The Current Driveway...

[TrabbieRonnie]

Well, old Rosie did not let me down...

MOT passed without advisories!  Brakes are rubbing a wee bit, but working well according to the machine, and it was great to take her out for a proper run again.

East Germany 1, West Germany nil.

Having said that, my new Magnaflow cat has arrived, so I'll slot that in this weekend and try the Audi Coupe again.

Cheers all.

[TrabbieRonnie]

Well, never did get to the Audi's exhaust (imbibed a few drams of Speyside's finest instead!), but did manage to achieve this...

Yes, this carbuncle will be used to lift out the 323's engine, and lift in the new one!  I don't have access to a proper engine hoist, and anyway, the car is on a rough bit of ground that wouldn't suit one. 

I had the steel (work were going to throw it away!  Galvy angle iron!), and the chain pull may have followed me out of some previous occupation, so t'was all free... my favourite price.

After this task, it will all be stored again, it and some other bits are destined to become the framework of my Trabbi-sheltering garage lean-to one day.

Also, first commute in the Trabster today... no issues... big fun.

Had forgotten how much I like seeing that wee blue roof around the place!

 

[TrabbieRonnie]

Mazda...

Old lump is out!  Had the day off yesterday, and the sun was shining, so forged ahead...

The ancillaries were pretty quickly removed, as I've had this thing apart a couple of times now.  The engine itself was held in by it's mount on the offside, and only four big bolts on the bell housing. 

Whatever's wrong with this thing, it's definitely in cylinder three btw, only oily plug, and exhaust port oiled up too.  I'm suspecting a cracked head, that opens up when warm, but I don't really know.

The aforementioned hoist set up worked really well, although the engine did have to be turned a bit to wriggle out of it's home.  It is currently sitting in the corner, thinking about what it's done...

While everything's out the way, we will clean up and oil up the usually inaccessible corners, before fitting the 'new' donk this weekend (work and weather permitting, of course). 

The clutch looks pretty brand-new, which is nice, and the flywheel is in good nick.

This repair has turned into a proper saga, and we're all desperate to see the wee thing hit the road again.

Speaking of wee things, the Trabi has been pretty much faultless buzzing back and forth this week, thankfully.  I'm in on call this weekend, so she'll have covered 300 miles by the end of the week.  So far, 39 mpg's have been achieved (conservatively, quite hard to be accurate without a fuel gauge), I know I was getting better than that before, but that'll do.

Not a bad place to spend the commute...

Cheers all.

 

 

[Split_Pin]

Good progress on the Mazda. I ended up pulling the engine out my old Corsa because it had a mystery knock which drove me insane. Even after breaking the old engine down for scrap, thee was still nothing obvious!

I love the headlining on the Trabbi.

[TrabbieRonnie]

Light at the end of the tunnel with the Mazda!  That's the new engine in and running, no cooling system as yet, so short bursts only....

The above vid was the first turn of the key with the plugs in, I had spun her over 3 times by this point, with the plugs removed.  On the third go the oil pressure light went out, which gave me the confidence to go for real. 

Hard to tell from the video, but it's honestly one of the smoothest engines I've ever heard!  I'd noticed when checking the valve train over, that this (8 years younger) engine has rollers on it's rocker arms.  The old ones just had a bearing surface direct on the cam.  I assume this is done for smoothness or longevity?  

Old...

New...

The condition of the camshaft area leads me to believe the seller's mileage figure of 62,000, although the oil filter hadn't been off in many a moon!  No sludge or rust in the waterways though, tomorrow will prove the cooling system works hopefully.

There were a few small differences between the two, a second coolant temp probe has been added to the new one, I don't have a wire to connect to it.  The bracket for the Demio's  power steering pump was of no use, but easily removed to reveal the correct tapped holes in the block we needed.

Clutch looked perfect, so has been re-used...

and it all dropped back into position lovely.  The heath-robinson lifting gear worked really well, I don't think a proper hoist would have been any better now. It's a very light engine mind, easily liftable by two people.

This was a stop for tea/rain, just after changing the oil.

