Winter Projects

[delta]

Originally Posted by Tim Falce

Ewww, that's the same steering column I have in my Jaguar except mines a lot shorter than yours. I bought the column when Mk1s were still sitting in scrap yards.

That was the start Tim. Its a lot shorter now..Have to say I have fallen in love with my replica Mk1 RS steering wheel.

[terence]

Originally Posted by Tim Falce

Ewww, except mines a lot shorter than yours.

Ah,the wonders of editing!

[midgetman]

Err, what's the phrase? "the best laid plans..."

Seems like the winter project may have to go on the back burner. I've just arranged to take the keys of a new shop/office premises. At least, that's what it *will* be, at present it's a room in an old factory I need to turn it into a sales office, showroom, despatch bay and meeting room by 1st June.

Spring project anyone?

[Dan Friel]

Originally Posted by midgetman

Err, what's the phrase? "the best laid plans..."

Seems like the winter project may have to go on the back burner. I've just arranged to take the keys of a new shop/office premises. At least, that's what it *will* be, at present it's a room in an old factory I need to turn it into a sales office, showroom, despatch bay and meeting room by 1st June.

Spring project anyone?

Leaving the delights of Lacock??

[midgetman]

Originally Posted by Dan Friel

Leaving the delights of Lacock??

Yep, for the delights of...........Bromham! Just about 300 yards across the field from home, so no more commuting for me!

[GORDON STREETER]

It takes me about 3 minutes to get to work or 4 on a bad day.
How the hell people can commute loads of miles every day on our overcrowded roads beggars belief IMHO . most of them must be pis*ed off before they get there.
My other half used to work in the city and was away from 7 am to 7pm but found she was better off getting a local job for less money after paying the train fare/parking charges.
I know it doesn't work for everybody but it did for her, and with a lot less stress !

[Al Weyman]

Yeah I agree, I live 4 miles from my shop but its a very easy 4 miles morning or evening as most of the traffic is going the otherway and takes 10 mins max but a woman who works next door comutes 58 miles each way from Northampton to Harrow and leaves at 5:30am every morning, crazy.

[Tim Falce]

Did she get in on time today, the M25 and M1 south was a nightmare due to a serious collision by 21a

[Al Weyman]

Funny enough I get in about 7:30 and she is usually at her desk but she wasnt this morning.

[delta]

Al, I am now a fully paid up member of the CTCRC. The bloke knew me after all from way back when we raced at Lydden.He was a bit puzzled when I asked him about the Nurburgring 500 K race. Might of joined the wrong club. Typical Delta.

[Lancsbreaker]

So, you visited the CTCRC stand and didn't say "hello", Iain

I was manning (some of the time) the Alfa Romeo Owner's Club standette which was lurking under the mantle of CTCRC, as they are hosting a couple of races for us at the Mallory Festival......

Of course I may have been awol when you visited, as I tried to see a bit of the show as well as "work"

[delta]

Originally Posted by Lancsbreaker

So, you visited the CTCRC stand and didn't say "hello", Iain

I was manning (some of the time) the Alfa Romeo Owner's Club standette which was lurking under the mantle of CTCRC, as they are hosting a couple of races for us at the Mallory Festival......

Of course I may have been awol when you visited, as I tried to see a bit of the show as well as "work"

Sorry,I was running late for the meet at High Nooooooooooooooonnnnnnn

[Tim Falce]

Originally Posted by delta

Al, I am now a fully paid up member of the CTCRC. The bloke knew me after all from way back when we raced at Lydden.He was a bit puzzled when I asked him about the Nurburgring 500 K race. Might of joined the wrong club. Typical Delta.

Was that Peter Edwards?

[Al Weyman]

Welcome aboard Iain, I will defo get the old girl out once I know you are entered but I am awaiting gearbox rebuild kit from States at moment so will be (hopefully) starting season in the newer car and thats only eligible for Pre-93's and Classic Thunder.

[Mike Bell]

A few distractions recently but did get some work done on the MTX saturday.

The fuel tank dropped neatly out from between the chassis tubing on right of cockpit through removable aluminium panel. Turns out to a foam filled welded aluminium tank that is double skinned with rivetted outer and rubber or foam between. There were signs of previous fuel spillage underneath the tank, and while draining it could see why. Any fuel spilled from filler cap while fuelling runs between the outer and inner skins and seeps out the bottom. Someone must have been a bit careless as the filler is not awkward to get at- the bodywork over tank hinges up out of the way. Having checked tank out happy for it go straight back in, but pipework needs to be changed to steel braided, and pump is a bit puny so will swap for a Red Top or one of those American jobbies you can now buy. Car had interesting plumbing for the carb supply, the pipe from pump led to a small (tiny even) collector which had two outlets to supply the Webers. Sure with bigger output pump can simplify that to normal system.

