The Current Driveway...

[TrabbieRonnie]

The mid-life crisis is coming along nicely...

 

 

*Private road obviously*

 

[TrabbieRonnie]

Hello all,

MOT preparations today, for the old Audi Coupe...

She's already had a dose of Cataclean, and the welding job described earlier in the thread.  I dug through the spares stash and found an air filter, oil filter, and some brake pads.  The front discs are also past their best but will do for now.

I started the car in the above position and flap-wheeled the disc edges as they spun round, nice.  This also warmed the engine oil, so changed that.  New front pads courtesy of Bosch were fitted, and then I set about the bottom (subframe etc) with my trusty wire brush while the under tray was out of the way...

These usually rot out really well on 80's apparently, so I'm keen to keep it nice... I brushed on some Tetroseal/oil mix after this little brush down, so it all looked brand new.

The little round thing to the right of the filter above, is the brake bomb...  The ABC engine uses this wee accumulator instead of a servo for the brake assist.  It is pumped to pressure by an extra pump set on the nose of the power steering pump assembly, using LHM fluid.  I am also keen to keep this nice, so the above denso tape wrapping has always been there during my tenure.

To test it, you're to switch the engine off, and see how many pedal presses you get before it goes hard... 50 is the lower limit, I'm still getting 100 power-assisted presses on this 32 year-old, 220,000 mile car.  They really are built differently these things.

Anyway, that's all I can see/think of to prepare, I'll get it a wash and booked in this week sometime.  That'll leave me free next weekend to do the same on the RX8... I've ended up with two cars due their tests far too close together for my liking, but there you go.

Cheers all.

[Split_Pin]

My ADR engined 80 had the same brake bomb set up (thus no servo) and it even takes proper green fluid!

Good luck with the MOT, all looks good under there.

[TrabbieRonnie]

Hi all,

Another pass for the Coupe yesterday, all good bar advisories for all four discs (they do look a bit shite, but work ok!).

It was the easiest emissions pass I've ever had with the car too... she still has to go through the extended (180 second?) version to pass, itnever makes it on the initial 30 second countdown.  But still, it took five minutes rather than the usual 20, so I'm well chuffed.

 

I think changing the oil right before the test, plus the second dose of fuel system cleaner did the job.  I stuck a second one in as I found myself in Halfords anyway an hour before the test, buying a suck-on rear view mirror!  Of course the original one would drop off that morning!  I've bought the proper adhesive too, so will get it back on soon. 

All that running around resulted in the car being properly warmed through too, lead foot well and truly activated!  

Old pic, she's a bit lower now with the new springs on...

 

Today will see the RX8 elevated (if this glorious summer rain ever lets up), it must face the welder again prior to it's turn with the ministry man.  Will post up pics of what I'm up to later on.  I'm hopeful* that it's emissions are just peachy fresh, as old rotary engines always are!

 

[TrabbieRonnie]

Oh, almost forgot... also applied the ancient back flash sticker we'd had in for a while, bring back the 90's!

I know... so cool 😎.

[TrabbieRonnie]

Well, here I go again.  Currently ruminating on my plans with welding up the RX8 in readiness for it's test later this month.

Firstly, up she goes...

Then with the wheels and liners off, the prodding...

Not good!  However, as you can see the metal that's gone is kind of a second skin over the floorpan/bulkhead proper (which thankfully is in good shape still).  It should form a sort of gutter section at the bottom, adding stiffness between the inner sill and chassis rail I guess.  Got me thinking about the Trabant sill sections I've had stored for years...

I think I'm going to use a length of this to form the bottom of the repair, welding a flange to the floorpan at the rear, and extending the front up into the wheel well.

It seems to go solid again at around my chalk line, so I'm going to cut everything out up until around there I think.

My guess is that these bits of the car have been used as jacking points at some point, which has deformed them, cracked the underseal and condemned them to death.  I'm actually contemplating strengthening the new sections up a bit, so that they could be safely used as such.

I have also messaged a local-ish breaker about a pair of front wings, wrong colour but in great nick.  If he comes through, I'll whip these off instead of adding more filler to what are already very compromised panels.  Also, while they're off, the wheels will get a do up in Ford Tibetan Gold, as per the test wheel on the nearside rear.

Onwards!

[TrabbieRonnie]

Changed my mind about using the trabi sill sections, quite fancy a more factory* look following some cardboarding.

There's more to come off yet, but below is basically what I'm working with...

