MoT failure.

I finally took the car in for an MoT.

Unsurprisingly, it failed. The handbrake efficiency was below the requirements and there were a few areas of corrosion so not bad for a 42 year old car. I've cleaned, adjusted and greased the rear brake shoes and the handbrake is better. The garage is going to do the welding so that will take care of everything and it will have a fresh MoT (and an empty bank account).

Just about ready for MoT

Since my last post I've done quite a bit to the car. I ended up getting brand new headlight retaining panels from the Triumph Dolomite Club. At £35 each, it was an absolute no-brainer and when I came to fit them I was vindicated because the remants were staring to rot. I changed the engine oil, oil filter, air filters and spark plugs. All the lights have been fitted and they're fully working. I've also fitted the bumpers and the front grilles. I also replaced all 4 tyres. Replacement dust covers for the top balljoints were sourced from the TDC.

One problem I had to address was the hazard lights. The car is a mixture of early 1850 and 1850HL and had the later type push/pull hazard switch. I had fitted the early type dashboard and the early type hazard switch (which is just a big rocker switch) needed to be wired up. With the help of a guide to diagnosing indicator problems (found in the Dolly Wiki), I was able to get my head round it. I tested the various connections for voltage and continuity as and where necessary and then I connected everything up and it is fully working.

Just need to get that MoT booked...

A slight change of direction.

I have come to the conclusion that it would be better to get the car fully road legal again (Just needs an MoT) which will make life much easier when I do get the car painted. With the car being road legal, I can take it to somewhere more suitable. To this end I've already replaced the track rod ends and the spark plugs. There's the engine oil, oil filter and the air filters to replace. The front tyres need replacing as do the dust covers on the top balljoints. To have the headlights fully working, I need to sort out the front headlight panels as parts of them have rusted away. I'll probably get replacements from the Triumph Dolomite Club as they work out cheaper and are probably a better fit. The car will start and run given fuel and enough power in the battery. The automatic transission fluid also needs reaplcing by that's a post-MoT job. Fortunately, I won't have to refit every single thing that I've removed and the fact that I kept the interor secure and the car in a drivable state has paid off.

Another infrequent post

It has been nearly 3 months since my last post. I bought myself an electric spray gun via ebay. I avoided the cheapest ones and bought something a bit better. I've stripped as much off the car as I can while keeping the car's interior secured and being able to keep the car drivable. I've managed to paint the car with tins of grey primer from the pound shop. This will give the cellulose primer a decent key and the "pound shop" primer acts as a barrier coat which will avoid any reaction with the paint underneath (that's the hope anyway). I don't think that you can have too much paint on the car. After much deliberation and some feedback from friends and family, I've decided on Damson as the new colour of choice. I didn't mind the Russett Brown but it isn't right for 1972. I'm seriously considering changing the Sprint alloys for the original steel wheels and the metal wheel trims that the early Dolomite 1850s had. Because of all this work, I didn't MoT the car so it will be well into next year before it goes in for the dreaded MoT. I've been restoring parts as they've come off the car so they will be ready to go straight back on once the car is resprayed. I've done the headlights, both bumpers, the number plates and the air cleaner so far. There's the camshaft cover to repaint. It also needs a new gasket because it is weeping. A service is also needed. As part of the colour change, I'll be painting the engine bay satin black.

I'm having a bit of trouble sourcing the cellulose paint and with winter setting in, I'll have to delay spraying until it gets a bit warmer. Despite having just a car port for shelter it is a couple of degrees more than if the car was totally exposed to the elements.

It has been a while...

...since I last posted on this Blog.

