Cookie's Monster - XCA878K 1972 Morris.

Hi all, pleased to say all the parts came off ok, newly refurbished displacer obtained, parts delivered from penguin, ball joints all newly greased with new dust covers and a nice bit of stone chip to make it look nice and neat…

Kids and work mean it can’t go on until tomorrow but I have one more question!….

Obviously it takes a lot to separate the ball joints, so when reconnecting them, is it a case of just really tightening them until they fit firmly back in place (the taper) or is there some other method I should be aware of?

Kind regards

Cookie

Thank you again everyone and Chris for the parts and prompt delivery.

Fingers crossed this time tomorrow I would have actually driven it!

I’ll keep you posted thank you

Cookie

As far as the clutch is concerned it is a good idea to fit new seals to both the master and slave cylinders and also check the brake master cylinder by applying strong pressure with the engine off (no servo action) to ensure the pedal stays hard. Personally I think it is worth replacing all the rubber brake hoses and cylinder seals as it doesn't cost too much and should give you peace of mind for a few years.

Very difficult to identify the source of the noise from the short video. I assume you have changed the oil and filter? If it returns try and locate it using a long screwdriver or similar as a stethoscope - it does sound more like something external to the engine.

Maybe someone with better ears can point you in the right direction!

David

x2.

Check all screws are present front and back holding the two halves of the surround together and in line.

Great progress so far though - well done.

Chris.

HERE Cookie.

C.

Ha! It has a little. Good news is I’ve managed to get the new seals on the master and slave and the clutch is now all good touch wood. Took it out for a lovely drive with lots of admiring glances and waves(felt like royalty!)

Decided to have a drive out to a farish away petrol station that does E5 fuel and began filling her up, got to about 16/17 pounds worth when I began to hear a dreaded splashing sound… looked down and petrol was leaking all over the forecourt. It was actually dripping (gushing) through the rear left bumper panel/sill through an area of rot that looks like it has been caked with filler! I cleaned up, sheepishly paid and drove it back.

On returning there was absolutely no leak, most of the fuel had dried up around the rot hole and tank was showing over a quarter full. It’s been parked up for 3 days now and still no leak. I’ve been at work so haven’t had chance to properly investigate but I have a funny feeling it’s to do with the filler neck. I looked at it from inside the boot and couldn’t see any damage but there was a machined hole in the side of it, i have a feeling it’s meant to be there to let the tank breathe but whether I have pushed the fuel nozzle onto it filling up I don’t know.

I’m on leave as of now for a few days so I’ll have a proper look.

Managed to get the radio working.

Confirmed there is power going to my rear heated screen but it is not de-misting as it should. If you look closely at the wires/filament going across the screen they are patchy and coloured differently which makes me think they’ve given up the ghost.

I also asked Penguin a basic question privately about my dash lights….. I had none! Driving at night was pitch black inside and he told me about the ‘secret’ switch under the dash. I happily found this switch, flicked it and expected the whole thing to light up like a Christmas tree but nothing…. No Speedo lights no nothing. So that’s going to be on my to do list these next few days too. I’m hoping it’s something simple.

I went to the classic cars show last Friday and it was great, even managed to bump into Paddy, apparently a well known Irishman who has a plethora of 1800’s. Turned out he used to own mine! He told me a lot about her history that I would never have known. Fascinating.

Anyway! Hope you’re all well, I’ll keep you all updated.

Cheers Cookie