I want to weld to the inner sill end on the right, so think I'll use two curved sections.

First one here...

And then a bigger one to meet the chassis rail...

Don't really want to overlap two sheets so will probably have this one butt up to the first, welded along that inner sill edge.  After that I'll just need a flat vertical piece to join the bottom of the curve to the floorpan at the rear.  I'll put lightening holes to allow wax/oil injection, and obviously everything will be vactanned prior to closing it in.

Don't think I've quite enough sheet left here so will acquire some and hopefully get the two sides done this coming week.  It'll be wee sessions after work, so weather dependent too.

Think I'd best at least lift the carpet slightly, could be dodgy when welding that back section in!  Here's the rot removed so far...

There was a small patch on it already, so I'm not the first to attack this bit either.

 

Cheers all.

 

 

[TrabbieRonnie]

Progress is slow, but at least the weather let me have a few hours under the Mazz today.

Turned the card templates into steel and got everything tacked in.  First, a dry run...

I had the idea of tying the inner chassis rail to the inner sill with a bit of box, for one because it'll stiffen everything up panel wise, but also because I'll have a better jacking point.  I hate jacking them up on the sill join, much better to have a big pad I find.

Anyway, tacking occurred...

And this is where I stopped...

I'm not too convinced of the weld on the chassis rail, going to buzz it down and go over it again.  I want to up the power, make sure it's really  burned into the thicker steel there. 

It's actually quite awkward height-wise under there, too low to sit and weld and too high to lie down.  The biggest issue I have these days though is vision... with the sun above I find I can see very little through the mask until I press the trigger, not good for the thin stuff.

At the rear, I'd put an upward fold on my curved panel, so it comes up to meet the floorpan...  here's the best pics I could get...

Once all this is welded up fully, it'll be more than strong enough I'm sure, it's already stiff af, as the big curved piece is 2mm (all I had)!

Other side will be the same, at least I won't need the thinking time, so should be more able to progress in the depressingly short dry spells we seem to be getting this summer*.

 

[TrabbieRonnie]

Not much to report, have welded up the nearside just about (can't quite get to a corner at the back due to the ramp's pad)...

Then spent a bit of time wire-wheeling the front subframe, no holes but neither the MOT man or me like thick hardened underseal slathered everywhere...

The constant rust in my eyes/ears/gob had me totally scunnered by this point, so I gave up and went indoors for a cuppa.  I'm in a good place for vactanning and oiling now though, and welding the same repair into the offside should be quicker next time.

[TrabbieRonnie]

Right, I saw by the dates on my posts that the RX8 has been ramp-borne for more than a month now... a criminal waste!  

In mitigation, it's only just past distillery shut-down season here, so my work has been a bit all-consuming to say the least!

Anyway, I have some time off now, so today saw some progress and I'm ready to weld up again.

The removed...

Going for the same box-section reinforced jacking point as I put in the other side.  The rust hadn't got quite as stuck in to this side at least.

It's just thumped down with rain here, after blazing sun all day, so the welder (my precious...) is staying in the shed.  A good bit of weather tomorrow should see it finally finished up 🤞

 

In other news, the other Mazda had an issue...

Hard to see in the picture (and in real life actually), but the plastic radiator top tank had split allowing a weep of coolant when hot.  

So after 32 years service, the old unit is in the tip, replaced with a Mahle one from good old Autodoc.  It was £130 delivered (the most expensive of the stocked options), and the whole job was done in an hour.  The coolant was absolutely spotless and still bright pink which is always good to see, so went back in.

 

Not much of an update then, but hopefully this week will see an MOT pass on the RX8 and some more tyre-shredding fun.

[TrabbieRonnie]

Well, that's it... I am once again broken and knackered, but the RX8 is significantly less so.

The welder has fallen silent at last, all the holes are gone, and things are looking good and strong under there...

Above is post-weld, with a coat of fertan, which gives everything a lovely* brown hue.  

And below is the final Tetroseally topcoat...

Much better, and as always a big relief to get it all looking smart after so long stressing over less-than-perfect welds etc...

I wrestled the front end under tray/airdam assembly off, in order to give the whole subframe and forward chassis rails a clean up too...

This let me check my oil cooler lines, critical RX8 things, thankfully looking good on both sides though...

So, all clean and tidy, just reassembly tomorrow and I'll be able to see if the replacement O2 sensor clears the EML after a test flight.

Quite sick of seeing it as below, and others in the fleet waiting for various jobs!

