Back to Fail

PM jaunt in the MK2 to Harkstead - felt a very little hesitant on the key again...

Same on the way home later but I popped into Chelmo to post a letter and ...

Yep - that's me jury rigging the starter in the rain. Oh well at least I knew what to do.

Oh and the Aldeburgh run put the Ferrari in first place - just shy of 100 miles in the month. Not bad for one of the wettest February's on record.

Mixed Bag

Early SAAB run to Harkstead then PM Aston to the shops.

Including a bit of the planet saving.

Alpine on the next Stage

SAAB down to see the Alpine mid afternoon.

Basically they are getting the car ready for the first base coat with a bit of filler to smooth out the panel joins etc.

But should the sills have visible joins ? Turns out after some research that they are covered over (lead loaded) on the Series I cars - that's one mark on the concourse then ...

Good news is that it's a much shorter run - bad news is that the new facility is next to three huge commercial chicken sheds - so it stinks !

Dreary and Nothing Doing

Dull and more rain - pottered PM looking at what sign to clean next.

Yes it was that dull - however I think this needs a repaint not just a clean.

More Bin Days

SAAB run with the bin for allotment waste - again.

Fits well though so that's fine.

Then late PM MK7 ride to guess where ? H of course.

A sign of the Times 2.

First thing I packed the SAAB up for the sign cleaning job.

We worked for about two and a half hours and made progress.

I'm not claiming no H&S rules got broken - but that's fine. If the council had the resources they would be doing it.

Next was a quick Harkstead dash in the MK2.

Did I notice a hesitation on the starting - or was it just my imagination ?

Then Finally I managed an E-type run as the sun went away to be replaced by rain clouds.

But then it's still only February - we're lucky to get them out at all.

February means Ferrari !

I started the day admiring the Ferrari through the window - after I'd dusted it and re-cleaned the windows.

Not an angle you often see it at. I'd decided to take it on the road trip to Aldeburgh even though the roads were still wet and mucky - oh and it's only February and not that warm.

The drive up via an Auto themed junk shop in Wickham Market was fine with only some standing water although the turn in was really tight and needed a three point turn to get in.

The problem was the car park - when we got there I though it was a bit rough but it only got worse - much worse - like driving through a bombed field. Here we are weaving around them - I only heard a couple of grounding noises but I'll look for damage when it gets a clean.

At the top it was just as bad as I discovered when we did the group photo - I was trapped in the car and had to get out on the passenger side. Here we are a Land Rover Defender, a BMW M4 and the 308. Not quite red, white and blue but near.

Anyway we then had to weave our way back out of the moonscape through the huge ruts  - all except for the Land Rover that just shot off. The run back was good too and the car was not too dirty when I had a quick look underneath in the garage.

Then just to round off the day a quick Harkstead jaunt in the MK2 - still starting.

Noah !

Well the 40 days and 40 nights of rain continue.

Anyway poor SAAB had to do Harkstead x3 [plus a Shotley Dr visit) in the storm.

Flood 1 - back Hill Holbrook as the main road was closed.

Passed twice as backwards and forwards to pick up prescription back in Holbrook. 

Then PM back again and off to the Dr in the storm I went the back roads and they were also flooded - and yes that's a wet chair in the wet boot.

Then on the way back I kept to the main roads but still we hit this Flood 2.

Not too deep though I'm glad to say.

Then back home and - 'REST'.

Even More of the Same

Just a SAAB trip pm to Harkstead for jobs - in the rain rain rain.

Back to Boring - and a bit of progress

SAAB to Harkstead early for utility visit - followed by a jaunt to the allotment.

Then back to Harkstead and through flooded roads to Shotley and back - then home. Car getting filthy again splashing through all this standing water and mud on the roads - more rain to come too.

Final SAAB utility run was to bring back cardboard from the allotment - er ... see yesterday !

During the day I chased up Lee and got a picture in return showing some slight progress on the Alpine.

Imp Free - and lots of other jobs

Well the rain was on the way for the morning but as I was expecting the Caterham and I was working outside I thought I'd chance the Imp. So first thing saw the fan heater go on it again and we got to work on the ... MK2 Golf. 

