Nautical Niceties

I started the days tasks by collecting the extra items for the MK7 so we are legal when driving in France. I also checked the fluids and cleaned the windows which came up better - but the paintwork still needs more cleaning. I then put the Talbot on two battery chargers just in case I could squeeze in a run later.

The sun was out and it seemed only right so ... Imp out mid morning to the chandlers for shoes.

It was so warm I did not even need my fleece. I did notice my parking was crap as usual though.

Then PM a clean MK7 to Harkstead for tea and then what ?

Still time for a run and we needed to check the boat so Talbot down to Shotley Marina. Both batteries were fully charged by then but it took time to pump the fuel through again. That's what sitting unused for a few days does. Although it was out seven days ago.

As I arrived I was spotted by Steve (and ex-Alpine owner) who liked the car. But then so do I.

Utility time - then Fun

SAAB out first thing into town - seemed fine ... ish. Warm too.

It did seem to smell a bit when I revved it up though. Back after visiting the DIY shop so I could fill the final post hole in the car port ready for some sides. The only problem is that there is a nest in there at the moment.

Then washed the E-type - which looked great - so we went for a run.

I left the other cars alone though and just took the miles - the Ferrari looking good - but not fixed yet. Ho Hum.

Up, Up and Away

So a nice man and a HUGE trailer took the Alpine away first thing.

Five minutes later I found the keys in my pocket so had to chase after him. We'll see what happens next.

For me next was cleaning out the MK7 - oh so much crap.

As you can see the carpet is still brown and really needs a wash. Anyway - two hours later it was time to go and get it to the car wash.

Looks good here but the paint work is a but rough - and that's not counting the bash in the rear. It could also benefit from a clean again now.

After a rest and a tidy I decided the Imp needed a run. It was 75 degrees and I really should not have put the coat on.

But around the block we went.

Late evening I attacked the Golf spoiler with some paint renovator. Seemed to do some good but I suspect I need to use a machine on it.

The Last Post

All I achieved was a very short SAAB run and to move the last post.

Well that's it for a while on the car port. Next we'll have to add the sides...

Is that a bell tolling I hear ?

SAAB out first thing with tools for the village tasks.

I did not need many but it helped.

The PM we dropped off the outboard for it's service - a bit long since we actually used it though.

On the way back the car seemed to skid - I assumed it was just oil on the road. However a short while later it was as if the brakes had decided to lock on one side and we juddered/swerved again. 

I suspect that's the SAAB saying good by.

If in Doubt - Get the E-type Out

Dirty MK7 out and about to the Fox at Newbourn for a long...ish walk and lunch. Did think I should have taken something else but no.

Then very listless after the lunch - odd as it was only fish. Anyway after a snooze I got the E-type out for a run to wake myself us.

Glad I did - as it nudged me into life. Let's face it why would it not.

ION: I spotted this first thing.

They are still using my pics - and even getting my name right !

Now you see it - Now you Don't

Mid morning we moved the Alpine around so it's easier o get out on Thursday (rain now forecast I saw).

In doing so I managed to knock off the window rubber - dho. I'll have to stick it back on - again.

Then Golf MK7 out and about including a run to Harkstead. 

Finally Alpine back under cover for the next few days.

Not sure what next week holds - sunshine and showers by the look of it. So not much I suspect.

Retracing my Steps

Car Admin. 

I read through the Vinttro brake down cover again first thing. I was not happy with it as it appears to be UK only and will take you to a local garage 15 miles away ?

So I cancelled the insurance AGAIN. They must think I am mad, but I felt better having taken back control.

On a more positive note I did find the onther Maserati 250F picture I'd been looking for - 2001 the system tells me - so not digital.

Well I think it is a 250F.

Drifted through the rest of the day - although we did walk the Holbrook Trail. A bit low key this year.

Finally decided to save the planet in one of 'Coventry's Finest'.

Here it is peaking out of the gloom. Went well and no more drips so far either. It does deserve a service though.

The 1930's Have It

So pottering tasks AM but I warmed the Talbot to start it and just started the Imp. No knocks but lack of fuel an issue for the Talbot but the battery charger fittings in their new position are good - possibly a game changer - well almost.

Anyway mid afternoon the sun was fading so I got my warm coat on and off the went in the Imp. It managed a new rattle though - this badge when we were ticking over.

Odd - good run though around the block and snug and warm too. It seemed happier and I drove though the wheel wobbles.

When I got back I tried to reduce the tick over. It went a bit lower but wanted to stall so I adjusted it back up. Seemed a few RPM less but still feels high.

Then when the sun came back in the evening it was time for the Talbot. Started well and we backed out into the sun.

