adam73bgt
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 4,873
Club RR Member Number: 58
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Briefly considered submitting the MGB for the deadline display to give me a bit of motivation for it but it's a pretty slim chance of it being roadworthy in time 😅 Decided that with temperatures dropping and everything slightly damp it was an ideal time to put some hydrate 80 and paint on the surface rust I'd found under the Crossfire's windscreen surrounds... Then put the surrounds back on that I'd painted months ago The whole thing is in a bit of a sorry state so I need to do something about that Also had the new wheel bearing for the Almera staring at me for a week now, think I'll let a garage deal with that despite the labour cost
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Last Edit: Nov 7, 2023 9:07:21 GMT by adam73bgt
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adam73bgt
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 4,873
Club RR Member Number: 58
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Nice work - thanks for keeping us up to date! Thank you, I'm sure many would have had this engine all back together by now and I'm faffing a bit, but progress is still being made Since last update, barrels and head had their bake in the oven, I've got a plan for the crankshaft plugs and now the barrels are painted, I checked the ring gaps, which were all in spec, so they're on the pistons now, another part waiting to be installed
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adam73bgt
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 4,873
Club RR Member Number: 58
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The login buttons layout works on landscape for me, but is a bit funky on portrait (Chrome on Android phone)
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adam73bgt
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 4,873
Club RR Member Number: 58
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Works for me as above. tick the boxes, then click quote on the last post you selectJust tried it on Chrome on Android and it didn't work, only quoted one of the posts I ticked 🤔
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adam73bgt
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 4,873
Club RR Member Number: 58
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Oct 30, 2023 23:36:50 GMT
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OK so I screwed one of the plugs in as far as it would go, better illustrates the difference to how it was from factory There's no sign of it impeding oil flow through to the bearings So I'm thinking install it like that with some permanent loctite? Haven't really got the access to stake it that far down in the hole
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adam73bgt
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 4,873
Club RR Member Number: 58
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Oct 29, 2023 22:41:26 GMT
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Had a little delay with getting the crankshaft mounted while I make sure I've got the oilway plugs in it fitted correctly. However there have been other jobs to get on with in the meantime. Fitted the fully cleaned gauze oil strainer in the lower crankcase along with a new oil filter Assembled the tacho gauge drive, including a Suzuki genuine part O ring as it was the same size as the Kawasaki O ring which is no longer stocked I tapped new roller bearings into the upper crankcase so that I could fit the shifter drum and forks, it took a little bit of back and forth checking the manual and online diagrams to make sure I got everything in the correct orientation ready for the gears The upper crankcase is pretty much ready to go now. My new-to-me front cam chain guide arrived and got fitted, as well as installing a couple of O rings for the internal oil feeds. Another part that needed a bit of thought when fitting was the Kick starter shaft I had taken this apart to clean, but I'd neglected to clock the pawl to the shaft correctly which would have caused issues with installing the return spring, so glad I caught it now! Easy job to remove the circlip and re-clock the pawl to align small marks on the pawl and the shaft. While I was going through my box of engine parts, I also found the kickstarter lever itself which I hadn't cleaned up yet, so that got a clean and a new spring and ball bearing I'd almost forgotten the last bits of engine that need painting, namely the barrels and the head, so I got both of those taken care of today, ready for a bake in the oven tomorrow I can then check ring gaps etc. but the main bit I need to get sorted now is the crank then I can assemble the bottom end
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adam73bgt
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 4,873
Club RR Member Number: 58
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Oct 27, 2023 17:18:40 GMT
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Had a package turn up from Japan today. After being despatched back in August, I'd almost forgotten about it! A single Rays Volk Cv Pro 17" x 10. Bought so that I can finally have a matching pair for one that I've had for probably 6 years at this point It'll need a refurb when I come to actually use it but it's in great condition, I'll need to find someone who can reproduce the stickers as I'd like to replace those when I do refurb them
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Last Edit: Oct 27, 2023 17:19:57 GMT by adam73bgt
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adam73bgt
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 4,873
Club RR Member Number: 58
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Oct 27, 2023 16:23:16 GMT
