Cars of Crackers - Really far away

[Talbot]

3 hours ago, Crackers said:

a slight exhaust blow

Weldy weldy?

[Crackers]

6 minutes ago, Talbot said:

Weldy weldy?

I expect so, haven't really looked for the hole yet though! 

[Talbot]

It's the bit where the metal is missing.

</helpful>

[Wgl2019]

11 hours ago, Crackers said:

I expect so, haven't really looked for the hole yet though! 

I replaced the Flexi section reasonably recently, iirc the centre silencer was probably next in line for a fettle.

Glad to hear that the Saab is doing ok for you, really is a capable tourer for longer runs. 🙂

[Crackers]

1 hour ago, Wgl2019 said:

the centre silencer was probably next in line for a fettle

I think you're right, I stuck my head under it in the light and there's a patch on front of the centre box that looks a bit suspect, but I didn't get my hand in to confirm that's where it is. 

[Crackers]

Quick trip away to the Peak district this weekend. 650-ish miles covered in comfort and refinement despite it being completely out of its depth on the tight and twisty roads over the hills!

Don't think I've been anywhere with such poor road surfaces, which were either covered in alloy-smashing potholes, falling away at the edges, or rippled beyond comprehension. Truly awful but it didn't seem to phase the Saab too much except for one really bad hump that bottomed the car out on the undertray, ouch!

33.5mpg overall, which was about 500 miles of motorways at 38-40mpg brought down by the remaining miles of winding, hilly and start-stop roads. Not too shabby at all. I really owe the poor old thing a wash and polish, it's been far too long.

Ladybower Reservoir:

Following the parking rules, somewhere near Rainow.

900 Turbo was a little shabby with lacquer peel and rusty arches, but looked viable enough. Except for the fact that the two front wheels were pointing in opposite directions, and touching the back of the wheelarch  

I really hope it lives on! 

[Crackers]

Was back at the parents yesterday, so dad and I had a tinker with the Land Rover. You may recall the last time I used it, it let me down - wouldn't drive without the choke on, and massively down on power.

Dad's had the exhaust/intake manifolds off it to repair a leaking manifold-downpipe joint, spruce up the top end a bit, and a few other small jobs. That seems to be sorted (for now - might need another tweak after a few heat cycles).

Yesterday we changed the plugs and performed a compression test - good news all round. Not sure how accurate the gauge is, but it was showing 145-150-150-150psi on all cylinders, so even if it's over-reading, they're very consistent and the pressure comes up on the first revolution. That sounds like a healthy engine to me, and is borne out by how easily it starts from cold, it usually goes on the first or second turn.

Bonnet back on, and we took it out for its first proper test run and, shock, it still exhibits the same running problem.

Given how suddenly the issue came on last time I used it, it's probably some muck that's been sucked into the carb, however the carb is also a completely unknown quantity, has no markings on it (so isn't original) and doesn't seal brilliantly anyway - it seems to get petrol around the base of both the carb and the plastic spacer block after a bit of running.

A replacement carb is cheap, (hopefully) jetted correctly, and should seal better, so it sounds like he's going down that route.  Parts darts is in full swing by the sounds of it. Not my car, not my choice.

At least the nice thing about Series LRs is they're so popular, it's doesn't break the bank to get reproduction common parts.

On the plus side, it's no longer chuffing half the exhaust gases into the engine bay, so it sounds a bit more like it's meant to now. Top end sounds nice and quiet, it's clean inside the rocker cover and it's just my crap phone mic making it sound more clattery than it really is - although we haven't done the valve clearances yet. I always think a healthy 2.25 sounds a bit like an A-series and this one's got its happy little rasp back now which is very pleasing!

 

[High Jetter]

56 minutes ago, Crackers said:

Was back at the parents yesterday, so dad and I had a tinker with the Land Rover. You may recall the last time I used it, it let me down - wouldn't drive without the choke on, and massively down on power.

Dad's had the exhaust/intake manifolds off it to repair a leaking manifold-downpipe joint, spruce up the top end a bit, and a few other small jobs. That seems to be sorted (for now - might need another tweak after a few heat cycles).

