After I'd improved Snowdrop's wheels with nothing more than some silver Hammerite Smooth and a paintbrush I decided to do the same with Becky's wheels as they were looking a bit shabby. It was a sunny day so I decided to take advantage of the weather. This is what Becky looked like before I started work.

Job done! Everything is back together and it all works. I also cured a slight problem with one of my headlights which involved bypassing a broken wire. Not quite as British Leyland intended but it is 100% functional.

New stalk fitted and it was a perfect fit.

...and on with the new. Not bad for a fiver!

Off with the old...

...once I'd disconnected the connector. Beware! Earlier Dolomites have a different type of plug. The 1976 BL parts catalogue for the Triumph Dolomite shows the earlier type of plug on the indicator stalk. Snowdrop is a 1977 car so BL must have changed it about then.

...and then removal of the indicator stalk could begin...

...followed by the wiper stalk...

Next it was the turn of the bottom half...

The first thing to do was to remove the top half of the steering column shroud and disconnect the blue wire from the headlight switch.

I have been having problems with my indicator stalk and I finally managed to get one via eBay so I fitted it at the soonest opportunity. This pic is before I started any work.

Indicator problem

My indicator stalk arrived today and the connectors are the wrong ones! It ain't all bad though. They look like earlier ones that will fit Baby Blue. I'm sure my butchered indicator stalk is causing problems with that car. Now I've got a decent one I can use that.

Anyway, back to the story. (as Ronnie Corbett would say!) A quick search on eBay turned up somebody who is breaking a Dolomite 1300 and he's in York so all being well he will have exactly what I need. We shall see...

Here's a close-up of one of my wheels. Even though I used a brush to apply the paint it is a vast improvement on before and the wheels look like new! Well worth it.

As you can see Snowdrop's newly painted wheels has improved the look of the car. Once I've de-rutsed the body she will look a lot better. In this pic she was ready to go unlike the Dolomite 1500SE in the background which was having an overdrive conversion done.

I should've done this a bit sooner but better late than never! The Restoration Show went quite well despite not getting everything done that I'd planned to do. First up was my service which went according to plan. All the wheels recieved a coat of silver Hammerite smooth paint. (as did the rocker cover) I was unable to swap my plastic expansion tank with the brass one because I'd forgotten the bracket and besides, I couldn't undo the hose clip. I ended up selling the expansion tank for £10. I sold a few other bits too. I also replaced my rear section of exhaust which was delivered to the show by a fellow Triumph Dolomite Club member. I decided to get a new clamp and ended up getting one from Bill & Karen Davies of Rarebits costing me only 90p! Fitting the exhaust was easier than taking it off!

Stoneleigh Restoration Show part 2

It is 6.45 am in the hotel where I'm updating this Blog. Like the last time at Stoneleigh I booked in at a hotel. Unfortunately, my first choice which was the Express Holiday Inn at Coventry on the A45 just down the road from where the Triumph factory was in Canley was full and the nearest one with an available room was in Rugby. For £42 for me and Anita it was fantastic value. She said that it wasn't quite as good as the Travelodge we stayed in last July for last year's Club Triumph National Day but it was the little things such as the hairdryer, wireless Internet access, (without which I couldn't be writing this) inclusive breakfast and the location next to the river Avon that made the difference. I'm all set and I've got everything I need for the show. The journey down yesterday passed without a single problem. Snowdrop performed impeccably. I reckon if I push her too hard on the motorway the underbonnet temperature gets too high causing fuel vapourisation and engine bay airflow management is virtually non-existent on the Triumph Dolomite.

Stoneleigh Restoration Show

Snowdrop is going to be on the Triumph Dolomite Club stand at this show which takes place this coming Sunday. (11th March) The jobs I plan to do include:

A basic service. (Changine the engie oil, oil filter, air filter & spark plugs)
Smartening the wheels. (Clean, wirebrushing and painting them with some silver Hammerite)
Painting the rocker cover with silver Hammerite (if there'e enough paint left)
making a start on de-rusting the bodywork.
Replacing the rear section of exhaust.
Clean and adjust the rear brakes.
Fit a replacement indicator stalk. (if my eBay purchase arrives in time)
Clean up electical connections. (I've got a bad earth somewhere)
Clean and degrease the engine bay.

That's all I can think of so far. I'm sure that will fill up the whole day.