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I would be more worried about the balance of the crank, considering how high bike engines rev. I hadn't considered that particularly, it should be pretty close to the original balance. It's not a particularly sporting engine and does feature some chain driven balance weights as well so I'd hope it should be forgiving of any slight differences Unlikely to screw in if you left them flush - both centrifugal force and oil pressure are acting to throw/push them out - High strength Locktite and stakes should do the trick from prventing them coming out. But, they also need to be a good tight fit in the threaded hole to seal it off - Otherwise its a leak path that could reduce the available pressure at the bearing. Yes them screwing out rather than going further in was my concern. To be honest I initially put them back in with some regular blue loctite and staked them before thinking about it a bit more. I guess if they're not tightened down to the end of the thread then as you say oil could try and leak up the threads.. Hi Adam, I can put you in touch with someone who rebuilds bikes, and bike engines. He's based in Kenilworth and Coventry, if that is any good to you? Yeah sure mate, sounds like could be a handy person to chat to
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adam73bgt
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 4,873
Club RR Member Number: 58
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Oct 26, 2023 15:34:19 GMT
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A question for the engine gurus, I'm currently rebuilding an engine from a Kawasaki z400, it had some evidence of sludge in the sump when I stripped it down so I've had it completely apart and have been cleaning everything to within an inch of its life The crankshaft is in good condition but to be sure it was totally clean through all the oilways I had a machine shop take out the small threaded plugs which plug up the original drilling holes In doing so, I think they damaged the thread slightly so I took it back and they've tapped the threads, I have new plugs which screw in fine but I don't know if they've tapped further down than the original threads as the plugs will screw right down into the hole. Before they were stripped, the plugs sat fairly proud so that the egdes could be punched so they don't wind out So I'm not sure what's best to do, if I screw them right in till they're tight, I wouldn't be able to punch them to hold them in place. If I only screw them in far enough that I can still punch the edges will they stay in place? Last thing I want is one of them backing out while the engine is running 😅
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adam73bgt
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 4,873
Club RR Member Number: 58
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Oct 24, 2023 13:54:13 GMT
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Been considering where to buy deeper lips for them, Image seem to be reasonably priced I’m looking at getting some lips sorted in the near ish future . I think Image are the best so far , but if you (or anyone else) finds anyone better , I’d be interested to hear . 👍 The other company I was looking at is Rimscarnated, who seem to be similar on price. I'll have to do a bit more digging for reviews on either of them I can't remember the name but there is a French company who do lips as well, but I guess that would likely work out more expensive with the postage etc.
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adam73bgt
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 4,873
Club RR Member Number: 58
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Oct 24, 2023 12:45:27 GMT
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I find myself idly looking at Cadillac STS' now and then, think there's a bit of potential there
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adam73bgt
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 4,873
Club RR Member Number: 58
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Oct 24, 2023 10:38:17 GMT
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I'm currently doing no exciting car work, but am building a motorbike engine in my kitchen which is taking a while but is going together ok Mostly been daily drivers consuming funds at the moment, Almera needs a front wheel bearing which I'm going to try doing myself to save on labour costs. Other Half's 207 had a top mount changed recently and it reminded me how much even the smallest jobs at a garage can cost 🙃 Starting to think of a longer term replacement for the 207, shan't be anything retro unfortunately unless she has a change of heart 😂 Might try and get back to refurbing wheels for the MG again, I started doing the barrels but stopped short of getting the faces blasted for paint Been considering where to buy deeper lips for them, Image seem to be reasonably priced
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adam73bgt
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 4,873
Club RR Member Number: 58
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Oct 20, 2023 18:18:35 GMT
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I haven't watched any live TV at home for a couple of years now and as has already been mentioned I don't think that for "us" as dedicated car people, it's really possible to have a properly in depth car programme on TV. If I am somewhere with a TV then I'll put something on as a bit of background noise like Bangers & Cash for example but it's so dumbed down to appeal to a general audience.
Something that I've found interesting recently is I watch Vice Grip Garage on Youtube, but I've also been watching his new show Roadworthy Rescues on Motortrend via Amazon Prime. The new show has basically the same premise as his rescues on Youtube, but you can see where the TV influence changes things. It's much shorter and less in depth, where on YT the main result is just getting the old wreck home, on the TV show they often draft people in to give the car a bit of paint, some mods, inject a bit of something to show the viewer there's been a dramatic change from the wreck at the start of the show. I enjoy both, but it's curious to see the differences.
If I was to create a show, I'd like to do something in the mould of the Japanese Best Motoring: Hot Version battles where cars from different tuners are put up against each other. You could have a Frontline MGB vs an MST Escort Mk1 vs a BBR MX5 etc. get ex racing drivers to host, people who can properly drive but also have some charisma, your Chris Harris', Jason Plato's etc.