After 5 years of ownership I have finally made a start on the bodywork. On the OSR wing there was a crack where it had been filled in so I dug out all the old cracked filler and replaced most of it with fresh filler. I've managed to build the profile back up but I'm not quite there yet. I've decided that the Russett brown has to go not even being the correct colour for 1972 and after much deliberation I have finally settled on Damson. I've started to strip the chrome trim off in readiness for painting. I've been using primer from the local pound shop which is quite decent considering the price (£1 for a 300ml tin). Because I don't have a garage, I need to keep the interior safe from the elements so the doors and the glass will have to remain in situ and I need to be able to open, close, lock and unlock the doors and I'll have to mask up the parts I can't remove. I shall be getting a cheap electric spray gun which will give infinitely better results than rattle cans and will in the long run cost less. There's also a bit of rot in the headlight panels so I will have to bite the bullet at some point and get that sorted out properly.

Besides the bodywork, there's the hazard switch to wire up (I'm changing from the later type push-pull to the early type rocker switch), an oil and filter change, 2 front tyres to replace, the front wheel tracking to be adjusted and I need to fit relays the the headlight circuit in readiness for halogens and to avoid the indicator stalk burning out.

Oh, and it will need a fresh MoT as it has run out a couple of days ago. Looks like I've got my work cut out for me.

A bit more work done.

I have been meaning to sort out a blowing joint on the exhaust so one sunny evening. I managed to remove and separate the entire exhaust except for the downpipe. I then carefully reassembled it and I now have a leak free exhaust. It still isn't 100%. Ideally, I'd like to fit a new one so I'll need to save some money and get a stainless exhaust from the Triumph Dolomite Club.

I then turned my attention to the carbs. I knew the mixture was fine so I concentrated on getting them balanced. I found my carb balancer and after adjusting the front carb it was running a lot better. Brown is running on SU HS4s and being a 1972 car it should have Strombergs. I was looking at fitting Stromberg carbs but opinions are divided so I've put the idea on hold. Besides, the money it'll cost me can be better spent on other things and some of the parts I'll need are quite elusive.

The most recent job I've done is to complete the instrument panel. It started out as the later type and now it is the early type. It is also possible to adapt the later type loom. An example is the warning light cluster. The multiplug connector is different between early and late cars but the wires are still the same colour so if you swap like for like it will work. The only downside is that I can't use the heated rear window and the seatbelt warning light doesn't work. These are minor problems which can be resolved. I've had to keep the existing hazard switch because the indicators won't work without it. It'll have to do until I can wire the rocker switch up

There's a show tomorrow at Harewood House in Leeds. This will be the first show I'm doing this year. The weather forecast is dry with some sunshine so it will be better than last year when it was cancelled due to the heavy rain.

Fanbelt and LED bulb.

I bought a new fanbelt for Brown costing my just shy of £3.

As you can see, the old one was in dire need of replacement and was stretched. I had to retension it last night so it should be fine.

I ordered some LED bulbs for my Astra so I bought a couple for Brown. The first bulb I changed was the interior light.

Definitely an improvement. Less heat, less current and longer bulb life. I had assumed that the bulb for the selector lever for the autobox was the same as the interior light (42mm festoon) but it is smaller so I'll have to order another LED bulb. When I took the old bulb out one of the metal terminals came off. This explains why the bulb was working intermittently.

I'm planning on going to work in Brown tomorrow and that evening there is the Club Triumph Pendle & Pennine meeting which has been brought forward because the IAE takes place that weekend (just the way the days have fallen) so it will be a good one tomorrow night. I've put the battery on charge so I shouldn't need a jump start from the Astra.

Reviving Brown

I managed to get the wiper blades replaced costing me just £8. I couldn't afford to go to Gaydon so that didn't happen. Tonight I jump started Brown and went to the local Morrisons for petrol, a jet wash and some air in the tyres. The fan belt is slipping constantly so I'll need to get a new one. My current job is permanent so I can start doing more to this car (including using it!). I haven't been to any club meetings or any shows this year so that will change now. The next meeting will be a local Club Triumph meeting on the 7th of June which is always well attended in that particular month. The next local TSSC meeting is the following Tuesday and there's Northern Dolly Day on Sunday 16th June which I'm hoping won't be rained off like last year.