The breaking is over

The Toledo has gone to I took what was left which was just the wheels. The spare 1500fwd engine that was on the pallet was stripped of the water pump, clutch slave cylinder and distributor. All the parts have now been secreted away in my emporeum. I must have the biggest collection of parts in the area and they are for sale.

I ended up robbing Baby Blue's headlight switch to keep Snowdop usable. I managed to win an indicator stalk on eBay. Let's hope I can sell some more of my parts.

With Snowdrop being out of use Becky was pressed into service and I've found out that her exhaust was blowing at the front of the downpipe. A bit of exhaust putty soon cured it though.

Electrical woes & Baby Blue on the move

Lately the indicator on Snowdrop was a bit dodgy on the right indicator. In an attempt to cure this I decided to check the contacts on the switch and in doing so I broke it! On top of that I broke a couple of the terminals on the headlight switch which is connected to the indicator stalk by one of the wires. I'll need to replace the stalk. (the one off the Toledo is slightly different) and I'm sure I've got a spare headlight switch but I can't find it and I'm loath to rob Baby Blue's which would make me mobile again. (I can't use Snowdrop if I can't switch on the lights) I've done some asking around and hopefully something will turn up.

I've found a new resting place for Baby Blue, I now have use of an off-road parking space so I got Baby Blue steerable and therfore towable. The lack of brakes didn't help when being towed and one the way one of the track rod ends came out which necessitated a trip back to where I'd left Snowdrop to get my tools. Once that was sorted out the rest of the journey was completed without further incident. I've since cleared out a few things from the car and Baby Blue looks more like a car rather than a mobile storage shed! Hopefully, this will be a short term solution and it gives me some breathing space to find a more permanent resting place.

More good & bad news.

The good news is that I've done with the Toledo and the shell is ready to be taken away. I'm fast becoming an emporeum of Triumph parts some of which I will need for myself. Which brings me on to the bad news...

Some Chav has put one of Baby Blue's windows through. I hate this kind of mindless vandalism. It isn't all bad though. I still have the doors from my other 1500fwd and figuring that a door swap would be easier than the glass I turned up the door, took it up, fitted it and the car is now secure again. I hope nothing else happens until I can get the car moved. I'm still looking for somewhere to keep her.

Some more stuff liberated

I've managed to liberate some more parts from the Toledo. It wasn't all good though. One of Snowdrop's headlight bulbs had gone and so had a sidelight so Becky was put back into use. That's why I have 2 cars on the road. I didn't get as many parts last night and when I shattered a side glass I decided to call it a night. I'll be taking a break from it tonight until Friday night by which time Snowdrop will have fully working headlights.

Still stripping the Toledo...

I'm still stripping this car down. I've nearly finished stripping the interior. Just the steering column and then that's done. Next it will be the doors, bootlid, petrol tank, glass and the bumpers. While taking the carpets out I was able to solve a niggle with Snowdrop. The front passenger footwell carpet would be always creeping forward because the back end was held down by the rear footwell carpet by a couple of press studs one of which was missing. Robbing off the Toledo I was able to fix the offending item and I can now fasten down the carpet to stop it creeping. More to come...

Rebushing and all that...

Snowdrop's rear suspension has now been rebushed with the poly bushes and it has improved the car no end. All the creaking has gone and I don't cringe any more whenever I hit a pothole (plenty in West Yorkshire!) or a speed hump. I also replaced the broken indicator/sidelight lens. As I might have mentioned I'm losing the driveway where I keep the Toledo and Baby Blue so I've decided to break the Toledo for parts. So far I've managed to liberate quite a few bits some of which will be for sale and others will be for Snowdrop and Baby Blue. I will salvage as much as I can off this car as some parts are unique to the 2-door Toledo such as the doors and the side glass.

Good & bad news

The good news: Snowdrop has her new points and she's running fine. The rear suspension bushes are going to be fitted soon.

The bad news: Snowdrop's exhaust is blowing again. I will leave it until I can source a replacement. Anita's daughter is being evicted so the Toledo, Baby Blue and the Laguna will have to be moved. The Laguna is on eBay, I'm gonna fine a new home for Baby Blue and the Toledo is going to be broken up for spares. I've got until the end of this month. Can anybody help me?

