Completely barking....

[Saabnut]

I have spent the last few days working on my friends 1966 Triumph Spitfire. We have done an oil and filter change, fitted a stainless exhaust system, fitted a new rear spring and generally given it a fettling. My friend and his partner have been all over europe in this car, a few years ago it over wintered at my place near Aberdeen, and for the last 18 months it has stayed at my place in France, near Le Mans whilst work got in the way of life. It has covered 103 miles in the last 18 months.

 

This morning they have loaded up the car and set out on the latest jaunt - destination Norway. Where in Norway? Why the North Cape of course.  They are heading across France, then Germany, then Poland, ferry to Sweden and then Norway, stopping at Oslo on the way north.

 

Bonkers, I tell thee, and I am more than a bit jealous. Will update this thread with how they get each day if anyone is interested.

[HMC]

Lovely! So nice to see one in fine fettle, my neighbour Steve has about 20, this was his most recent last weekend...

[mercrocker]

I hope they have a couple of cardigans in there with them.   Sounds like a cracking trip and a great choice of car to make it truly memorable.   Would.  

[fordperv]

Lovely! So nice to see one in fine fettle, my neighbour Steve has about 20, this was his most recent last weekend... ED103FEF-235B-4E45-ACDC-ECD91B731A49.jpeg 28AF8020-7B6D-41B8-98CD-4ADA9BA632DE.jpeg EA7D49C9-1186-4E1E-B507-4B0D05423808.jpeg

Bit of hairy mary and underseal that be on the road next week

[DSdriver]

Nice to know you have a place in France, you never know when I might lock myself out of a Saab

Strange but true, the W reg estate tailgate doesn't lock straight away like the 02 reg floppytop bootlid. 

[Saabnut]

Not a good start, currently 330km from me and the viscous coupling on the cooling fan has let go, allowing the fan to escape via the radiator! Currently my friend is twiddling spanners trying for a temp repair, but I may be going on a road trip in the morning!

[HMC]

Viscous coupling? Have they upgraded the cooling system?

[Saabnut]

Yes, cooling system was upgraded for touring Spain/Portugal etc a couple of years ago. Did the job well, but it would appear the parts bought were of cheapest Chinesium painted to look like a proper part.....

[Guest Hooli]

Rope! Tied around the fan & wound the correct way around the pulley will lock it into a proper fan again.

 

One day I'll get to Nordkapp, looks a brilliant trip.

[Saabnut]

Just heard from my friend who has been recovered to the nearest town. Turns out the diagnosis of the viscous coupling failing was premature, it is actually the water pump that has failed in spectacular fashion! The pump appears to have seized then disintegrated and the escaping fan has punched a large hole in the radiator. He will be on to Rimmer brothers first thing to see if he can get replacements couriered across asap. If all else fails, the town he is in has a rail link to Paris so he can nip over to the UK and collect.

 

More soon.....

[panhard65]

I had a French chap towed in here a year or so ago with his 203 Peugeot which had the water pump pulley fall to pieces . A few hours spent trying to bodge a pulley on only lasted about 100 miles before he gave up and had it recovered back to France. It's no fun breaking down with a British made classic in France but not nearly as bad as breaking down with a French classic in the UK.

[DSdriver]

Is the car insured with Footman James? The classic policy I have with them includes European recovery through RAC.

[Guest Hooli]

Just heard from my friend who has been recovered to the nearest town. Turns out the diagnosis of the viscous coupling failing was premature, it is actually the water pump that has failed in spectacular fashion! The pump appears to have seized then disintegrated and the escaping fan has punched a large hole in the radiator. He will be on to Rimmer brothers first thing to see if he can get replacements couriered across asap. If all else fails, the town he is in has a rail link to Paris so he can nip over to the UK and collect.

 

More soon.....

Liked as it didn't happen in the middle of nowhere above the artic circle.

[Saabnut]

Liked as it didn't happen in the middle of nowhere above the artic circle.

 

Exactly what my friend said! Not with FJ, and as he does not have a permanent address in Europe (he lives on a boat in the Bahamas at the moment) recovery could be difficult! He could get it brought back here, but it is just as easy to repair it himself in the hotel car park when the bits arrive.

[mercrocker]

That sounds a proper nuisance.   Hope they get fixed up and on the go again.

[SiC]

What about Moss branch that is in Paris?

 

Water pumps:

https://www.moss-europe.fr/marque-et-modele/triumph/spitfire/refroidissement/pompe-a-eau/water-pump-fan-hoses-spitfire.html

 

Radiators:

https://www.moss-europe.fr/marque-et-modele/triumph/spitfire/refroidissement/radiateur-durites/radiator-hoses-spitfire.html

 

Branch details:

https://www.moss-europe.co.uk/moss-paris

[Saabnut]

Thank you, have passed the details on.

[Saabnut]

Unfortunately being a Mk2 the only people who had a radiator and water pump in stock were Rimmers so he has ordered from there and is hoping the courier will get to him today. Turned out that what he thought was a viscous coupling was in fact the original set up and it was the water pump that had failed. In readiness for the courier, he has the old parts out....

[Guest Hooli]

Sheared shaft in the pump? Guess it's not unreasonable at that age.

[Saabnut]

Would not be unreasonable if it was that age, sadly this was a new pump fitted to the recon engine about 5 years/10k miles ago.

[Guest Hooli]

Ahh *inset a they don't make things like they used to post*

[Saabnut]

Top marks to Rimmer Brothers and the couriers, parts arrived yesterday lunchtime and they are back on the road. Still in France but heading north....

[Guest Hooli]

Heading out of france is always a good thing

[Saabnut]

Tonight they are drinking beer and eating Schnitzel in Heidenburg, so good progress

[Saabnut]

Things returning to plan, last night they made Ahorntal, Germany

[John F]

Breaking down abroad is much less of a problem now we're in the Internet age.

 

A UJ failed on the front propshaft of my Disco 300 TDi on a Friday afternoon near Innsbruck a few years ago. I tried the local parts dealers the next morning, who said, and I quote: "We don't stock spares for such exotic vehicles"... lol... and the local Land Rover dealer (yes, there is one in Innsbruck) wanted over £450 for a replacement propshaft!

 

But Paddocks LR spares in the UK delivered a propshaft to my hotel in Innsbruck within 24 hours for about £80 (inc p&p) 

[Saabnut]

And tonight the old Spitfire has made it to Prague in the Czech republic without any further problems.

[somewhatfoolish]

Breaking down abroad is much less of a problem now we're in the Internet age.

 

A UJ failed on the front propshaft of my Disco 300 TDi on a Friday afternoon near Innsbruck a few years ago. I tried the local parts dealers the next morning, who said, and I quote: "We don't stock spares for such exotic vehicles"... lol... and the local Land Rover dealer (yes, there is one in Innsbruck) wanted over £450 for a replacement propshaft!

 

But Paddocks LR spares in the UK delivered a propshaft to my hotel in Innsbruck within 24 hours for about £80 (inc p&p) 

1. remove front propshaft

2. engage difflock

3. proceed to destination

4. tea and medals

[Guest Hooli]

1. remove front propshaft

2. engage difflock

3. proceed to destination

4. tea and medals

 

I've lost count of the amount of times I got home like that when offroading a Disco. FWD only was more fun though, it'd wheelspin in 4th out of roundabouts.

[Saabnut]

Last night they made it to Bayreuth in Germany