Fresh rubber

Becky had to have new front tyres so it was off to a local independent tyre fitter. (I've used them before when Becky had a puncture) The cost was only £24 per tyre which included a valve and balancing. Cheaper than the "fast fit" places. The first thing I noticed that the steering was a LOT lighter and hopefully, I shouldn't need anything else just yet. I've been given some more Castrol GTX which should see me through the next oil change.

Back ot Baby Blue

Work on Baby Blue has resumed. First I gave the rebuilt steering column another clean. I then removed the parcel shelf. I disconnected the steering column wiring plugs, loosened the adjusting bracket, removed the bottom pin, loosened the top end of the steering coupling but the column still wouldn't come out so I've decided to leave it for now. The whole car needs a good clean which is a job for my pressure washer when I finally get it up and running!

Let there be light!

As I mentioned earlier one of the courtesy light switches on Becky was playing up and another wasn't working at all. I got hold of a replacement switch, fitted it removed the one that was plating up, cleaned up the connection and success! The interior light comes on when all four doors are opened. Aside from getting a set of jump leads I don't need to do anything with Becky.

Back to Baby Blue

The bushes for her steering rack and the bulkhead bush for the steering column arrived from Rimmer Bros today. I can't see them being fitted just yet but I've now got everything I need to swap my steering rack and steering column and then I'll be able to start Baby Blue with the key! Next on the shopping list will be some sheet steel. A guy who comes in the pub on Sundays who works "on the busses" says he can get me some so I might be able to get Baby Blue's bodywork done without any more expense.

More filler removed

I resumed my attack on the front end of the Toledo. I'd bought an angle grinder but I realized that it was overkill on bodyfiller so it was back to the wirebrush on my drill and a claw hammer. It is amazing what you can cover up with filler. It looks like I'll have to replace both front wings but I can probably patch up the front panel. Once I've stripped down the front end I'll get a better idea of the extent of the rust.

I've finally resumed work on the Toledo. I've made a start on cutting out all the filler and rust (plenty of it!) using the wirebrush attachment on my drill. Maybe I should invest in an angle grinder to speed things up a bit.
Becky's had a new set of wiper blades. I had a bit of trouble fitting one of them but I succeeded in the end and the wipers work a lot better now. 

Did a bit of spending...

I've just ordered a few parts for Baby Blue. Rimmer Bros are offering 20% off this month so I've ordered new poly rack bushes and the steering column bulkhead bush. I've just had a quick look at Baby Blue and it looks like the parcel shelf has to come out when I get round to fitting the rebuilt sterring column. I was given a couple of small pieces of steel sheeting and it looks like I've got enough to plate the inner wings and the sill.

I've added to my Triumph collection. I was given this model Acclaim as a belated Christmas persent from somebody who comes in the pub. He's a big Mini enthusiast and one of ht e model Minis he bought had the Acclaim included so he gave it to me and is in excellent condition. (but it doesn't have the box) It now takes pride of place on top of my monitor. 

Done at last

I've got my service done. Got an oil filter from my trusty local motor factor yesterday and did the oil and filter change so now my service is completed. Hopefully, Becky will just keep right on going as she's been doing.

Not quite what I'd planned

I'm all set to do my service. When I looked at what I thought was the oil filter box it turned out that there was a dizzy cap inside so the oil and filter change will have to wait until I can get to my trusty local motor factor and get an oil filter. I carried on and fitted the air filter and spark plugs. I road tested Becky and performance has improved. Once that Castrol GTX is in then she'll be running great!

Some more work to do

At last! Something to do on Becky. I've noticed that the courtesy light switch on the drivers' door is playing up. Probably a bad earth. As I'll be servicing her I can sort it out then. Talking of which, I went to my local Halfords today and bought a new set of spark plugs (Champion's double copper core ones) and 5 litres of Castrol GTX so I'm now set to do the service that I planned on. I was going to do it tomorrow night before the meeting but I've decided to bring it forward to tonight so I'll be off up to Anita's to get the job done as soon as I've finished writing this.

I was thinking about breaking the Toledo but after protests on the Club Triumph and Triumph Dolomite Club forums I've followed my heart and I hope to restore this car. I shall be replacing panels where necessary so this will be an opportunity to learn my welding skills. I reckon that the bulk of the work will be the bodywork so I'll be stripping the front end down first and see how much metal is actually left! I thought that I might have to replace both front wings but I reckon that the drivers' side wing can be left untouched.

