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Post by dave1800 on Oct 8, 2017 5:02:28 GMT
Most mechanics I've met overighten nuts, did he use a lock washer? Perhaps there is some kind of harmonic intereference between the alternator bearings and the oh so smooth B series engine  The local market here sells a wooden stick about 1 cm diameter and 20cms long which has a saw tooth pattern on one side and a small propellor on the end. If you rub a chopstick up and down the sawtooth side the propellor spins fast, you can even change its direction by varying the way pressure is applied. Now I understand how vibrations can undo nuts. It takes a while to learn how the get the pressure, angle and speed of moving the chopstick right to cause the propellor to spin, so is quite a good party trick. David |
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Post by peppib on Oct 8, 2017 8:09:04 GMT
David - we had those as toys in the late 40's/early 50's. fascinating things.
Before taking her out today I will fit a check nut so hopefully it should then be safe
Dave
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Post by dave1800 on Oct 8, 2017 8:42:07 GMT
Toys? They are serious scientific training aids! David David - we had those as toys in the late 40's/early 50's. fascinating things.
Before taking her out today I will fit a check nut so hopefully it should then be safe
Dave |
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Post by peppib on Oct 8, 2017 9:38:37 GMT
Well back then they were given to us kids as toys! There was very little available in the shops and my father used to craft toys, dolls houses, forts, garages etc from any plywood he could get - usually old tea chests. The 'propeller' toys were made from better woods he occasionally acquired and were popular. They do say nothing is new.
Dave
Edit: - it was dowel used to make the notched shafts, and I think possibly balsa for the propeller. Carving was done using a standard razor blade in a 'safety' holder.
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Post by Penguin45 on Oct 8, 2017 18:19:28 GMT
I have found a replacement nut but just don't have the strength to tighten it properly. Hopefully it will last for the 28 mile trip tomorrow, then round to garage to use the mechanic's muscles to finish the job. Mind you, he tightened the one I have just lost Nylocks. Fit. Forget. Chris. |
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Post by peppib on Oct 9, 2017 7:16:42 GMT
Chris
Managed to find one of those and fitted it yesterday before heading off for lunch. Checked both at the pub and when I got home and it is still there. Put heater on and it is blowing cold air. Will try flushing 48 years of gunge out before resorting to taking the matrix out. I almost exclusively use Mo at the moment so at this time of year I need a heater
Since fitting the alternator, apart from improved performance, I have noticed the oil warning light takes longer to go out - up to about 5 seconds. Once out though, it stays out no matter how low the revs. Just another mystery of classic motoring
Dave
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Post by peppib on Nov 5, 2017 15:25:08 GMT
Why is it that these treasured cars of ours wait until a 'bracing' (ie perishing cold) day to fail us? Mo started brilliantly in her under cover car park, ran flawlessly all the way to pub and was parked up outside. Came out of pub and would she she 'eck as like start. Investigation showed that 2 HT leads had snapped at the distributor end. EH??? Spare leads in boot fitted eventually (very cold hands combined with side effects of flu jab) and off she went again. New set of leads ordered
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Post by Penguin45 on Nov 5, 2017 16:44:37 GMT
That's just weird.....  Chris. |
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Post by dave1800 on Nov 6, 2017 6:41:57 GMT
Hi Dave I have never seen two leads fail at the same time, your car certainly seems to be giving you a mssage about being left outside the pub. Worth changing plug leads every few years to avoid being let down. regards David Why is it that these treasured cars of ours wait until a 'bracing' (ie perishing cold) day to fail us? Mo started brilliantly in her under cover car park, ran flawlessly all the way to pub and was parked up outside. Came out of pub and would she she 'eck as like start. Investigation showed that 2 HT leads had snapped at the distributor end. EH??? Spare leads in boot fitted eventually (very cold hands combined with side effects of flu jab) and off she went again. New set of leads ordered |
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Post by peppib on Nov 6, 2017 7:37:33 GMT
Chris - the waterproof cover seemed to have moved and was pushing the 2 failed leads over at an odd angle so whether that is the cause?? I haven't refitted it yet - it was a dry day so no need.
David - these leads are 4 years old and have done about 8000 miles. I always carry spares in the boot although some I found yesterday were very short - possibly for pots 2 & 3 of the Minor I used to have
Dave
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Post by dave1800 on Nov 6, 2017 10:17:30 GMT
That's even more weird with the leads failing after just four years and short running time. Did they break away from the connectors, if so the stress from the cover could well be the culprit. If it was the leads themselves that would suggest another problem.
David
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UMO 406G
Nov 6, 2017 20:04:11 GMT
via mobile
Post by peppib on Nov 6, 2017 20:04:11 GMT
David
The connectors broke away from the leads
The rubber covers were very cracked as well, and had failed along the line of the split in the copper
Dave
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Post by peppib on Apr 13, 2018 5:45:44 GMT
The further mysteries of this car. Yesterday was MOT. Passed no problem, then start her to come home - only she wouldn't start! To make matters worse, the dizzy started smoking. Off with the cap and the condenser wire had worn and shorted out on the base of the distributor. Spare points readily to hand. I KNOW I have at least 4 new condensers in that car but could I find them - NO. The one I did find didn't work (Chinese rubbish) so as the garage was closing and the poor mechanic had a gearbox to change before he went home, I was given a lift home and Mo remained. Searched the flat and I still can't find those condensers so I will have to go to a reasonably local (Gateshead, so daring to go south of the river) classic sports car specialist to get some more this morning. 
Dave
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Post by dave1800 on Apr 14, 2018 0:19:08 GMT
At least if failed after the MOT! Those wires on the condenser are vulnerable as they flex each time the vacuum advance operates. They need the proper flexible wire and heatproof insulation.
David
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Post by peppib on Apr 14, 2018 7:07:54 GMT
That condenser has been in use for about 2 years. New points and condenser fitted (one of the sets of points the pin didn't align with the hole - more Chinese stuff) but a second set did, so by mid morning she was safely back in the basement car park
The smell of burning still lingers inside the car
Dave
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