Beyond Stoneleigh

The show was great! I met a few fellow enthusiasts, sold some parts and bought a few parts. I managed to get a complete set of rear suspension bushes for Snowdrop, a front indicator/sidelight lens & a rear "Dolomite 1300" badge to replace Snowdrop's which is faded. I also picked up the current edition of Triumph World from the editor himself who had a stand at the show. The last place I found this elusive magazine was at the Club Triumph National Day last year! The journey back was fine until I was approaching Donnington Park services on the M1 northbound when Snowdrop shuudered, there was a bang and the car died 300 yards short of the services. It turned out that the points were to blame and they'd only recently been fitted! Fortunately, I had a spare set of points and all the tools available to do the job so once they'd been fitted and the gap was set I was under way once again and the rest of the journey was completed without further incident. Afterwards I decided to put Becky back into use. There wasn't enough charge to turn the starter motor so I bump-started her and gave her a 10-minute drive. This was enough as she started up this morning and has been fine ever since. Until I get some replacement points Snowdrop will be out of use. Once I've found the bolts I'll be getting the poly bushes fitted as soon as possible. I can also fit the lens. The badge was replaced just before I get Becky running again.

Stoneleigh show

As most of you will know this weekend is the annual Triumph Spares Day at Stoneleigh. This year I'm wearing my Club Triumph hat and I'm helping on their stand. I went down today to help out with setting up the stand. It went quite well and afterwards I gave fellow member Paul Darbyshire (who helped me with Snowdrop's steering column bush) a lift to the place he was staying at as his car was on the stand. I had a couple of drinks there and I found out that the accommodation I'd arranged had fallen through. I checked the place to see if they'd any rooms free but it was full. Paul fired up his laptop and found a Holiday Inn about a mile away so I phoned up to make a reservation, went over and checked in. At £50 a night it is a little more than the Travelodge I'd stayed in last July but this place offers a lot more for the money including wireless Internet connection. I am updating this Blog from the hotel room. I've taken a few pics and I'll post a few of them soon.

Steering column

I managed to fit a replcement steering column bush but more of that a bit later on.

I checked the points gap and it was almost non-existent so I adjusted it and the car runs a lot better and the running-on has gone.

Anyway, back to the story. (as Ronnie Corbett would say!) Fellow Club Triumph member Paul Darbyshire had offered me the use of his garage which has an inspection pit so taking him up on this I decided to get the job done. It was a pig of a job and would have been 10 times harder without the extra pair of hands and the pit. The result was worth it as the play has now gone. The old bush had worn right through at one side so no wonder there was so much play in the steering column!

Next up will be some rear suspension bushes. I'll be waiting until Stoneleigh where I might pick up a bargain.

Latest on Snow drop

I haven't updated this Blog much lately so I suppose I'd better do something about it.

Snowdrop's points were playing up. I've tried a couple of things including replacing them. I've since found out on one of the forums that Intermotor points don't last and I think that's what's fitted on the car. I won't know until I check the box which I've still got somewhere. I also found out that the steering column bulkhead bush was never replaced during the MoT saga. Hopefully the stuff I need to dismantle should come apart quite easily as they're all new items. The car has been running on quite a bit. The first thing I'm gonna try is to change her diet from unleaded to super unleaded. I'm hoping to replace the rear suspension bushes. Hopefully, I might pick up a bargain at Stoneleigh.

And a last look as it goes away... 

Next I called a breaker to collect the rolling shell... 

The spares 1500 has finally gone. I managed to strip off as many parts as I could and even dragged it out of the garage as you can see... 

The spares 1500 will be going

No I haven't got this particular car up and running. The owner of the garage wants to put a freezer in there so the car has to go so I've been robbing as many parts off this car as I can. I'm struggling with the exhaust at the moment. I may even have to use my grinder to separate the two sections and then it can be removed.

Becky's not had much use lately so I used her for a few days last week and she didn't put a foot wrong or miss a beat. Now that's what I call reliable!

Not much lately...

Snowdrop and Becky have been fine just lately. I've noticed that Snowdrop tends to cut out when idling. I've just had a look and the points look like they need cleaning up.

I went down to the garage and stripped some more parts off the spares 1500. I removed the rear lights, some chrome trim, the dashboard, the heater box, the expansion tank, a pracel shelf bracket (for Snowdrop) and an accelerator pedal rubber. (also for Snowdrop) The only thing left that I do need is the rear section of exhaust which will be for Baby Blue.

More stuff has happened!