Could also steal another segment from Hot Version and have individual people bring their own car to the track to be test driven by one of the hosts, rated and then advice given on how to improve it
It would still be a very niche programme, more likely suited for a car specific platform like Motortrend but could be a bit of a change from the plethora of Wheeler Dealer copies out there
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Last Edit: Oct 20, 2023 18:18:53 GMT by adam73bgt
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adam73bgt
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 4,873
Club RR Member Number: 58
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Oct 20, 2023 18:04:31 GMT
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I've been progressing on this, slowly admittedly but it's my first ever engine build and I really don't want to screw it up After having given the engine crankshaft and cases a final proper clean out, I went ahead and installed the main bearings and used some plastigauge to check clearances The big ends were a little tricky as the rods kept trying to move and screw up the reading but everything measured up well within factory tolerances so I'm happy with that! Took it all apart again to paint the crankcases, this involved some creative masking.. But got there in the end, since then I've been starting to build the crankcases back up with anything that's easier to do now while they're still split The NOS oil pump was a bit sticky with old oil so gave it a quick blast with some brake cleaner then some fresh oil and it's much happier. I'm held up at the moment as I need a couple of screws which I assume I'd rounded the heads off when disassembling but once I've got those, the kickstarter shaft can go in also. I've also dropped the crankshaft back at the machine shop as while I could get one of the oilway plugs back in, the thread on the other hole is a bit damaged so I'll leave that for them to sort I've transferred the cam followers over to the painted cam cover as well, I had to do a bit of mix and matching to get the 4 best followers and pivots as some had wear or some scratches on the bearing surfaces With the crank back I can get it mounted with the balancer assembly and it should start feeling like a complete engine not long after that!
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adam73bgt
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 4,873
Club RR Member Number: 58
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Oct 17, 2023 11:30:53 GMT
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So, as a non wheels type guy, not ever able to differentiate between PCD, Offset and Lug Nuts vs Lug Bolts (Joking on the nuts and bolts) Are these compatible with rings? VW Center Bore / Hub Bore: 57.1 mm Bolt Pattern (PCD): 4x100 Wheel Fasteners: Lug bolts Thread Size: M12 x 1.5 Wheel Tightening Torque: unknown TIRE RIM OFFSET RANGE mm Tire Pressure (front / rear) bar OE 185/60R14 82T 6Jx14 ET38 36 - 40 2.1 Renault Center Bore / Hub Bore: 60.1 mm Bolt Pattern (PCD): 4x100 Wheel Fasteners: Lug bolts Thread Size: M12 x 1.5 Wheel Tightening Torque: 90 Nm TIRE RIM OFFSET RANGE mm Tire Pressure (front / rear) bar OE 185/80R14 91S 5.5Jx14 ET50 48 - 52 2.5 2.3 Going off those numbers, the Safrane wheels are higher offset than the standard Golf wheels so the wheel will sit further inset in the wheel arch, so watch for clearance to brake calipers etc. Could be spaced back out if it posed an issue
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adam73bgt
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 4,873
Club RR Member Number: 58
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The RR Spotted Threadadam73bgt
@adam73bgt
Club Retro Rides Member 58
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Oct 13, 2023 18:07:48 GMT
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Caught this Mondial going through the downpour earlier
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adam73bgt
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 4,873
Club RR Member Number: 58
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With regards to the OP, I've been thinking similar about some 00s cars of late. I saw a Fiat Stilo in a car park recently and wondered where they had all gone! I learnt to drive in one and while they were never a great seller, they've rapidly disappeared.
I suppose a lot of 90s and 00s stuff gets to the bottom of its depreciation curve and they need to find owners who are willing to spend the money to keep them going before they start to appreciate again, even if it doesn't make short-mid term financial sense!
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adam73bgt
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 4,873
Club RR Member Number: 58
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Thanks, but is AN CAR an abbreviation for something? Escpecially with capital letters only? It's a Jeremy Clarkson-ism, on top gear, he would often use "an" where grammatically it should be "a", for emphasis and comedic effect
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adam73bgt
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 4,873
Club RR Member Number: 58
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I'm trying to think of iconic 90s cars and it seems to be a quite short list so far. Maybe because I'm a 90s kid but Nissan skyline gtr, Mazda rx7, Toyota Supra, Impreza, Evo's and delta integrales, dodge viper, tvr cerbera, Clio Williams, McLaren f1, lambo diablo just off the top of my head, plenty of iconic stuff from the 90s
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