Andy's awful autos: Trailers and tribulations

[Andyrew]

37 minutes ago, grogee said:

I have a decent-ish valve spring compressor you're welcome to borrow @Andyrew. 

But, have you seen the trick where you stuff rope into the bores through the spark plug holes to stop the valves dropping? Might be worth a go to change the valve guide seals. 

I have, I'll either do the rope thing if I can find any paranoid in the workshop or I'll cut my compression tester hose in half (so I can repair it after) and connect the air compressor to that so I can pressurise the cylinder to hold the valve up.

[Westbay]

If the valve stem seals are shot won't that have allowed oil to run onto the seats and burnt ? just changing the seals will not fix that ...

Sorry, head off , valves and seats 'lapped' then new seals ...

[Andyrew]

Possibly, these appear to have just an O ring instead of a normal seal, from a bit of reading , it will draw the oil down the intake valves when the o rings get a bit worn out.  

 When the head was off I did leave it upside down and filled each chamber with brake cleaner and left it to sit. All retained the same level, so I was happy the valves have a good enough seat.

I have the o rings already so I'm happy to try it and find out.

[Matty]

Just now, Andyrew said:

Possibly, these appear to have just an O ring instead of a normal seal, from a bit of reading , it will draw the oil down the intake valves when the o rings get a bit worn out.  

 When the head was off I did leave it upside down and filled each chamber with brake cleaner and left it to sit. All retained the same level, so I was happy the valves have a good enough seat.

I have the o rings already so I'm happy to try it and find out.

Nowt ventured...

Plus its a piece of piss job to drop the head off and do a more in depth job if doing the stems in situ doesn't cure it 👍

[Andyrew]

Putting the B (rakes) in B GT

With the B seemingly running okay, after it was parked for the night I returned to find zero brakes. Now some may recall the master was stuck when I purchased the car, I managed to get brakes for test purposes by freeing things up with intention to replace at a later stage. 

Then both wheel cylinders had let go also while parked a few weeks ago and have already been replaced with 2 new units and some uncontaminated but partially used shoes donated in a unneeded parts bundle a while  back by @SiC. 

The latest brake loss then, I assume was the seals in the master letting go, the bore wasn't very good inside and i knew it wanted work before hitting the road.  New master ordered and while we are here let's rebuild the Calipers with new pistons too. More decent used pads, and fitting kit from the SiC bundle went on too. I know second hand used brake parts, quality eh? 

Discs also hit with the 80 grit on the sander. 

Blue tin in the bin

Plastic fantastic!

Brake bleeding commenced and pedal seems good, will grab a second pair of feet to do another bleed just to be sure. 

 

 

 

 

 

[Andyrew]

Little bit of a fan

With the rad being replaced with a non sensor rad I wanted to opt back to a mechanical fan, but a new big plastic fan plus needing to get the spacer and bolts was going to set back about 70 quid,

Handily the supplier MGB hive that I've been getting my bits from (who have been great to deal with and very well priced) also sell used on ebay and had a fan  with spacer and bolts for 35 quid, Bargain. 

Let's get it fitted up then

*lots of sharp things and swearing while peeking through a slot between the rad and support later* 

narp don't fit. So it seems the water pump pulley PCD is different depending on year. Luckily the water pump on the car is drilled for both types. With the spacer and pulley centred on a suitable sized socket I redrilled the pulley and fitted everything up. 

Finger fucker fan fitted

[SiC]

I went a bit bonkers replacing all the brake bits on my BGT when I had it. Most of the bits I took off I think we're new when it was recommissioned just before I bought it. I wouldn't be surprised if most of those bits were only used to drive the journey home from Weston-super-mare to North Bristol when I bought it. 

[Andyrew]

Well where did you go Mr brake fluid?

After a few days away at the 2cv racing, which ended with a wrecked car but most importantly an okay driver.  

 

i returned to the workshop and first thing I checked was a pedal. It was doing things but sounded a bit odd. Checking the fluid reservoir revealed it was almost empty. I lift the car up and check the brakes to find the leak, none to be found, not even a weep which is a relief but also a concern. 

This can only mean one thing, sure enough I pop the vacuum port off the servo and out pours all the fluid. 

I'd suspected this servo previously when the bellows of smoke first occurred. But with it disconnected from the engine the symptom continued. I had popped the port out and looked at the hose and all had been dry previously. 