I finally fixed Snowdrop's headlight problem. I ended up replacing the bulb with a brand new on from my trusty local motor factor. I went down to the garage where I keep my spares 1500 and liberated more parts off it. First up were the rear light units. Next was the rear number plate followed by some chrom trim, the dashboard and the heater. I also robbed a parcel shelf bracket and accelerator pedal rubber for Snowdrop.

Something new has happened!

I've not had much to report lately but as I was about to set off this morning I noticed the one of the front headlights on Snowdrop had failed. The only thing for me to do was to jump into Becky (she had a run out the night before) and put her back into use. I reckon that I can rob one of the Toledo's headlight bulbs to save me a bit of money.

I will be losing the garage where I keep my spares 1500 so I'm planning on breking it for parts. I won't be losing the garage completely because the owner wants to put a chest freezer in so I may still be able to keep some parts there.

Shedding some light on the subject

I'd noticed that one of my number plate lights was a bit dimmer than the other so it was replaced at a cost of 59p from my local Motosave. I'm surprised that it got through the MoT (I think number plate lights are now part of the test these days) and even more surprised that the police haven't stopped me because from a distance it looks like the bulb has failed. Anyway, all is well again.

Another slight fuel problem

Yes, I found another one. Snowdrop was leaking petrol so I bought a couple of worm-drive clips & and a junior hacksaw, removed the rear section of fuel pipe and upon finding a pinhole I hacksawed the offending section off and joined the 2 remaining parts with what I had left of my fuel hose when I replaced the section that came out of the tank. The clips secured my new flexible section of fuel hose and it did the trick! I went to Blackpool and my handiwork is holding. Job done!

Slight fuel problem

As you may know I've put Snowdrop into daily use since she got her MoT. After I fill up with petrol there's a smell of fuel which I traced to the fuel tank sender so I ordered a new seal from Rimmer's and it has arrived today. I'd better fit it before I fill up tomorrow so that's a little job I can do tonight.

More fun and games

I finally got Snowdrop's front wheel alignment properly adjusted costing me £10. After that it was fresh oil and a filter. This was followed by a run along Snake Pass. All was well until after some 80mph motorway cruising when she wasn't quite running right for a while. Snowdrop performed perfectly after this little "hiccup". She obviously doesn't like motorways. Perhaps a carb rebuild could be on the cards at some point. The exhaust sounded like it was blowing again and when I started up this morning I decided to have a quick look. It was a good job I did because I noticed some liquid underneath the car. I couldn't tell what it was because it was before sunrise and it was raining so I touched it with my finger. It was engine oil so I immediately turned the engine off noting that the oil pressure light had come on. Had the sump nut come off? It turned out that the new oil filter had worked loose causing oil to eascape. I tightened up the filter and put what was left of my oil into the sump and started up. Fortunately the oil light went out so I carefully made my way to the nearest 24-hour petrol station and bought 5 litres of 20W/50 engine oil and topped up. I was lucky I didn't damage the engine and Snowdrop seems to be none the worse for it. Getting back to the exhaust, it turned out that it was blowing at the downpipe-to-centre section joint so after work I went to my local trusty tyre fitter who fixed it for only £2 which included a new clamp.

The end at last.

The saga is finally over. I've got Snowdrop back and it has cost me over £600 in addition to what I spent on parts. The problems didn't end there. When I left the garage I ran out of petrol at the first set of traffic lights. I was able to freewheel to somewhere and park her up and go fetch Becky to get some petrol. Priming the fuel system took some doing but I get Snowdrop running again and I left her and got my mate to take me back down after I'd dropped Becky off and all was fine once again. The tracking will need adjusting but it will be fine until I can get it set properly.

Testing times part 14

The brakes are done on Snowdrop. Unfortunately, Greg didn't have time to do the tracking. Once that's done she will be ready to roll with that elusive MoT certificate. I will be putting that car into more regular use.

The end is in sight...

Testing times part 13

The saga continues...

It turns out that the master cylinder I robbed off the Toledo leaks where the brake line screws in. That means it is useless. My next plan of action is to rob the one off the spares 1500 which is even older! If that doesn't work then I'm gonna have to take advantage of Rimmer's 14.89% off sale (equivalent to them paying the VAT) and order a brand new one for £60. I've also enquired about fixing the my mate's Laguna which I damaged in an accident last week. I've ended up having to buy it off him. If the inner wing can be repaired then I can just replace the rest of the parts because they all bolt on. There are plenty of Lagunas in the scrapyards at this time so I reckon it can be worth repairing.