We're all very pleased here as you can imagine, not just for my eldest, who should have been tooling around for the last few months, but also to see a lovely old car alive again.  There's no hint of anything out the exhaust, so as long as she pulls ok, hopefully that's another good few years of motoring ahead.

And, the gold rocker cover fitted this one too, which is the main thing apparently!

[Split_Pin]

Excellent news, always nice to hear an untested replacement engine running smoothly!

[stuboy]

good news on the engine..

[TrabbieRonnie]

Hi again all, seems to be a good'un...

https://youtu.be/SWMpb-VExsk

...all back up together and running very nicely.  Still pumping out a bit of residual oil from the exhaust, I either need to run it lots, or take the exhaust off and hang it up in the shed for a week I think.  Makes me wonder if the fairly new cat will be ruined...

Anyway, very quiet and smooth, and I'd forgotten what a well sorted wee car this is.  Will see how the exhaust looks during this coming week and get it in for the test if/when it clears everything out.

Think I'm done working on cars for a bit...

[TrabbieRonnie]

Hi all, 

A fine day here, so I am prepping for a run out to a local car meet tomorrow...

Trabbi has been running spot on and giving 50 mpg on the commute, so a few pressies from the part stock were assembled...

Much clearer tail light lenses, the old ones were pretty clouded.  While I was in the parts crate, I found these clear front indicators, I normally like orange, but with the new bumpers I think they look pretty swinging 60's?

Amazingly, I also had a pair of orange blubs, so I'll see how I get used to them for now.

Next up is the wee Mazda, about to get scrubbed and polished up for its MOT on Monday.

 

[Split_Pin]

Enjoy your car meet in the Trabbi, another fine day in Scotland today I think!

[TrabbieRonnie]

Hi all, 

The 323 is road legal again!  Went for a test on Monday, but failed for an inoperative rear wheel cylinder.  Wish I'd checked them, obviously just seized up with all the inaction.  

Was pretty happy with that though, because nothing else came up, emissions out the new old engine were fine, phew!

Anyway, eBay supplied new cylinders, and we had brake shoes in already, so fresh brakes were fitted yesterday for the retest tonight after work and that's that!  No advisories either.

My eldest is over the moon, and it's nice to have the wee thing back after such a saga.  Also, Timpsons called to say they've managed to cut a new set of keys for it at last, will pick them up and refit the barrel tomorrow.

 

Trabi going great guns still, we had good fun at the car meet in Buckie, but realised quickly that there was a huge car show on at Elgin at the same time so had a butcher's at that as well.  

Asda...

Just the Coupe to sort now, my weekend on call though, so that'll scupper my plans somewhat no doubt!  Cheers all.

 

[Split_Pin]

Excellent news on the Mazda, glad your son is delighted with it too!

Looking forward to the Audi updates.

[TrabbieRonnie]

Hey all, 

Minor fleet update...

Trabi, going fine but have been using the big Audi more for work for some reason... getting lazy I guess, and Mrs hasn't needed it due to getting ferried about in...

 

Mazda 323, all good here and proving to be an excellent first car.  Roof rack and bike holder things on their way so the lads can hit the trails up at Glenlivet.

 

Coupe, just in from fitting the new Magnaflow cat into the exhaust... this has been a bit of a saga, but hopefully this last bit will bring the emissions back into line!  Started and ran lovely, really like that V6 lump.

I even gave it all a lick of VHT paint that will probably last about 2 minutes, but made me feel better!

Sounds much more muted than it did without the resonator (miss the DTM soundtrack still!), but it does still have a nice burble to it.  Be nice to maybe get some runs out to shows this summer.  

All this maintenance has been possible due to being off work this week and next, I even changed the remaining dodgy ABS sensors on the A8, which now has NO FAULT LIGHTS!!! 

Good times indeed.  Cheers all.

 

 

[Split_Pin]

I love that Coupe. I thought it was just the Cabriolet that had the brace under the tunnel but looks like they all had it. The exhaust looks excellent too. 

[TrabbieRonnie]

Just a pic update really... Spent a bit of time converting the 323 to MTB spec today...