Becky II has now gone...

The buyer turned up today to collect the car.

I'm now down to just the one Triumph so the Blog will continue. Brown needs new wiper blades, some air in the tyres a good wash and some fuel. If I can afford the fuel I'll be able to make it to the big Triumph event at Gaydon tomorrow.

Becky II has been sold

I haven't used this car since November of last year. The last outing was to the West Yorkshire TSSC meeting and the car had been parked up ever since. Combined with the fact that I've no money until I get paid, I decided to list the car on eBay. One of the bidders came up to view the car with his father (who I happened to know). Because of this I agreed to sell privately and a deal was struck. I ended the listing early and the car will be collected this coming Saturday so for the first time since 2005 I'll be without an Acclaim and I'll be down to just one Triumph. This is truly the end of an era...

Well well well...

...as Jeremy Kyle would say.

There was the house move last November and since then the Triumphs have been neglected. The cold weather and the lack of a garage haven't helped either. The insurance for the Triumphs ran out and I couldn't afford to renew it. The day after the insurance ran out my Astra died so I didn't have a car I could use. To get mobile again I insured the Dolomite for £100 through Adrain Flux who gave me the cheapest quote. Apart from the battery not holding it's charge too well (due to the lack of use) the car has been fine. Now it is 100% road legal once again I might make it to some shows this year if they don't get rained off!

Blue has now gone.

Barry came and picked up Blue so I'm now down to two Triumphs. Because I'll be working back in York, I've got myself a Vauxhall Astra for the commute. It belonged to Anita's son who had a problem with it and ended up buying a Corsa instead. The Astra was a simple fix in the end and I was given first dibs. It is now insured and as soon as I've got the V5C (registration document) I can tax it. This means that Becky II can have a rest and I can get a couple of jobs done. The bonnet release cable needs replacing and the nearside outer CV gaiter has split. I've got a spare bonnet release cable and Barry has given me a nearside driveshaft. If I can get the hub nut undone then the swap will be easy enough.

Becky has gone & Blue is running again.

Due to a house move I'm having to reduce the fleet so I've decided to sell the two Acclaims that are on SORN (Becky & Blue). I'd listed Blue on eBay and Barry McGrath the Acclaim Guru offered to buy Blue and he has also agreed to take Becky away. Tonight he came up with his mate Dan and after a struggle we got Blue running. I had a suspicion that the fuel line was blocked but with the help of a compressor it was soon cleared. After putting the HT leads in the right order and robbing the rotor arm from Becky II Blue was running again. This car hasn't run so well in a long time. Becky was partially reassembled to appear more complete and once the rear brakes were freed off and some air put in the tyres she was rolling again. It took a bit longer than expected so Barry will be back at the end of the week to collect Blue. This gives me time to get Blue ready to be hooked up for towing away.

Blue is for sale

Due to an imminent house move with not enough room at the new place I'm having to put Blue up for sale. This car is the top-of-the-range CD with the Triomatic gearbox, has done 46,000 miles is complete and in original condition. The engine turns but won't run. I suspect that the fuel line is blocked. Becky should be able to donate her's. If this car doesn't sell I will put it on eBay. I also need to funds to take on a Vauxhall Astra as I need a modern car for commuting.

Back on the road!

Oh yes, Brown is now 100% road legal again. I taxed it yesterday at the Post Office. I could've done it online but I didn't want to wait and besides, you can't beat the feeling of going to the Post Office and getting a tax disc without having to pay for it.

I put some fresh fuel in and the car's running fine. The exhaust started to rattle but it has now disappeared. I'm planning to use this car daily during the week to shake it down.

Fresh MoT

Brown came home today with a fresh MoT:

The total cost (not including the £40 test fee) came to £300 most of which was for the welding needed. Once I've taxed the car in the morning I'll be good to go. Here's to continued enjoyment of this car.

