Weird Car’s weird cars! ‘Triumph goes for a spin then goes for scrap’

[Mr Pastry]

If the ignition warning light is staying on then it isn't charging.

Black wire to cylinder thing is a supressor, leave it be and don't worry about it.

The alternator has 3 terminals in its plug, 2 large terminals and 1 small.

The heavy brown wire should go to one of the 2 large terminals - this is the  output and looks like it goes direct to the battery. 

The brown/yellow should go to the small terminal and its other end should go to the warning light - it may be connected via the control box terminal F if that is still in place.  Will the loose end of the wire reach the control box? 

Having to guess a bit, because the conversion can be wired more than one way.

[Weird Car]

14 minutes ago, Mr Pastry said:

If the ignition warning light is staying on then it isn't charging.

Black wire to cylinder thing is a supressor, leave it be and don't worry about it.

The alternator has 3 terminals in its plug, 2 large terminals and 1 small.

The heavy brown wire should go to one of the 2 large terminals - this is the  output and looks like it goes direct to the battery. 

The brown/yellow should go to the small terminal and its other end should go to the warning light - it may be connected via the control box terminal F if that is still in place.  Will the loose end of the wire reach the control box? 

Having to guess a bit, because the conversion can be wired more than one way.

I’m guessing this is said control box and unfortunately the brown and yellow cable is too short to reach, so if i extended it to reach, where exactly would it be wired too would I have to unscrew what’s currently in F and screw the brown and yellow in?
thanks for your input into this by the way, I’m really a noob when it comes to electrics.

[Mr Pastry]

The brown/yellow must have been connected to something when converted - is there another loose wire which it will reach to?

I'm a bit hesitant to advise, as I don't know what exactly what the PO has done and I don't have the exact model wiring diagram here.

Are there any other spare wires coming out of the loom in the area of the alternator?

If you extend the loose brown/yellow wire, then with the engine running at a fast idle, touch the wire to the F terminal, and see if the ignition light goes out.  There may be a small spark.

If the light still stays on, then best get an auto-electrican to look at it.

 

 

[Weird Car]

WE NOW HAVE ELECTRICITY!! WOO thanks mr Pastry for the help 
 

 

 

[Matty]

Brilliant. Sounds sweet as a nut and all. Well jell! 

[High Jetter]

Not sure if you already have one, but there's at least one genuine workshop manual on the bay for £nottoomuch

[Weird Car]

2 minutes ago, High Jetter said:

Not sure if you already have one, but there's at least one genuine workshop manual on the bay for £nottoomuch

Just bought it! Thanks 

[Mr Pastry]

25 minutes ago, Weird Car said:

WE NOW HAVE ELECTRICITY!! WOO thanks mr Pastry for the help 
 

 

 

Good result!   To check the charging rate, you need to connect a multimeter between battery positive and earth.  Then with headlights and heater fan switched on,  run the engine up to about 2000 rpm, and if all OK you should see between 13 and 15 volts on the meter.

[Angrydicky]

Key number is stamped on the front of the ignition barrel, it'll be an FP prefix. The keys had been lost on one of mine, I just ordered a couple of new keys on ebay, about £3 each or something.

[Crackers]

I really hope I see this floating around the area at some point, it's gorgeous. If you see a skinny goon in a Saab waving and tooting at you, you'll know I've spotted you 😅

[Weird Car]

3 minutes ago, Crackers said:

I really hope I see this floating around the area at some point, it's gorgeous. If you see a skinny goon in a Saab waving and tooting at you, you'll know I've spotted you 😅

Please excuse me if you wave and I don’t notice, once I’m driving a classic I’m usually zoned out in my own world imagining everything as if it were the 50s! I’m weird I know 😂🤓

[bezzabsa]

B series??? does this mean the MGBGT drivetrain will fit????? nice upgrade if so

[bezzabsa]

how is it for room in the drivers seat??? id be scared i wouldnt fit LOL

[Matty]

11 minutes ago, bezzabsa said:

B series??? does this mean the MGBGT drivetrain will fit????? nice upgrade if so

Martin howey had one for sale recently. As marvelously time worm as this one but with an 1800 b series and floor change. Wanted 2k. If I'd had the space I'd have ripped his arm off. 

[Weird Car]

17 minutes ago, bezzabsa said:

B series??? does this mean the MGBGT drivetrain will fit????? nice upgrade if so

I mean the original 1.5 is no slouch, the gps read 80 on the way home, I don’t think I’d want to go much quicker especially with the brakes being all drums lol

[Matty]

1 hour ago, Weird Car said:

I mean the original 1.5 is no slouch, the gps read 80 on the way home, I don’t think I’d want to go much quicker especially with the brakes being all drums lol

True enough. I intended a 1275 a series for mine. However, the 1098 it came with (albeit with a 295 spec head and bigger carb) goes so well I've left it be. For all that's been written, Austin made some very good cars.

[Dj_efk]

1 hour ago, bezzabsa said:

B series??? does this mean the MGBGT drivetrain will fit????? nice upgrade if so

Only the very early 3 main crank version of the B’s engine will be a direct swap as things stand. That’s why I mentioned the the Riley 1.5 lump - it pumps out decent output (about +30% over standard), is a direct swap and if installed along with a matching diff / axle; this has the tallest available ratio as well (3.7:1) which would drop the revs down on longer journeys, as 65mph would equate to 3500rpm.

 

[Mr Pastry]

8 hours ago, Dj_efk said:

Only the very early 3 main crank version of the B’s engine will be a direct swap as things stand. That’s why I mentioned the the Riley 1.5 lump - it pumps out decent output (about +30% over standard), is a direct swap and if installed along with a matching diff / axle; this has the tallest available ratio as well (3.7:1) which would drop the revs down on longer journeys, as 65mph would equate to 3500rpm.

