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31

General Discussion Area / The Late Brake Show - Ian Callum

« on: 28 September 2020, 23:59:47 »

As above, this is a rebranding of Johnny Smith's Car Pervert YouTube channel. He's (re)launched it with a couple of half hour interviews with Ian Callum.

Clearly there's some mutual benefit going on as Ian is currently starting up a new venture, which he talks about, but it's nevertheless good viewing and shows off Callum's current car collection, which wasn't what I was expecting at all.

Worth a watch IMO

32

General Car Chat / Thinking about the Kit Car (V6 - inspired by Wheeler's Workshop)

« on: 14 July 2020, 15:01:07 »

Afternoon all, seeing Nick and friend's very tidy MGB V6 install, and the similarly good looking Scimitar install got me thinking about what to do with my kit car. The more I think about it, the less happy I am with the majority of the bits that are on it. Currently its sitting on Cortina running gear with a Fiat 2.0 twin cam & manual box out of a supermirafiori. I don't want to put in a rover v8  boat anchor  in there, nor do I want to spend the kind of money Aaron is doing to build a fire breathing monster. Hardly a good idea on the base kit I have anyway, evein If I did want to go down that route.

So I got to thinking about the V6 options, potentially either a manual s-type 3.0, or the VX 3.2. I'd potentially also use the donor to get me disc brakes all round and a handbrake that.... well... works 

The Jaguar option is a bit more plug and play, with an already mated 5 speed manual, and aftermarket throttle bodies, ecu and loom all available courtesy of the MX-5 modding brigade. It would also have a bit more poke at around 250 vs circa 210 for the VX variant. But it would also be more costly, and tbh anything at or around 200+bhp/tonne ought to be enough poke to get it off the drive. 

So, the VX option, I had a few questions I was hoping the collective could answer...

• I know the Desmond in the omega is different to the 2.2 that appears in the Vectrum, is this true of the 3.2s, or are they all the same?
• Obviously the gearboxes are different as other applications for the 3.2 are either WWD or 4WD, but will an R25-28 box bolt straight up or a 3.2 that's been used in a different drivetrain?
• I understand that the 3.0s have throttle bodies whereas the 3.2s use a form of DBW, are the 3.0 TBs a bolt on swap, and how readily available/expensive are they?
• Has anyone who's done such a conversion used a third party ECU, or can you use a 3.0 (and are these readily available? I haven't seen (m)any pfl v6 cars for sale)
• Probably one for a PM to Nick W but... If using a VX ECU, how much of the original loom/immobiliser/other modules need to be retained to get it to function?

Apologies for all the questions, I'm only starting to get my head round it as a potential project and there's not a lot on the 'net that I can find about using the 3.2.

Cheers. 

33

General Car Chat / CV boot clip question

« on: 27 June 2020, 17:54:05 »

Changed the front pads on the bingo today and noticed a fair bit of axle grease on the drivers side had escaped. Found that the outer CV boot is fine but the metal clip has broken so has no tension, thereby allowing the escape.

No problem, fresh clips and a tool to fit them with are on order. But, looking at the CV joint casing, I was expecting there to be a groove  that the clip sits in to stop the rubber boot slipping off when you wind some lock on the steering. But the casing is smooth.

Do the clips do up tight enough to just hold the boot against the casing and stop it sliding off, or am I missing a trick?

34

General Car Chat / One for DG - MB Parts supplier

« on: 25 May 2020, 12:46:06 »

As per the title, my neighbour has a W203 wagon and is after some suspension components. He's recently fallen out with eurocr@parts and also doesn't want to go to mercedes, who will probably want him to sell his organs to finance the purchase.

I know you've been purchasing a few bits for Ze Barge recently and wondered if you had a preferred supplier for Merc parts?

35

General Car Chat / What do we know about Auto Vectras?

« on: 03 February 2020, 22:53:03 »

A friend of mine has a knee problem that's starting to impinge on his ability to comfortably drive 3 pedal motor. He is looking for a cost effective car with decent comfort (he's no 5stone stripling).