Testing times part 12

I went back to the garage on Monday to be told that the brake master cylinder was still leaking. Aparently the bore is too worn and replacement is the only option. After a bit of ringing round and getting a few prices I ended up taking the master cylinder off the Toledo. I think that the money I've saved by robbing bits off it has covered the cost of that car! All being well, Snowdrop should be ready to roll with a fresh MoT. It isn't all bad though!

Mileage has been kept down.
Wear and tear is minimal.
It has cost me nothing in petrol.
Plenty of new parts, hard work and TLC has been lavished on her.
I've had 5 weeks of free dry warm storage.
The next MoT will be October 2007 instead of September 2007.

Greg commented on how good a starter she was. This is testament to my regular servicing and tuning. (as well as a new battery and reconditioned alternator)

Hopefully the end is now in sight. We shall see...

Watch this space!

Testing times part 11

I went to the garage and Snowdrop still isn't ready. Greg did show me where he'd done the welding which was just on the sills. Both front jacking points had to be plated and he said that the front wings at the bottom had just rusted away but he's done a good job and if the quality of the welding he did on Becky last year is any thing to go by it should last for a long time to come. There's just the brakes to finish off and the front wheel tracking to adjust and she'll be done. He's promised me he'll have Snowdrop ready for Monday. This meant I had to go to my RBRR stop in Becky. Apart from the wind it was a great night and things went quite well. It was good to put faces to names and to catch up with others who I already knew and met. The next best thing to doing the run itself and I was doing the Club Triumph a service.

Testing times part 10

I paid Viking Service Centre where Snowdrop is and Greg the lad who has been working on her has said that he will get her ready for Friday so she will be good to go for the Round Britain Reliability Run this coming weekend. I'm not doing the run itself but I'm manning one of the controls. These are like checkpoints in strategic places along the route where the participating crews have to get their roadbooks signed as proof the they've completed the run. The control I'm manning is in Corbridge which is up Newcastle way and at 110 miles each way is a 2 hour drive. I plan to be there 2-3 hours before the control is due to open to get settled in and ready. I've already been up so I know where it is and the layout of the control. I've got copies of the roadbook, hi-vis vests and a list of crews. I feel the the list could've done with the registration numbers of the cars to make them easier to identify.

Testing times part 9

I went up to the garage to check on Snowdrop's progress. There's just the welding to do now and the lad that's been working on Snowdrop said he'd crack on with it on Monday so all being well this little saga is reaching its conclusion.

On a slightly more positive note I took Becky to my trusty local independent tyre fitter to have the slow puncture repaired costing me only a fiver.

Locking up...

Becky's nearside rear door wouldn't open. The locking plunger had been playing up for a while put when I pulled it up to unlock the door today it went right down into the door cavity. When I got home from work I dug out my dad's screwdriver set (all my tools are kept at Anita's house), removed the door card and got the door unlocked and opened. The problem was the locking mechanism which had partly come away. Once it was reassembled it was working as it should be. Another job done that didn't cost me any money! The nearside front tyre has been losing some pressure so I'll be going round to my trusty local tyre fitter (no more fast-fit places unless I really have to) to get that sorted out.

Job done! One problem cropped up afterwards. I wasn't able to wind the window down fully. This was because the control cable was fouling the glass and had to be rerouted which meant removing the door card again but once it was done all was fine. 

On with the new. 

Off with the old. 

Once this was done I could remove the mirror... 

First, I had to remove the door card... 

An oncoming car struck Becky's door mirror breaking the glass and damaging the plastic surround. Fortunately, I had a complete mirror assembly in my box of spares so I dug it out. 

Testing times part 8

I went to the garage after work to check on progress. The parts had arrived but they haven't been fitted yet and there was just the welding to do. On top of that the guy who does the welding is off for a week so I'll be another week without Snowdrop or an MoT. The main man apologised for not keeping me in the picture. I can live without Snowdrop for another week. As long as I know what's going on I'm not too bothered. I've still got Becky and my mate's Eurobox to run around in.

Testing times part 7

I got another call from the garage to say that Snowdrop needs a new steering column bush and they found out why the brakes had failed AFTER the test was done. The master cylinder was leaking so it was straight on the 'phone to T.D. Fitchett and the parts have now been ordered and will be at the garage the next day. I hope that this will be the end of this little saga!

