Practically Classics Forum

Had a little tidy up in the garage this morning, bubble wrapped the 8 track player and the pye radio cassette player, put them in a study box and retired them to the garage loft for safe keeping.
Im really pleased with the sony rado, radio 2 sounds superb through it..just need to source a key for the security lock on it, any thoughts chaps?

Decided to tackle the diff pinion oil seal, so I got the rear end up on my ramps. Not sure if ive shown you these before but they are a real advantage in the garage and make access so easy..



So, after ensuring I could get the diff filler plug out, I took the drain plug out and dropped the oil. I hate the smell of old ep90!
I cleaned the sump plug up, changed the copper washer for a new one and refitted it loosely in the diff.
The 4 prop shaft nuts came off quite easily, I lowered the prop out of the way and looked for a suitable socket for the large pinion nut, Turned out to be 1-1/8AF, I have one but the thing is 3/4 drive..that scuppered play for today, I have ordered a new 1/2" drive socket, so play can resume at some point this week.
I had a good old poke around and a decent inspection of the rear half of the car, all is in order and will receive a thorough dose of Dinitrol in due course.
I will take advantage of the car being elevated to remove the tow bar for cleaning and painting. I was thinking of removing it totally but I have decided to look for a small period trailer which will be handy im sure.

Been meaning to fit an RAC badge ive had for quite a while, had to get some chrome screws and make a bracket but it was worth it..



Last job today was investigating a smell of petrol that is in the boot area, The tank is inboard of the rear wing so I was confident it would be in good order, the petrol pipe front to back is in good order and I have replaced the rubber section from the front end of the metal pipe to the carb. I noticed on checking that the vent pipe from the top of the tank has split and come away so that will be replaced this week and hopefully that will cure the smell of petrol fumes, the rubber filler pipe is in good order.

Kev

Had a rare weekday off today so after a quick breakfast I got into the garage.
First job was to finish the pinion oil seal. the new britool 1-1/8 socket made light work of the pinion nut when fitted to my 800mm breaker bar, rooted the seal out with a hook tool, and after cleaning things up applied a smear of grease to the inner bearing face as per the factory manual. The new seal tapped into place with the aid of a large socket, some threadlock applied to the prop shaft threads, and all was bolted up.
Got wifey to help with the refilling. Quite an easy task with this handy item



Rootes made things easy when selecting the correct grade of oil



Last job whilst the car was elevated was to Dinitrol the rear half.

I think, on reflection, I will get a quote from a company somewhere to service the Solex carb..it seems to have a sticky float causing a drip of fuel from the overflow..any one got a good company sourced?

Kev

Damn that's looking good! I seem to remember saying that I'd send a key for the radio when I sent the wheel trim rings, I didn't and now I can't find the ruddy key , will keep looking as I'm sure the one I have in mind will do the job.

JPB wrote:Damn that's looking good! I seem to remember saying that I'd send a key for the radio when I sent the wheel trim rings, I didn't and now I can't find the ruddy key , will keep looking as I'm sure the one I have in mind will do the job.

Ah! cheers john

Kev

So, try as I may, I couldnt get the chrome insert into the windscreen rubber. I Bought the correct tool but nope, wont go in. I pulled the screen out, fitted the seal around it and tried to fit the chrome again..still no joy, so I have made the decision to get a professional in (if I can find one locally). Its a difficult job and needs doing well.
Any one know a decent screen fitter in the North west?

Kev

so, sat looking at the singer last night and decided I couldnt live with the paint finish on the bonnet, whipped it off and got it positioned on the trestles.
spent a few hours prepping it and finished it off this morning.
Out came the paint, thinners and spray gun and after some panel wipe and a tack cloth I repainted it.
Much happier with the finish this time, even the fly that landed on it just as I finished seemed to like it. Its currently baking under the halogen lamps for a while and will give things some warmth over the next week or so before cutting it back ready for a good old polish.



That took a few hours but it was such a nice day I decided to do some more work on the old girl.
Upto now, all ive done to the interior is hoover it and wipe it over. The seats and trim, despite being in great condition was grimey after standing for so long. I have some vinyl soft top cleaner on the shelf that I use to maintain my mazda's soft top. Tried a little on a small area of the seats and decided to go for it.
The vinyl has come up a treat.

Before



After




One thing I have noticed is the radio is picking up some interference. Is there an easy way of preventing this?

Kev

So, been sat twiddling my thumbs whilst the paint on the bonnet hardens and the tool arrives from rejel to aid with the windscreen inset fitting arrives.
2 areas on the car let it down in my opinion.
one is the towbar (scruffy) and the other is the paintwork behind the rear bumper and behind/around the rear lights.
2 bolts had the rear bumper off and another 2 had the towbar off. I will drop the bar off tomorrow for blasting and powder coating, should look smarter.

This is the area of paintwork that was dull



Stripped the light fittings off



A bit of T cut followed by a dab of wax had things looking nice and clean. Took the opportunity to put the light lenses into the dishwasher (wife out shopping). they came out bright and clean. Re-assembled, tested and another job ticked off.



1 thing i have been doing during quiet periods in the garage is disconnecting any electrical connectors (including taking bulbs and fuses out) cleaning them with a little emery cloth and applying a liberal smear of contralube, this will hopefully reduce any stupid faults caused by corrosion in the electrical circuits.



Kev

When I first bought the vogue and started to explore getting it running, ready for extraction from its old home I needed a battery.
I measured the battery tray and went to see a local motor factor that I use and is quite friendly.
I ended up buying a Varta battery which has proven to be superb, doesnt discharge quickly and was quite good value.




It did look a bit 'modern' though, I realize that classic batteries are available but they seem to attract a premium price.
So, last weekend I removed the battery, cleaned and prepped it and gave it a coat of plastic primer



Left it to dry and followed with some satin black



Left that to harden and ordered a transfer off a good supplier



Not totally authentic but much better that how it was.

Doesnt do the rest of the 12 month warranty any good but for what I paid it is worth it I reakon

Kev

What a great idea

Awesome idea! I wonder how long it'll be now before others do the same?