I started the car a few times and all seems well [famous last words] so I decided to screw the lower cover back on. That was not possible as the screw fittings had disintegrated on the upper part. The plastic clips had also broken off too so I was a bit stuck. I then thought if I could 'remake' the upper fittings I might get enough friction to keep it up. Having tried several plastic pipes it turned out that the outer plastic sheath of Earth wire was about right.

So there it is. I stuck two in place and it sort of works ... I even hoovered the car out to clean it a bit.

Next I got the SAAB ready for a hoover too, but before I could start the Caterham [and the rain] arrived. We quickly unloaded it and off they went.

So back to the SAAB cleaning. Everything from the Xmas tree onwards was in the mess. This was just the hoard under the drivers mat.

Eventually I'd hoovered every thing up and it was time to tackle the Imp.

Usual process then - oil squirted in each cam cover to 'wet' the rockers. While I was doing it I also noticed the new orange gaskets - I'd not spotted them before.

Before starting I pumped in three or four squirts of petrol into each carb - but it was not enough and the car refused to start. I gave it a few more squirts and it started second go that time. The exhaust sounding more 'fruity' too.

However almost no 'steam' was coming out of the exhaust which was a good sign. After a while I thought I'd just take it up the road for a few hundred yards - only for the steering to be almost uncontrolable - some one had not bothered to deflate the tyres back down. 

After lunch I packed away the bubble. First the frame some of which was very tough to dismantle - then the fabric - which was impossible to roll up because somehow I'd left some of the frame in it. That sorted and as the sun was out I thought I go for a run. The Caterham seemed to be the best choice - especially as I am still a bit worried about the Imp - so loaded with carboard I set off for the allotment.

Those dropped off I took it for a longer run. It sounded a little different and there were more pops from the carbs than usual but it went well. After filling up with petrol I noticed quite a lot of water under the car but as it had just been for the service they had probably overfilled it.

The road was closed [again] so I retraced my route home. 

Parking up there was no more signs of dripping.

So then it was time to man up and take the Imp out again. This time with proper tyre pressures it was fine - obviously very bumpy - but steered well. It also seemed to go better with 50 mph more of a norm and not a stretch. 60 mph on a few occasions too.

So as before I did the run almost twice [22 miles in all] and got a bit more confident again.

Finally I needed to go to the local shops so I walked - at least that will save the planet I thought.

Boxing Clever

More heavy rain this morning so nothing doing other than some AI art cars.

Then PM SAAB loaded with boxes to the allotment.

Followed by a run to Harkstead and back.

Not the Job I had Planned

SAAB and MK7 to Stutton and then MK7 to Mannintree and a Passat ride back.

Then SAAB to pick up two cigar packets and a full set of cards - what am I doing getting these ? Props.

The planned Imp start-up seems to be slipping away though as the weather closes in and more rain arrives. I've even put the fan back on and closed the bubble.

So pm it was the MK2 (testing it still starts - which it does) that got the run to the allotment.

And yes that's my old engine hoist on the floor - the one I bought to take out the MGB engine in 1981. This time being used to rip out a wire fence.

Finally a SAAB run to the local shops as it got darker and I gave up on any classic runs.

The Imp Waits its Turn a little longer

I started the day warming the Imp in preparation for its release. The oil was clean and to the top and the water seemed fine, although there was a new bulge in the main water pipe and a small 'wetness' around the end - although no crust around the pipe nor water on the floor - just a little oil.

Then I went on to pack the SAAB for the dump and potter - avoiding looking at the Golf as it happens.

Then later SAAB to the allotment and it got stuffed full again of more rubbish.

Another day - another load. Anyway when I got back I still had time so set the E-type tyres so I did. 

I also tried to fix the MK2 but not by cutting into the wire. I extended it and made a good connection. Still nothing so I juggled the back of the ignition barrel - success. It fired up strait away and did so repeatedly. 

So I taped up the damaged wire and called it a day.

After lunch I got the E-type out and checked the water (a little low so topped up) and oil (OK ish so I left it alone). I also packed away the bubble.

A short two mile run to warm things through and back into the garage it went as it was Dump time by then. As we got to the dump the SAAB seemed to catch the exhaust on a speed bump and checking it the tail pipe seemed a bit too loose. Looking underneath at home revealed that one hanger was missing so I dug into my stockpile of hangers and found one that sort of fitted.

By then I had given up starting the Imp so took the E-type around the block instead. Apart from a couple of stutters it went well - probably needs a bit of use now. I also tested the Golf and it was still working. Ho Hum.