Given where my interest lies I suggested the Vectra/signum/Saab 9-5. I know the Saab turbo petrols pretty well but know comparatively little about the 1.9cdti (other than short cam belt intervals), the 2.2 petrol (expensive fragile and cr@ppy fuel pump), or the 1.8 (couldn't pull the skin off a rice pudding).

Also, how durable are the gearboxes, assuming the fluid gets changed?

36

General Car Chat / The Pilgrim Sumo - since you asked

« on: 16 December 2019, 14:21:26 »

I thought I'd break this out  as some of you wanted to know more about the Sumo 

History
The car has been owned by me since I was 17, so the term Barn Find was a bit tongue-in-cheek, although it has spent a number of years residing in agricultural buildings. I bought the car off an RAF guy who built it as he was trading up to a TVR. All I can say is that I hope the guy was a pilot, rather than anyone responsible for making anything airworthy as the car came with some truly bonkers 'foibles'. Namely:

A 'custom loom' where 75% of the wires used were light blue 
A radiator that sat below the level of the water jacket and no header tank, meaning you could never fill the car with coolant.
A stock 1970's italian fuel injection system - which was a reliable as one would expect 

As you can imagine, the guy had got the hump with its lack of reliability and let me have it for about £1900 (in 2002). My dad and I more or less rewired it, threw away the crazy fuel injection system and added twin webers.

I drove it for a couple of years, then managed to crash it obviously, (because I was a teenager with zero driving talent and no appreciation of that fact). The car as you see it now has had the entire OSF wing rebuilt/re-attached (by me, by hand) after being completely torn off. I also had Pilgrim remake an entire front quarter of the chassis, which was welded in place.

Its not got a 1.6l Cortina engine in has it?
No. But it does have half an engine. Ie a 2.0 four pot fiat twin cam from a Supermirafiori. This was a very deliberate choice as no insurer would cover me for anything over 2L / 4-cylinders until I reached 21.

With the webers, the engine should deliver about 140bhp (so the internet says) and considering that's around 150bhp per tonne, it delivers acceptable performance. Its comparable in performance to one powered by a 3.5 rover v8 in stock trim. Although obviously the characteristics and sound are very different.

Also, it has a live rear axle, so the handling is fairly ' Traditional'.

What work does it need?
Its been stood for getting on 20yrs, so, in no particular order:

• New Tyres all round
• Complete fluids & filters change
• New belts all round
• New electric fan
• Diff seal replacement (Ford Atlas diff iirc) it used to leak but has now stopped. I assume this means its out of diff oil 
• Refit handbrake cables
• Refit seats
• New battery

That should see it right for an MOT. Then:

• Re-trim the interior
• Get a professional to sort the front wing and give it a respray (currently its had the rattle can treatment)
• Sort the seats out

What I don't know is what the ultimate plan is for it. I would really like one with a V8 (obviously) now that I'm aged enough to be able to insure whatever I want. However, given the new emissions regs etc, that is not simple to achieve as a new Engine means: new gearbox, rear axle, brake upgrades etc etc etc. So therefore, probably a new IVA certification. The twin cam takes well to supercharging, but this doesn't address the cylinder deficiency, nor the need for better running gear to sit underneath it.

Ultimately, by upgrading  all I would be saving is probably the body, chassis and trim. In the grand scheme of things, I think I would be better starting over. Probably with a more sophisticated kit using something like an LS small block, or similar. Answers on a postcard please... 

Then of course theres's the Aston Martin Vantage I've hung my nose over for years...

37

General Discussion Area / The man-cave is up

« on: 01 December 2019, 20:25:11 »

On Friday the local company finally came to put up the timber garage we ordered back in September. They were incredibly efficient and the four of them were gone before 3pm  .



I then spent the weekend kitting it out with electric, lights and a proper workbench, something I've been missing for a long while now. I also built a platform so that I can store all the cr@p from the main house over the top of the kit car during the renovations.

To say I'm happy with it is a massive understatement! 

38

General Car Chat / MOT and back seat removal

« on: 24 November 2019, 00:08:03 »

So, the Sh!troen Bingo is due an MOT 20th Jan, so planning to take it a month before after I finish for Christmas.

Can anyone in the know tell me whether I need to clip the back seats back in to pass the test or if it can go without?

