Where can I buy all the "usual" spares??

Post by **Bigal_85** » Thu Jul 02, 2009 7:39 am

I am going a big trip to Inverness in my Traveller tomorrow and was just wondering where you all buy your points, condenser, dizzy cap etc??
I have read a lot of threads on spares to take on a road trip and have decided on:

Points
Condenser
Dizzy Cap
Fuses
Spare wire (what rating?)
Some connectors
Bulbs

Spanners
Screwdrivers
Foot Pump
Other everyday tools

Can anybody see anything I might have missed??

Thanks

Post by **andrew.searston** » Thu Jul 02, 2009 7:45 am

try bull motif they have their own website. or if not try your local motor shop like a1 motor store they should do the pointes etc...

Post by **alex_holden** » Thu Jul 02, 2009 8:08 am

I've never carried a foot pump. I have a spare wheel and the tools necessary to change it, and most garage forecourts have air lines.

You missed rotor arm, coil, HT leads, and spark plugs. Coil especially as I've had two fail on me recently, one of which was a new 'Lucas' one I'd only fitted a couple of weeks earlier!

Spare fuel pump, or at least a set of pump points (though I wouldn't fancy rebuilding a pump while broken down on a busy road).

Engine oil.

Personally I prefer to carry a spare can of petrol 'just in case', though I've only once had to use it in anger.

Radiator hoses, hose clamps, stanley knife (so you can shorten heater hoses if the end splits), and a bottle of water or two.

Gaffer tape.

Warning triangle.

Starter handle (though only if you're confident you can use it safely).

Edit: Fan belt.

Post by **Bigal_85** » Thu Jul 02, 2009 8:24 am

Cheers, thanks for that. Would I get all these parts in normal motor stores (halfords etc) I used to own a VW camper and got everything from GSF. Not sure where to go for Morris parts.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Thu Jul 02, 2009 8:24 am

Nip down to RATTRAY's in Cornwall St - they have huge stocks of New Old Stock parts for Classics - and will provide genuine parts - not dodgey replacements!
You missed out (in order of importance) spare fuel pump/complete distributer(or take all the internal parts - it's just easier to swop dizzy at the roadside!) /head gasket/inner tube - and of course - AA membership (or similar service included with your classic insurance). Good luck with the trip - I would say stop off in Aviemore for a run on the Steam Train - but don't think it runs on Fridays!! Jefftav on here lives in Inverness - and has huge stocks of spare parts !

Post by **ASL642** » Thu Jul 02, 2009 8:30 am

Rubber headed hammer (for tapping the fuel pump - if it stops)

Post by **mckenzie** » Thu Jul 02, 2009 9:02 am

Latex gloves and wet wipes

Post by **alzax3** » Thu Jul 02, 2009 9:52 am

Halfords have stopped stocking points/condensors etc due to lack of demand - our local motor factor chain has the odd thing on the shelf - ie 1 rear wheel brake cylinder in the whole of Cornwall, but did have points and condensor. You're better off going to a Minor specialist though, as they will have some idea what they are selling you and what works with what - the modern shops mostly have no clue!

Post by **Rasputin** » Thu Jul 02, 2009 9:54 am

And a trailer to carry all of the above

Post by **moggie-tom** » Thu Jul 02, 2009 10:16 am

You won't be able to get much from halfords, they didn't even stock the right oil last time I went down. Some of the online minor specialists stock kits with various bits you need for service/breakdowns. Best to shop about a bit online as you can get some parts cheaper from different suppliers. As far as I know the RAC also don't carry points and condensors anymore.

Thu Jul 02, 2009 12:17 pm

I think this thread needs a health warning!

i just hope that nobody looking to buy a minor reads this it makes moggies sound terribly unrealiable.. but maybe they are when they are carrying around half their weight in spares!

one thing is that everyone has missed is take a sense of humour and enjoy the drive.

Post by **ASL642** » Thu Jul 02, 2009 12:19 pm

We carried these sort of "spares" when going to France for the MOT, but do not carry this every day.

Post by **ani** » Thu Jul 02, 2009 12:23 pm

Nice one Charlie

After my "minor" problems on Sunday a spare petrol pump is a great idea and making sure you have a nice clean carb before you set off!

Have a lovely time

Post by **andrew.searston** » Thu Jul 02, 2009 4:54 pm

not forgetting a throttle and clutch return spring as they can go instantly which isnt good as the engine will go on full revs
make sure you reach for the key if this does happen as you dont want to carry a spare engine with you

Post by **rayofleamington** » Thu Jul 02, 2009 6:03 pm

For a little run from Glasgow to Inverness I'd take the spare, a wheelbrace + jack and an AA/RAC card.
However this is for a car that's used frequently and properly serviced (i.e. the dizzy points and petrol pump points have been checked etc...)
If the car has been gathering dust for many months then teething troubles become more likely.

As for the long list of stuff (every one's lists added together) that's almost everything I took to go to Gambia + 5 spare wheels not just 1. The only additional things I remember were tyre levers, cable ties, jubilee clips and a length of fuel hose.

A friend of mine was thinking of coming but wanted things like a spare axle

in case it breaks etc...

If you're using an alternator then membership of a recovery service is something I wouldn't leave home without... (they account for most of my breakdowns over the last 30 cars / 20 years)

Post by **alex_holden** » Thu Jul 02, 2009 7:37 pm

rayofleamington wrote:The only additional things I remember were tyre levers, cable ties, jubilee clips and a length of fuel hose.

I've got all those (apart from the tyre levers) and much more in my boot spares crate.

I assembled it to bring with us on our tour of the Scottish highlands and islands. I can't see much point in putting together a more minimal set for everyday use (and if I did I'd probably regret it when something broke that I could have fixed if I'd had the big set with me!).

Post by **rayofleamington** » Thu Jul 02, 2009 8:51 pm

I've got all those (apart from the tyre levers

the tyre levers came in handy to lever the torsion bar when changing the master cylinder in a Dakhla (a windy peninsular by the border of Western Sahara and Mauretania)
If I'd not fitted the faulty seal kit before setting off, the master cylinder wouldn't have failed... Doh!

Post by **alex_holden** » Thu Jul 02, 2009 9:13 pm

rayofleamington wrote:the tyre levers came in handy to lever the torsion bar when changing the master cylinder in a Dakhla (a windy peninsular by the border of Western Sahara and Mauretania)

Well, when that happened to me, I found a nice chap who happened to have a big crowbar and a block of wood in his garage...

Post by **ASL642** » Thu Jul 02, 2009 9:17 pm

Who happened to live in the rural highlands of Warwickshire

Post by **rayofleamington** » Thu Jul 02, 2009 9:25 pm

I found a nice chap who happened to have a big crowbar and a block of wood in his garage...