Project Dollywobbler's Foxy little number

[dollywobbler]

Illness has rather brought progress to a halt this week. This is where I'd got up to.

 

Flu is annoying. Two days in bed, zero productivity.

[LightBulbFun]

Project Fox update and Minty fresh* Mk12 invacar

 

autoshite is having a good day

[dollywobbler]

Frustrating afternoon trying to get the engine ready to fit. Lots of tiny bits and bobs like refitting the thermostat with a new housing, fitting the missing exhaust stud and then fitting a complete electronic ignition kit. Now it won't run. UGH.

[dollywobbler]

Re-examined the plug leads and found four and three were the wrong way around. Refilled the float chamber with fuel and away it went. There we are then. 

 

Next stage is to fit the clutch (I've handily lost my clutch alignment tool) and then get the sodding engine in. Next time it runs, I want it to be able to move the Fox. Helpfully, people have told me that the Borg and Beck clutch I have bought is utterly shit.

[bub2006]

Regards fuel pump. buy a 12v fuel pump off eBay. Usually quite cheap and work wonders. Mine was inline on my robin and is the next thing on the trike

[dollywobbler]

I've just bought a brand new engine-driven pump. It's now fitted and was drawing fuel out of my jerry can very nicely.

[mrbenn]

Helpfully, people have told me that the Borg and Beck clutch I have bought is utterly shit.

 

I was told the same when I fitted a B&B clutch bearing to my Minor, even to the extent of being told to "take it out and sling it in the bin". That was two or three years ago and it's been fine.

[plasticvandan]

Never had a single failed fuel pump on any of the 37 Reliants I owned.didnt like the idea of an electric pump at possibly the wrong psi pumping fuel in the event of an accident. The Borg and beck is a strong clutch,but a bit in or out.but you get used to it.make sure you have the clutch return Spring fitted,this will smooth out the clutch action a bit and stop the thrust bearing wearing out.i used to use a gearbox input shaft to align the clutch,after all,it's what goes in it,but no good unless you have a scrap box to rob.

[Mrcento]

Re-examined the plug leads and found four and three were the wrong way around. Refilled the float chamber with fuel and away it went. There we are then. 

 

Next stage is to fit the clutch (I've handily lost my clutch alignment tool) and then get the sodding engine in. Next time it runs, I want it to be able to move the Fox. Helpfully, people have told me that the Borg and Beck clutch I have bought is utterly shit.

 

For an alignment tool, a small ratchet (or even the handle of a wooden spoon) wrapped evenly in electrical tape, works.

 

It's what i've used on every clutch i've ever done!, never had a single issue, always got it bob centre.

[Eddie Honda]

Old Laycock diaphragm spring clutches are the daddy.

[plasticvandan]

Laycock was the best,finding a nos one a big difficult now,iirc 948cc minor was the same

[Eddie Honda]

Yep the 948 was the same, as was the Mk2 onwards Imp (which is why they are a bit difficult to find).

 

Didn't think much of the LuK ones.

[dollywobbler]

Today, I have fitted the clutch to the flywheel, and then had the fun task of trying to replace the carbon thrust pad on the gearbox.

 

Horrible job! Not enough access, and you have to get two springy clips over a lip to try and secure it. I've a nasty feeling I'm either going to have to remove the gearbox, or lift the entire vehicle to gain access from below. There is just not enough access from here. By the time I'm in, I'm blocking my own access and can't see what I'm doing.

 

Here's why it needed doing though.

[Squire_Dawson]

Was previous owner an enthusiastic clutch rider or used the pedal as a footrest I wonder. I always despair and chuckle at the same time when I see people creeping forward and rocking the car on the clutch at a red light, or using it to hold the car on a hill.

[dollywobbler]

Given the previous owner killed the engine by driving it after the core plug came out, my guess is he was pretty shoddy at cars full stop. 

 

New one in.

 

Also took the nose off with a view to mesh replacement and hinge repairs. More blue!

 

Engine is ready to go in now, but sadly, we're both still battered by this sodding flu virus. I can barely lift the engine on my own now, and Mrs DW is definitely in no fit state for lifting engines. 

 

For a distraction, I went for a quick run out in the Invacar, but I didn't see much...

[Exiled_Tat_Gatherer]

Was previous owner an enthusiastic clutch rider or used the pedal as a footrest I wonder. I always despair and chuckle at the same time when I see people creeping forward and rocking the car on the clutch at a red light, or using it to hold the car on a hill.

 

You don't have* my handbrake (then again - neither do I - which is why I have to use the clutch!)

[Exiled_Tat_Gatherer]

Cracking on MR DW - jolly good show. Apart from lurgy type delays - is there a planned first run/outing/meet for this to meet a deadline?

[dollywobbler]

Cracking on MR DW - jolly good show. Apart from lurgy type delays - is there a planned first run/outing/meet for this to meet a deadline?

 

No deadline on this one. I have got a little HubNut meet up on 9th March, but I think I might just use the Skoda for that.

[Eddie Honda]

Did you do the roll pins?

 

ETA: I see it has FOUR.

[dollywobbler]

Did you do the roll pins?

 

The what now?

[Eddie Honda]

Looks like someone has added two extra roll pins to the release bearing carrier (that's how it is attached to the cross shaft)

[plasticvandan]

Yes,the two outer ones are standard,the two in the middle aren't.often when people say their clutch has gone,what's actually happened is the pins have snapped allowing the clutch arm to move independently of the carrier.my mid was to fit split pins through them as a fail safe.

[dollywobbler]

Ok. So all is good then?

[plasticvandan]

Looks like it,so long as you can't move the carrier separately to the clutch arm

Do make sure the clutch cable bush in the arm us free and greased,and the return Spring is fitted.

[dollywobbler]

Engine on a shelf.

 

After taking the starter off, I managed to lift the engine up there on my own, albeit in three stages - up on a step, then the front of the Fox (with padding!) and then onto the bench. Have drained the oil in a bid to remove a bit more weight before we make an attempt to fit it tomorrow. I think I'm going to try and rig up a sling, so we can lower it in with a bar. I don't fancy our chances trying to drop it in by hand. I think we'll run out of room for our hands, and then be unable to lift the weight back out...

[busmansholiday]

Love the subtle advertising placements.

 

Seriously, get some decent lifting gear to drop it in. Buggering up your back lifting it at odd angles or trapping fingers or worse isn't funny and have long term effects. After all, we want to know what your next project will be.

[dollywobbler]

Love the subtle advertising placements.

 

Seriously, get some decent lifting gear to drop it in. Buggering up your back lifting it at odd angles or trapping fingers or worse isn't funny and have long term effects. After all, we want to know what your next project will be.

 

Lifting sling and bar should achieve that. Main advantage is we can drop straight, using the knees. It worked when we yanked the engine out of the spares Invacar last year.

[Ben_O]

How much would you gain if you removed the front wheels and lowered the nose to the floor?

Might that make it easier as you wouldn't need to lift it as high.

 

I'm looking forward to seeing it running in the car

 

Good luck

 

Ben

[plasticvandan]

I did my back in for the first time carrying one of these engines out of a regal supervan up to my shed,was fine until I went to lower it down then crack. They are light for an engine bug lead you into a false sense of security

[dollywobbler]

How much would you gain if you removed the front wheels and lowered the nose to the floor?

Might that make it easier as you wouldn't need to lift it as high.

 

I'm looking forward to seeing it running in the car

 

Good luck

 

Ben

 

I still think the biggest danger is from having to lower the engine, not getting it up over the front panel. I'm not sure making the car lower actually helps. An idea though.