I'm bidding for a steering column bush on eBay for Baby Blue. There's also some alloy steering rack mounts which I'd like to get then I'll never need to buy rack bushes again. I had a look at Baby Blue's steering rack today and I reckon that the only problem will be getting the rack out once I've removed the bolts. Time to consult Haynes on this one. I've dug out my rebuilt steering column in readiness for this job. I'll give the plastic shrouds a clean as well.

On the move

I've finally done it! The Toledo has now been moved to it's new resting place at Anita's next to Baby Blue. A large chunk of filler from the front end broke off so I think this car's fate is sealed unless I'm brave enough to fit that front end panel that I have in the garage. The engine still turns over and fires with a dose of Easystart. Becky is none the worse for towing the Toledo. I hope I don't need to do any more towing!

Doing something with the Toledo

Yes, she's now for sale on eBay and if she doesn't sell I will tow her over to Anita's house and break her there. (I can't do it at home)

Watch this space...

Oh dear, this isn't good at all

I had somebody interested in the Toledo. When he came up to look he found some rust holes at the ends of the sills so it looks like it will get scrapped because there's too much work involved. As there's plenty of good parts to be had I won't get somebody to just take it away to be crushed. I will tow it to Anita's and strip it there. I don't feel I can really get the welding done so it might be better to concentrate on getting Baby Blue on the road.

Slow progress

I'm now a bit closer to starting the welding on Baby Blue. I went to a mate who has been restoring a Triumph Herald to help him get all his bits together in readiness for assembling it together. He gave me some degreaser, some offcuts of metal and some old gears on which I can prataice my welding.
Becky still keeps on going and performance is still good even though she's back on her regular diet of Morrisons unleaded.
The pressure is back on to move the Toledo. The word "scrap" has even been mentioned. There's no way I'll do that! That car is perectly saveable andf is more or less complete.

She keeps right on going

Nothing new to report on Becky since I replaced the water pump. She's running as sweet as a nut and I'm sure performance has improved since I fed her some BP instead of the usual diet of Morrison's unleaded. I nearly used the BP Ultimate until I saw the price! I suppose they have to find the money for the radio adverts (that I've been haring on Virgin Radio) somehow. I went to Club Triumph's North Wales & Cheshire meeting last night and there's my North Yorkshire meeting tonight so Becky's done a few miles this week! Good practaice for my Peak District Run, the HCR and the RBRR. All I need is a co-driver for the HCR & RBRR!

Done it!

I've finally got the new water pump fitted and Becky runs a LOT quieter now but it was an absolute struggle. I managed to get the bolt loosened by the garage and last night I tried and gave up. After work today I went straight to Anita's and started working on Becky. The job took a couple of hours and apart from a small scare with one of the water pump bolts it went quite smoothly. Somebody suggested that I change the cambelt but it looked fine to me so I've left well alone. There's just some routine servicing which I can carry out once I've got everything I need. I'm even thinking about using Castrol GTX as it's a bit cheaper and Becky deserves the best. We shall see...

Got the water pump

I picked it up today but fitting it is gonna be a nightmare! I'll need to remove the cambelt cover and crankshaft pulley to get at all the bolts. I've there fore enlisted the help of the garage that did Becky's MoT and one of the lads there is gonna loosen the crankshaft pulley nut saving me a lot of grief. I'll get him to do the same with the water pump pulley and then I'll be laughing.

Squealing like a pig.

That was because the alternator drive belt was slipping so I left it until I fitted the repaired alternator and it has been fine since. While I was doing that I noticed that the water pump pulley seemed wobbly and when I spun it by hand it was making a rumbling noise similar to one I've heard when Becky is ticking over. I was going to leave it because the water pump is working and there are no leaks. A mate strongly suggested that it would fail so I've ordered a brand new water pump from my trusty local motor factor which is gonna cost just over 14 pounds so it is worth doing. I just hope I can get the water pump off to be able to do the job!

Alternator repaired

Got Becky's alternator back today from the auto electrician. It cost me 35 pounds to have it repaired and it looks as good as new. Well worth it and cheaper than buying a new one. As for Baby Blue's alternator, once I did get a new one I would have to take Baby Blue down to have her wired up for the alternator and that isn't possible at the moment unless I get her road legal and that seems quite far off.