Yesterday we changed the plugs and performed a compression test - good news all round. Not sure how accurate the gauge is, but it was showing 145-150-150-150psi on all cylinders, so even if it's over-reading, they're very consistent and the pressure comes up on the first revolution. That sounds like a healthy engine to me, and is borne out by how easily it starts from cold, it usually goes on the first or second turn.

Bonnet back on, and we took it out for its first proper test run and, shock, it still exhibits the same running problem.

Given how suddenly the issue came on last time I used it, it's probably some muck that's been sucked into the carb, however the carb is also a completely unknown quantity, has no markings on it (so isn't original) and doesn't seal brilliantly anyway - it seems to get petrol around the base of both the carb and the plastic spacer block after a bit of running.

A replacement carb is cheap, (hopefully) jetted correctly, and should seal better, so it sounds like he's going down that route.  Parts darts is in full swing by the sounds of it. Not my car, not my choice.

At least the nice thing about Series LRs is they're so popular, it's doesn't break the bank to get reproduction common parts.

On the plus side, it's no longer chuffing half the exhaust gases into the engine bay, so it sounds a bit more like it's meant to now. Top end sounds nice and quiet, it's clean inside the rocker cover and it's just my crap phone mic making it sound more clattery than it really is - although we haven't done the valve clearances yet. I always think a healthy 2.25 sounds a bit like an A-series and this one's got its happy little rasp back now which is very pleasing!

 

I have catalogues if you want any part nos

[Back_For_More]

It doesn't sound bad at all to me.... Lovely sounding and looking thing. 

When you say down on power do you mean won't rev when under load? As it sounded OK there too.... Didn't seem to hesitate or anything 

[mercedade]

On 31/01/2023 at 19:03, Crackers said:

Over a month since I received the money for it, the MX5 has finally left the building. 

May not be the last time it features in the thread, as I've sold it to my uncle's friend who has had it transported away this morning to a specialist in Essex who will be converting it for trackday use, and if I play my cards right it'd be nice to get a go in it one day! 

In Saab news, it's developed a slight exhaust blow from (I think) the centre silencer, nothing too major but its slowly getting worse so I'll get it sorted when it fails the next MOT in Novembereventually. 

Can't be having too bad an effect on it though, as on a non-stop run from Farnborough to Loughborough this weekend, this was the reported figure just before we left the motorway! 😮

What a score, this car is bloody fantastic as a cruise missile. 

Sidenote - what stereo bezel is that? I've replaced my standard Saab unit with a double DIN (I can see yours is single DIN), but the bezel ends up recessed and looks a bit odd. Yours is flush.

I r jealus

[Crackers]

12 hours ago, Back_For_More said:

When you say down on power do you mean won't rev when under load?

Yeah, it stumbles and bucks around unless the choke is fully on. Then, it runs OK but has very little power, and doesn't seem to be running over-rich then either, which obviously it should do! 

11 hours ago, mercedade said:

Sidenote - what stereo bezel is that?

No idea I'm afraid - it doesn't fit amazingly to be honest, the clips don't line up to the dash fascia so it's held in with double sided felt tape. Must be had to fit proper bezels for Saabs, I'm having a hard time locating a single Din one! 

[Mrs6C]

It seems to me like it could be an air leak around the base of the carburettor and/or its spacer block, so that it is drawing in more air than it should, giving a mixture that is far too weak unless the choke is on fully. The lower gasket below the spacer looks rather suspect, given the amount of liquid that has appeared around it.

Might the nuts that hold on the carburettor have vibrated loose over time?

You could do worse than take off the carb. and its spacer, then check/clean/replace the gaskets as needed and refit them. See if that makes any difference.

@Six-cylinder adds that squirting some brake cleaner or Easy-start around the base of the carburettor at idle will help to identify any air leaks, as this will get sucked in  and raise the idle speed.

[Crackers]

13 hours ago, Mrs6C said:

It seems to me like it could be an air leak around the base of the carburettor and/or its spacer block,

Me too, or muck in the carb. I think he's still planning to replace the whole lot though - not my car, not my choice!

[Crackers]

I am selling a set of very good 17" aero alloys if anyone is interested.

 

[Crackers]

A bit of music to liven up your bank holiday Monday! 

First run since July last year. Started first time and ran a treat, as always. 

None of the problems have fixed themselves, shockingly. Still, a nice way to spend a couple of hours driving round on a sunny day! 

