1965 singer vogue recomission

[kevin]

Following on from yesterdays MOT success and a nice tootle around the locality, I decided to have an hour or 2 having a good look around and under the car, checking for any issues that may have arisen from the initial shakedown.
I had a good read on a forum regarding BW auto boxes last night, I was specifically looking for the correct procedure when checking the fluid level. Having found some excellent advice, I checked it and found I needed to add a little fluid to get to the correct level.
Jacked the rear up and placed it on axle stands.
Checking the rear brake lines, there was a slight leak from the drivers side, not too bad, but would be enough to account for the slightly spongy brake last night. Nipped the 2 connectors up (single line rear brakes) and went to the passenger side. Nipped the brake line up and then drafted Mrs in and bled the rear. Purged a decent amount of air out, got a great pedal so thats another result.
Checked the rest of the connectors and found them all fine.
Decided, that in line with my original thoughts about doing several oil and filter changes to give the engine a good flush out after the years of standing about, that after yesterdays 80 mile jaunt I would drop the oil and change the filter. The dropped oil was a lot cleaner this time (done 4 oil/filer changes since Ive owned her) so I will use her for a bit now and then do another change in a few weeks but use some decent brand oil (currently using non branded oil from a friend who works in a garage. That will see her until the winter.
No time left for a spin but Im sure that will happen tomorrow. Really pleased with her though.

(had a bit of luck on ebay last week, 10 Fram spin off oil filters for £2! thats £2 total not ea!)

Kev

[Toledo Man]

The best way of giving the car good shakedown is to use it daily for at least a week. Any problems will then manifest themselves. The Borg Warner boxes were good in their day. Which box does your car have? I suspect that you may have the BW35 which is what most 60s BW equipped cars have. My Dolomite has the BW65 which was the improved version of the BW35. To check the level, you need to put the lever in each position (with the engine running) and then check the dipstick. I'm sure JPB will be along to correct me if I'm wrong. If you change the fluid I'd recommend the Comma AQF. This was recommended by one of my Dolomite friends who had an autobox. If it is suitable for the BW65 then it should be fine for your's.

[kevin]

The best way of giving the car good shakedown is to use it daily for at least a week. Any problems will then manifest themselves. The Borg Warner boxes were good in their day. Which box does your car have? I suspect that you may have the BW35 which is what most 60s BW equipped cars have. My Dolomite has the BW65 which was the improved version of the BW35. To check the level, you need to put the lever in each position (with the engine running) and then check the dipstick. I'm sure JPB will be along to correct me if I'm wrong. If you change the fluid I'd recommend the Comma AQF. This was recommended by one of my Dolomite friends who had an autobox. If it is suitable for the BW65 then it should be fine for your's.

Mine has the BW35 as you say and I did do the check also as you say, much smoother, the Comma oil was recommended by a BW spares and recon specialist, quite reasonable too!
No chance of using it every day as I travel a minimum of 140 miles a day, upto 200 some days.


Kev

[kevin]

When I origionally got the Singer home, I did a quick check of the spark plugs etc and ordered some new ones. The ones fitted previously were NGK but I got some Champion N9Yc replacements and they worked fine.
Reading the service maual last week I noticed the recommended plugs were by KLG (equivilant of Champion N5c). Ordered a set from a source and fitted them last night. The engine ran like a bag of poop, so, cleaned and regapped the Champion plugs and re-ffitted them, all was well once more.
It makes me wonder if the fact that the car has electronic ignition retro fitted means the N9Yc plugs are more suited? the good news is that when pulled, the plugs were a lovely color so she must be running fine.
Took her for a small run, pushed things a bit harder and was pleased to note the auto box kick down works really well (didnt try that until last night as i wanted to take things easy) and the car feels better every time we go out.
After finding the weep to the rear brake union and the re-bleeding of the brakes, they are now as id expect, the new servo really helps and they feel very modern in their stopping power.
Hoping to get out for a decent run on sunday

Kev

[blades]

Many congratulations Kev, you must be really pleased

Any chance of videoing the run on Sunday so that we can all enjoy seeing her running

Nick

[kevin]

Many congratulations Kev, you must be really pleased

Any chance of videoing the run on Sunday so that we can all enjoy seeing her running

Nick

Im sure i can sort something out.

kev

[mach1rob]

Well done Kevin, it's a nice feeling getting them back out on the road where they belong. It's an even nicer going into the PO, and coming out with 12 months tax, and the same amount of money in your wallet too

[kevin]

Had a spare hour this afternoon.
One thing I had noticed on the Singer was the vacuum pipe connection to the distributor was fouling the oil filter, I dont think after all these years that it would matter but I was concerned that at some point it would get too hot and fail.
Had a mooch on ebay and it turns out that the pipe and fittings for a classic mini looked ideal, the distributor end even had a right angled fitting, better still it was under £5 delivered. Ordered and it was delivered today.
Fitted, it looks a look neater, the diameter of the tube is smaller but to be honest the car seems to run smoother with the new one?

Old



New

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I need a key for the security lock on the sony radio I have fitted. The lock is simply secured to the radio housing with 4 small screws that are inaccessible when the radio is installed. I unscrewed the lock and planned to drive to the Llangollen Car Museum as they have a good stock of NOS keys.
Whilst taking the radio out i noticed a few sockets to the side. A closer look showed them to be for a tape deck, headphones etc.
It occurred to me that if i had a suitable cable I could see if I could connect an mp3 player?
Found such a cable in my odds n sods box, plugged it into my Iphone, selected some music and plugged it into the various sockets..low and behold it works!! and a great sound to boot.



Drove down to the museum and found a key that fitted the lock, doesnt work but I can now get a suitable blank and cut my own key to fit, had a great chat with the owner who loved the Singer plus had a lovely drive out and about.
I have to say the car gets better everytime I get out in her.

Kev

[JPB]

You watch, now that you found one, that key's almost sure to resurface!

Have you been back to the vendor's house to show them how good the car looks and how well it works now? I bet you'd make their day.

[kevin]

You watch, now that you found one, that key's almost sure to resurface!

Have you been back to the vendor's house to show them how good the car looks and how well it works now? I bet you'd make their day.

Still welcome if it turns up john

Previous owner sadly passed away 3 weeks after I bought the car! (well, paid for it. I left it at his for a few months). It may be a little too emotional for her still.
I will take her out for a tootle over the summer though

Kev