Pickup restoration part three

[davidmiles]

This morning I awoke feeling much better, couldn't wait to take her out for a spin. using the petrol pump for the first time in conjunction with the fuel suppliment, very simple and straight forward.[frame][/frame]

[alexandermclaren]

looking great
a feast for the eyes
a dream i am sure you thought would never come
but here you are
out on the open highway
feels good
worth every penny
well done m8

[davidmiles]

Today was the first real long test drive, with regular stop checks. Here she is at the village pub of Easebourne just north of Midhurst and west a few clicks from Petworth, a beautiful part of my county. And some of the most interesting driving too.[frame][/frame]

[davidmiles]

Highstead lane Bexleyhill, and hoping there's no oncoming traffic, she performed well beyond my expectation, responsive steering, strong Chassis, tight springs, I imagine she was made for roads like this.[frame][/frame]

[davidmiles]

On the whole I'm very happy with my first real test drive in her, she was so easy to handle, easily capable of modern traffic situations. Motorway driving wasn't her cup of tea, but it's not mine either. She will be great when I get some soundproofing fitted, comfort was a bit basic, but I could hear everything clearly, and that was more important today than comfort.[frame][/frame]

[Fingolfin]

Oh, David, it's excellent to see you driving! Makes me yearn for the day when my Mog runs, and I can go around the back roads around here... You've done such a good job, and those are some great photos, especially the one of your pickup at the pub.

[ASL642]

I've followed this thread from day one. Very proud of you, an inspiration to any new member with a project to restore.

Congratulations David. Don't forget that all Moggies have a name. Does she/he have one yet?

[davidmiles]

It's great fun isn't it, I've not named her yet, calling her rusty seems a bit premature and cynical. She did go out in the rain today on her first practical pickup job, taking a load of rubbish to the recycling centre. As soon as I got her home again I went over the whole body with a cloth and some warm water with a little car shampoo in it. Here she is out on Thursdays test drive.[frame][/frame]

[davidmiles]

and another shot from the same day. The glory of Morris Minor driving in the country.
[frame][/frame]

[davidmiles]

As Lou quite rightly said earlier, Morris Minors have names, you can't just jump at the first name, the car has to suggest it to you while you're out driving, I was out driving my little wonder tonight, first night drive, and the name "Alice" jumped out at me, as in Alice in wonderland, which is where you are when driving in your own Morris minor. Or, Alice through the looking glass. Anyway Alice it is. quite a heavy weight female name that, it has gravitas,( like Christine). or Alice as in Malice, "better talk nice to me or I won't start". Are there any other Alice's out there?[frame][/frame]

[brucek]

Excellent photo's - Alice returns to her palace!

[chrisryder]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcVLeUFW-AM

[davidmiles]

Takes me back to Schools days Chris. I do like the colour you painted Bluey, is it smoke grey blue grey, and how is Monty coming along?

[chrisryder]

Supposed to be smoke grey, but it's more... well... bluey!

I've only painted the one wing, the rest of it is as-is from when i got her.

Monty is still gathering dust

[davidmiles]

One of the many post MOT steps is the fitting of this alternator, it comes with a wiring diagram, harness and brackets, now, should I take the plunge?[frame][/frame]

[ASL642]

Go for it!

[davidmiles]

lovely three hour drive out in the country today, then oh dear a touch of overheating. Strange as I had checked the radiator and oil levels before we left.
[frame][/frame]

[davidmiles]

It's amazing who comes to your aid, while I was getting a watering can of water from a nearby farmhouse a cyclist advised Jane to squeeze the bottom hose to dispell any air, he was a mini enthusiast. That wasn't the problem, the water level in the rad had dropped.[frame][/frame]

[davidmiles]

I think this is the culprit, it looks like a crack in the body of my new water pump. The watering can full of water later, the engine started like nothing had happened and I limped home without further incident.[frame][/frame]

[davidmiles]

no my mistake, after cleaning away the rusty water the crack was a mould line on the pump, but the rust residue does suggest a leak here, somewhere around the pump, I 'm going to re seat the pump with a new gasket when I do the Alternator switch over.[frame][/frame]