Giving Becky a brake

I think Becky was jealous of all the attention lavished on Snowdrop so she decided she needed some new front brake pads. Not only were they cheap at £8.45 they were very easy to fit. I've never know the job to be so trouble free and the copper grease certainly helped things along. I rewarded her with £20 worth of the cheapest petrol for a long time. The local Adsa is doing it for 85.9p per litre. Now that's what I call cheap!

Testing times part 6

I managed to get the bolts I needed for Snowdrop off the Toledo. They wouldn't budge at first but with a bit of gentle presuasion with my lump hammer they came off. Tomorrow is the TDCIR and I've got quite a few parts to sell so hopefully I can make a bit of money.

Testing times part 5

Snowdrop is almost ready. She needs a couple of bolts for the offside bottom balljoint where it attaches to the vertical link. The Toledo has identical bolts so I can rob a couple of bolts off that car. New brake pads are also needed so I'll get them done as well. This is turning into a mini-restoration and all just to keep this car road legal!

Testing times part 4

The parts I'd ordered arrived and they were the correct ones. Unfortunately when the garage was fitting the offside bottom ball joint the vertical link bolts sheared off. Making slow progress and it is gonna cost me! Hopefully, Snowdrop will be ready for the TDCIR. We shall see...

Testing times part 3

Got a phone call from the garage today to say that the front shock absorbers, the coil spring and the steering UJ were the wrong ones so I've ordered new parts from T.D. Fitchett (costing me around £137) and arranged for them to be delivered to the garage. I've taken away the offending parts and I'll get a refund fron the Triumph Dolomite Club when I go down to the TDCIR this weekend. Hopefully, Snowdrop will be ready for the weekend. I've a good mind to put her into daily use considering the money I've put into that car.
Becky is still performing quite well on her diet of Morrisons unleaded. Daily use keeps her in peak condition.

Not much more for now.

I compared the steering coupling UG against one of my 1500fwd items and it is shorter so it is the right one for Snowdrop so I dropped it in at the garage. I'm still waiting for them to tell me when the car will be ready. Hopefully she will be ready for the Triumph Dolomite Club International Rally (TDCIR) this coming Sunday.

Got the parts

I've now got all the parts I need. The whole lot cost me £120 courtesy of Steve Waldenberg who is chairman of the Triumph Dolomite Club and has a stock of club spares. He was able to supply everything I needed. I'll need to check the steering UJ to make sure it is for the Dolomite and not the 1500fwd. I can compare it to the one that came off the spares 1500fwd before I hand it over to the garage.

Testing times part 2

Oh, dear! Snowdrop has failed her MoT. This is what she failed on:


Nearside front headlamp ain too low.

(Manifold flange) exhaust system has a major leak of exhaust gasses.

Lower steering column universal joint has excessive play.

Nearside front suspension joint has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint.

Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel (steering rack fitted)

Nearside front track rod end ball joint has excessive play.

Nearside front shock absorber has a serious fluid leak.

Offside front coil spring cracked.

Offside front wheel bearing has excessive play.

(both front chassis legs) body has a projection cuased by corrosion

Nearside rear (outer sill) body has a projection caused by corrosion.

Nearside front (outer sill) body has a projection cuased by cossosion.

Offside rear (inner wheel arch) body has a projection cuased by corrosion.


So it is mostly wear-and-tear items that have caused her to fail. I've asked the garage to price up the job and I'm in the process of getting all the necessary parts together. The Triumph Dolomite Club has been my saviour as they're the cheapest source of parts. Rimmer Bros are currently offering a 10% discount and free delivery on orders over £50 (excluding VAT) so I might be able to take advantage of that offer.

Progress with Snowdrop

Yesterday evening was dry and sunny so I took the opportunity to fit the new flexible brake hose. An hour later, job done! It seemed to be fine when I drove her afterwards and this morning when I checked the brake fluid level it was fine. Brakes were fine today and I'm now running around in her and all seems to be well. I was hoping to clean her but the rain seems to have put paid to that.

I managed to get a couple of my engines weighed in at a local scrap metal merchant. The engine that was in the Toledo when I bought it and a 1200 Herald engine that I'd rescued made me £15. Money for nothing!

Testing times

I've booked Snowdrop in for the MoT next Thursday so I'll have to try to sort out the brakes before then. She'll be in daily use that week as I've got 3 meetings on Mon, Tues & Weds. I hope she wil pass...

Give me a brake Part 3

Unfortunately this little saga continues...