I hop on ebay and chuck a bid on a cheap one ending soon and reasonably local, only after I bid do I notice the seller is away, tits.

Its an additional remote servo thats either after market or possibly factory fit. For now then we have gone back to no servo. I pinched a T piece off a suzuki and plumbed it in. 

Gear box oil was charged and as @SiC had kindly left a new overdrive strainer in the box of bits I replaced that too. 

Fuck me the previous person didnt want the filler plug undoing itself. The drain plug also has a wallared thread, I refitted them the other way round hoping the better threaded plug would be best in the drain hole but it weeps. A problem for the next change, I have a feeling the box will be coming out soon to cure a leak from the bellhousing anyway.

What  remained of the  Rear diff oil drained out too,  there's alot of slack in the diff which  appears to be a thing when the thrust washers are worn out.  This will be addressed soon but for now I've just replaced the oil and will get s repair kit on order.

the cars now insured, can we make it to rustival?

 

 

[Andyrew]

On the road baby! 

[Andyrew]

Don't get it right, get it running.

Temp gauge bodged in using the live feed from the unneeded heated rear window, 

Kenlowe fan power from fuse box through a relay. Drops the temp very quickly.

All the wiring lashed in, yes I used some 3 core. It was what I had and it will bother me enough to sort it properly soon ish. 

Light check reveals I had front side lights, and 2 indicators. Brake light switch cut appart and tweaked got that working, multiple bashes of the indy and hazard relays got those working and sort 2 earth's.

Cleaning connections on the lucas bullets got the main beams working but still no dipped.  Had power to the  column switch but no further. I had planned to lash in a relay to prevent any extra load on the switch but it had already previously melted in the past it seems. Some carefully and very fiddly work got the Rivet pulled out And a wee bolt replaced it, after alot of tweaking Now the dipped beam link functions as it should and disconnects when the main beam is on fully. 

 

[N Dentressangle]

2 hours ago, Andyrew said:

On the road baby! 

Handbrake works then

[High Jetter]

4 hours ago, Andyrew said:

On the road baby! 

Seems ambitious 😀

[jim89]

8 minutes ago, High Jetter said:

Seems ambitious 😀

That's an AI fake aicmfp

[Andyrew]

Rustival in the morning . . . 

 

[jim89]

That could delay things...

[Andyrew]

Rustival (car park) achieved. Didnt skip a beat. Engine wise it pulls nicely and 60 with the overdrive is a out 2500rpm so rather pleasant.  

Front end steering and suspension is absolutely hanging but I have a plan hopefully to sort that. 

Overall verdict : good enough.

[Andyrew]

MGB parts in the cotswolds, better take a suitable vehicle to collect 

[Andyrew]

430 miles since going back on the road!

Todays collection 

After driving to Rustival it became obvious just how knackered the front suspension is, I knew it was worn out visually but blimey it's hanging. One pothole and it's shaking like a shitting dog. The brakes are a bit juddery too.

Everything is available for not bad prices, poly bush kits is about 40 quid, discs and pads 60 quid etc etc but multiple things soon add up. A quick browse on fleabay and I came across a front assembly that appeared it was from an unfinished project. It looked like someone had spent a chuck of dosh on it in the not too distant past

Its been sitting outside so everythings not brand knew but from the photos i could see Polybushed arms, new Calipers, green stuff pads,drilled and grooved discs, braided hoses etc etc. My thinking is with the bits I could see being good perhaps the kingpins are decent too, The ad stated they were having a big clear out and open to offers, £65 accepted, Bargain.

Turned out the seller was a car restoration company in the cotswolds and their customer had gone a different route with the front suspension on his project and thing was surplus and sitting in the junk but not junk pile. 

With about roughly 40 quid in fuel added the total is £105, im still happy its a bargain and the plan is to make one good unit out of two then sell off everything I don't need individually to get back some dosh, the Calipers are no use to me as ive just rebuilt mine, seems there's a market for the used dampers and used kingpins to refurbishers. If I get back 60 -70 quid I'll be chuffed.

I decided to take the B and rack up some more miles, of which it seems to do alright. 

Todays roughly 170 miles has highlighted some niggles

Drivers seat, awful. Sagged out and in need of repair urgently (checks numberplate stocks)

Wiper stalk worn so when you switch the wipers on it momentarily turns off the overdrive.

