It's been a long time ...

Packed the SAAB for France. Not done that for EIGHT months. Set off in the warm and it hit a hot 37 degrees. Especially hot when the air con is not up to it.

Say a nice 220S Mercedes at the port though so that was nice.

Fan Car ?

Early rise on the boat - 5:30 - but rewarded by a lovely sunrise on the still water.

Home for lunch via Mk7 and then E-type tinkering until another owner car around to chat. He's been in the village for 8 years (V12 FHC) and we've never crossed paths.

Anyway I thought that I'd narrowed down the charging issue to the Kenlow fan. 

I turned the thermostatic switch up a bit and hey presto the charging is fine - until the fan kicks in again. So it may be that causing the issue.

Late G2R

7:30 am visit from a huge truck with trailer - mind you we did not even hear him arrive.

Then Mk7 down to the boat for a late pm sail to Titchmarsh Marina for the night.

Is driving them better than working on them ?

A big YES. Which was confirmed because changed plans meant a few trips out to exercise the fleet, even though the road is now blocked at the Mill now so the loop is off.

First run out was the 308. Started first time and was going nicely.

Spotted this chap taking a long enthusiastic look as I came back from shopping - which was a bit odd. In normal times I might have let him sit in it - but not now - C19.

Then I got he Alpine out - again goes very well until it gets hot - so I'll be adding ventilation and thermal Insulation. Turned round by the even bigger flag for the usual pic.

The changes might not be needed for Spain though as the Government has extended the 'do not visit' order to all of Spain including the islands - and is warning that several parts of Europe are seeing a rise in C19 cases - so they may be next.

Anyway I thought the Seven needed a run out too so that went the long way round to the allotment.

So three out and about - but it feels like the Summer is coming to an end.

... and no activity

A windy and rainy day so no more trying to fix cars.

Looks like Spain is under threat as the Government is saying don't travel there now, due to the rise in C19 infection. We'll see how that plays out over the next few weeks.

No better - but then no worse

Swapped the batteries - so the new one from the Golf is installed.

And it made no difference. Although the over charging stated earlier - is it the fan kicking in - that seems to draw a lot ?

Short SAAB trip pm and then Aston to its favorite spot.

Filled up on the way back and noticed it still looks very good indeed.

Excuses

Waited for the fuse and the new tester but they did not arrive early.

So nothing attempted as the rain came back.

Not that simple then

Worked on the E-type tightening things and looking for problems. 

I spotted this kinked wire, but after a test drive it just did the same. The charging behaves until there is some load - like brakes and then the alternator seems to charge a lot, settles down until the next draw. Then the cycle repeats.

Could not check the state of the battery as my multi-meter only goes up to 9 volts. Why did I not spot that after all these years ?

Possible Cause

Aston out to the Manningtree Co-Op get an International Driving Permit for Andorra first thing.

Looks like a 1950 id card.

Spoke to the technical chaps at AES about the dynator issues. They thought it was a loose wire causing the regulator to think the voltage had dropped - hence the charging. So I tried to tighten a connection.

Then Golf Mk2 to the wilds of Suffolk - went well but did start to heat up in the traffic queues.

Finally E-Type out to test. Fine until almost the identical spot and then it over charged. Anyway, it looked good in the car park as always - if a bit dusty.

I'll have to test more connections and had a thought - is something heating up and then expanding so the voltage drops ?

Well, what did you expect ?

It's a Riley Imp with no fuel tank...

We stopped in on the Imp at TCMH - with no one to look after us - so we just wondered around. Not sure I remember the rear of the differential being silver though.

The car looked 'in progress' but in a good workshop with space and more expensive cars around. Such as this 1947 MASERATI A6GCS – MONOFARO.

Run back in the Mk7 was uneventful - as we wanted.

Ok they were a little flat

Took the Mk7 and pumped up the tyres - three were quite low and one suspect. That's a lesson - need to check them a few times in the year.

Driving around Gloucestershire in the sunshine was ok though - I could get used to a modern untemperamental car.

Civilised hitching

Ride in the A3 to the Civil Partnership as the tyres were a little suspect on the Golf.

Packed German

Mk7 Golf down to Gloucester and LV.

The 'tyre low' warning light came on about 20 mins before we arrived, but the car drove fine and they looked OK - if a couple were a little low. It never occurred to me to check them before we set off.

Let's think again

Alpine first thing and adjusted the handbrake mechanism tension by adding a new spring - well the old one from the drum brake - but it seemed to do the trick 99% - on a short test drive.

Then looked to adjust the brake pedal. 

But it does not have an adjustment...

Then thought about the E-type 'over charging' again - so took it around the block. Same thing - fine to start with ... then shot up about 5 miles in when the fan kicked in and I used the brakes... Then reverted to this for most of the journey - strange - is the battery dead ?

I noticed that the trickle charger still had work to do on my return too. I'll look at the battery next.

Then longer Alpine test drive and I'd say the rubbing is gone - but the squeak from the gear leaver when it gets hot was annoying. Anyway - Ferrari out next - started 2nd time...

