Chrysler Woes-Huzzah! Sorted!!

[boobydoo]

I thought I'd give a small update on the Chrysler 2-Litre...a tale of how disheartening owning an old car can be.

 

It's currently been at the MOT station for nearly two weeks awaiting the sourcing of a brake master cylinder, rear brake calliper and still an investigation into why fuel starvation keeps making the old girl stall and fail to restart at the most inappropriate moments. Last time completely blocking the exit to Morrissons!

 

 

Photographed today ...the Opel next to it has been there even longer awaiting modifaction of a replacement fuel tank from a Carlton!

 

Earlier this year I got several little paint jobs done on it. The bonnet was painted after I dropped something on it and dented it.

The boot due to scratches round the lock.

Black grille as it was very chippy.

OSF door due to the sudden, weird appearance of several stone chips.

Driving back from the paint shop...lo and behold ... a stone flies up and chips the newly painted bonnet. Much swearing ensued.

New old stock mirrors were sourced to replace the nasty black rubber ones put on by the previous owner 30 odd years ago plus proper Chrysler badges have replaced incorrect Talbot ones !

 

A new fuel tank was sourced from Czech Republic at 100 euros as I thought this would cure the dirty fuel problem that might be causing the stalling.

No difference.

Sourced a new fuel pump just in case that was the issue.

Nope.

Bought another one in case the first one was faulty...currently awaitng test.

 

Was in the process of a carb cleaning exercise when a new (rare as f**k) Weber carburrettor was advertised on fleabay at £160. Sod it...maybe buying that would cure the fuel problem once and for all. Duly arrived...everything fitted together perfectly until ..oh......the base is for some reason 7mm shorter than the old one. Some sort of spacer gasket now needs to be sourced.

 

As mentioned, failed MOT last week on brake master cylinder and leaking rear calliper. Sourced a master on ebay at £45 but when it arrived was the wrong one. Currently looking for another.

 

Brake callipers are like rocking horse shit, so have had to get the faulty one refurbished at a cost of £129 +VAT ( although that did include couriering(?) it to Derby to a company I found on t'interweb called Car Parts Direct. It should be back on Thursday.

 

I've hardly driven the car the last 12 months...and have had to call the RAC on I think four occaisions now due to the fuel problem. It does seems to be one headache after another, not really helped by my limited technical knowledge!

 

When it does run, it's such a lovely car...and such a head turner with its very 70s colour scheme.

 

It's supposed to be on display at the NEC Classic Show in November.

Will it ever get there?

 

Doubt it.

[Cavcraft]

Keep the faith, brother!

 

Sounds like you've had a bit of a 'mare with it so you must be due some good luck. For those of who sit round computers most of the time is there anything we can try and track down (parts wise) for you to try and help?

[dollywobbler]

What a truly delightful picture that is! Timewarp executives.

 

I'd be tempted to replace the entire fuel line to be honest. Could be that it's breaking up internally and clogging itself up. The other thing to do is to make sure the fuel cap isn't sealing TOO well. A breather is essential.

[John F]

I feel your pain, boobydoo... In the three years I've owned my Maserati it's spent most of that time under the knife.

 

I managed to get about 8 months' driving out of it in my first year of ownership, including getting it through its first MoT in my hands. Then shortly after the MoT the engine failed with a suspected snapped cambelt.

 

The next year was spent stripping & rebuilding the engine on my driveway, the suspected snapped cambelt was in fact a seized camshaft bearing (a separate casting from the head, cost a fairly reasonable £200 from Maserati).

 

With the engine running nicely, I then got access to a fully-equipped workshop where I've being spending my free time over the last eight months sorting out the massive amounts of rot (structural and cosmetic) that it was hiding under its slightly tarnished paintwork. It's getting there slowly, but realistically it'll be next spring at the earliest before it's on the road again.

 

It's such a nice car to drive though... that's what I keep telling myself...

 

Agree re. fuel lines btw, I had a similar issue with my Calibra in that a rubber fuel hose had collapsed internally and was restricting fuel flow.