I checked Snowdrop's brake fluid reservoir and it was empty! The fluid must be going somewhere even though I can't see any telltale evidence on the drive. As I mentioned the only parts of the system I've disturbed are the bleed nipple on one of the rear wheels and the rear flexible hose when I fitted the Toledo's rear axle. I suspect that the rear flexible hose is leaking and the fluid is leaking on the top of the axle and getting soaked into the muck & grease. That would explain the absence of brake fluid on the drive. I'll have to dig out that new flexible hose and fit it soon before Snowdrop goes in for her MoT.

As you can see in this pic the paintwork is looking a bit better now and it didn't cost me any money. Always pays to hang on to stuff because it will come in useful later on. 

Becky's bootlid had some faded paint as you can see so I decided to revive it. It just so happened that I had a bottle of T-Cut in the right colour so I put it to good use. 

Exhausted part 3

I've now cured the blowing exhaust.

I removed the downpipe, wirebrushed the downpipe and manifold. Used lots of exhaust assembly paste (Holts Firegum) put it back together and it doesn't leak any more. Next up will be the downpipe-to middle section joint as that's leaking. I'm still losing brake fluid and I don't know where it is going. The only part of the system I've disturbed was the rear flexible hose so I might fit the new one I bought.

I'm gonna be clearing out some of my rubbish (old clutches, etc) out of my cars and I'll be clearing the garage out so I've borrowed this Renault Laguna estate from my mate. He's just had some work done by a local Renault dealer and they've MoTd it as well so she's road legal. Not bad for 10 years old and ideal for taking lots of rubbish down to the local tip!
 

She runs!

Snowdrop is now running fine again. I bled the air out of the brakes (still don't know where its getting in!), went down to get some petrol and added some Redex. I then had a drive round the area (a bit further afield than round the block!) and she was fine. I then took her for a run along the M62 towards Goole which was 50 miles each way. She was a bit hesitant when setting off in first gear but on they way back she was fine. The exhaust was blowing at the manifold again so I'll have to get that sorted out. I've got a spare gasket and I've bought some exhaust assembly paste from my local Halfords to do the job. Becky's been out of action because I'm running around in my mate's Renault Laguna estate which I'll be needing when I have a sort out at the garage where my spares 1500 is kept.

Service & cleanup

After the successful MoT pass I treated Becky to a service. She's had new oil, oil filter, spark plugs and an air filter. While changing the spark plugs I damaged one of the HT leads so I replaced all the HT leads keeping the remaining old ones for emergency spares.

On a more positive note I removed Snowdrop's fuel tank, washed it out and then I flushed the fuel line with clean warm water. I'm having to replace a section of flexible hose as well and once that's done Snowdrop should be sugar-free. We shall see...

Some good news!

Becky has passed her MoT with flying colours. Not even any advisories so I'm well chuffed! Better than last year and the first time I've ever had a car pass the first time! A far cry from the days when my Ford Mondeo would need £500 worth of work to get through the test!

I've faced the inevitable

Yes, I've had to face up to the fact that Snowdrop's fuel tank will have to come out to be cleaned. I've already drained it in readiness for this task and I'll also have to clean the fuel lines out as well. Shouldn't be too difficult to do.
Becky's been booked in for her MoT tomorrow. It was the same guys who did it last year (local independent Rover specialists) so they know the car and they're a good bunch of lads whom I know I can trust.

Got stuff done

Got plenty done with Snowdrop.

The fuel filter's been fitted, I put some Redex & a tenner's worth of Sainsbury's super unleaded in the tank, I've replaced the broken engine mounting and I've bled the brakes which are now working fine. Snowdrop still isn't running right. There must still be sugar in the fuel line. I wish I could clear it. Anyway, the filter will catch it all.

Exhausting

Becky's exhaust problem is now cured. I took it to the local independent tyre place I use and they fitted and restudded a replacement exhaust manifold which I supplied courtesy of my local Acclaim guru. A new gasket for the downpipe was fitted and job done! Well worth it for £35.

Turning my attention to Snowdrop, I went down to the garage where the spares 1500 is kept and I took the engine mounts off the Toledo's original engine. I've fitted a fuel filter and with it fitted I can now see why Snowdrop keeps on cutting out. There's a blockage in the fuel line somewhere no doubt caused by the sugar contamination. I've got it all out now so I'll just put in some additive that should hopefully clear the blockage.

