1200 runs

Well I have had a fraught couple of days, could not get the 1298 engine fitted to the 1200 to start, I eventually replaced everything on the ignition side, but still no joy, there are no timing marks on the crankshaft pulley so I set it up the old fashioned way with the rocker cover off and looked down the plug hole to see when the piston was coming up and the valves were closing on number one cylinder.

Still it wouldn't run just the flicker of life and then died, if I didn't know better I would have guessed at ballast resistor failure by the symptoms, but as it hasn't got one that was ruled out.

After much hair pulling (and I can't spare the hair!) I decided to strip down the Stromberg carb, low and behold it was full of rubbish and the needle valve was stuck, restricting any flow of petrol, a quick clean out and tugging the needle valve about and when refitted the motor burst into life.
I feel that I am not as sharp these days with my diagnosing skills but I suppose that happens, especially as I've been away from the business of fixing cars since the early 1980's but I got there in the end!

Seats for MOE,

Just picked up some Rover 600 seats as they apparently work well in the 2000/2.5 models, they look the business lumber support and adjustable height just got to work out how to make them fit, they have been a long time coming, as I have said pointless have a quick car with slow seats ;-)

Nuts

There has been an ongoing saga here at the heraldhabitat ranch, it all started at Stoneleigh 2008 when I bought a set of stainless steel wheel nuts for MOE, the company I bought them off didn't have the washers that were required so I put them away safe, one day I bought the washers then couldn't find the nuts, then I found the nuts and lost the washers (expensive Bl**dy washers!) then found the washers lost the nuts etc etc well today I found the washers and the nuts so feel like a little celebration is in order.... trouble is I have man flu and won't be fitting them for a bit.....still they are in the same box now.......must be my age.......

1200 progress

Well that's the carpets in, not a perfect fit, but not too bad for a set less than half the price of the "proper ones" The horns have been replaced and rewired, not too happy with the sound, wouldn't scare much in front! Found that the 1200/948 switches do not work well with that steering wheel so I am going to try some 13/60 ones, the dash is poor and I don't think I have the time before the NEC to get anything done about it, Any volunteers??