 

PS.  Must buy (nick from work) some welding gauntlets...

Some swears escaped me.

 

Cheers all.

 

[Split_Pin]

It's getting on for a full restoration now! These have just disappeared overnight so it's good to see this one futureproofed.

[TrabbieRonnie]

Thanks SP!

I am fully aware that to anyone sensible this particular car probably isn't worth it, but I'm enjoying the process.  It'll never be concours standard... I'm already re-repairing previous owners' work.  

Sometimes a car gets under your skin though, and it does have a good engine and some nice performance parts on it.  It's by some margin the best driving/handling car I've driven, as well as being pretty well specced and comfy.  Just good fun basically.

I'll keep welding it up as I go along, I had thought of perhaps using it as a donor for one with a better body, but how good are any of them going to be now?  It was very cheap, and my time is free (welding gas needed refilled today, which was £52, would that even cover an hour's labour at a garage these days?!).

Very sorry to hear of your A8 woes by the way, it's fought you a bit that one.  Mine has too to be fair, although I think (hope!) the old petrol V8 is a simpler beast at least.  Hopefully some simple cure can be found, or a motivated buyer... I can empathise with you just wanting rid!

[High Jetter]

Of course it's worth it. As are you, keep it coming.

[TrabbieRonnie]

Back on all four wheels, ready for a date with the MOT man...

Which unfortunately can't be until Friday as he's chokka. 

So I'll be tinkering all week I think, and running it up and down the lane trying to free off a slightly sticky nearside front caliper.  It obviously didn't appreciate being idle for so long... it got a bit bindy once before, so I actually have a couple of caliper rebuild kits somewhere in the parts stash.  Chances of me getting bored enough to faff around with that job are pretty minimal though.

Youngest shiter-in-waiting washed her up for me while I was on back-shift, which was nice.  He's got his driving test fast approaching so is motivated to get this thing back on the road for some practice miles.

Started and ran nicely, I've missed the blue streak and quite excited to get her back myself!

[TrabbieRonnie]

Hi all,

My RX8's MOT is once again pushed back, my fault as I'd forgotten about an event we're attending on Friday... I like to accompany the cars on their date with destiny, as they can sometimes* take a bit of time and throttle manipulation to get over the line emissions-wise!

So, next Tuesday it is.  The front brake went from binding a bit, to just plain stuck on, so I did actually change the piston and seals.  As always, a bloody fiddly job getting the seal to sit right, but the brakes are now perfect (RX8 brakes are bloody brilliant btw...!).

Also came to a decision with the wheels... We have been trying for a while to get them painted nicely, the chosen shade being Ford Tibetan Gold.  However, every time we attempt this feat, the paint either reacts and crackles on the wheel, or is an entirely different colour to the previous one.  

Having lost all faith in Halford's paint mixing abilities, I brush painted them in Rustoleum satin black, just as I do with the Trabbi...

Not very stylish perhaps, but they're all the same at least, and ten minutes once a year keeps them smart.  They are in pretty terrible condition under the paint anyway, so nothing short of a full reconditioning job would be enough.  I don't want to sink that much money into them, so black it is!

Running lovely anyway, just waiting for the open road now.

 

[TrabbieRonnie]

Getting used to the black wheels...

No lights on the dash, and lambda readings ok on VCDS... 4pm tomorrow is MOT time, just itching to hit the road again!

[Matty]

11 minutes ago, TrabbieRonnie said:

Getting used to the black wheels...

No lights on the dash, and lambda readings ok on VCDS... 4pm tomorrow is MOT time, just itching to hit the road again!

Good luck! 

[Split_Pin]

Good luck Ronnie, a power of work has gone into this. You just don't see these at all now, I saw a grey one about a month ago and thought how rare they've become.

[TrabbieRonnie]

32 minutes ago, Split_Pin said:

Good luck Ronnie, a power of work has gone into this. You just don't see these at all now, I saw a grey one about a month ago and thought how rare they've become.

Thanks bud 👍.  Seems a bit like the Audi 80... people break them rather than fix them, they're just not worth enough I guess!  

We were at Buckie car show yesterday, literally hundreds of cars but not one RX8.  Apparently there is another locally (a very late facelift model), but I've yet to meet the owner.

[TrabbieRonnie]

Get in!  RX8 passed...

I've an advisory for rear subframe corrosion (no welding required thankfully!), as the man said, he just wants me to 'tidy up the back end so it matches the front'.  Which is fair enough, and at least another session with the death wheel and paintbrush is cheap!