This will be its life from now on, both boys are pretty into hitting the trails at Glenlivet etc...

Was good fun attending the Cars and Coffee meet in Inverness yesterday too, made a wee Autoshite corner at Maccies on the way out...

Audi Coupe booked in for test tomorrow, first go at the emissions with the new cat 🤞

[TrabbieRonnie]

Well, I'm off work, the sun is shining on the Highlands... and with its fresh new cat, the old Audi Coupe has passed its MOT!  

Sometimes old cars are worth the effort!

[Split_Pin]

Excellent news, enjoy! 

[TrabbieRonnie]

On 7/13/2022 at 4:49 PM, Split_Pin said:

Excellent news, enjoy! 

Thanks SP! 👍

I actually spoke to a guy last night with regards to swapping it for an RX8... Got a hankering for one.  He was pretty keen, but eventually decided that what he really needed was an economical car, and we left it there, t'was very tempting though!  

The Coupe's a car I've often toyed with selling/swapping, but it is a great drive and such a cool old motor, I know I'll miss it if I ever do!

I think the RX8 might be the last of the great Japanese sports cars available for mere mortal bank balances though, I've missed out on the MK3 Supras forever I suspect!

Anyway, the Audi's not a bad old thing to be stuck with meantime I guess! 

 

Edit...  Went back to the garage yesterday to get two new front tyres on (good ol' Toyo Proxes), so the only remaining advisories are for the corrosion to the brake discs.  Mechanic assures me they're ok, just rusty from standing.  He recommended using them this summer and changing when off road for winter ready for next year.  Also got some fuel system cleaner (trade stuff he uses, can't remember the name now), he says it's probably worth treating regularly due to the low usage and shite fuel we get these days! 

Car's running beautifully, and feels great through the bends on the new shoes.  Proof that it is faster than a 323 with two bikes on the roof below...!

Edited July 15, 2022 by TrabbieRonnie
Advisory work...

[TrabbieRonnie]

Hi all, 

My turn for a weekend run-around at work, Booooo....

However, a detour has to be made on the way home, a mission that will require another driver and support crew...  Hence, Junior's pride and joy has been readied...

Look closer, fellow shiters, and you will guess what this detour is all about...

Yes, it's been a loooooong time, but tomorrow brings the heady mix of excitement and fear that can only be... KOLLECKSHUN!!!

Our subject has four wheels, 1300cc's, 11 months worth of sitting in a container behind it, and one solitary day's ticket remaining.  

Can we coax it the 25 miles from the Elgin  lowlands to the hills of Speyside?  Will the copious dryed-up layers of underseal lend enough structural rigidity to prevent disaster?  What is the towing capacity of a Mazda 323?  😅

 

We'll find out tomorrow from 10:00!

 

[Split_Pin]

The Audi sounds glorious! Some pace on it too. Lovely motor.

Good luck with the collection!

[Lacquer Peel]

Excited to see what you are buying. 

[TrabbieRonnie]

Long drawn out collection (about to leave for work first) starts with pre-breakfast...

Mmmmm...

Anyway, PC = 1.

[TrabbieRonnie]

All aboard the mighty Maz...

 

Be quiet for an wee while, work to be worked before EXCITE!!!

[TrabbieRonnie]

Work worked, all seems to still be here...

Most important bit...

Onwards to glory*....!

 

[TrabbieRonnie]

Pez shot, ahead of car shot????!!!!

Interesting...

Curious, no?

 

[TrabbieRonnie]

Dodgy industrial estate achieved...

 

[TrabbieRonnie]

Success!!!!

Further updates when home or broken!!!

 

[TrabbieRonnie]

Oh, stalled during young helper test drive...

Not keen to go again.  Spinning over quite slowly (was jumped to start first time, so hopefully the jump leads and 323 will save us).

Drives amazing, nobody say tip seals!!!!

[TrabbieRonnie]

Home, phew.  Started fine with a decent battery connected, late breakfast now, washing sesh this afternoon.  

By Christ it wants to go!

[SRi05]

Ooft, balls of steel with this one ! Looks mega though.