So the Imp will have to wait, but the weather is closing back in so I might leave it in the bubble for a bit longer.

Taking turns

So the first task was to put the fan heater on the E-type for an hour or so in preparation for the startup. I did notice quite a patch of water under the car so I'll have to investigate that.

Next job was to spring the Ferrari and set the tyre pressures back to normal. I hesitated as it looked like it was raining - but it was the pollen from the Yew trees falling like snow. I backed the car out and within seconds it was peppered with white flecks.

I moved it to the front of the drive and got to work. By the time I had done the tyres I had also decided to take bubble down. By the time that was packed away about 40 minutes later it looked like this.

Next was firing up the E-type - which it did after a long churn - obviously lacking fuel after the storage period - but that warmed up quickly.

Next was a run to the boat [to deliver the hose] via Harkstead for jobs and packing in some leftover kitchen. 

Back home I cleaned the Ferrari windscreen and set off for a blast - quite a long one as it turned out. To start with the clutch pedal seemed to squeak - but it quickly went away. Odd.

The fast run got rid of most of the pollen too - not that you can tell it's dirty here - but spot that great parking. Filled with fuel on the way back too.

Then I had time for another SAAB jaunt to collect the rest of the old kitchen ahead of another dump run. Finally a night time taxi job to take Oli to pick up his car.

Now it fits - a Hankering - and a Start-up

An few minutes with an angle grinder and hey presto I adapted the tow bar hook.

I needed to drill a new hole for the retaining pin too but that was easily done.

So now it fits the SAAB - I'll probably never need it.

Just as I'd finished and was moving Imp boxes around James from the Classic Motor Hub phoned on the pretext he's seen a photo of the Imp on a VSCC run/meeting. He was re-employed there a while ago so we chatted about their stock. That only made me hanker for another older car again !

So md afternoon I bit the bullet and warmed up the ... Ferrari on the blow heater. About 45 minutes later it sort of started first time - because it wouldn’t stop turning over, even when I took the key out which was a bit disturbing, so it must report to Roberto.

However the good news is it started well - so I left it idle for about five minutes to get everything warm. If its good tomorrow (the weather not the car) I'll take it for a run.

More Lessons

So AM SAAB as taxi as per normal running - Holbrook - Harkstead - Nuffield - Harkstead - Holbrook.

Then having thought there was no more adventures due to the constant rain it transpired that Oli's clutch mechanism had broken on the Audi and he needed to get the car to the local garage.

So PM the SAAB was the recovery vehicle.

The things I learnt were 1. The car would not engage any gear at all - so trying to drive it away would not work. 2. The fixed tow bar hook does not go around the SAAB tow bar. 3. the cheap tow rope we used to lash it together only made about 2 miles before it was almost broken.

All in all a bit dodgy but we made it ok. 

Oddly I'm sure we used the same system to tow the MK2 Golf many years ago - so I'll have to investigate.

More SAAB loads

SAAB to the allotment first thing with lots of equipment.

Even more squeezed in when we returned with the builders bags full.

Then inevitable run to the dump.

Finally back to the allotment for a bit more tinkering.

Hot Wire Works - but no Fix

Looked at MK2 first thing and did the test as directed. The starter solenoid immediately kicked the motor off when I connected the terminal to the battery - so probably not much wrong with it.

Then SAAB to Stutton for an impromptu garage session - although I mainly looked after the kids.

Back home and after lunch I rigged up a 'permanent' bodge to get the car started. If the ignition is on then the car starts fine - if you hot wire it or worst case put something across the terminals.

Try as I might I did not seem to get any power down the original wire though - so does that mean the ignition barrel has failed ? Or given the state of the wire I suspect I never got a good connection. I'll test it again.

Then Aston out in the sunshine to the planet saving place. 

Finally SAAB again. This time down to the boat to check her over and have a walk in the dying light.

We did discover the electrics had been left on for two weeks ... but its on a battery charges so probably no damage done.

Of course it Starts

Looked at MK2 this morning. Of course it started first time and second time and - oh wait no, third time it failed to start.

Lots of cleaning of the main connections followed.

Still no luck though - I also did not clean the smaller wires which I'll do tomorrow. I also have some hints on how to bypass the solenoid.

Then a dump run in the SAAB.

There is a lot more where that came from too.