I spotted a 1934 Rolls Royce on the run (the owner told me the age) - I stopped to chat but missed taking a decent photo - but you get the gist. He's a local too.

Then once home I pulled up the Alpine carpet and poured oil into the gear mechanism - seemed to cure it. 

We'll see... And finally the Caterham around the block.

A day of classics and I must have passed half a dozen on my runs - all with a friendly wave.

Stung by the WASP

OK so the Dynator came back in the morning and I refitted it a bit later. Easy job when you have done it 10 times. Angry box though.

Later I took the car for a test drive. and it worked ... for about 5 miles. Then it reverted to this.

So back to the drawing board.

Oh and Eddie from TCMH messaged saying the tank people have not even started the work. So I guess I won't be seeing the Imp for a long time.

Big screen SAAB

So am guess what - more road works sprang up outside the house. Electrify again.

Anyway as the dynamo is now delayed again, pm we went to the boat in the Swede with tools and test kit to fix the gas. 

That worked fine I'm glad to say.

That early evening off to see Rush to meet up with a few fellow E-type owners.

Of course we were in the SAAB not the Jaguar. Mind you the seats are comfy and the radio has FM too.

Who was that masked man ?

Well, the mask was so I could get my hair cut. SAAB to town for that as the rain came back.

It all felt very odd.

At least I got out

Short SAAB run to Stutton for tea then an Aston recycling jaunt.

German to Swede

Mk7 down to the boat and a day out.

Hopefully fixed the cruising shoot too - but not the gas. Spanners out though so more mechanical DIY.

Alpine test completed

Sunny PM so cover off and time to take the Alpine around the block for a test.

The brakes pull up fine (for a 60 year old car) but I've still got a little rubbing sound on one rear.

The Ferrari out as well for a blast - started fine two times.

Finally utility run in the trusty (and looking a bit rusty) SAAB.

Old German Out

Washed the Golf Mk2 first thing.

Looked good in the dappled sunshine - I must paint the sills too.

The round the block - roadworks almost finished out of the village.

PM SAAB utility trip waiting for the rain to return so no Alpine test run. Tomorrow, always tomorrow.

Progress of sorts

Firstly the E-type Dynator is ready and will be shipped back to me next week sometime. Might get it in time for the drive-in film.

Secondly I spoke to Eddie at TCMH - everything is ready except for the tank. They don't now when that will be wit them but at least it's in progress.

Also looks like James has 'left' them -  as I suspected - he's not on their website any more.

Finally, the Alpine test drive will have to wait as it keeeeeeeeeps raining.

A few hundred yards

Possibly half a mile - in the SAAB to take fabric to the recycling - in the rain.

Fun Fun Fun.

Alpine Spring

Worked on the Alpine brakes first thing.

The springs I had bought were for the brake shoes ... so I changed the set that seem to be dragging. We'll see if that helps.

I did bleed one front but they were fine. I need a test drive now but it kept raining.

Then I fixed the indicators which was just a bad earth.

It's the pipe

Aston to the shops in the morning as it was still clear.

Long way around as the road is still dug up.

Then the garage phoned - Alpine fixed with the new brake pipes. Feel like it needs another bleed but stops fine again. Rained on the way back though so reminded me that I need to do something about the wipers.

Oh and the rear nearside brake light has stopped working.

Braking News

Alpine done to Parkers for the brakes first thing. Ride back in the Mk7 of course.

Very noisy with the soft top up - the Alpine not the Golf.

Then decided to drop off the spares - C7 out and about - but they told me they had already fixed it. So I came home with them. 

Caterham going very well but getting a bit hot - as was I.

Then they phoned to say it was NOT fixed... So I went back with the spares for them in the Golf.

So here we have two of the cars in the garage - just.

Then down to the marina for a walk.

I must do the sills etc.

Then on the way back there was a large 38 tonne lorry blocking the road, trying to get to the RHS - he said the satnav had sent him that way ... so he followed me through the roadworks - caught a few barriers on the way but seemed happy. How he would have turned around I don't know.

1-0-1-1

That's 13 in binary - lucky for some.

Earlier start and an unexpected Mk7 run to Flatford Mill.

Then Ferrari out after lunch.

This is the yes/no starting of the Ferrari. It was squeaking a bit too when I started her up - but I've had that before - it's the belt cover in the hot garage.

Then Mk7 run to the coast.

A couple out and about

Mk2 Golf to Harkstead to re-start the Swift with the battery pack.

That worked a treat and we were soon on the road and parked up at the trusty spot.

The Aston out in the gloom - yes planet saving again as the rain came back - all the lights on too.

Three missing days

No not on a bender - just three days with no cars taken out. Odd.

Did try to start the Suzuki Swift - but the battery was dead. So we had to walk back from Harkstead.

Parts

Ordered a few parts for the Alpine - but rain stopped play.

Slight Shuffle

Moved two cars into the road to make way for the Tree to be cut down.

That was about it.