Another good run around the same block - this time a bit warmer and a bit quicker - oh and more waves and smiles.

So the 30's seem to be happier than the 60's and 70's at the moment.

ION: during the day I also sorted the insurance for the Aston - I stayed with Vinttro despite a painful customer experience again - but we're insured as of Monday.

Popping in and out

I visited the garages just to say hello - but it was the SAAB that got a little run out to Harkstead for a job.

Later I finished the Maserati 250F book and found my old pictures so created this.

Don't Fear the Dripper

An almost non-car day. Well, I checked on the Talbot first thing and yes the battery was charged nicely, so I swapped it back again.

Looking at the cars in there was uplifting - although the poor 308 is still not right.

However, I'll just keep getting it fixed until it is.

Late evening the sun came back so I thought I'd try the E-type. Looking at the clutch fluid level it was down a bit. About here in fact.

So I topped it up and marked it with masking tape. After that we went for a spirited drive - the car was splattered with flies before we left and more so on our return, but a great run in the sun. Stirring stuff.

Nothing had dripped out but then it's only 13 miles and about 15 gear changes. We'll monitor it.

SAAB Four - UK, Italy and Germany Nil

Book the Alpine in to Coltec first thing. So that project is underway.

Then SAAB out mid morning for utility run. Harkstead Ipswich and back.

Then PM SAAB again into the North of town. Then the South.

Finally out to Chelmo to photograph Flax.

Shit Sandwich

In fact it was two Shit bits and a pleasant inside.

First the Alpine. I started by taking the distributor off and looking down the hole with the borescope. Nice tool but a nasty view. Oh Shit.

Ah it had half of the ring missing and a chunk in the gap. Not sure where the rest will have gone ? Next I decided to take the housing off but I was unable to undo the bolts. The were hard to get at too. Nothing shifted them.

I tried the flex bar but it just twisted. Then the wobble bars which got there but in the end one snapped ! Next I took the oil filter and housing off next get more room and made a meaty bar and using one wobble was able up get it off.

Eventually both bolts were out and I could see the damage better. Inside it was completely broken away at one side. Some bits must have fallen down there too.

However, the cog at the bottom of the distributor looks very damaged too as it seems to have no teeth left. So that's just shy of 1400 miles since the rebuild.

So that shock over I put things back together and pack it away. Off to the garage it goes.

After lunch I thought I'd just do a little to the Talbot and take the floor off in preparation to changing the charging connections and bringing then inside the car to make it easier to charge and not take the carpet up each time. Well of course I kept going.

Amazing how many tools I used too. However it struck me that the Talbot seems to have a calming effect on me and I enjoyed tinkering with it. Good.

All done and it looked quite neat too.

So tidied up again and later I thought the Ferrari deserved a little run in the evening sunshine.

Was a bit lumpy but it's not been started for a bit - mind you it looked great in the sunlight. However it was definitely still lumpy on the way back and even backfired three times in a row. Shit.

Ghosting Along

G2R and sailing all day. Not much wind to start with though.

In the end it blew which was good though for the last hour back.

The into the very dirty MK7 for the run home.

Coasting Along

I started by filling in the concrete where the post used to be. Then did some more jobs and even washed the Golf. 

I took it for a short run around the block to dry it off and the bonnet looked good in the sunlight. I'd decided to put it away and get the Alpine out even though we're not using it tomorrow so I parked it on the slab and got the cover out of the boot. 

Oh ! Its a long time since we moved the cover and something has been chewing it.

Oh dear I thought as I vacuumed up the bits of chewed cover - most nicely in a neat pile with some shells. The cover was a but damaged but seemed to fit over most of the car.

Next I got the Alpine out - it was hard to start but then it's been a while a couple of weeks since I fired it up. I cleared away the bubble - that's got very dirty so I need to clean it when I put it up again. The car however looked clean and off we went. First the bottle bank and then the Antique shop on the old London Road. Looked nice in the sunshine.

Next off home via the petrol station. Had a chat with a biker who liked it a lot - and took pics for his wife who works at The Vault in Woodbridge. Then headed home it was about 5 five o'clock and a nice sunny afternoon. What could possibly go wrong.

I was just running well up the Freston Hill when the ignition cut out - just like I'd switched it off. I coasted into the good layby and thought "Oh Shit". After a few mins I thought I'd do the simple tests and ring the brake down service while I was working. So after filling in the form on the phone and being told it would be an hour, I set to work.

The car turned over well so the battery was fine but there was no spark when I took a plug out. There was fuel which gushed out when I disconnected a pipe. Jana brought me a new coil but that did not help. By now the brake down service had phoned to say another 45 mins on top of the hour.