Slight concern it's running lean, I visited the devil's chimney today. Upon return to the car park, the car had cooled off so I pulled a plug out to have a look, I'd upped the mixture from the baseline 2 turns after gaydon and have upped it again today so it's now at 3 turns which I'd expect to be a bit rich from what I read on the mg forums. Will check how the plug looks tomorrow. Bit hard to say as the plugs are a tacky looking shiney gold so look odd anyways.

Window winder snapped off

With the headlights and wipers on the battery light starts to glow, think the alts not loving life.

Overall tho, not getting hot. Starts no problems what so ever and runs smoothly.

 

 

 

 

[SiC]

Ready to go new alternator £43.19 on the current 20% off eBay code.

https://ebay.us/m/vuXuX2

Just double check it's the right one including mounting points. Should be pretty universal on British stuff of this age.

I always keep a new one on the shelf as they're so universal and cheap.

[SiC]

Seat foam is dirt cheap on these compared to most cars.

E.g. the base from your local MGB parts supplier 

https://mgbhive.co.uk/product/12-mgb-seat-foam-base-flat-1973-on-recliner-bhh922-3/

 

[Andyrew]

18 minutes ago, SiC said:

Seat foam is dirt cheap on these compared to most cars.

E.g. the base from your local MGB parts supplier 

https://mgbhive.co.uk/product/12-mgb-seat-foam-base-flat-1973-on-recliner-bhh922-3/

 

Cant knock the service I've had from MGBhive so far. Good prices and very quick delivery

[Andyrew]

Getting pumped, 

When the car first arrived the water pump had a bit of play but seemed to be working and not leaking. Now 500 miles later, it's started to weep and the play with the added metal fan has only got worse.

With that fitted , I found another alternator in my BL parts stash (may or may not have been the spitfire) fitted that an now we have all of the power,Excellent. 

Took the car for a run today and after chucking some fuel in as I walked back to the car there was a puddle of water underneath. Sure enough the heater control valve is now leaking. Bastard!

New crank seal has arrived so thats the next job, The oil leaks not getting any better. 

 

 

 

[Andyrew]

10footer special: Good from a far

Im sure most will know this car, with its ever growing ratio of gaffa tape to wing getting higher each day. 

 

 

 

[Andyrew]

With these removed

Unfortunately some of the car decided to come with

as this is a used rather than pampered car a quick functional fix over perfection is target.

Some bashing and guessing later

A little mount was made up (in slightly the wrong place) but it's a far improvement and the bumper mounts needed to be made anyway so good enough.

[Andyrew]

A visit to a branch of halfords who now have a colour range rather than brand specific paint section, two tins picked up of similar blues and tested to see what was closest. One is a pretty bloody good match, more than good enough for this wagon.

however, the cars paint is, well slightly faded shall we say.

an example to not put suncream on and touch the car. 

 

[Andyrew]

After picking up some more blue, another few heavy coats applied then a light wet sand and buff  the wings went back on, new mounts made up and a run over with the rotary polished (don't be expecting @beko1987 levels of finish here) we are looking alot more presentable. Some new tyres fitted and the wheel lips given a little bit of a car dealer spec clean up too. 

This however leaves the rear door letting the drivers side down a bit, so this morning currently it looks like this. A used dust sheet and splash of water on the floor, high level stuff this.

 

[grogee]

1 minute ago, Andyrew said:

After picking up some more blue, another few heavy coats applied then a light wet sand and buff  the wings went back on, new mounts made up and a run over with the rotary polished (don't be expecting @beko1987 levels of finish here) we are looking alot more presentable. Some new tyres fitted and the wheel lips given a little bit of a car dealer spec clean up too. 

This however leaves the rear door letting the drivers side down a bit, so this morning currently it looks like this. A used dust sheet and splash of water on the floor, high level stuff this.

 

I need you to fix the lacquer peel on my Toyota. 

[JMotor]

I dunno what you mean.

Looks more of a five footer to me!

Good work, man.

[Andyrew]

6 minutes ago, grogee said:

I need you to fix the lacquer peel on my Toyota. 

I can offer a 10/10  package

Good at 10ft at 10 o'clock at night.

[captain_70s]

1 hour ago, Andyrew said:

as this is a used rather than pampered car a quick functional fix over perfection is target.

He says this and then does a nicer looking repair than anything I've ever achieved...

How do you get the repair sections so nicely fitted with the curved edges? I seem to have an inability to cut any panel even vaguely in the size required...