[Anglevan]

Replace the fuel line as per dollywobbler, i've had simliar issues with an old anglia i look after - only 14k miles from new but always stood till new owner, had lots of issues as what you state. Eventually replaced the fuel line - problems cured, a section of the fuel line showed that it had coated up inside over years of non use making it at least 20% narrower.

Had a singer chamois been off road since 1974 - same issues - replaced line and was 100% ok.

 

It's the cheapest thing to do parts wise so worth ago. Good luck..

[boobydoo]

Thanks guys, sounds like good advice.

It's always helpful to get another head round a problem.

[boobydoo]

For those of who sit round computers most of the time is there anything we can try and track down (parts wise) for you to try and help?

Thanks Billy. Brake master cylinder if you see one!! But I think they must have changed them for '79 model year as the one I bought was for 1971-1978 models. Pah!

[Cavcraft]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CHRYSLER-180- ... 0708390899

 

http://www.simcatalbotclub.org/c180.htm

 

No spares but (possibly) helpful as it seems the 2-litre was known under another name in far off shores...

 

http://www.allpar.com/cars/chrysler/180.html

[Lord Sterling]

I've hardly driven the car the last 12 months...and have had to call the RAC on I think four occaisions .... It does seems to be one headache after another, not really helped by my limited technical knowledge!...

 

Sounds very similar to my story regarding this:

 

Back in March this year I had it transported from Telford to my mates garage in Cradley Heath for gearbox fittage, brakes cleaned and MOT. On the way back it cut out, RAC called, towed back to garage. 1st problem was tracked down to a sensor mounted behind the cambelt. Getting the sensor was nothing short of a farce, not helped by those with sticky or buttery fingers at Royal Fail.

 

3 months later the car is ready again, I take it out and the alternator decides to fail resulting in funky electrics and loss of drive. Alternator is refurbed and car is once again ready. In the first 3 months it was taxed MOT'd and insured I managed to get a day and half of driving out of it.

 

I really do understand where you are coming from, alot of what happend took alot of time and seemed to take forever. I honestly doubted it would ever be fixed and was seriously looking to get shot of the thing, but I perservered. Some of the work had to be done on the slate as I'd run out of readies. The car still needs a few things to do but it drives. I'll pay off my slate before anymore work is carried out.

 

Keep your chin up chap, make it your goal to see this car on the road again, dont let it get you down and you will get there.

[TagoraSX]

I feel your pain, bastard old cars

[Barry Cade]

Brakeparts online list rear calipers for £87.36+VAT, and also list seal kits and pistons for the same car.

http://www.brakesint.co.uk/

 

Speedy spares have a Bendix master cylinder NOS for 30 quid.

http://www.speedyspares.co.uk/LIST%20FR ... Page3.html

[boobydoo]

^^ Tried Speedy Spares but they'd run out!

 

The other place advertise master cylinders aswell so will give them a go.

 

Many thanks.

[Pete-M]

604.

 

Distance driven since I've owned it = Under 1 mile.

I've already had to replace the starter on the bloody thing, when it comes back from welding and painting the mechanical work will have to begin.

 

 

Escort

 

Distance driven since I've owned it = Under 1 kilometer.

God knows how much that thing has cost me so far, and there's still a 2000 mile round trip tow to do before I'll get to drive it.

 

 

 

Keep at it Boobers, no point in stopping now. Get the thing right and eventually you'll get to enjoy it properly.

[boobydoo]

The 2 Litre did it's longest journey for nearly 30 years today! I picked it up from a 'Mr Talboty' friend of mine in Kent after having trailered it down there before Christmas to try and see if he could sort it once and for all.

 

I'm pleased to say the old girl drove the 90 odd miles without fault! Fingers crossed all the gremlins have been ironed out:

 

fully serviced including 2 refurbed brake callipers;

refurbed brake master cylinder courtesy of a contact in Czech Republic ( did you know that more Chrysler 180/2litres survive there than in France? It seems they were considered the height of desirability in the seventies!);

cleaning of fuel lines;

fitting of new carb;

timing was way out;

new heated rear window switch

amongst other stuff.

