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DFD702K.
Sept 3, 2018 13:41:18 GMT
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Post by rosieuk on Sept 3, 2018 13:41:18 GMT
Re: dipstick...
Its a spring steel one with a max/min scale (which I keep at max, measured cold). The handle is a T-bar in black plastic (which was originally painted red, and still is partially) with three ridges where it inserts into holding tube.
I know that the early cars had a plastic one that was too short.
I'm going to try a method of restoring the grille badge using nail varnish (the lettering has chipped - will let you know what happens. Toothpaste & an old electric toothbrush head works very well to clean off an smooth that badge incidentally
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DFD702K.
Sept 14, 2018 15:15:31 GMT
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Post by rosieuk on Sept 14, 2018 15:15:31 GMT
PS: can anyone tell me where to jack the car up from safely (ie without damaging it). There seems to be two flat surfaces inboard of the wheels on the sills (just behind the front wheel and forward of the rear) that look promising but I can't find any info in any of the books about exactly where to put a jack..
Are the oil fittings the same size as MGB/Mini etc because another eventual to-do is a remote oil filter mounted somewhere where I can actually get at it. Which will solve two problems at once, the slight dribble and the aggravated spinal pain/awful access.
Restoring the grille badge actually worked surprisingly well - but to do it the same way I'd suggest using the finest art brush you can find. Using 1500/2000 grit paper will help clean the ivory background (I'm not sure what it's made of) and a (tiny) little bit of wd40 will protect it (after the paint has dried).
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Post by Penguin45 on Sept 14, 2018 18:16:12 GMT
PS: can anyone tell me where to jack the car up from safely (ie without damaging it). There seems to be two flat surfaces inboard of the wheels on the sills (just behind the front wheel and forward of the rear) that look promising but I can't find any info in any of the books about exactly where to put a jack.. Front chassis rails are the strongest point at the front, displacer housings at the rear. Are the oil fittings the same size as MGB/Mini etc because another eventual to-do is a remote oil filter mounted somewhere where I can actually get at it. Which will solve two problems at once, the slight dribble and the aggravated spinal pain/awful access. Yes - "B" series engine is the key point. The A55 sports car is well catered for in that respect.  Have a look on the Moss Europe site; they do various kits. Restoring the grille badge actually worked surprisingly well - but to do it the same way I'd suggest using the finest art brush you can find. Using 1500/2000 grit paper will help clean the ivory background (I'm not sure what it's made of) and a (tiny) little bit of wd40 will protect it (after the paint has dried). Well done. Pics? Chris. |
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Post by dave1800 on Sept 15, 2018 0:50:09 GMT
Comments below in blue, DavidPS: can anyone tell me where to jack the car up from safely (ie without damaging it). There seems to be two flat surfaces inboard of the wheels on the sills (just behind the front wheel and forward of the rear) that look promising but I can't find any info in any of the books about exactly where to put a jack.. There were rubber plugs covering the jacking points on the sills where you describe, but my advice is don't use them. They were hardly strong enough when the cars were new and failed after just a few years. Use the points Chris suggested.Are the oil fittings the same size as MGB/Mini etc because another eventual to-do is a remote oil filter mounted somewhere where I can actually get at it. Which will solve two problems at once, the slight dribble and the aggravated spinal pain/awful access. You can use the Mk111 spin on filter by using the adapter available from Moss. Do not use the design with the inverted filter.
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DFD702K.
Sept 16, 2018 15:49:01 GMT
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Post by rosieuk on Sept 16, 2018 15:49:01 GMT
Ride height is 345-350mm, should be 378±6mm. Can anyone around Colchester help with this.
Have already got a MGB type drop oil filter mount, I know, cos it's dribbling. I want to move the oil filter somewhere where I can get to it.
Will have a thicker earth fitted when I have the clock replaced with a tacho/hourmeter. The polarity swap killed it despite the fact I told them to check it.
Had an idea re power steering - disconnect pump from dynamo and power it electrically - switch the pump off at high speed and on at low speeds in first and reverse gear using switches. Benefits of PAS at low speed, and more like the better manual steering the rest of the time. Will probably help with mpg.
MPG on current tank looks like 25.4mpg which will improve to 27-28 or so when the tyres wear in a little more. 38mpg for a fast run!
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Post by Penguin45 on Sept 16, 2018 17:36:55 GMT
The last hydrolastic/hydrogas application was the MGF, so specialists still have the pump. MALDON ROAD GARAGE appears to be an MG specialist local to you. I know nothing about them, but might be worth a call. Chris. |
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DFD702K.
