Monday, 29 January 2018
Saturday, 27 January 2018
Some More Winter Projects
Making a surround for this instrument in the Wolseley Hornet Spl, the outer edge wasn't quite as neat as the other instruments and so we made this to blend a little.
Jacob finishing a late night project, he is hoping to sell this to fund the next picture down:
Jacob's new addition, this will be fun, he already has a tastefully modded Volvo 340. This is an ex stripped out drift car that needs work, but he has a vision and will not be too long before it is revived and roadworthy!
Alvis Grey Lady before delivery.
Wolseley Spl engine mounting manufacture
Turner 950s Rear suspension items being prepared and re manufactured (with extra strengthening for racing).
We do moderns too:
Charlotte and I said yes to replacing the roof fabric on this MX5..began to wonder if we had done the right thing but it turned out well in the end, the next would be easier..
Land Rover gearbox and transfer box inspection.
Thursday, 25 January 2018
New (old) Works Truck
Having a go at some signwriting... Using my new brushes and One Shot paint from around the Christmas Tree.
It doesn't show that it is freezing cold, not good for a steady hand.
It doesn't show that it is freezing cold, not good for a steady hand.
Almost finished.
Benjie is wondering what the fuss is about... he's trying to sleep.
Before:
Tuesday, 23 January 2018
Saturday, 20 January 2018
Wednesday, 17 January 2018
Saturday, 6 January 2018
Alvis, Reluctant To Leave The Building!
It is funny how sometimes projects seem to be reluctant to leave their home of the last few months... or years!
Although this Grey Lady was in for only engine work, she certainly put up a little fight before being declared fit for the road.
We seemed to have a collection of little faults and frights. With the ever present high tension of the first engine start after a rebuild,she started on the button, first press... but before my pulse rate had chance to settle, this 6 cylinder changed to note to a 5 cylinder. Horror thoughts of pistons, rings, valves and gaskets raced through my head until there, on No 1 plug cap, was a pretty good impression of the lightning forks that had filled my bedroom window a few nights before. Phew, a quick insulation fix and back to 6 lovely cylinders.
Then after a few subsequent adjustment runs, as a routine I press the start button, but nothing! just a dull sound of nothing rotating.... now I am showing the signs of a winter of very, very, long weeks and I over reacted!! A quick attempt to turn the engine over by hand confirmed my worst fear. "Oh no", as I ripped the distributor and drive out of position, "It must have happened" ..."seized" .....snatching the skew drive gear out with long nose pliers, oblivious to marking any timing positions, "It must have wrecked the infamous cam and distributor skew gear", dripping with fear I peer in... but no it is fine, no distress whatsoever, I could almost feel it questioning me as I held the warm and oiled gear in my hand, I am sure it was as alarmed as a tipped teenager out of bed for school, only to find it is the first day of summer holidays!
So if isn't seized??... well,..... After rebuilding 62 different makes of engines and over 160 engine builds, including many quirky, unknown vintage types.... it obviously doesn't get any easier, or me any wiser, because a calming voice from the other end of the workshop cautiously quipped..."it's not the starter motor Jammed in mesh is it?" Oh how stupid am I, of course.. and with a satisfying "clunk" as that little square on the rear of the starter is turned, all was well and the engine happily rotated with a little pressure from my hands!
Now, where are those timing marks again...
Anyway, after a partial starter motor rebuild and recovery of the very distorted Lucas Eclipse Bendix type drive and a few more small issues with disintegrating HT caps and troublsome bonnet mountings and lighting and floorboard fitting etc..etc.. We have finally been out and about, touring this Grey Lady in her 6 cylinder splendour before she returns to her very patient owner..
Although this Grey Lady was in for only engine work, she certainly put up a little fight before being declared fit for the road.
We seemed to have a collection of little faults and frights. With the ever present high tension of the first engine start after a rebuild,she started on the button, first press... but before my pulse rate had chance to settle, this 6 cylinder changed to note to a 5 cylinder. Horror thoughts of pistons, rings, valves and gaskets raced through my head until there, on No 1 plug cap, was a pretty good impression of the lightning forks that had filled my bedroom window a few nights before. Phew, a quick insulation fix and back to 6 lovely cylinders.
Then after a few subsequent adjustment runs, as a routine I press the start button, but nothing! just a dull sound of nothing rotating.... now I am showing the signs of a winter of very, very, long weeks and I over reacted!! A quick attempt to turn the engine over by hand confirmed my worst fear. "Oh no", as I ripped the distributor and drive out of position, "It must have happened" ..."seized" .....snatching the skew drive gear out with long nose pliers, oblivious to marking any timing positions, "It must have wrecked the infamous cam and distributor skew gear", dripping with fear I peer in... but no it is fine, no distress whatsoever, I could almost feel it questioning me as I held the warm and oiled gear in my hand, I am sure it was as alarmed as a tipped teenager out of bed for school, only to find it is the first day of summer holidays!
So if isn't seized??... well,..... After rebuilding 62 different makes of engines and over 160 engine builds, including many quirky, unknown vintage types.... it obviously doesn't get any easier, or me any wiser, because a calming voice from the other end of the workshop cautiously quipped..."it's not the starter motor Jammed in mesh is it?" Oh how stupid am I, of course.. and with a satisfying "clunk" as that little square on the rear of the starter is turned, all was well and the engine happily rotated with a little pressure from my hands!
Now, where are those timing marks again...
Anyway, after a partial starter motor rebuild and recovery of the very distorted Lucas Eclipse Bendix type drive and a few more small issues with disintegrating HT caps and troublsome bonnet mountings and lighting and floorboard fitting etc..etc.. We have finally been out and about, touring this Grey Lady in her 6 cylinder splendour before she returns to her very patient owner..
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