Spurious Posted September 12, 2021 Share Posted September 12, 2021 What a wonderful car. Looking forward to seeing more of it. It looks in remarkable condition. Low Horatio gearbox 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Datsuncog Posted September 13, 2021 Share Posted September 13, 2021 Wow, that is simply MEGA!! An FD in VX4/90 flavour is probably my ultimate dream car; I've been smitten by them since I was about 14 or so. Just a fantastically styled car, with such purposeful lines. I missed out on a really clean blue one back in 2006, and prices have skyrocketed since then. Regrets. Looking forward to seeing this one recommissioned and back on the road - and although others have said the same, if you're ever moving it on, do give me a shout... warren t claim and Low Horatio gearbox 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Low Horatio gearbox Posted September 13, 2021 Author Share Posted September 13, 2021 9 hours ago, High Jetter said: This, many percents. If you're tempted otherwise, counselling is available. DO NOT PAINT, etc etc 100% that. I'm not really one from deviation from stock as the manufacturer intended or close enough. There will be some work though but I'd like to save as much originality as possible . Most of the stuff needing attention is low, low down so fix the rust there, and stabilise the other few bits higher up (lower rear window edge, and little bits here and there) leave the rest well alone and drive it. 14 hours ago, wuvvum said: That is amazing! Only thing is if I owned a car with that low a mileage I'd be reluctant to use it... Maybe.. if it was mint possibly yes, but it deserves to see the sunshine and feel the damp tarmac beneath its wheels! tooSavvy, eddyramrod and Shite Ron 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tooSavvy Posted September 13, 2021 Share Posted September 13, 2021 No one has murmured 'Randall & Hopkirk' 🤫 JeeExEll, Low Horatio gearbox, eddyramrod and 1 other 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProgRocker Posted September 13, 2021 Share Posted September 13, 2021 Stunning! 💖 Coke bottle styled cars make me go all giddy. 🙂 There were plans to put a V8 into the FE series but the 1973 oil crisis put a halt to that. Low Horatio gearbox 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rocket88 Posted September 13, 2021 Share Posted September 13, 2021 This was supposed to be under the hood.................. danthecapriman, Mr Pastry, rainagain and 6 others 7 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Austat Posted September 13, 2021 Share Posted September 13, 2021 Very nice purchase! I do like these FDs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Low Horatio gearbox Posted September 13, 2021 Author Share Posted September 13, 2021 8 hours ago, Datsuncog said: Wow, that is simply MEGA!! An FD in VX4/90 flavour is probably my ultimate dream car; I've been smitten by them since I was about 14 or so. Just a fantastically styled car, with such purposeful lines. I missed out on a really clean blue one back in 2006, and prices have skyrocketed since then. Regrets. Looking forward to seeing this one recommissioned and back on the road - and although others have said the same, if you're ever moving it on, do give me a shout... Duly noted. And thanks for the thanks.. I've passed them all on to the GF.. she is the enabler! Noted on the moving on.. it was the plan all along to get her on the road and in 12 -18 months find a loving home and enjoy something else. @Rocket88 that would have been amazing. I'll dig out the link but Vauxhall had a raft if 4 6 and 8 cylinders planned that got shelved. Tho.. even in it's out if tune state this one has a fair amount if pep and if the gravel marks in the tarmac acces road behind my garage are indicative probably has an LSD fitted (2 scrapey stripes not one) Now.. I have take a brave/stupid pill and had a prod. The dash top had a big ass baggy section and I realised I could see no demist vents. It's been covered. The covering and baggyness I could live with but not being able to demist the screen effectively (by 1970s standards.. 68 technically) would limit its use a lot... so... The shiny is where I've not removed the glue yet, tho it is coming off it's a slow stick job (fun fact... the GF is annoyed with me I'm doing this as "I'll never get to work on her at this rate" so.. obvs I'll leave plenty for her to clean up with a rag and some mineral spirits 😂🤣👌) Pretty good really. Its had a crack and a repair. It isn't the worst but could have been better - or left as fixerating these things now is possible without... dashboardwob(tm) and you can get near seamless repairs. There is a crack in the top of the drivers doorcard too tho both front doorcards appear to be red underneath and also have ashtrays which this year 4/90 shouldn't have fitted ( possibly done before it left the Vauxhall pool or a fix before it was laid up) both front ones are a bit warped anyway tho more than fine for now 🤷♂️ http://vauxpedianet.uk2sitebuilder.com/vauxhall-fd-94000---victor-vx490-ventora Also.. excellent reading if you want more Vauxhall licking fun! JeeExEll, Dyslexic Viking, Leyland Worldmaster and 7 others 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