[LightBulbFun]

34 minutes ago, Crackers said:

A bit of music to liven up your bank holiday Monday! 

First run since July last year. Started first time and ran a treat, as always. 

None of the problems have fixed themselves, shockingly. Still, a nice way to spend a couple of hours driving round on a sunny day! 

Awesome! glad to see the Magnificent Brown(TM) has come out of its winter hibernation  sounding and looking top notch as always!

[Crackers]

The end of a productive weekend. 

Two new discs on the rear or the Saab, calipers checked and re-greased. The old discs were OK thickness, but quite deeply grooved and noisy. Now, no more squeals 😁

Offside handbrake mechanism had disassembled itself inside the disc-drum, the cap for the retainer spring had given up allowing the leading shoe to flap about. Getting the new cap on was a total swine, the service book says it's easier to do it on the bench; I haven't got a bench! 

OS handbrake was found to be completely ineffective once reassembled anyway! Trailing shoe has virtually no material left and it won't adjust up properly, and not sure the cable is getting a proper pull on that side. Good job it's an auto, I'll leave that until MOT time 👌

Nearside was much easier and adjusted up perfectly, so at least I have 1/2 a handbrake. Better than nothing right? 

Both backplates are held together by a combination of hope and good luck. 

I have a pair ready to go, but I'm not equipped with tools or skills to remove the hub assembly so I'll farm that out when the time comes. 

Look at how crusty all the brake hardware is, I was expecting a fight with every last fixing, but you can tell this has been serviced properly because everything was greased up nicely, no crossed threads and nothing gunned up to a billion Nm. 

Oil and filter change carried out, new nearside headlight bulb fitted, and headlight levels raised up a bit to extend the beam. Just a wash required, replacement Saab emblems and an AC regas due now, before heading off for several thousand miles through Scotland next week. 

Capped it all of with a great run out in the Rover. I've missed the burble! 

[High Jetter]

5 minutes ago, Crackers said:

book says it's easier to do it on the bench; I haven't got a bench! 

Get the gf to bend over forwards, if she doesn't volunteer the ironing board?

[Wgl2019]

I can't remember if I have had the rear hubs off during my ownership..... they may be one of the few things that didn't need any love! Iirc they are a bolt on hub rather than a separate bearing that needs pressing in although a sizeable persuader may be required to get them free.

Glad my big tin of copper slip was effective 😉. For the brakes I used a set of three different greases from Proslip which last for ages and do seem to be decent. https://amzn.eu/d/4nZDwJ8

Handbrake cables were replaced around 2016 (remember the year as had to get a local garage to sort as my knee was fubared and couldn't do any DIY). 

Happy roadtrip..... Scotland's quiet fast and winding roads are perfect for the 9-5 in my opinion.

 

[Crackers]

Thought I'd try getting the AC gassed before the holiday. Turns out it's less Air Conditioning and more Air Colander. 

I'm guessing the Min: 20 is the required vacuum for a successful regas, we've hit a highscore of 908 which is apparently "very lots" in terms of leakage. 

Some investigation to do after Scotland! 

Fair play to the F1 Autocentre guys, they're straight in touch with head office to get it refunded. 

[Crackers]

If anyone wants a heavily discounted ticket for TOMORROW at the Goodwood Members Meeting (Sat 15th April), please DM me. 

Sunday possibly available too. 

[Crackers]

Roadtrip report.

Up to Sunny Scotland last Monday for a week away, comprising mostly of trains and touristing. Fantastic weather all week, to the point I was putting on suncream as my skin is as pale as most true Scots! Stayed in Gairlochy near Fort William/Spean Bridge in an utterly lovely lochside AirBnB.

1830 miles completed in the Saab without fault. It had one slightly grumbly start in Glasgow Costco, which I just put down to being allergic to cities just like me. A slightly odd brake noise ("honk") a couple of times, but it's since gone away so no bother. I think an engine mount might be going a bit soft as it's started making a more noticeable thunk into reverse, but I'll just monitor for now. A very good report compared to the Bini in shot, which sounded utterly awful after a couple of days and has been diagnosed with front damper and engine mount failure.

Very glad I changed the oil and rear discs beforehand as both the engine and brakes had a serious workout on some of the highland roads. 