 

I don't think the Riley axle will fit.  The best period modification would be an overdrive if you could find one - not sure it was available for the column change gearbox.

[PhilA]

To be fair that one sounds in good health. 

Good job on fixing the charging system. 

Overall, that should be easily reliable. They have a lot of torque for what they are, just don't try to drive it like a race car and you'll be good.

 

Phil

[Weird Car]

Just took the A55 to her first show, manhood classics in Selsey, she was very well received for the rattiest car there lol

It was mainly to test the charging abilities and give the new plugs a run, happy to say all is well on both scores. the plugs helped a tonne, no more backfiring or spluttering, I want to give the carb a little tune though as I think she could still run better, idling a bit high when she’s warm

 

the meet was pretty busy so here’s some highlights

[Matty]

Wow, more interesting stuff there than the last two I went to. Always the obligatory tr6s and b roadsters.

[Weird Car]

20 minutes ago, Matty said:

Wow, more interesting stuff there than the last two I went to. Always the obligatory tr6s and b roadsters.

It’s the first time I’ve attended this meet, plenty of variety and friendly people. 

[SiC]

Just seen this, well done! I saw this across Facebook and the threat of it being banger raced by the previous owner. So really glad to see it being saved. 

I look forward to seeing it progress!

[Weird Car]

Dropped Audrey off with my favourite local garage today, getting the indicators sorted as they’ve now decided to stop working entirely, she should hopefully be back in action on Saturday if it’s not too complicated a fix.

 

so I’m terms of her history it’s all a bit vague really, she didn’t come with any paperwork except the promise of the V5 when it arrives at the PO’s house but having a little look on the DVLA database suggests she was sitting until at least 1985, Googling the reg bought up this image taken in 2009  of her sitting in a garage which was quite a pleasant surprise.

 

@LightBulbFun you’re a wiz with DVLA do you happen to know where VBY510 was originally registered? And if they still hold public records that could help trace previous owners? Her dealer badge suggests Croydon but I’m not sure if she was registered there too?

 

[LightBulbFun]

12 minutes ago, Weird Car said:

@LightBulbFun you’re a wiz with DVLA do you happen to know where VBY510 was originally registered? And if they still hold public records that could help trace previous owners? Her dealer badge suggests Croydon but I’m not sure if she was registered there too?

Croydon registered indeed she is  sadly all Croydon records where destroyed 

on that subject do you happen to have any close up shots of the number plates for me to oggle at? they look original, and given that @Zelandeth's P4 is also Croydon registered and had a very interesting physical rear number plate I am kinda curious if your Cambridge also might have a White Bronze Ltd set of number plates? you can read about me digging into that over here  https://autoshite.com/topic/29443-zels-motoring-adventuresmerc-renault-rover-vw-ac-model-70-a-sinclair-c5-1207-van-mot-progress-at-last/page/159/?tab=comments#comment-2765752 

 

as a side note looking at its DVLA record, it last had a Keeper change of the 19th of November 1977, and came off the road in 1985, that 1977 V5 will still be valid if you can find it! but dont send it into the DVLA, just use the 11 digit number to keeper change online

sadly a V5 that old wont actually have previous keeper details on it, but it will contain the date from when VBY510 was computerised , and sometimes the DVLC back then would return the old buff logbook, so if do wonder if that might be lurking somewhere?

 

and of course as a general note, nicely bought! she looks like a lovely old thing, looking forward to seeing it out and about and all that  

 

(as a side note if you can get the garage to save the old indicator bulbs, if they still have markings on them I might be able to decode their date-code for you, if the car has been off the road since 85, they might be quite old, or even original to the car)

[SiC]

20 minutes ago, Weird Car said:

getting the indicators sorted as they’ve now decided to stop working entirely

On that age iirc it's the TWICE unit that controls them. I remember many people had issues with fuses failing and stopping the indicators working. Even if the fuse looks good visually they can micro fracture inside and not be easily visible. 

[Weird Car]

1 hour ago, LightBulbFun said:

Croydon registered indeed she is  sadly all Croydon records where destroyed 

 

That’s a shame.

 

1 hour ago, LightBulbFun said:

on that subject do you happen to have any close up shots of the number plates

Not at the moment but I’ll get you some once I have her back

 

1 hour ago, LightBulbFun said:

it last had a Keeper change of the 19th of November 1977, and came off the road in 1985, that 1977 V5 will still be valid if you can find it! but dont send it into the DVLA, just use the 11 digit number to keeper change online

That’s interesting to know that she changed owners in 77, unfortunately I don’t have any other v5’s or buff logbooks 

thanks for the help.

 

1 hour ago, SiC said:

On that age iirc it's the TWICE unit that controls them. I remember many people had issues with fuses failing and stopping the indicators working. Even if the fuse looks good visually they can micro fracture inside and not be easily visible. 

That’s useful to know, thanks, hopefully it’ll be a simple job for the guys at the garage then, the PO told me the grounds were a bit naff so they were really dim and temperamental.  

[Weird Car]

So just had a call from the garage, I need to locate 4 bulb holders as they’re all shot and a new indicator switch. Does anyone happen to have any stashed away or have any links to any? Are they a55 specific or generic Lucas? 

[SiC]

I don't know if it's shared but a lot of Lucas stuff is. 

Have a look at these catalogues for part numbers:

http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/books/lucas400e.htm

And then do a search on them to see if others are available. 

Are the bulb holders really past saving?

[Mr Pastry]

The bulb holders IIRC are the same as many other Lucas of the period, but are riveted into the lamp backplate, so some transplant surgery may be involved.   For the indicator switch look at early MGB, Morris 1000, 1100 and even 1800 - likely to be the same or similar internally, but with different stalks.