So I left off a few months ago with the Webasto roof half done, the carbs leaking like billio and the rear seat covers untouched in the shed.
The covering of the hardboard roof liner was done and quite easy it was. I did it in two halves, front and rear. There is so much overlap front/back & left/right that test fitting was easy.
I purchased a slight seconds roll of black velour type material, from Martrim, foam and scrim backing 1 mtr x 1.4 mtrs. I calculated this would just be big enough. It was very close though, mostly because of my wonky cutting. I needed a large square for the Webasto underside and had to be inventive on how it was attached and folded when slid back. After lots of web searching I had an idea of how to proceed. Hand sew some tape down the sides, thread stout cord inside a back pocket and hammer into the slit tube on the back frame. Then pull the front and tension it with, well....................I forgot ! It's been weeks ago.
I seem to remember it would only go as far as the front cross box section with a little under lap one side and about 5mm short the other. I had enough to cover the whole of the box section though so did some finagling with black Velcro and fortunately the side tapes I had deliberately left 3" long at the front which helped get the tension correct.
This shows the hardboard shaped and fitted. It is quite easy to remove at this stage, so I did and sprayed the side and front. roof rail vinyl coverings a nice Matt Black.
The rear took some pondering though. The sliding static part is held on by four bolts from the underside but covered by the board and lining. I needed a way to access these so I cut four holes in the board and a flap in the lining. When smoothed over they are almost invisible, but I think some double sided tape would be even better.
Some contact adhesive and vinyl strips glued to the underside of the roof and more string ensured the material folded when the vinyl folded all nice and neat. So I was well pleased how all this turned out as I'd spent more time overthinking this than anything else. It also took my mind off the carb issue as well as attending to wifey during her hip op rehab.
This shows what's left of the roof covering, fortunately I used some of them to make a trim piece close to the front box section to make it look perfect.
This shows the front box section covered with the handle riveted in place. Using the rivet gun ( e-bay cheapo years ago, but so far never used ) deserves a whole post to itself.
Above shows the outside of the Webasto which so far has resisted all attempts to come clean and new looking. I've tried hard scrubbing with soap and water, blasting with jet wash, meguars vinyl-cleaner, armour all clean and shine plus lots of other household products. Nothing worked ,,,,, it still has a slight brownish/white tint in the bottom of the grain. In desperation ( I'd used every chemical in the house up to press) I tried Cherry blossom black shoe polish.
Well f*** me,
It worked a treat, lovely deep lustre and all solid black and even.
The carb issue had to be met full on now as I have resolved to get the car running well and treat the rest of the stuff as a running restoration.
Carbs off again, new float valves installed and floats set correct.
Still won't start, but not flooding and pump working as it should.
Fiddled with mixture and choke cable...no joy.
Left it for the following day and bingo, it starts with the choke halfway out. Runs a little rough so adjusted the mixtures again, and again. Back to square one, rinse and repeat.
Meanwhile I purchased a timing light from Amazon. It works great, it shown 20 degrees of advance, too much though.
But and this is a big but, the distributor won't move......at all. So far it's been soaked in penetrating fuel for a few days, but then came the rain so job stalled. Apparently it's a common problem and most folks say to destroy the dizzy and buy a new one, bugger that, I'm determined to get it out whole and un damaged.
That was yesterday. A week or too prior to that I spent 2 days trying to get the horns to work. Well what a puzzle. Two double purple wires come to the front drivers side, one pair permanently live the other two do nothing except connect the horns together. I'd looked at this problem months ago and decided to leave it, however with the new found enthusiasm to get it roadworthy as determination set in.
After yet more tinternet searches it transpires that all the wiring diagrams ( Advance and Haynes ) are wrong ! I found a forum post explaining how to wire in a relay, tried it and bingo. TFFT .
It's strange but a few years ago wiring up the headlights and removing all the old wiring mess in that area there was a strange relay with yellow wiring which I presumed was for the headlights, but maybe not ?.
Anyways all is good and another unfathomable job resolved.
I also had another go at making a rear cant rail covering from fibreglass ( not paper-mache ) the last attempt at doing this in fibre glass was a disaster. It kept falling off, on me and getting everywhere. This time I bought a sheet of woven fine sheet. Covered the rail in Vaseline and it worked well. The first lay up saw the resin set in about 6 minutes, well it was very hot. The second was better but maybe not enough hardener so I left it at that for now, remembering my main focus, get it roadworthy.
So I arranged classic car insurance through Hagerty, £60 quid. Not bad I thought.
Next up was fit the screen wash motor, tubes and spray nozzle. Test fit shows it all works, but fitting the nozzle is a right faff and fiddle. It's right up under the dash behind the wiper motor flex cable and up against the firewall edge. Since the day was red hot I left it loose since it'll need to come off so I can get a socket on to tighten it up, then fit the tube, another faff. I'm not sure wether to buy new wiper blades or carry on hunting for new rubber only. Halfords have nothing like them in stock so the hunt continues.
Above is the ST spoiler covered once with a light coat Rover metallic BRG. Is this the colour ? Possibly.
Here it is fitted after 2 coats, well 2 1/2 and bumper trail fitted.
The bumper rails are slightly uneven, is in one is bent back slightly more than the other and I don't have the correct bolts. I think bending the bracket is going to be a puzzle, since I don't have a vice or heat source. Wish me luck on that one.
Happy note. Me and great nephew Luca enjoying the car in the sunshine.
Sad note. We had to say goodbye to Ruby after 16 years. She will be missed.
Today saw me visit the Post Office with form V112 ( mot exemption ) and V5C ( for tax exemption ).
.. how would you like to pay sir ? The lady was adamant it was to cost £325...
Me... Not at all. You must be wrong. It doesn't cost anything
Miss jobsworth... Well that's not what my screen says.
Me... go back a few pages on your screen, somethings not been entered properly.
MJ... I don't make the rules, that's how much it costs.
Me... How can tax exemption cost £325............ it is free ! As in, exempt from tax.
Me... Coming all over Arnie Schwartzenegger, I'll be back.
After a coffee nearby and a quick scan of DVLA website back I went.
I went to next assistant to MJ ( who was cashing up her till to go home) a calm and assured chap who asked me to write " Historic" on V5C form and sign it.
It will take a few days to come through with a new V5C to your address with the new classification. Here is you receipt for £ 0.00. Keep it as it proves the new classification has changed and is taxed even though it's free. You must do the same next year, but you will get a reminder by text and post.
Me... thanks nice chap with a smile and MJ with a smug smirk and a don't f*** with Arnie look.
So there it is......... legal to go on the road, probably.
Still lots to do. Viz
Buy new handbrake cable and fit.
Buy new reversing lamp lenses and test.
Buy seatbelts and fit.
Get wipers sorted.
Fit front chrome bumper, properly then machine polish to death.
Ditto rear.
Tighten up door window mechanisms.
Buy carpet and fit..........not strictly necessary though.
Fit door cards and waist rails, ditto ?
Then maybe, just maybe drive this year,
More soon folks