While I was waiting I checked and power was getting to the original coil ok. I looked in the distributor cap a few times during this and spotted ... the rotor arm had not moved. I span the car over and watched the arm - it did not move at all. I took it apart but could not see anything wrong in there so I just put it all back together and waited.

As I sat there waiting I thought the last time I broke down was on this road in December 2017 when the coil overheated because I'd wired it up the wrong way around. That time it cooled and I got home.

A huge pick up truck arrived about 8:00 and we were quickly loaded up. 

It would not fit in the drive but the three of us easily pushed the car up the drive and into the car port for investigation next week. It all points to a failed drive on the distributor - but we'll see.

All packed away by 8:30 under two covers - the top one very split and ripped. So that needs replacing.

We all need a SAAB

So G2R ... ish. Too cold, too windy in the basin and slight rain in the air. Shame but for the best we thought.

So we went to Felixstowe in the very dirty Golf.

Then SAAB to B&Q and pick up some heavy wood.

Four uprights to re-arrange the supports for the 'car port'.

And then five turn up all at once

Well almost.

So where do we start. First I checked on the Talbot front battery - still not fully charged almost 36 hours later. Then an errand cropped up - meds to Harkstead. Well which was the most inappropriate car ?

Yes the Imp got a run in the sun. Bumpy as hell but no not really smoking at all.

By 11:45 the front Talbot battery was charged (at last) then the rear came green in less than ten minutes. I'll have to charge the front a bit more. It started after getting in fuel (I think I do need a small pump to prime it) but worse - it looked like the charge light was not going out until 1500 rpm ?

Later it was time to get the car out. It started fine again and that light was teasing me. In the garage it glowed.

When I got it out of the garage and into the shade it was out. So it's just the sunlight shining on it. I must get a grip on my worries.

I took it to the antique shop in Manningtree and was following/chased into my parking place by a keen chap with a 1900's wooden boat. He liked it a lot.

On the way back I spotted a blue Rolls I recognised Joe Burge's. He turned off behind me so I headed for his unit to show him the car. He liked it a lot too.

Then we looked at what he was working on. First a late 1930's Buick LeSabre.

A flat head V8- the carb was surrounded buy three exhaust headers so it was always vaporising the fuel. Then a Woodie Rolls Royce. Well a 1928 20HP Rolls Royce converted by Freddie March and owned by Sir Malcolm Campbell. The engine looked very tidy.

As tidy as Joe's own Rolls in fact.

Finally he showed me a 1920's Rolls with a windscreen even lower than TAS. Add the Rolls Herse he is still working on and the other in the garage and that's er - 5. So home again I went thinking it was a great selection of fascinating cars.

I'd also booked the Ferrari in for a quick check over late May so we may be going 'continental' after all.

Worry Guts

I started the Imp early on - to see how much it was smoking. Nothing on start up from cold.

But perhaps a little 'puff' on revving it hard. I did wonder if the 'smoke' in the sunlight was in fact  just dust it had kicked up.

Then PM SAAB on a Harkstead/Ipswich/Harkstead run in the warm sunshine.

No tantrums at all today.

Early evening I decided the 308 needed a run out too.

Looking mean from this view. Running 99% too.

Slopes and Smokes

Tackled the slab again, first thing. Well not until a quick Harkstead jaunt for a tiny job interrupted. me Took the dusty MK2.

So back to the slab and making the ramp. First about 12 bags of stony soil we had been keeping to make the ramp - and tamp that down. Then a layer of stabilising matting and finally cover that with what gravel I could find.

Seems to do the trick although I need a lot more gravel.

Then Talbot front battery on charge for a run Wednesday - I also had a thought about making it easier to get to the wires.

Finally late afternoon run in the Imp. It started second try with no fan heater.

I thought it sounded different though and was a bit reluctant to rev - my imagination ? On coming home it was smoking slightly from the exhaust. I'll monitor it.

Bound to be simple and inexpensive.

Bad Petrol ?

Sunday was just tinkering with the lawnmower and packing up.

The mower was running very badly, so possibly bad petrol stored over winter so I disconnected the fuel pipe and we drained it all out into a bean tin.

I put it in the MK7.

It made no difference to us.

Anyway - the run back was a bit slow as we diverted around the M4/M25 Junction to avoid a delay - until I missed the junction and we had to do 10 miles more to get back onto the right road. Then to add to the delay the M25 was 50 mph for 20 miles (testing the signs ?) and finally the M25/A12 junction was closed - so we had to use the M11 and a slow A120 to get back.