Packing - Packing - Packing

Spent a lot of the day just packing the SAAB stage by stage. Of course without the top box it was a bit harder. Here is a stage after a few hours.

And later another stage too. 

Two more large bags, the cool-box and some food to come. It's all going to fit - I'm sure - but it is a bit heavy now and that's without the 'passengers'.

Two more Sets and a Clean SAAB

I was going to start cleaning the SAAB first thing - but instead it got treated to a car wash.

That done I did the tyres, oil, water, washer fluid etc. I also cleaned the windows [and inside of the screen] and finally vacuumed the mess out of the footwells. I also fixed the rear wash wipe that has been blocked for months which was both surprisingly easy and pleasing

I noticed the rust is getting worse and the paint on the wheels is flaking off in several places. So a growing list of jobs if I keep the car which I want to do. 

Next the Aston out to get the electric lead from the boat and go shopping. It really is a beast.

That done I put the SAAB it in the new garage for a while while I took photos of the next pair of cars. We'll call these - The Supercar Set.

They looked great - the Aston especially moody and dark - the Ferrari very red. The Ferrari got a run before being packed away too. That done I wondered about the 1930's ? So I got them out too for a similar set up.

The weather was turning as I put them away though - so that was that.

My Last Car ?

Passed the morning on car admin (chasing for the Aston change of address to be acknowledged) while waiting for the main event.

A SAAB Harkstead/Ipswich/Harkstead run to take the wheel chair control to be fixed. While waiting I spotted me in a Vinttro advert as a Instagram Reel.

That was at their meeting in the Spring.

While I was in there I also spotted this.

A filly enclosed mobility scooter/electric buggy. I thought I might need one of those later. They also had a Gyroscopic wheel chair which looked frightening.

Anyway - excitement over I went back with the control following a bomb disposal truck being flanked by several police cars. The fix was fine and that was another job for Super Repair Man.

The Long Route Down

As it decided to rain this morning I changed my plans and thought I'd look for the Talbot rear differential oil filler and what oil was needed. That was quite quick - the filler is at the back of the differential and it says D140 in the club documents (or Castrol R in the original guide from the 1930's). Easy I thought.

So I thought I'd just pop under the car to check how easy it was to get at. Er... not at all it turned out. It is actually sandwiched between the petrol tank and the dif itself. Not something you can reach with the car on it's wheels. So I had a think.

Looking again from the rear I thought possibly you take the boot floor up - so that's what I did. I found wood screws at the back and self tappers into metal at the front - none of which appeared to be particularly tight. I removed them all and then the large wood screws on the rear of the boot but that did not seem to release anything. However that did not gain me access to the fill plug as it was still hidden under a rail.

So next was to try through the rear seat. The bottom came out easily to reveal a shaped cover that I assumed once removed would allow access to the top of the differential. Easy just a few screws - however I noticed several (it turned out 8) of the screws seemed to be under the back rest - so that had to come out too - back into the boot I went as I assumed those two large screws had to come off to release it - which they did. Here is is out revealing the cover.

Ten minutes later I had the cover off and was able to see the filler nut at last.

I assumed it was Whitworth so I tried to get a socket on it - that was impossible as the large sockets hit the housing. I had a few spanners so tried those but they seemed too small or too big and it was very hard to get my arm in the hole. Nothing else for it - the floor will have to come out. Along with some other fittings that appear to be on top of some of the screws. But here we are.

It is still tucked away at the back but at least I could get my arm in to reach it. Here it is.

I also noticed a growing pile of parts I'd removed from the car to get to that stage.

I found an adjustable wrench was too thick for the space but remembered I had some more odd Whitworth tools in a metal box. I tried several but luckily found one that would fit. A BS 11/16th or 5/8th WW. Lucky I had one of those in my stock of tools - I think they came from Charlie Boughton ?

Anyway it came off quite easily after that and even though it looked full I put the oil I had for the Imp (EP140) in. I'd checked that the spec was almost identical anyway. It only took about half a liter. So by 12:00 it was topped up and the (cleaned) nut was back on. That took three hours. Now for the refit.