Becky's turn

Becky's now having her turn for some attention. I replaced the rear tyres and I've also made a start on curing a blowing exhaust (at the manifold) which started when I replaced the gearbox. It turns out that the manifold will need replacing because one of the blind studs is just turning. I've managed to source a replaement manifold which I can't get until tomorrow.

Going back to Snowdrop, I think I've cured the running problem, the clutch seems fine but the brakes are playing up again so I'll have to bleed them yet again and possibly fit that new brake hose which I was going to save for the axle rebuild.

Fuel problem

A mate had suggested that my fuel problem with Snowdrop might be a blocked vent or a vapour lock so when I took Snowdrop out on a run. As soon as she cut out I got out an removed the fuel cap. Nothing. I noticed some fine white crystals around the filler neck so I suspected fuel contamination. When I got Snowdrop back to her resting place I removed the fuel sender to get access to the tank's contents and my suspicions were confirmed. Somebody has been putting sugar, salt or some similar substance into the tank. I dug out my siphon and drained about 6 litres out of the tank getting most of the contamination out. I was able to separate the petrol from the sugar/salt/watever and put it back in the tank. (the petrol that is!) I also checked the fuel pump and found that the gauze filter had been blocked with rust so I cleaned it out. I hope I can get this car sorted out for a local classic show this coming Saturday.

Still clutching part 2

I bought a clutch kit for £39 from my trusty local motor factor and set aside a whole Sunday to do the job fitting it. I started at 11.30am and it was nearly 10pm when I'd finished! I was interrupted several times and bolts that refused to budge didn't help. Fitting the gearbox was a struggle so I enlisted another pair of hands to make it comply! Also I used my tap and die set to clean up the threads on the bolts. When I reassembled things I used copper grease to make things easier next time. Unfortunately, I've found another couple of problems along the way. An engine mount is broken so it is either raid my spare parts or buy a new one. The other problem appeared when I was road testing. The engine would lose power and cut out. A couple of minutes later the car would start up and run fine and then it would start hapenning again so that's another thing to sort out. I suspect a fuel problem as the ignition timing was set the previous week.

Still clutching

Still having problems with the clutch. I also found out that the master cylinder was leaking so I ordered a rebuild kit and when I rebuilt the master cylinder and tried it out it wasn't much better. Having got back home and checked the parts catalogue I've realised that I've not fitted the rubber boot correctly. It should fit under the washer and circlip. That's easy enough to sort out though. If that doesn't work it might have to be a gearbox out job to check the fulcrum and maybe replace the clutch.

Clutching at straws

No sooner do I solve Snowdrop's running problems then the clutch starts to play up! It turned out to be a loss of fluid so I bought some flid and a slave cylinder repair kit when I was down at the TSSC International yesterday. When I got back I rebuilt Snowdrop's original slave cylinder and fitted it. I did a test run before I put everything back together and it seemed to be fine. When I'd finished refitting everything I took Snowdrop for anothe road test and it was like it was before I'd started. These cars can be so frustrating!

I hope I've solved it.

Last night I started working on Snowdrop. I adjusted the valve clearances, (tried to) put Redex down the bores, ditched the NGK spark plugs for Champion ones and fitted the downpipe-to-manifold gasket and it seems to have done the trick. I also adjusted the idling and the ignition timing which were both out. Today I've also bought some Holts Flexiwrap for the rear section of the exhaust as the exhaust bandage I'd fitted hadn't worked. Fitting it wasn't too bad and it has cured the problem. The exhaust is a lot quieter now! Snowdrop is running like a dream and since I did all the work she hasn't missed a beat. I'm thinking of going to the TSSC International at Stafford tomorrow and this would be an ideal long-distance road test for Snowdrop.

Problems

Oh dear, Snowdrop isn't running right. I took her down to Hollycombe and on the way down she started suffering loss of power from Leicestershire. The problem keeps on coming and going. Also, Snowdrop was running a bit hot so I've sourced a replacement radiator via eBay. (the rad needs to be replaced) My plan of action is to start from scratch and redo the ignition settings. I'll be putting Redex down the bores, checking the valve clearances, ditching the NGK spark plugs for Champion ones, resetting the ignition timing, checking the points and the dwell angle. Hopefully, that will solve the problem. I'm going to remove the exhaust and refit it making sure all the joints are leak free. To this end, I've ordered a new manifold-to-downpipe gasket as Snowdrop didn't have one!