MoT failure...

Brown has failed the MoT. Nothing too serious but obviously bad enought to fail. The fails were:

Corrosion on the chassis rails at the front subframe mounting points.
Corrosion on one of the jacking points at the rear of one of the sills.
Play in the forint wheel bearings.
Poor and imbalanced handbrake.
Loose headlight and aimed too low.
Torn exhaust mounting rubber.

It will be just over £200 to put it all right (it might be more depending on how much rot is found) so I've booked the car in for repairs and retest for next Thurdsay. I don't have to pay for the road tax on this car (1972 Triumph Dolomite) so I'm not too bothered about having to fork out to get this car through the MoT and I might as well get it done when I can afford it.

The end of the road Part 2

This has now also come for Becky (Monza red Acclaim HL). I have had this car for 7 years and I have to face up to the fact that I'm never going to be able to put this car back on the road so I've come to the decision to dismantle this car for spares. I could take her apart and store the parts in the garage but I don't want to be stuck with parts I may not need for years if ever. I could be moving to another place which has no garage. The solution - get a few Acclaim enthusiasts together who can strip the car right down in a day and in return they can have whatever parts they need for free. Simples! I have participated in such a stripdown so I know it is possible.

Because of this possible move I'm going to have to put Blue up for sale. This is a 46,000 mile Acclaim CD Triomatic in a fetching shade of Zircon blue. The car will need some welding to the sills, an overhaul of the braking system (new pads, shoes, discs and fluid), a battery, new ignition parts and fresh fluids but is complete and original.

The end of the road

No it isn't quite THAT bad. Today is the last day of Brown's current MoT and with no job and the associated lack of income (literally ZERO income) I am unable to put this car through the test. Ironically, the car is in better shape than when it passed last year but I can't do anything when I've no money. On a slightly more fortunate note, Becky II is still road legal but I can't afford fuel so I'm not much better off and any major job could also take this car off the road.

It has been 2 months...

...since my last post and there has been plenty going on with both of my road-going Triumphs.

Becky II has been clocking up the miles and has already passed the 100,000 mile mark. I was even able to take a photo at the precise moment when all the zeros lined up.

During this week there's been quite a bit of work needed. The nearside brake light had failed because water had accumulated in the light unit. With all the recent rain I'm not surprised. This meant that the light unit had to be removed so I could drain it. The next job was to remove the remains of the bulb because it has rusted in. As always I prevailed and a new bulb was fitted which has restored it to working order.
Going to and from work I noticed that the steering was feeling wobbly. I found excessive play in the nearside track rod end and fitted new ones on both sides. I noticed that the nearside front tyre needed replacing so that was done and after putting a few miles on I got the front wheel tracking done so the commute should be a more pleaseant experience. Because of the mileage I've been changing Becky II's engine oil and filter every 3,000 miles. It never ceases to amaze me at how black the oil gets after only 3,000 miles.

Brown has also been getting plenty of attention from the spanners. I have finally got a blow-free exhaust. I fitted a brand new exhaust manifold (£20 from Rimmer Bros. Too good to miss at that price.) with new gaskets and some new bolts and made sure that all the joints were leak free. This car is so much better to drive. I wish I'd done it sooner. The horn is fixed and now works all the time, I've fitted the TRIUMPH badge on the front panel (the early Dolomites have them), the non-existent heater was fixed by repositioning a collapsed heater hose, I fitted an early type number plate light along with the rear bumper centre,

 fitted a new fanbelt, adjusted the choke cable, fitted early type sun visors,

 got a slow puncture on the offside rear tyre repaired, reinstated the original springs (I fitted Sprint springs when I replaced the dampers back in 2009) to restore the correct height and the most recent job was to fit new front brake pads which I'm still bedding in at the moment. Since I fitted the electronic ignition I've clocked up just over 2,000 trouble-free miles and the car is easier to start and runs better.