 I realise it's only laziness that's preventing me from refitting them, but they're at the back of the garage behind/under assorted other cr@p. 

39

General Discussion Area / Question for the wood / metal workers amongst you

« on: 19 November 2019, 09:44:30 »

So, I've been to Aldi again... 

They currently have these clamps in stock along with two small ones in a pack for £4.99. They're one of those things that I only need occasionally, but when I don't have them to hand, jobs can be a real b!tch. I am looking to modify these with some longer bar (say 750 -900mm) to make a cheap version of these. I don't need the extra clamping force of the Irwins as I have two sash clamps if I really need to hold something tight.

I realise I could just buy the Irwins, but for clamping boxes / drawers I could really do with four as a minimum, so for the sake of an hour's work, I'd rather spend £20-30 on clamps rather than close to £100. Especially as they will only be used a hand full of times each year.

So, my question... The metal I want to replace is flat bar with a 5mm x 20mm profile. Will mild steel work for this, or will something more rigid be required? The existing bars don't flex at all with just hand pressure over a 300mm length which makes me think they might be something tougher than mild steel   
 

40

General Car Chat / Tidy looking MV6 at the right price

« on: 28 September 2019, 21:10:40 »

Looks to have had work to correct corrosion, but nevertheless, a smart car.


http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201909242580669?atmobcid=soc3

DG - only £370 plus the trolley 

41

General Car Chat / One for DG

« on: 24 September 2019, 23:57:59 »

It's a pretty penny. But a super cool motor. 

https://www.topgear.com/car-news/retro/mercedes-museum-selling-stunning-w126-s-class

42

General Car Chat / How much?!?

« on: 17 August 2019, 13:39:51 »

A friend of mine has an insignia 2.0cdti (around 2011/2012 age) which has a failed AC compressor, as diagnosed by his friendly local Vauxhall stealer in Leicester.

Excluding the diagnostics, they want £1600 to replace the item and refill his AC. .

I just can't understand how they arrive at that kind of number? Looking on the internet it seems the compressors top out at about £450, starting at £250-300 for Lucas/Denso. So even if you said the regas is £100, they're still booking 7hrs at £150/hr to get the job done. Which seems exorbitant.

I'm used to main stealers charging what I consider to be excessive prices, but this seems to go above and beyond!!

43

General Car Chat / Oh how I love garages

« on: 27 May 2019, 16:18:59 »

 Oh how I love garages 

Pulled the crankshaft pulley bolt only to discover that the previous belt change had been completed courtesy of some barely trained chimp...



So the T'can will have to wait until next weekend when I can get a replacement pulley bolt. I just hope I don't have to drill and tap the crank and go up a size. What do you chaps think, hoping in vain?

44

General Car Chat / Looks like I'll be driving a french car for a bit...

« on: 24 May 2019, 13:21:51 »

They say you shouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth but...


Mrs 944's mother passed away a couple of weeks ago and we stand to inherit a 2010 (I think) Citroen Berlingo Multispace.  This car has some sentimental value to her Grandmother who is still with us, so I have been banned from immediately selling it and buying literally anything else, or setting fire to it.

I wonder what the minimum socially acceptable time is before we can sell it on 

45

General Discussion Area / Anyone built a timber garage before?

« on: 16 April 2019, 12:00:04 »

Finally, the day for leaving the burger van has arrived (Thursday  ), so the next thing is what we do with the place once we have it.

We've got pretty big plans for the house itself, which will involve converting the attached garages, meaning I need a place for tools and toys  , so a double garage in the back/side garden is the chosen option.

Given that we will be stretched financially on the project, the idea of shelling out £17-25k (online estimates) for a brick/block garage isn't that appealing so I am thinking of building a timber one. My initial idea is to build something around 25sqm which, if correctly positioned and of a low enough height won't require building regs or planning permission. Instinctively I think there should be at least a £10k saving to be made.

I'll get some professionals to drop a concrete base and use pre-made roof trusses. For the walls I am thinking of making wall panels up using 4 x 2" with an OSB inner skin, rockwool insulation, vapour barrier and shiplap on the outside. I was wondering if anyone else had gone down this or similar route and had any experiences or pics to share?

Alternatively, as always, feel free to mock the idea