The other advisory was for the front tyres (worn on an edge), but I'd already said to him to order a pair in to match the rears he put on last year.  I'll have a nice matching set on then, up a size too, I don't like the slightly stretched look of the factory specced ones.

Everything else was spot on, emissions through no bother, and he was really impressed with the brakes.  I like it when you get an old car progressively better each year, and what a drive I had out there and back!  The sun is blazing here this afternoon, I drove home with Ocean Colour Scene blasting, windows down so I could hear the brrraaaaapp too, awesome.

 

MOT man then tried to tempt me with a 944 convertible that he's selling on behalf of a local family.  A beautiful motor that belonged to my old boss, now very sadly passed.  Alas I don't have the 10 gees required, so am saved the mental anguish of deciding what to sell to make way!

 

Onwards!

[Split_Pin]

Hurrah! Good times!

I've got the opening riff of an OCS tune in my head which I forget the name of now..

[TrabbieRonnie]

2 hours ago, Split_Pin said:

Hurrah! Good times!

I've got the opening riff of an OCS tune in my head which I forget the name of now..

Well they're all pretty good tunes so that's never a bad thing!

Cheers bud 👍

[TrabbieRonnie]

Hello all,

As mentioned somewhere earlier in this thread, the wee 323's exhaust is somewhat past it's best... must be the raw power and scorching temps out of the mighty 1.3 Demio lump!

It split completely at the flange between the mid and back box sections, and looks awful along most of its length.  As it was required for a camping/festival expedition up north this weekend, I did a bodge and sent my eldest shiter on his way.  

The back box itself is pretty much toast as well, so I had to do something.  I'm a wee bit annoyed at this turn of events, as I paid £400 smackers not-long-enough-ago for this system to be installed.  Are there actually any decent aftermarket components out there, anywhere?!

Anyway, my plan was to go stainless.  I did my own for the Coupe, and like the 'fit and forget' nature of it.   I set about pricing up the lengths and bends I would need, before accidentally spotting this on Faceache...

It's a janspeed job, for a Ford Fiesta.  Sold by an elderly couple after their son left it slightly too long in their garage!  Very close in length and layout, the right number of 90 degree bends etc.  The backbox may well prove difficult to squeeze under the 323's wee rump, but if impossible (man maths alert), I reason that it will go under the Audi Coupe when needed.

The wee Mazz is not due back until Sunday night, so I'll see how things look next week.  For £80 I didn't think I could go far wrong, although buying an exhaust that 'looks about right' may well prove to be 'not my finest hour'!

I have a grinder and a welder though... with these, most things are possible I find.  Should sound pretty fruity if I can get it fitted too!

 

[TrabbieRonnie]

Weekend working does have some perks on a sunny day.  

[TrabbieRonnie]

Well, I haven't got much done on the motors of late, my lad is still running round with his bodged up exhaust!  He and I are both off on Monday though, so as long as the weather's good we'll have a crack at convincing the 'new' stainless job to fit...

Every cold seems to turn into a full-on flu fest these days, I literally never used to get ill at all, but now... Anyway, I'm sniffling my way through my weekend backshifts, looking forward to the drive home...

RX got some new front tyres, which has put the grip and smoothness up a notch.  Means I'm finally on the same size front and back, as I got the rears done last MOT.  The fronts were fine tread-wise, just felt like wood... both over 12 years old, so overdue...

I think the slightly bigger-than-standard tyres fill out the arches a bit better too..

Before...

Not a lot in it, but more noticeable in the metal.  Bit silly really as she'll be off the road soon for the Mazda-dissolving salty season anyway!

 

[Split_Pin]

Get well soon Ronnie! 

[TrabbieRonnie]

Hello all, 

A small update from Trabi Towers.

The Trabbi itself is off-road for the winter I think, she worked hard last year so has earned this one off!  I will remember to sorn her this month, although I said that last month...

Audi Coupe is going well, covering very low miles as my good lady's car of choice.  That too will come off the road as soon as the salt hits, and will receive new discs and pads all round ready for the spring.

Speaking of which, we have the front brakes in stock for the old Surf, which as my youngest has just passed his driving test, is now urgently required.   It's only really the brakes that are needed now, as well as a good clean, before the MOT man's inspection.  It will definitely need the alignment checked, feels different with all the new front end gear.  Is starting and going well though, pulling really strong actually.

