myglaren wrote: 30 Mar 2018, 07:53
I have barely touched Minis but the 'doughnut' joints on Imps were a challenge the first few times.
Oh yes! I never had the 'pleasure' of those but I can imagine...
Did new ones not come wrapped in a metal band to make fitting easier?
I can't recall ever buying a new one Jim, only disconnecting and reconnecting to swap engines - they were terrible for blowing head gaskets. I had three engines on rotation - one in, one waiting to go in and one on the bench being fixed.
Easy enough job. Remove bumper, disconnect the twiddly bits and drop engine/transaxle onto a skateboard and drag it out
Worse were the perennially buggered king pins. Spent hours getting them out until someone showed me the easy way - cut the old bush out with a hacksaw instead of trying to drive it out, OIL the new bush and pin (not grease as I had been doing) fit them then the lower cap then drown it in oil and fit the top cap - they lasted so much longer and were much easier to swap when needed.
Right, 1st let's get our '50's car derived vans sorted out: The Thames "100E vans" were 300E's, standard & de luxe (prefect grille - I think, passenger seat &, probably, heater). There were two estate versions, Ford Escort was the standard version, Whereas the de luxe spec one was the Squire, immediately identifiable by the wood trim on the sides. Now, to my amazement the Minivan had the same - 5 cwt - payload as the standard 300E (&, for that matter, Minor, A35, Standard Pennant, Triumph Herald & VX Viva derived vans). What I can't explain, because I never understood, is why the de luxe 300E's has a 7 cwt payload.
Citroens:-
'81 2CV Club
'05 C15
'97 Xantia Exclusive estate
others:-
Jeep XJ Cherokees x 3
'96 Cadillac Eldorado
'99 Cadillac STS
& the numerous "abandoned projects"
van ordinaire wrote: 31 Mar 2018, 00:33
Right, 1st let's get our '50's car derived vans sorted out: The Thames "100E vans" were 300E's, standard & de luxe (prefect grille - I think, passenger seat &, probably, heater). There were two estate versions, Ford Escort was the standard version, Whereas the de luxe spec one was the Squire, immediately identifiable by the wood trim on the sides. Now, to my amazement the Minivan had the same - 5 cwt - payload as the standard 300E (&, for that matter, Minor, A35, Standard Pennant, Triumph Herald & VX Viva derived vans). What I can't explain, because I never understood, is why the de luxe 300E's has a 7 cwt payload.
My memory had slipped about the Ford van designations, but the answer to you question is an extra leaf in the back springs.
Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new. (Albert Einstein)
Well, it is not a car, but how a sixty year old Norton motorcycle? Spotted this morning in Berkhamstead;
Attachments
Own work
Own work
James ex BX 1.9
ex Xantia 2.0HDi SX
ex Xantia 2.0HDi LX
ex C5 2.0HDi VTR
ex C5 2.0HDi VTR
ex C5 2.2HDi VTX+
Yes, I am paranoid, but am I paranoid ENOUGH?
Out amongst the stars, looking for a world of my own!
Sadly no photos, but my eye was drawn in the direction of one of the construction trucks trundling up and down the road outside our resort.
Sure enough, immaculate 70s era Kenworth with probably a couple of tonnes of chrome attached. Reason I spotted it? I heard it way before I saw it...still running a Detroit 8V71 two stroke diesel, and obviously straight through pipes. A rare noise these days on either side of the pond...but it's just as addictive no matter where you are...
If I spot it again I'll try to get a photo.
Current fleet:
07 Volvo V70 SE D5, 88 Renault 25 Monaco, 85 Sinclair C5, 84 Trabant 601S, 75 Rover 3500, 73 AC Model 70.
Zelandeth wrote: 03 Apr 2018, 02:35
If I spot it again I'll try to get a photo.
And a recording of that gorgeous-sounding engine too please Zel!
Oh of course, it would be rude not to!
Caused much confusion driving around Aberdeen in a Peterbilt which had been fitted with a 12V71 and twin 6" straight through pipes. It was basically a gigantic engine which happened to have a couple of seats and some wheels attached.
The noise was like nothing else.
6V71 is probably the one for the most downright angry sounding of the bunch I've had experience with though...
Current fleet:
07 Volvo V70 SE D5, 88 Renault 25 Monaco, 85 Sinclair C5, 84 Trabant 601S, 75 Rover 3500, 73 AC Model 70.
Saw one of Norfolk's finest today, probably a coupe as all Lotus Elan Plus 2, left the factory as coupes although some did get the aftermarket convertible treatment, and accorfing to Simon Cars there were some Estate conversions.
And while our Northumberland Lotus Elan Plus 2 has its day in the drizzle, we might as well have a look at an "estate" conversion courtesy of this, which also includes a little section on the "Lotumph"
& so to the other extreme, 2 Mile Oak Garage (on the Newton Abbot-Totnes road - which seems to have a remarkable attraction for classic owners/drivers) have got a Daf for sale: it's been there about a month but the weather's nor been condusive to stopping for a closer look. A bit later, on Saturday, near Hangman's Cross (which, I think, according to Royal Mail, is in Paignton) an there was an XJS coming towards me. Now in Paignton town centre - or Torquay see front - I might not have paid much attention but in a lane not wide enough for a Jag & a Cherokee, I didn't have a lot of choice.
Citroens:-
'81 2CV Club
'05 C15
'97 Xantia Exclusive estate
others:-
Jeep XJ Cherokees x 3
'96 Cadillac Eldorado
'99 Cadillac STS
& the numerous "abandoned projects"
They were plucky little things... Their rated load was a quarter of a ton (5 cwt - hundredweight) if I recall correctly or about 250Kg in new money...