An hour later the car was back together and most of the tools had been packed away too. I also cleaned the drip tray and measured what was in it. In fact only about 50 ml had come out so perhaps I was worrying about nothing. Hopefully use has now expanded the oil seals and like the Imp did once I started to use it, it won't drip so much. We'll see.

Now I know what to do it will be quicker - in fact it would have been much quicker the have the car on a ramp and do it from below. But where is the fun in that ?

Later when looking to buy some D140 I found that the Castrol Classic Oils site actually recommended EP140 anyway - so that made me happy too.

Finally in the evening I started the car and went for a run around the block. 

All fine. We'll look for drips in the morning.

Wet Dusting a Pair of Coventry's Finest

A day off ? Never !

So I decided to clean (wet dust) the E-type. It came up well. As did the Alpine which I did next. Seemed a shame not to.

So there they were - what next ? A few pictures with the proper camera and then a run in the E-type first (around the block) and then the Alpine second. 

Harkstead - where else - for jobs.

Then finally SAAB back to B&Q to get more wood for the garage ahead of more work tomorrow.

After processing the pictures I did wonder if I'm spoilt. This pair would be enough for most people.

ION: The Trump and Putin summit in Alaska seems to have move the game on somewhat - hopefully it's not just more positioning - we'll see.

(12x2)+(4x2)+8=40

We began with an inappropriate car - the Aston to collect the battery for the MK7 Golf. I'd been reading Evo magazine about using Super Cars all the time and thought I must.

As they concluded, no one has ever said on their death bed "I wish I'd used the Aston Martin less".

So we collected the battery and the mechanic fitted it - quite easily in fact. 

And after a quick drive to re-set all the bloody sensors and electronic gizmos we were done. 

Next I thought I'd put a light in the new garage - I faffed around with two old ones I had and failed to get the switch to work. So SAAB to B&Q to get a proper switch. A few 'stutters' so I ragged it and it seemed to be better. Umm.

Anyway after sorting out the light (one we bought in London !) I had to move the Aston back in again. Umm - it really needed another run - so off we went to save the planet. I really like the deep grown it makes as you come off the power.

Anyway here we are - planet breathing a sigh of relief.

Home and then what - the sun was out. So ... the Ferrari had missed out a few days ago so it got it's blast.

Well it looked 'arty' when I took it. Good run and I went a bit further to stretch its legs too. 

So the 40 ? The number of cylinder exercised today.

Only Original Once

So... SAAB back home after a long sail - and although it did a bit of a stutter it was fine.

As to original I checked the MK7 Golf battery. Blimey.

The original MOL one I suspect. 11 years old then.

Oh and I noticed the car 'peeps' when you open it. Probably a warning that the battery is knackered.

Then SAAB out again to get a take away. Oh the thrill of the drive.

S to R

Now there is a change. SAAB all packed up for a trip to the boat.

Felt a bit odd really.

You Too ?

So where to begin ?

Yesterday in fact. The Talbot front battery charged by yesterday - about 9:30 so about 18 hours. I'd swapped it to the rear - and checked this morning. That was also charged in 24 ish hours.

First job though was to clean the roof of the car port. A few mins - actually 2 hours of hard work for one section.

Much better though. I also spotted a few 'dips' where I need to correct the fall. A bit of painting next. 

PM I moved the MK2 as I needed to get in to paint another section only to find it covered in muck from the roof - so a quick blast was in order to blow it off. Just the RHS turning circle and back though.

Later I began to move the cars around to get the top box out as it looked like rain was on the way. I thought I'd be clever and park the SAAB at the side. Talbot out first then - that started ok after 2 hours on the heater - but I noticed the priming leaver only worked on the first push. 

Next the Ferrari. No - I can't get the swing with the SAAB there so I thought I'd just turn it around in the drive. No - again. I just managed to get it stuck there, so I left it and moved the SAAB after all.

Again I thought I must put the top box in a shed - that's why I need another shed. Anyway it looked odd those two (well three) cars on the drive while I faffed around and the sky got darker.

