Time for a well-overdue update. Let's see how much I can remember...
The car has been surprisingly reliable for a cheap banger, and is pretty solid underneath. Most noticeable problems I've had are:
-Sticking float valve
-Intermittently working starter motor
-Horns not working
-Most of the electronics failing
-Knocking, squeaking, bouncing, wallowing suspension
-Steering woes (potentially lethal)
-Rust
-Water leaks everywhere
So, carb saw some attention and is better, the 'hold' part of the starter solenoid needed re-soldering, the wire to one horn (which had been cut by a PO for no apparent reason) was fixed and the other horn taken apart and cleaned up, the fuse seats and terminals were cleaned, utterly useless and entirely knackered front shocks replaced with shiny old-stock and some welding has been done.
To add to the list of work carried out; the brake system was overhauled with new master cylinder seal (old one leaked), the brake flexi-hoses all replaced and new fluid, plus lots of sanding, kurusting, zinc primering and top coating of rust bubbles (still on-going, sort of). Rather alarmingly this car has been running around since '06 with an all-original brake system. Even more incredibly, I've been to two separate MoT stations (don't ask) with horribly cracked brake lines and spongy brakes without either picking up on it!
I had to get some welding done to the rear arches to get it through the MoT, which was BS tbh because the holes were nowhere near anything structural. What a fuss that caused. Hole in the sill needed seeing to too. More rusty holes were found in the arches whilst I was kurusting etc and was dealt with by Matt on a friend's drive whilst I stood around trying to look useful. I recently found a small 2" long hole in the chassis rail under the passenger footwell, shouldn't be a big problem to fix. The worst I've found so far is the inner-wing supports in the front wheel arches. Fortunately Matt and I managed to remove a rust-free pair from a scrap Dolly along with a pair of plastic guards which will replace the metal ones behind the front wheels. That's a job for another day though...
So up to the last week then. Whilst Elwood has yet to leave me at the mercy of the AA, my luck has finally run out. I realised that there was an excessive amount of moisture coming out of the exhaust, and took a look inside the expansion tank. Bubbles. I've noticed that every time I fix a leak in the cooling system, it will pressurise for a trip or two and then lose pressure again. Considering this and having taken a second look at the video I uploaded to the forum previously I reckon the head gasket has been blown since long before I've owned it. Quite amazing how many miles I've racked with a 1 1/2L kettle!
I'm having issues with water getting into the front footwells, and yes I've cleaned out the bulkhead drains. The boot has some leaks too and I'm having a terrible problem with condensation on the front and rear windows. The temp gauge has given up, and the clutch is rattling badly. But worst of all was the new steering coupling, which I only meant to use as a temporary solution, snapped. Luckily that was whilst inspecting it, not hurtling down a country road with a car-load of friends
Also I snapped one of the windscreen washer line T-junctions, but whatever. I've ordered superflex bushes to restore the original steering coupling, and drive doughnuts.
So with all that said, it sounds like this car has been trouble, but for what it is, it's been anything but. I've had great fun with it, even going to Hungerford and back with a friend to spend a few days with another friend. Conveniently that was when the starter decided to play up. Luckily we had another car (dodgy British chavved up Rover MG with mesmerisingly shiny paint) and two people to push when we decided to use mine. I moved back to Norwich after dropping out of Uni and have to manufacture excuses to use my car now; it's done very few miles since I've moved back but that's not helped by lack of 'J' word (read: job).
I should say that many of the jobs done so far have been done by or with the help of Matt. He has been very very helpful and not once mocked my paintwork or interior or lack of glovebox or the fact that my house has chimneys and his doesn't
Time for some pics.
Somehow someone put the cover back on with one of the bolts on the wrong side of the plate. Clever.
The source of the rattle that lead me to replace the timing chain. Oh well, it needed doing.
Took advantage of the MoT stations' inspection pit to take some pics and tighten that loose exhaust clamp.
Amazingly bad bit of exhaust welding. Wonder how many horsepower I'm losing in that bend alone?
Lovely new brake hoses and some new bushes too. Shocks have since been replaced and are a vibrant blue.
Half way through T-Cut and waxing.
Horror!
Factory fresh! The rest of the car? Pillaged. Rusty.
Eugh!
Mmmm...
Under the petrol tank. Same the other side. Fixed for MoT.
Hmm...
Fresh steel.
Getting there...
Not perfect, but solid. Pretty pleased with that.
Other side needed doing too.
This needs attending to. Funny how the lines shielded the chassis from the underseal, causing the rust.
One of the places water was getting in was around the gearbox tunnel, which was held on by 3 bolts. Water draining out of the bulkhead ran down and seeped through the gap.
There's an awful lot of slop in the gearstick, caused by that bottom joint. It needs a collette and some washers to sort it out.
I asked my Dad to turn the steering wheel side-to-side so that I could see if it was the bushings that had perrished, and I watched the bolt sheer and disappear. This is the stuff of nightmares.
I've fitted a radio and speakers (22nd birthday present) and enlisted the help of my youngest sister to make a cover for the new parcel shelf. I think it's fantastic!
A final picture for you (for now). The spot lamp was a £10 purchase from the NEC, which was epic by the way. I now have myself a Dolomite mug (not a Sprint one I should add!).
I'm sure I've forgotten a few things, but I'll add them in another update. One question I have is about the head gasket that I need, apparently there's more than 1 to choose from, even though 1300s and 1500s have the same bore. Can anyone shed some light on that one? I need to get it replaced ASAP, probably get a head skim depending on what I find when I get it apart.
I'll probably write up a list of bits that I need and post it in 'Wanted', and link it to here. I urgently need a driver's door seal, and would like a 1300fwd steering wheel, not that Father Christmas is listening
Wordy, I know, but if you've made it this far, congratulations!
Thanks for reading.
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