The Return of ACK - Tahiti Blue 1500HL

[Edin Dundee]

Time for a radiator recore maybe?

Absolutely! There are not too many cooling fins left, but the radiator doesn't leak.
It does for now to see what else the car needs.

[Edin Dundee]

Not too much been done, but over the summer a previous weld repair to the driver side front cill had to be cut off and redone, as the lower wing panel wouldn't fit.
This is the end result:
IMG_3276 by edindundee, on Flickr

[Edin Dundee]

Slow but steady progress.
The fibreglass wings that cam with the car cannot be made to fit (not club panels, they are of unknown provenance and flap around, very thin).
A replacement nearside steel wing was purchased for £100 (many thanks) and this has now been fitted, see below.
The welding that had been commissioned by the PO had to be cut out - the wing simply would never fit over it. So that's been re-made all fits OK now.
Replacement wing before cleaning up by edindundee, on Flickr

Replacement wing before cleaning up by edindundee, on Flickr

Partially fitted by edindundee, on Flickr

Fully fitted by edindundee, on Flickr

a bit of polish by edindundee, on Flickr


looking good by edindundee, on Flickr

This really does look nice "in the flesh".
The parcel shelf, gearbox cover and carpets have now been refitted and the broken interior driver's door handle replaced. The interior needs a damned good clean, but I'm thinking of leaving that for the next owner. Opinions welcome!

Next on the list is a Superflex replacement steering column bush from club spares.

ACK has already been called into service - it donated an SU jet for an emergency repair to an MG1300, requested by a friendly neighbouring garage, so it has a new replacement.

Slow but sure, it will have a solid 12 months MOT before being offered for sale, and not necessarily to the highest bidder. Remember I had thought about using the car as a donor for my 1850, but it's too good. So it won't be going to anyone that can't look after it.
The car still needs lots of work, e.g. a radiator recore, bloody good clean, etc and preferably the old underseal removing and replacing, top up the cavity wax treatment, all the sort of stuff that any decent owner should do to keep the car for years. New tyres would be a safe idea.

[sprint95m]

Looks good Bill.
Thanks for the update, I was wondering recently how you were getting on with this.



Ian.

[Edin Dundee]

Tappets adjusted, way out, choke freed off, tracking adjusted, miles out, steering column lower bush replaced, new inserts in the wipers, washer jets unblocked, it's almost there!

[Edin Dundee]

img_0739 by edindundee, on Flickr



Sputtering a lot, possibly the coil, so this has to be fixed before being driven for a couple of hundred miles to prove reliability, then up for sale.

[Pippin]

Congratulations Bill, well done!

[Edin Dundee]

Well that's it bar the shouting, everything works (almost) and the car runs great. Pottered down the bypass at 60mph, drove over the cobbles in Stockbridge, no issues, it handles better than my 1850 (must get new tyres for that) and a 1500 exhaust note is so much better than an 1850. It's quick off the mark, but not being used to a 1500 it doesn't have the 'power' of the slant.
I'll use it to go to work and back for the next couple of weeks (30 mile round trip).
It's a great colour and attracts more interest than my tatty white one, and of course having been Ziebarted from new and looked after properly, it's solid everywhere that matters.

Things that don't work: low fuel warning, trip meter.

Things that need attention:
I think it's a wee bit rich, need to floor the throttle when hot starting.
Outer door seal strips need replacing.
I noticed a pinhole in the nearside quarterlight seal.
The interior needs a clean.
The door cappings need revarnishing.
The n/s door card has a circular mark where previously the window winder must have been rubbing.
A bit of rust appearing on the bottom of a rear door.
Radiator should be re-cored (doesn't leak and the engine doesn't overheat but there aren't many cooling fins left).
New tyres.
New battery (this one works, but provenance unknown).

Annoying bits:
Not all of the dials are vertical.
Has an aerial hole in the front drivers wing - needs an aerial.
Front spoiler missing - did they have them as standard in 1500HL spec? (I have one spare if so).
Steering wheel not central.

[sprint95m]

Bill, 1500HLs didn't have the front spoiler (only the Sprint, intermediate 1850 and 1850HL did).


Good to learn that you have got it up and running!!!





Ian.

[Jon Tilson]

Ha I love your driving observations....

An 1850 flees happier at 35 in 1st than a 1500 does in second. The short gearing does make for a quick set off
but the ohv long stroke thrash soon has you reaching for the next gear...

I cant see much difference in exhaust note as the carbs and exhaust are very similar. Maybe one of yours has lost its baffles?

I drove a 1300 spit recently with a close ratio (dolomite I suspect but could be Marina) set of ratios and boy was it
an improvement...

Coming soon to my spit....

Jonners

[toromod]

Hi there, you've done a power of work there, is it still for sale?
I'm up in the Western Isles, so you are a lot closer than many other sellers which is a huge plus!

[Edin Dundee]

Yes, still for sale, just need to get some time to prepare and ebay auction
Western Isles - that would be a great road trip!
I've pm'd you my email address.

[toromod]

ACK shining in the sunshine ouside its new home on the Isle of Lewis, Western Isles, Scotland!
Many thanks to Bill for all the info & for driving it up to Inverness, it was a pleasure to meet you.
The journey to Ullapool to catch the ferry was uneventful, apart from the blinkin rain!
ACK didnt miss a beat and has drawn many favourable comments since, both at the ferry terminal and on the island

[Edin Dundee]

Hi Norman,

Great to meet you, ACK looks very happy there.
Please do visit the forum and keep us up to date, it's a great place for Dolomite advice advice and spares too.
The V5 has been sorted, and I'll send through the tips on clearing holes in the scuttle.

[Toledo Man]

Welcome to the forum.

Please keep us updated with the car. They're never really "finished". Don't forget to join the Club if you already haven't done so. It is well worth every penny of the membership fee.