Busy Boy

Over the last two days I have replaced the 1200's engine, with new sump gasket, new clutch and gear box, sump gasket oil leak cured, clutch works, not too sure about the gearbox, seems noisy to me. I changed the o/s half shaft, boy was it knackered, I am surprised it was still turning, inevitably now I hear the N/s knocking, ah well that'll have to wait, I already have one new n/s shaft which is faulty but unable to contact the manufacturer, today I had the speedo out rewired the lights, fixed a couple of problems with the speedo head and replaced the broken indicator switch.I then replaced all the seats and interior I had to finish there as I had a works "do" to attend, hopefully I'll take it out tomorrow, just got to work out how to get a large later herald tank sender unit to work with an early herald fuel gauge.

Standard / Triumph Day At Crich

Set from Brum, with another 3 cars, picked up a red spitty and green roundtail GT6, at least I think it was a GT6 never got within spotting distance.

Arrived to what can only be described as a chaotic at one time, within 10 seconds had three marshals telling three different things, then we to wait as all the 2000/2.5 were going in together to the tramyard when the trams had moved, then after what seemed a long time moved to a patch of grass several hundred yards from the main action. To be fair it looked like those marshals were not being told what was going on, when I eventually went down to the tramyard, it was full of Ford anglias with around three TR's.

All very nice but it was supposed to be Standard Triumph day wasn't it? As my teacher said to me,(often) could do better.

Anyway less moaning, it was nice to catch up with people and there were some nice cars, my two favourites of the day a nice early Herald Estate and a Beetle back Vanguard

Disappointing results

Regular readers will know that I have been getting the Courier and the 1200 fit for the road, but have been beset with health problems and been on leave a fair bit since February. I bit the bullet last Sunday and refitted the engine and gearbox, this was after a false start, I fitted the gearbox and the starter motor, as I tightened up the last nut and bolt I notice that the clutch arm was not in the correct position and was stuck inside the bell housing, a school boy error, but one which meant stripping the gearbox away from the engine and starting again!

I eventually got the engine and gearbox in the car and had a few days off this week and reassembled the van ready for MOT, as I pushed the van in the garage I heard the obvious clunk of an unhappy driveshaft, one of the recon units I fitted is faulty, however it still went for MOT and it passed, the new clutch and brakes are working fine.

I put the van away and got the 1200 out, there are few jobs which need doing/finishing but the main problem is an engine leak and the fact that the new clutch, fitted recently is not working correctly, a driveshaft is knocking(hey wait I came in here!) and the recentley fitted indicator switch has fallen to bits.

So two cars looking great both not working properly, ah well there is always MOE, whats that MOE? your exhaust manifold is blowing? Ah well never mind I think I'll buy a Z4 ;-)