The big Audi rolls on too, I'm due some leave from work soon, so will attack the dreaded cambelt job, as it will be relied on heavily during winter.  Not expecting too many issues with that for its test, which I think is in January anyway.  I only use it once a week just now, purely to give it a run as my daily is...

The small but mighty RX8.  Another one that I'm enjoying before the salt season arrives, currently running beautifully and giving excellent smiles per miles.  I have a new header tank inbound, as the current one leaks slightly from the seam, but this does not seem to bother the car at all.  Truly been a great experience buying, fixing and owning this one, Mazda's masterpiece I'm sure.

 

In other news, I have just entered negotiations with a pal of mine for a swap.  As some may remember, I own an Iveco beavertail, that a few years ago bolstered my self-employed income, cementing a place for itself in my affections.  Sadly, with no real use for it since then, it functioned purely as a workbench for other vehicles, and has suffered as a result.

Anyway, my aforementioned pal has a need for such a vehicle, and a huge selection of others requiring new homes.  Two in particular have been enviously eyed up by me for a looooong time.  

They're both red, but that's where the similarities end.  The first is a 96 BMW 328 Convertible... (I will get pictures, I promise), orange indicators, smooth running engine and everything.  It would make a lovely driveway-mate for the Audi Coupe, and add to the Germanic flavour of the fleet.  However, it needs welding at the rear, to repair a DIY towbar fitment by a previous owner, and a log of cosmetic work.  

None of which scares me or my mig, and it really would be quite the car to cruise about in.  If not for another option on the table, it'd be a done deal...

I apologise again for the lack of pics, I will get some next week as arrangements are finalised, but let me describe my new old car to you anyway, as I'm too excited to tell!

Think late 1950's, think posh, and in six-cylinder flavour.  A Rover P4 ladies and gents, that I have coveted since first meeting it some months ago.  I've never owned anything this old or British, but feel I'm ready for my first serious project. 

I've seen underneath the old girl, and she is solid, with some welding required to the area behind the nearside front wheel.  The 2.6 lump runs, but takes some time to start... We shall see what that needs.  Once up and going, she drives well, and even stops apparently, as my mate sorted the previously woeful braking system.  

Now, attentive readers will remember that I said this particular Auntie Rover is red (well, highly-patinated pink to be honest!), not a colour normally associated with P4's.  Resprayed a long time ago, during a previous existence in South Africa, and originally black which the roof remains.  This sounds awful I know, but it quite appealing in reality!  

Due to her globe-trotting youth, she's also ended up registered as an 1978 's', which bothers me less than maybe it should.  She's still tax and MOT exempt, so I'm looking forward to a bit more space on the drive, and completely hassle-free*, cheap* properly classic motoring!

 

I will keep you posted, and so that this isn't completely devoid of pictures, here's some of the new plates I got for the RX8...

Front one is weird, but kids liked it...

Rear just a plain one, as I didn't like the pressed aluminium numbers it came with...

 

[TrabbieRonnie]

Well, phase one of the swap is complete...  Namely, we have both had a good look at our respective swapees, and are happy to proceed.

The Iveco needed to be awoken from deep sleep... It's been a looooong time since she turned a wheel.

However, after a fluids check, and a fresh battery, she started fine.  No smoke, no fuss.  Great engine this 2.3, whatever the haters say!  We'd chucked in 10 litres of fresh derv before we turned the key, just in case.

The brakes were less happy about the long lay-up, and took a good lot of too-ing and fro-ing to relinquish their grip.  Took her a run up the lane, and they are understandably shite, but everything else was grand... Result!

To my shame, the old thing had become an extension of my shed, so a lot of clearing out happened too...

Where will I put it all now?!  In the bin, mostly... 

Anyway, t'was fun having a truck for a while, it brought home the Mazda 323 and the Audi Coupe, and gave the lads and me a lot of happy memories.  Just transport arrangements to sort now, there's only a couple of miles between us so we should manage it this weekend.

I've pored all over the lovely old Rover (that is replacing the truck) this morning, but still didn't get any pics!  Sorry, but shouldn't be long till the next update!

 

Goodbye old friend.

[Split_Pin]

Can't wait to see the old Auntie Rover!

I must admit I was all prepared for the peace of mind of running an all aluminium car over the winter but 2 mostly galvanised ones will have to do. Next year I'm going to look for a petrol A8, I can live with 8 coils and sparks plus you know where you stand with a rubber timing belt rather than a costly and now aged chain.