Newbie on Powys/Shropshire border

[wrcnav01]

Having just purchased NFO 727 , a 1957 Minor with 1098 unleaded engine I have a feeling I'm going to need all the advice I can get from you guys on this forum. I bought it off fleabay for a couple of reasons , firstly I've always wanted one since my parents had 3 of them when we were kids and secondly my eldest son is 17 and it was either a Moggy or a Bug - he hates modern boxes!.

The vehicle has had loads spent on it (welding mostly) and I suspect we'll be spending loads in the next couple of years. Its been off the road since Oct 2010 covered with an indoor sheet - but outside. Hence , I feel it would have been better just to have left it uncovered since the roof is badly pitted with rust. A new offside rear wing was purchased in 2008 (looking through the receipts) but for what ever reason was never painted.

When I got it home , the battery looked in reasonable condition so with the aid of my L200 and jump leads managed to test most of the electrics , Eager just to see if the engine would fire up I pulled the starter button (having searched the internet as to why I could'nt turn the ignition key any further!) and confirmed that the starter was working and the engine was at least turning over freely. I noticed a SU fuel pump on the bulkhead , similar in design to my Series 1 Lotus Sunbeam , although with the ignition on and some light tapping could'nt get it to click / start tapping.

In the pouring rain yesterday , having changed clothes on more than 3 occassions within 2 hours I managed to get the pump clicking merrily away although it was leaking and not pulling the fuel through. Patience is not my best attribute so I made a gasket from a Becks Beer box , re-assembled the pump and bingo fuel was launched into the carb.
Pulled choke and he (called Felix) fired up and both my boys (17 and 15) have both driven the car up the lane and back with smiles from ear to ear.

It goes without saying I'm going to need your help guys so I will apologise in advance. The car is far from an original 1957 model , having an unleaded 1098 , reclining seats (non minor) in the front , indicators look like post 63 , black grille and the number plates are probably wrong - but I did'nt buy it for concourse or shows I bought it for us , our family to enjoy.
Couple of pics below , my first jobs are to try and adjust the clutch (its way too low and it does'nt come back up either) , the front hanger on the rear offside spring looks dodgy , holes in boot , no heat going to the little vents on the screen and the fuel gauge only goes as far as quarter full , even though its almost full.
Probably ask loads of stupid questions , please bear with me and Felix on our journey.
thanks.
Gaz.[frame][/frame][frame][/frame]

[chesney]

Hi Nice post!
With the screen demisters, if it is the original round heater, they aren't particularly efficient (at least until enough warm air comes through the heater). I think the one in my '58 saloon has never demisted the screen .
With the fuel gauge, likely to be the sender unit in the tank, or the gauge has the wires the wrong way round

[lambrettalad]

chesney ,love the pop in for a cuppa line

[ASL642]

Hi and welcome!

I think you may also need to add a clutch return spring to your list of "parts needed"!

Nice project.

[chesney]

chesney ,love the pop in for a cuppa line

You don't know what the cup has in it

[millerman]

With an FO reg it would appear the car has not moved far from Radnorshire, I used to have a Mini BFO 501

[lambrettalad]

knowing Yorkshire people I'm sure it will be overflowing with goodness

[JOWETTJAVELIN]

First thing to do is get that wing painted to prevent further rust and go round with the Kurust doing any other areas. If you don't think you're up to the mechanics ask a member here or a knowledgeable garage to look at the mechanics and sort everything before it hits the road to avoid any possible breakdown. A major service is ESSENTIAL as it has been laid up.

[wrcnav01]

Thanks for your comments guys - I'm currently drawing up a 'snagging' list , which seems to be growing everytime I look at the car. I plan to check all fluid levels this weekend and get the wing rubbed down, get my hands on some Krust and at least get some primer on it. I'm fairly safe on mechanicals - previous cars such as Mk1 Cortina , Firenza , Mini and numerous Mk1 Escorts have taught me alot.
I plan to start from the front and work backwards , although the issues do appear to be at the rear - so that might be my start point.

Managed to locate the brake master cyclinder today and had to grab a hefty light and my reading glasses to ascertain that at one stage in its life the filler top was actually hexagonal. Today , its completely round so some light persuasion with a hammer and chisel finally got it off. I dont fancy doing that every time I want to check the brake fluid so can someone recommend a supplier of replacement brake reservoir filler nuts!!.

[JOWETTJAVELIN]

Try club spares. Spark plug spanner will fit if you don't have the correct socket.

[IaininTenbury]

With an FO reg it would appear the car has not moved far from Radnorshire, I used to have a Mini BFO 501

Actually its an age related plate. Radnorshire didn't get very far through the AFO, BFO, CFO series before 1963 when age letters were introduced and the DVLA later used the remaining ones as age related plates. My Series 1 Land Rover was HFO156 and the only time it went anywhere near Wales was whe I moved down to Worcestershire/Herefordshire border.... However its certainly a very discrete age related plate - not obvious like all the Scottish ones and reasonably local to where you are too.
Looks a great car btw

[wrcnav01]

Cheers Iain , I'll post some pics tomorrow of the challenge I have with the paintwork - in particuar the roof and boot. I dont think covering Felix with an indoor cover and leaving him outside for 2 yrs was the best idea.

I cant believe the impact this little car has had on my family and my sons friends . They cant resist sitting behind the huge wheel and peering through , what today is a very small windscreen. Even caught my wife tonight dressed in her coporate suit , driver of a black 325 SE , full leather seats , electric everything , sitting behind the wheel of Felix and asking when she can take it to work.

My 17yr old son is constantly reminding everyone that Felix is his.

[ASL642]

I get the feeling Felix may soon have more company in the garage? Careful it's addictive!

[wrcnav01]

I get the feeling Felix may soon have more company in the garage? Careful it's addictive!

I think you're right , even our postman was caught peering into it this morning.....

[wrcnav01]

I'll provide updates to Felix in the restoration section..., in the meantime thanks for all your comments and support.

[chrisryder]

Managed to locate the brake master cyclinder today and had to grab a hefty light and my reading glasses to ascertain that at one stage in its life the filler top was actually hexagonal. Today , its completely round so some light persuasion with a hammer and chisel finally got it off. I dont fancy doing that every time I want to check the brake fluid so can someone recommend a supplier of replacement brake reservoir filler nuts!!.

I had the same problem. Remedied for now by filing a smaller hex on it. It's only soft metal so files easily (also why it gets rounded easily...). Good to have your desired spanner to hand to keep checking you've filed just enough. I took mine down to 19mm.

Best done off the car though, as you don't want to get filings in the brake fluid. There's a tiny breather hole in one flat of the hex, so make sure that's clear before refitting too, as you don't want it sucking filings in when fitted.

[wrcnav01]

Ah Cheers Chris ! , a good tip and sound advice...... now where's me hammer and chisel (again).....