Abandoned Minor in North London

Post by **tonicaek** » Wed May 06, 2009 9:58 pm

This is good to hear - nice to see she's interested in the progression of things!

Post by **davidmiles** » Wed May 06, 2009 9:59 pm

She sounds very nice, see if you can get a sales chit, even if you only give her a pound.

Post by **purplebargeken** » Fri May 08, 2009 4:28 pm

Phoned the DVLA again today. Spoke to a chap who stated that they haveno notification of my V888 application. He said they are currently experiencing a 10 day backlog!

Have just sent off the V62 application form. In for a penny, in for a pound. Sod it! Wish me luck.

Ken

Post by **davidmiles** » Fri May 08, 2009 8:32 pm

Ken I've only just had my registration certificate V5C sent to me by the DVLA, I applied just after I recovered Ratty to my home address, sent the V62 the following day 31 march, serious backlog, but It'll come. Hey look at it this way, you'll not be driving the car for a while yet anyway so whats the rush. Anything to do with any British government department just takes time.

Post by **purplebargeken** » Sat May 09, 2009 3:07 pm

Ok, hooked the car up tto a good battery. Turned the ignition with the new key made with the correct key number...... and she turned over a few times really strongly.

Didn't push it too hard. Will try again at some point with fresh fuel, points, plugs and condenser. ill ensure oil level is good too.

Looks promising though.

Post by **dalebrignall** » Sat May 09, 2009 3:40 pm

how long has the car been stood,i would have taken the plugs out first put some oil down the bores and turned over with the handle first.

Post by **purplebargeken** » Sat May 09, 2009 4:13 pm

She's been stood about a year'ish. Handle? Do they still have the facility on late'ish cars? Forgive my ignorance.

Have always been lucky re: starting. Always tried to turn the engine by hand first.

Post by **LouiseM** » Sat May 09, 2009 4:15 pm

Handle? Do they still have the facility on late'ish cars?

Yes - all Minors can be started with a handle

Post by **purplebargeken** » Sat May 09, 2009 7:55 pm

Cool. Used to have a P3 Rover 90 with a starting handle.

Hmm, just did a quick count of the number of cars that I have had since I passed my test in 1981......... 62 to date. 17 motorbikes.

Ooooh. Forget to mention that the electrics worked, apart from one brake light and the horn. Will change the bulb, not sure about the horn though. Connections? Wiper blades were a bit past their best too

Cheers

Ken

Post by **d_harris** » Sat May 09, 2009 10:42 pm

The horn not working is often the push on the steering wheel, so remove the centre, clean it up and see what happens...

Post by **purplebargeken** » Sun May 10, 2009 2:16 pm

Cheers for that. I will have a look and report back.

Regards

Ken

Post by **Furrtiv** » Sun May 10, 2009 3:17 pm

Ooh, such drama!

Glad to hear the car's safely off the road - what with the government zeal over trying to get rid of old and untaxed cars by any means necessary, I'm very surprised that she stood there so long and wasn't towed and crushed!

Post by **purplebargeken** » Sun May 10, 2009 9:12 pm

You, me and the rest of the world. Tis true though. Everyone I spoke to in that particular road confirm the lengthg of time she had been stood. Bizarre.

Post by **simona1** » Tue May 12, 2009 8:55 pm

Have you not got an update for us yet, its better than coronation street this can't wait for next episode.

Post by **purplebargeken** » Tue May 12, 2009 9:24 pm

Almost anything is better than Coronation Street! No, no real update yet. Car is moving into my garage tomorrow (next door to the one it's in at the moment), as my Dolomite 1500SE has now been sold. This will save me a few quid per week. More to spend on the Mog maybe hehehe.

Post by **purplebargeken** » Sat May 16, 2009 3:09 pm

Mate of mine from the Dolomite Club came over to help get the car started. However, before he arrived I changed the plugs and put a gallon of fresh petrol in her and ................ vroom! She runs. She also actually moves too. Brakes work happily but would benefit from a general going over. Seems like there is a blow from the exhaust somewhere. Nowt major.

There is a slight leak from one of the little hoses by the water pump. Best to change them all anyway if it all works out. Good oil and filter change wouldn't go amiss either. One brake light isn't co-operating despite a new bulb, probably a loose connection somewhere. Couple of little patches needed underneath as well. A good day overall.

Post by **purplebargeken** » Sun May 17, 2009 3:19 pm

Think it's the 'by-pass hose' - goes from water pump to the cylinder head. It's just a little trickle but needs sorting. Now, I have seen two options. Straight hose or 'corrugated' hose. Will take off the water pump to fit anyway. Pros and cons of either hose?? Kevlar reinforced or blue silicone thingy?
Still rather pleased that she runs

Post by **Dryad** » Sun May 17, 2009 3:27 pm

Yay! Glad to hear it runs! There's nothing quite like getting an Minor engine running that has been stood for a long time. As for the hoses, I thought the corrugated ones were made to make it possible to fit them without removing the pump or cylinder head. I might be wrong though...

Post by **aupickup** » Sun May 17, 2009 3:41 pm

at any rate use a solid hose and not the concertina type

Post by **purplebargeken** » Sun May 17, 2009 4:46 pm

I think that you are correct with regards to why they were corregated. However, it wouldn't hurt to take the rad off to backflush it anyway. You never know what crud is lurking in there. Water pump is then easily accessed is it not? Then new WP gasket and chuck on the new straight hose. Is that right or will I have to remove the 2 bladed fan as well?

Thanks for responding