 

The car is now all MOT'd , taxed for 12 months and if all goes well I shall take her to the International Simca Meet in Germany in May.

 

I got a good deal with Adrian Flux...£435 for all 6 of my cars fully comp for a year. Limited mileage policy of course.

 

I gave the car a really good scrub-up and indulged in some new photos...in a local graveyard for peace and quiet! Funny , when I drove in a silver Vectra flashed its lights at me.Had I stumbled across some 'bad-taste' dogging site? No...it was just a grieving widower come to lay flowers on a grave. He must have flashed them by mistake.

 

 

As I drove back from Kent, the mileometer turned 20,000 miles!

 

Sumptuous velour interior...just like a teddy bear.

 

I really like the door trims...reminds me of an old fashioned Gentlemans Club!

[Split_Pin]

Thats a lovely time warp motor you have there!

 

My wife reminds me regualrly, when I throw my hands up when one of my ageing fleet throws a wobbly that its par for the course with old cars

 

Helps to have a few level-headed mechanically-minded friends too!

[dollywobbler]

Brilliant. Glad it's finally sorted!

[Cavcraft]

Nice result, that looks superb Tony.

[DSdriver]

It's good to hear that Kent has come to the rescue and you are mobile at last. Chrysler is looking good. Perhaps we should start a vinyl roof appreciation thread.

[boobydoo]

Perhaps we should start a vinyl roof appreciation thread.

 

I think vinyl roofs are my favourite style icon from motoring history. And Rostyle wheels. Love 'em!

 

Not sure who else has a vinyl roofed car on here...Me, Trigs.... err..?

[RedSparrow]

Beautiful car!

How come so many ended up in Czech? Did the government use them or something?

 

EDIT: Found this info http://www.chryslerclub.cz/historie/chrysler_cr.html if anyone is interested.

[retrogeezer]

such a stunning looking car - glad she is back on the road.

[Skizzer]

Aw, that is just lovely! Must be great to have it sorted

[ProgRocker]

That's a lovely Chrysler. A bit of Americana in Britain. I like how the driver's side vent is almost indisnguishable from the instruments.

 

Perhaps we should start a vinyl roof appreciation thread.

 

I think vinyl roofs are my favourite style icon from motoring history. And Rostyle wheels. Love 'em!

 

Mine too.

[boobydoo]

How come so many ended up in Czech? Did the government use them or something?

 

EDIT: Found this info http://www.chryslerclub.cz/historie/chrysler_cr.html if anyone is interested.

 

Thanks RS! It really does have a loyal following over there......quite a few turn up at various meetings all over Europe, as do some 'Iron Curtain' Tagoras!

[Vin]

I imagine you felt like you'd won at life driving that back

[eddyramrod]

Perhaps we should start a vinyl roof appreciation thread.

 

I think vinyl roofs are my favourite style icon from motoring history. And Rostyle wheels. Love 'em!

 

Not sure who else has a vinyl roofed car on here...Me, Trigs.... err..?

 

Me! Latest of many, and there will be more. I like them. And RoStyles.

 

Glad to see the Chrysler finally doing what it should, I'm pleased for you.

[talbot928]

Y

That my friend is a real 'blast from the past' served my apprenticeship on these. That looks better than they did back in the day. Gorgeous looking car!

[406V6]

Beautiful car. Looks fab in the pics. Well done to you and your mate for sorting it out and keeping it on the road. Noting that it's a T reg I can't remember seeing ANY 180s on the UK after about 1973 L reg. They were a truly unloved car among the general public.

[Garbage]

That's a sweet looking motor, rare as hens teeth now. They used to assemble them just around the corner from where I grew up (in Dublin). I can remember 1 or 2 of them floating around in the late 70s.

 

Another vinyl roof soldier reporting for duty sah!

 

[DSdriver]

And here's mine, she was originally metalic beige with a brown roof

Then in about 1998 she was resprayed ice blue and the vinyl roof was changed to blue

And last year she was resprayed again in a pucka DS colour Delta Blue but keeping the blue vinyl