Finally I got the box down and it was time to move the cars back. The Talbot first and there was a problem getting around the Ferrari and as I thought it deserved a full run around the block off we went. Fine run but was it making another noise ? I really must re-fill the rear differential. 

By then the MK7 was back and parked out of the way.

So time to put the Ferrari back into the garage. Another excuse for a run ? No as it really looked like rain that was a just quick one - RHS turning circle again. The rain came and went quickly in the end as I wondered what to take to Shotley ?

As I debated it Oli turned up to get the top box so he blocked off the brick garage. I'd decided to take the MK2 but then noticed the MK7 and the SAAB were blocking the drive. I went to move the MK7 Golf and it refused to start three times. I got it going and reported the problem. Ah I was told that it had done that earlier today. We just boosted it and moved it back a bit. That will need a new battery then. 

I looked at the MK2 but the cover was back on - so I just gave up. So here we are at the Retros meeting.

Yes - In the SAAB. I parked up in the village hall and went to chat. Not sure I lost out though.

Going there I followed a nice delicate Fiat down the road. Although he had LED brake lights which were VERY BRIGHT. In turn I was followed by the Healey.

Funny thing the friend had a dead MG battery so brought the said Healey and the another had car trouble too. His 1970's Aston was running rough (probably due to lack of use) so he came in a modern too.

Add in the two sets of roadworks and the grey skies and all in all a bit of a faff.

G to the E

Two more MK2 trips to get some miles on the Golf again. Stutton first.

Picking up the next generation of petrol heads on the way.

Then PM Harkstead - strangely lacking jobs this time.

Then finally a dusty E around the block.

Seems to have a new noise - time will tell. Oddly n the way home someone stopped to let me into the drive. Well an E-type will have that effect on people.

Bookending Golfs

MK7 out heading for home. It seemed quick run back mid-morning through London and out. So home before lunch.

I decided to get the Imp out (at last) after the traffic had cleared and it did not disappoint.

Looked great and went well - although I was pressing on at times to avoid the wobble. Oh it's bumpy too.

That done I put the Talbot battery (F) on charge and checked on the Aston - a bit dusty but still very clean. Next I looked at the MK2. Ah cobwebs in several places - but no evidence of mice.

About time that was exercised I though so we took that for a bit of a thrash too. We'll use it tomorrow and get a few miles on it in the next few days.

Still there

Out before 7:00 am to see James' event. Passed the MGC still on the street and still looking a bit sad as we went.

I'm not sure it's done many miles for a while. Anyway lots of tube and DLR trips later we were there. Passed this quite large boat on the quay during the day.

Then retraced our public transport steps more or less. So easy when you have the infrastructure.

Valet ? Snow joke !

Started the day as I had planned to end yesterday. That is clean the Aston.

I spotted two things - firstly they had not washed under the car sills.

So they remained caked in mud - that's not the reflection of the drive it's mud. Secondly the snow foam they had used seems to have stained the engine struts and top.

Very odd. I'll have to see hot to clean it off. Better news was that I checked the oil and it at the to. Mind you it's only done a few miles since I checked it in April when I went to start the car.

Anyway there it was clean and shiny again.

Then I fitted the plug to the garage and swept the floor again. Finally I put everything away and called it a day (well a half day). 

Next pack for London.

Then off we went. Not a bad run but it's getting hotter.

I'm a Turbo Nutter

Rinse and repeat. AM garage work - so Aston out.

It's even parked in the same spot as before - but I took the pic from a different one.

Another long day and I 'finished' the wood work and most of the first coat of paint. Then I did the grass instead of washing the Aston but that will be its treat next week. Should I line the 'garage' ?

We did go for a run though. 

That's when I hit the Turbo Nutter Button - Oh My ! I'd forgotten just how powerful it is - and that was up hill too.

Loads of Fun

SAAB out for jobs first thing - first getting the gas and then down to the boat to drop off all the equipment.

Then early PM off to B&Q for a wood run - we must be nearing the end of these.

Finally what to take out for fun ? Well the Ferrari won.

So around the block we went - although a blocked A14 spoiled the fun so we retraced out steps.