captain_70s Posted September 13, 2021 Share Posted September 13, 2021 Man, that's quality. Vauxhall really had some good styling going on in the late 60s, proper transatlantic style without the bulk. eddyramrod and Low Horatio gearbox 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoadworkUK Posted September 13, 2021 Share Posted September 13, 2021 Phenomenal. Especially the rear lights. I now have a sudden urge to binge-watch Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased), in which FDs made frequent appearances. Low Horatio gearbox and tooSavvy 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Low Horatio gearbox Posted September 13, 2021 Author Share Posted September 13, 2021 1 hour ago, RoadworkUK said: Phenomenal. Especially the rear lights. Pervert... 20210913_111150_001.mp4 Datsuncog, Dick Longbridge, RoadworkUK and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoadworkUK Posted September 13, 2021 Share Posted September 13, 2021 Uncle Jimmy, Fumbler, Low Horatio gearbox and 1 other 1 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warren t claim Posted September 14, 2021 Share Posted September 14, 2021 22 hours ago, Datsuncog said: Wow, that is simply MEGA!! An FD in VX4/90 flavour is probably my ultimate dream car; I've been smitten by them since I was about 14 or so. Just a fantastically styled car, with such purposeful lines. I missed out on a really clean blue one back in 2006, and prices have skyrocketed since then. Regrets. Looking forward to seeing this one recommissioned and back on the road - and although others have said the same, if you're ever moving it on, do give me a shout... I had one of these as a driveway toy back in '82 when I was 12. RCM866K IIRC. Low Horatio gearbox and Datsuncog 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bren Posted September 14, 2021 Share Posted September 14, 2021 The professionals sacraficed quite a few FD's Low Horatio gearbox 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Low Horatio gearbox Posted September 14, 2021 Author Share Posted September 14, 2021 Too right! I'm waiting on some tools to arrive, mainly a vacuum bleed kit as manual bleeding had improved them only slightly from almost totally ineffective to just scary - if you pump the pedal it will firm up to ish normal feel. I'll be rewatching the video @Noel Tidybeard linked to and trying to reset and balance the carbs, definitly needs it at idle- giving a bit of throttle and its reasonably decent. But stopping before starting and then the play in the wheel/rack and get the tracking done fits trip out (noticeable toe out) then do an oil & filter, gearbox and diff oil change. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rocket88 Posted September 14, 2021 Share Posted September 14, 2021 8 minutes ago, Low Horatio gearbox said: Too right! I'm waiting on some tools to arrive, mainly a vacuum bleed kit as manual bleeding had improved them only slightly from almost totally ineffective to just scary - if you pump the pedal it will firm up to ish normal feel. I'll be rewatching the video @Noel Tidybeard linked to and trying to reset and balance the carbs, definitly needs it at idle- giving a bit of throttle and its reasonably decent. But stopping before starting and then the play in the wheel/rack and get the tracking done fits trip out (noticeable toe out) then do an oil & filter, gearbox and diff oil change. Check carb diaphragms…….. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilA Posted September 14, 2021 Share Posted September 14, 2021 The stock brakes are dire. All Vxls R etc. Mine were bad because the vacuum booster had a leak only when the pedal was pushed down. That and the front brakes were derived from the Viva and really should've stayed there. Low Horatio gearbox 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Low Horatio gearbox Posted September 14, 2021 Author Share Posted September 14, 2021 @Rocket88 top man.. not even got that far.. neither of the top covers was even remotely tightened down and one vaccume hose was hoplesly loose. Tops screwed down and hide replaced a quick flick of the key and much better, still overfuelling but fires on all 4 cylinders evenly instead of 1 or 2 or 3 then 2 and all 4 if you boot it. Ran out of time due to darkness and parenting. @PhilA the fronts are uprated.. allegedly. No matter one caliper appears to be upside down big loop to trap air, and the routing for the rear drums is prime for air pockers what with the up and down routing and the LHS drum light backing off the RHS 🤷♂️ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick Longbridge Posted September 14, 2021 Share Posted September 14, 2021 On 9/13/2021 at 12:03 PM, RoadworkUK said: I'd forgotten what the original version of Carol Vorderman looked like. Good to hear the FD is firing more sweetly already! Low Horatio gearbox and RoadworkUK 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Low Horatio gearbox Posted September 14, 2021 Author Share Posted September 14, 2021 Ta. I am aware if the basics if how carbs