Also removed the gearlever and rest of linkage to check for wear. There is some play in the most important joint beween lever and rod that will be sorted. Any slack there not good! I'm assuming the linkage follows normal practice so a pic attached for comment!

Last bits removed were radiators. These are not going back in unless have to as too big and too heavy! Phoned those nice people south of here who are getting a lot of publicity on another thread but only way they are able to help is to make rads to design supplied- they are too busy to take the job on as a project. So will be looking elsewhere to get them and new dry sump tank made. May use 'off the shelf' for latter as seem to be lots of shapes and sizes.

Next big job is to fit new extinguisher system with tank in 'passenger' footwell rather than next to drivers elbow as it is now! Been looking at a mechanical Zero 'ZERO' (their words not mine!) system that is so small doesn't look like it will work at all- but apparantly does and extremely well.

When engine is all together will then have to scheme out alternator fitment. Looked at the baby ones again at RR and sure can one of those on. Then need to work out how to get some nylon or poly bushes into engine and gearbox mounts........



The gear linkage-

[Tim Falce]

I ventured out to the garage today and after fitting new pads to the front brakes of my wife's Clio I put the diff and axle back in the Jag. I've now found that the rod ends on the radius rods are ****ed so I have to wait for Tweeks to deliver a couple more. More coffee, toast and waiting I suppose.
Oh and my Propane cylinder ran out and the suppliers want £87 for a new one and won't take the old one away and want to charge me £30 rental on top. What's happened here, I think I paid about £40 for the last one.

[Al Weyman]

Have you seen the price of Propane at the pumps! It was 40p a litre not so long ago now 80p. So glad I spent £750 on gas conversion equipment a few days and skinned knuckles converting my Dayvan last year, not!

[MGDavid]

thought it was a bit chilly in the garage tonight - on the way in just now saw the daily driver is covered in frost! Somebody please tell the weather gods I have 4 weeks to finish the car off

[delta]

Right as you know the Escort build has come to a grinding halt.Only till July as it looks like I will have a two week break. Anyway we moved the car to the back of the workshop tonight and decided to put the gearbox mount on to help shift the car. "It does not fit" Any idea's please.I guess the mount I have is of the 1300.

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by delta

decided to put the gearbox mount on to help shift the car. "It does not fit" Any idea's please.I guess the mount I have is of the 1300.

When you say does not fit do you mean the mount goes on car but not on gearbox or goes on gearbox but not on car? Have always used HD ones like Gartrac and Rally Design sell and have not had a problem. Not sure standard Ford one would last very long in race or rally

[delta]

Probaly best I call you Mike. Saturday if thats ok. With the mount bolted to gearbox there is an inch space between the mount and chassis then i recon the four holes will not line up as well.WDYT

[SAMD]

About 10 washers per bolt between the chassis and crossmember

[Peter Dunne]

Well I have encountered and fixed my first fault with the Midget

The engine was turning over really slowly so my first thought was battery. Wrong.
Sometimes it would refuse to turn over and other times it would start first time. I reckoned it was a "lazy" starter motor and after further inspection, I noticed that the capillary for the water temp gauge had melted at the first point it made contact with the body.

At this point a light bulb started to glimmer in my brain as I thought a positive connection had come adrift in the starter motor and was grounding. Wrong again.

As I looked under the car to find a suitable jacking point, I noticed the earth strap had pulled from the ring connector (so now the water temp capillary was the only source of earth for the starter). It had been fitted too "straight" and must have pulled out when the chassis flexed during some over exuberant cornering!

Earth strap off, fixed and remounted in a new location with plenty of slack so it wont pull out again. Job done.

[SAMD]

Originally Posted by Peter Dunne

Well I have encountered and fixed my first fault with the Midget

The engine was turning over really slowly so my first thought was battery. Wrong.
Sometimes it would refuse to turn over and other times it would start first time. I reckoned it was a "lazy" starter motor and after further inspection, I noticed that the capillary for the water temp gauge had melted at the first point it made contact with the body.

At this point a light bulb started to glimmer in my brain as I thought a positive connection had come adrift in the starter motor and was grounding. Wrong again.

As I looked under the car to find a suitable jacking point, I noticed the earth strap had pulled from the ring connector (so now the water temp capillary was the only source of earth for the starter). It had been fitted too "straight" and must have pulled out when the chassis flexed during some over exuberant cornering!

Earth strap off, fixed and remounted in a new location with plenty of slack so it wont pull out again. Job done.

Ah Peter, you have never owned a Fiberglass car (or a series Landrover).

[Mike Bell]

Dreaded earth strap failure then, Peter! Hope it didn't damage the capilliary- better check if you havn't already the accelerator cable as well.

OK Mr Rowley, in advance of catching up hopefully tomorrow, a standard RS2000 gearbox mount which could explain all, and the H/D type fitted to my RS16. Not sure without checking if Type E and 2000E boxes use exactly same single bolt fixing.

RS2000 Type E standard


RS1600 2000E H/D mount