egg]

From 1982 Drive and Trail magazine

 

[dollywobbler]

From 1982 Drive and Trail magazine

 

IMG_20180922_162900~2.jpg

 

"Should do well." They were wrong again! They sold about 600 in ten years...

[Isaac Hunt]

Look at those rear light clusters, look as though they are off a double decker bus

[dollywobbler]

Look at those rear light clusters, look as though they are off a double decker bus

 

Most of that is just black glassfibre. The lamps themselves are just standard rectangular things hidden within. (and more obvious in colour)

[Rusty_Rocket]

Today, I spotted this and thought of you-

 

20180922_075112 by David James, on Flickr

 

4 Dog Security.

 

It was, obviously epic.  On a B-reg, it appears to have been painted satin black, with aerosols.  Overspray on everything including the rear number plate.  Owner looked like a character.  There were indeed dogs in it, although I couldn't establish if there were four of them.

[dollywobbler]

Amazing. Does annoy me just having the Fox sitting around, but I'm still in the process of trying to blag funding to electrify it.

 

Mind you, whichever power source it ends up having, it was always going to be a winter project. I just hope I actually have some spare time over winter...

[Remspoor]

Amazing. Does annoy me just having the Fox sitting around, but I'm still in the process of trying to blag funding to electrify it.

 

Mind you, whichever power source it ends up having, it was always going to be a winter project. I just hope I actually have some spare time over winter...

You will need heating the garage then, or has Mrs Hubwobbler forgot to add that to the list of house renovations?

[dollywobbler]

Extra jumpers work well enough. Previous winter projects include a Dyane, the 2CV and the Invacar. Once you get angry enough at not being able to find the tool that was in your hand five minutes ago, you soon warm up.

[Remspoor]

I am going to sound like a Yorkshireman now.

Garage, you are lucky. I have an open air parking space to do my maintenance in. I also use an old mat as the concrete can be too clod for me old bones.

[dollywobbler]

I entered a competition to win funding to convert the Fox to electric, and drive it to Greece. Spoiler alert, I didn't win.

 

However, as I have an engine sitting in my workshop, hopefully ready to do or near to it, perhaps it's no great loss. Should certainly be easier to get it back on the road with its original power source. Looking forward to cracking on with it once time allows.

[loserone]

Gutted.

[dollywobbler]

I'm not sure I am. I think I'd been going off the idea!

[dozeydustman]

[LightBulbFun]

prolly against the majority here

 

but im kinda glad its staying Petrol

 

I aint got anything against electric cars (would quite like a Tesla my self if i ever win the Lotto etc)

 

but the idea of an electric fox never sat right with me.

 

if nothing else ill learn more about engines and reliants as you refurbish the engine and fit it over the winter

[purplebargeken]

How can one obtain hubnut stickers?

[dollywobbler]

How can one obtain hubnut stickers?

 

Visit https://hubnut.fws.store for all your HubNut needs.

[purplebargeken]

Thank you kindly, two stickers boughterated.

[dollywobbler]

Thanks! Sadly, you've missed today's post, but I shall ensure they're ready for tomorrow.

[purplebargeken]

No rush mon ami. 

[oldcars]

Great news, it will be great to get a Reliant engine back in this. Looking forward to reading about it, sure i will learn some new stuff on the way.

[Felly Magic]

Common sense has prevailed, there simply isn't room in a Fox for the batteries needed without sacrificing the entire rear load area. The level of fabrication and wiring would be well beyond a beardie druid in a damp valley, some of it would be pure Blackhurst territory I think. Take your time with it, if it takes 6 months plus of on and off work, so be it. Taking your time will make sure it is 'right', and when you get bored, you should be easily able to punt it on as a runner with ticket. I want to know though how the hell does anyone manage to sleep in a Tandy camper?