work but I'm a novice and always wary of fiddling with something and then it not working (I ruined a pair of Rond suspension forks before they were even on a bike by.. "fiddling" ) these Strombergs are different to the SU's I'm vaguely familiar with. Hopefully tommorrow will see me have a chance to go over them step by step slowly fingers crossed I can lean the mix out a bit evenly. Given the wheel nuts not being overly tight and the carb tops being barely fingertight I will first go over the rest if the car and make sure any previously replaced or renovated components and everything in general is fitted and tightened down correctly. I forgot to say when I had the wheels off for bleeding round 1 I noticed it's got Spax shocks fitted (a fair while ago) . Dick Longbridge and Datsuncog 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilA Posted September 14, 2021 Share Posted September 14, 2021 With work, Peugeot 106 brakes fit but you need 14" wheels at the absolute minimum. You then get decent floating calipers and beefy pads which actually stop the car effectively with the stock master. Drop links also need moving else they foul the brakes and push the calipers open on full lock. Phil tooSavvy and Low Horatio gearbox 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noel Tidybeard Posted September 14, 2021 Share Posted September 14, 2021 Richard the Slag Stag has done a series of stromberg vids which show what to look for like the right and wrong way to install diaphragms Low Horatio gearbox 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Low Horatio gearbox Posted September 14, 2021 Author Share Posted September 14, 2021 I'm out on the 106 conversion, I am not giving up my Rostyles! eddyramrod, PhilA and bangernomics 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bangernomics Posted September 14, 2021 Share Posted September 14, 2021 That’s a star buy. I think i may have some photos of this very car from billing aquadrome meetings of about 20 years or so ago. That reg rings a bell. Low Horatio gearbox 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
junkyarddog Posted September 14, 2021 Share Posted September 14, 2021 1 hour ago, PhilA said: The stock brakes are dire. All Vxls R etc. Mine were bad because the vacuum booster had a leak only when the pedal was pushed down. That and the front brakes were derived from the Viva and really should've stayed there. Having owned several Viva's and FE's I can't say I agree with that. I always found them perfectly fine,certainly no worse or better than anything else from the era. Low Horatio gearbox 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilA Posted September 14, 2021 Share Posted September 14, 2021 1 minute ago, junkyarddog said: Having owned several Viva's and FE's I can't say I agree with that. I always found them perfectly fine,certainly no worse or better than anything else from the era. Don't get me wrong, they stopped the car well enough but driving it in modern traffic would eat brake pads if driven spiritedly (V8 didn't help, autobox neither). They were a bit undersized for the weight of the car, really. Low Horatio gearbox and junkyarddog 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Low Horatio gearbox Posted September 14, 2021 Author Share Posted September 14, 2021 6 minutes ago, junkyarddog said: Having owned several Viva's and FE's I can't say I agree with that. I always found them perfectly fine,certainly no worse or better than anything else from the era. I'm fine with that, I daily my other cars of similar vintage and have adjusted my driving style for bigger gaps when entering traffic, more space and steady if not brisk pace. Though this is my first regular manual in 18 years so pace may take some while to achieve with the 4 speed (with overdrive on third AND 4th!) Dramatisation of my first drive in it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trigger Posted September 14, 2021 Share Posted September 14, 2021 That is absolutely beautiful! Very well bought sir! Low Horatio gearbox 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Low Horatio gearbox Posted September 14, 2021 Author Share Posted September 14, 2021 14 minutes ago, PhilA said: Don't get me wrong, they stopped the car well enough but driving it in modern traffic would eat brake pads if driven spiritedly (V8 didn't help, autobox neither). They were a bit undersized for the weight of the car, really. Ahh now you see you've the luxury of 150 or so rampant Rover (cough Buicks) horses on tap there. I'm stuck with the 108-112 (depending on who's saying) plus buckets of torque. PhilA and eddyramrod 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bradders59 Posted September 15, 2021 Share Posted September 15, 2021 Assuming its the 2.3, it isnt too difficult to unleash 175 or so horses, although the parts would probably be expensive these days. Blydenstein did a turbo kit back in the day that took them to well over 200. Usually installed in Chevettes for competition, but same engine. Low Horatio gearbox and tooSavvy 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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