Bond shite = gone to a new home

[dollywobbler]

Ain't molegrippin' them hoses - they're rock hard! Here's another one for you. The seatbelts appear to have an upper mounting only. I can find no sign of a lower mounting having ever existed so there's no lap segment to the belt. Is this legal?!

[garethj]

Here's another one for you. The seatbelts appear to have an upper mounting only. I can find no sign of a lower mounting having ever existed so there's no lap segment to the belt. Is this legal?!

Yes, diagonal only belts. I had some in a '67 VW and they feel really odd to wear, not much good for keeping you in your seat either, but perhaps marginally safer than lap belts.It'll be legal if it's original fit I suppose

[dollywobbler]

Thanks. Checked the online MoT manual and I've learnt something new. Pre-1981, you don't need a 3-point seatbelt and yes, my seatbelts are legal as there's no requirement to have a lap belt section.

[seth]

Glad to hear its (kinda) going

 

There are two different types of heaters used in Heralds, Smiths (sloping top) or Delaney Galley (sqaure box, separate fan). D-G ones apparently work better (we've not had a Smiths equipped car to compare) but the valve is a bizzare overcomplicated thing that looks designed to fail and leak, replacements for which cost something like £50. We've got a plumbing valve instead

 

On a Herald the lower seat belt mount is a captive nut on a plate welded to a hump at the floor where it curves up below the B pillar. The double skinned nature of it means it rots out... Would be odd if Bond didn't have these bits as I thought the floor was standard Triumph (fnar) fare.

 

[dollywobbler]

Thanks Seth.I made a brave attempt to bring the Bond into work yesterday. Sadly, after 5 miles, the car suddenly filled with smoke and I rather lost my nerve and returned home (after stopping to see what it was!). Turns out that the rocker cover gasket is VERY leaky, and oil is gushing over the exhaust manifold. Nice. Explains the smell...Busy with the 2CV meet now, so it's been shoved in the garage to await some spare time. Might be a while...

[dollywobbler]

Yup, it was a while but the other weekend, I finally got around to replacing the rocker cover gasket. Good job I did because the 2CV's currently away undergoing surgery and the BX broke, and I needed to get to work this morning...So, the Bond was dragged out of the garage and along with the frantic (and failed) alternator road trip, I've probably covered about 100 miles in two days. To be honest, I ache in a few new places as I've had to prop up the knackered seats with cushions, and it's not very comfortable, but the fact that this is the biggest concern is a credit to the car!I'm quite impressed with it really. Yes, it needs a tune up, yes, it's a disgrace to look at, yes the thermostat is knackered and yes, the brakes are still a bit wooly but it got me there, and that's the main thing.I quite like it really - though some of my colleagues are very rude...

[M'coli]

I quite like it really - though some of my colleagues are very jealous...

Sorted that spelling for you !

[seth]

Just tell him its better than a bus!It'll get better with use. Or it'll break.

[dollywobbler]

It was the advertising folks who were taking the pee - funnily enough, none of them own a car I'd want myself either...

[dollywobbler]

Well, two months since my last post and I've not done many miles in the Bond. Not sure how few miles though as the speedo is still broken. A bit annoying that it hasn't miraculously cured itself.The main thing stopping me driving the car more, apart from a passenger door that won't latch properly and a heater blower motor that doesn't blow, is the chronic under-gearing. Clearly whoever fitted the meaty Vitesse six-pot did not alter the gearing, so it's pulling 4000rpm at 60mph. Frantic. Not sure how best to sort this out. A taller diff might improve things, or I could replace everything and put an overdrive in. Seems an awful lot of work for such a sick (not in the modern sense...) looking motor.Don't get me wrong, I do like it, but I'm struggling to find motivation to actually do anything with it. Maybe I should scrap it...(as if I would!)

[dollywobbler]

Right, the ol' girl is for sale. Her starter motor is refusing to engage now and with other cars queueing up for attention, I'm going to have to admit that I can't tackle her many issues.I paid £1000 to save it from scrappage and have actually thrown hundreds at it since. I'd like £800 but I'm open to swaps of pretty much all (pre-1990) kinds. Can do cash adjustments on that.So, grab yourself a Herald with a big, plastic difference, Allegro Equipe stickers and much ropeyness! Solid chassis but does need lots of TLC to make decent.

[dollywobbler]

Well, she's gone. After an exciting day that involved trying to tow-start it on ice (the BX is BRILLIANT) and saw us remove, lubricate and replace the starter motor (result! It worked! Cold though...) the car has gone to a new home in the Notts area, and I've become the owner of a Saab 900 16v. Sad to see her go but it's gone to a Retro-Rider, so hopefully I'll be able to watch her progress. Saab details to follow but I can't take pics until tomorrow now.

[Cavcraft]

Cool. Did you swap with someone?

[dollywobbler]

Yeah, Benzboy's Saab. It's just what I need at the moment. A good winter car! (The BX and 2CV have poor heaters!)

[seth]

Yeah, Benzboy's Saab.

When I first read your post I thought it might have been the Akku! Glad the starter was persuaded into life

[dollywobbler]

The starter motor was easily fixed, but not easily removed! Took all three of us and considerable discomfort.

[Lankytim]

Glad its gone to a good home, DW. Just think, if it wasnt for your efforts, this car would be landfill by now!

[FredTransit]

^^Exactly! The story continues..... Which it wouldn't have done if it wasn't for you DW.

[dollywobbler]

Thanks. It was great to save it, but then a Renault 21 needed saving so something had to give! Now I've got my garage back, and if it gets a little warmer, I can start work on the Renault...