Sept 16, 2018 17:59:06 GMT
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Post by rosieuk on Sept 16, 2018 17:59:06 GMT
The last hydrolastic/hydrogas application was the MGF, so specialists still have the pump. MALDON ROAD GARAGE appears to be an MG specialist local to you. I know nothing about them, but might be worth a call. Chris. If it's the place I think it is, it's about a mile & a half away. Thanks for that. The slightly low ride height might be why the poor thing is not keen on some of the rougher roads around here, some of which haven't been maintained since Boris Johnson was in nappies. It also might tighten things up a little - it's a hard feeling to explain but it feels a little wriggly sometimes. The roads in the UK are a menace. My parents recently did UK to Russia and back and saw more potholes & roadside rubbish between Colchester & Harwich than they did across 4200 miles of Europe including Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Russia. Kind of worrying that Poland (that 20 years ago was reliant on roads that the Nazis had built, as extensions to the Autobahn) is a nicer safer (in the sense of not ripping a wheel off) place to drive a Landcrab than the UK is. |
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DFD702K.
Sept 17, 2018 14:51:15 GMT
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Post by rosieuk on Sept 17, 2018 14:51:15 GMT
Have checked with Maldon Road & they have the kit to deal with the suspension system. He reckoned about £40.
Will book it in for oil change tomorrow too & add some Lucas stabiliser. Does anyone know off the top of their head what type of screws are in the gearshift adjuster plate - because hopefully will be able to do that at the same time (gear lever very floppy but looks like adjuster will take it up, since the slop is only to one side).
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DFD702K.
Sept 18, 2018 18:58:11 GMT
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Post by rosieuk on Sept 18, 2018 18:58:11 GMT
I will probably not be on here for a while. A friend of mine was deliberately run down in London yesterday evening and is now in hospital with a "brain bleed". The Police are treating it as a hate crime & attempted murder. I don't know how serious her condition is but since she was hit hard enough to be sent flying - it isn't going to be good.
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Post by Penguin45 on Sept 18, 2018 23:10:47 GMT
Shocking news. Look after your friend, the car will wait for you.
Chris.
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Post by dave1800 on Sept 19, 2018 12:13:44 GMT
That's horrendous, I hope she makes a full recovery. regards David I will probably not be on here for a while. A friend of mine was deliberately run down in London yesterday evening and is now in hospital with a "brain bleed". The Police are treating it as a hate crime & attempted murder. I don't know how serious her condition is but since she was hit hard enough to be sent flying - it isn't going to be good. |
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Post by broncoza on Sept 20, 2018 11:54:34 GMT
And I thought living in South Africa was dangerous.....
All the best hope recovery is full and fast
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DFD702K.
Sept 22, 2018 20:00:59 GMT
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Post by rosieuk on Sept 22, 2018 20:00:59 GMT
Update: Provisionally my friend is OK, she's been very lucky - no permanent damage seems to have been done. Of course it would have been better if she hadn't discharged herself against the doctors advice but there you go. Thanks for the concern, the situation didn't help my mental state any because I've been attacked for similar reasons.
As far as the car goes - had an oil change with some Lucas stabiliser - also found & solved an exhaust leak on the centre section hard joint (not the flex amazingly). Oil pressure is a little higher 23-25ish but it drops off a *lot* slower. These cars make a very distinctive noise (when the exhaust isn't doing an impression of a kazoo). Would have been nice if the eBay filter was correct but hey..
Suspension will be done on Wednesday - is riding slightly lower on the drivers side but it hasn't changed in the time I've owned it so I suspect it's just because it's always driven one up.
Its currently brimmed with fuel so should I ask for a couple of mm off the usual ride height setting of 372mm - I don't want to overstress the system.
Got to make an inspection underneath - everything bar one rear corner very solid.
Am I right in thinking a 22amp dynamo at 12v would give around 265w output? Because if that's the case then I'd have thought there's ample power. Although a replacement 75w alternator isn't that expensive I just wonder if it's not overkill. I also suspect that the bimetallic indicator gadget draws a *lot* of power because running off the battery alone it dies completely when there's still enough in the battery to spin the engine.. Which is odd.
Leg is almost completely recovered & Tegu still very active - very friendly too. I'm going to be a bit careful still, I'm not up for round two.
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DFD702K.
Sept 22, 2018 20:06:21 GMT
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Post by rosieuk on Sept 22, 2018 20:06:21 GMT
PS: Mann code for the *proper* filter is W712.. Whether that refers to any other cars on here is an unknown. On the upside the oil additive seems to have stopped the jiggle pin leak. Although will find out for definite 2moro.
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Post by dave1800 on Sept 23, 2018 3:10:51 GMT
Good to hear your friend has recovered.
Going back to the fuel tank it is interesting to note that the "Which" consumers report in 1980 compared an Austin 3 litre, 1800S and Wolseley 18/85 auto. A section of the report compares safety and in the analysis the 3L column mentioned that the tank was too close to the rear but made no comment on the ADO17s. An interesting report, but I can't post a link so if you want a copy send me a pm. I wasn't that impressed with the accuracy of the report which seemed to be biased against the cars with issues that I never experienced in years of ownership including, for example, stating that they all needed a lot of churning to start.
David
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Have a look on the Moss Europe site; they do various kits.