From a very rough calculation I think it averaged around 33-34mpg across the whole trip. It did 40mpg on the motorway run up to Glesga, and I didn't do any further calcs from there, so only a finger in the air. More than good enough for me, given the twisty, hilly roads (at speed ) and 4 people on board.

Too many photos taken for a full rundown, but here's a few memories.

Road closed in front of us on the A82 alongside Loch Lomond due to an unfortunately fatal crash ahead. Sat for a while, but turned round and went the long way round towards Stirling.

At the Strathspey railway. I don't have a towbar fitted, but I reckon the Saab would manage 3 flat wagons...

The 37 was out due to high fire risk, and I scored a cab ride:

Which was nice.

Then a massively diverted drive over to the Lochnagar Distillery for a tour, which was worth every moment as the route was jaw dropping. 

This was one of the many views from the return route. You do feel rather small up in them hills!

Ian Riley's Black 5 does not defy gravity, it's just the forum software having a moment as usual.

A bit of touristing, we managed to get walk-up tickets for the Jacobite (we spent each morning chasing it down the line for photos, and thought it'd be worth riding it if tickets were available.

Sitting pretty near the top of Beasdale bank.

And again, just outside Mallaig.

Castle Tioram, near Acharacle. You're not meant to go inside.

...but I accidentally tripped and fell under the fence.

The famous(ish) shipwreck at Corpach harbour.

The Jacobite again, this time from the end of Glen Finnan just before the line dives off to the far side of Loch Ailort.

Glen Etive, where the guys wanted to go for a look at the "Skyfall Road" and I was more interested in the waterfalls. Turns out the stones in the river are extremely bouncy off one another, we spent well over an hour pelting rocks around trying to see how far we could skim them off the big boulders.

Homeward bound via the...

Upside-doon Falkirk Wheel. Again the forum seems to thing that the world turns while the wheel remains static. Apparently.

Return journey was split overnight in Thornton-Le-Dale, just up the road from Mathewsons' Auctions.

A round trip on the NYMR of course. Up to Grosmont on the LNER Q6, which turned out to be quite rateable, then returning behind Sybilla, which was absolutely hellfire. The poor little Sulzer lump was being given quite the workout but sounded awesome.

Home and dry. I added up the petrol receipts and wished I hadn't, but it was worth it!

[stuboy]

looks like a beautiful scenery!

[Wgl2019]

2 hours ago, Crackers said:

engine mount

Check the gearbox torque mount.... has been polybushed but a bolt came loose before I sold it. Caused a clunk on reverse and when coming to a stop, I tightened it to spec but wonder if a bit of locktight might be in order.

 

Fab photos 😍

[LightBulbFun]

3 hours ago, Crackers said:

Ian Riley's Black 5 does not defy gravity, it's just the forum software having a moment as usual.

track adhesion clearly not a problem that day!

3 hours ago, Crackers said:

The Jacobite again, this time from the end of Glen Finnan just before the line dives off to the far side of Loch Ailort.

also this is a fucking spectacular photograph, it properly looks genuinely timeless

[Dyslexic Viking]

7 hours ago, LightBulbFun said:

also this is a fucking spectacular photograph, it properly looks genuinely timeless

I agree. I would love to have it on the wall. great picture.

[Crackers]

I am putting the P6 up for sale.

I've got my eyes on a very different car but 3 cars is unworkable and the P6 would need to go in order to fund it.

An ad is currently under approval on C&C, I'm not putting it on ebay quite yet.

It's really hard to value as there aren't many for sale at the moment, as ever there is a massive price range on the few that are for sale.

Anyone here interested at £7500?

[Matty]

I'd say seven and a half is fair enough. If it's as solid as it looks, and with the 5 speed conversion it's got to be up there surely. Personally if I had the room to put it indoors I'd have your arm off, but I don't. Good luck with it, hope you don't get messed about.

[dozeydustman]

31 minutes ago, Crackers said:

I am putting the P6 up for sale.

Nooooo!

If only I could justify some of the house renovation money. I think I may end up being divorced…

Seriously this is a cool old thing, and having had a lift from Amberly to Chichester I can vouch it’s lovely to be chauffeured about in. GLWTS

[brownnova]

Knock a nought off and I’ll have it 😉