1969 Convertible Reawakening XPK 794G
Posted: Fri Aug 29, 2014 10:04 am
XPK aka "Xavier" was my car when I was a student. Unfortunately, there was a loud bang from the gearbox and a terrible noise like a pneumatic drill (in first gear only) and he was put away in the garage to be sorted out and promptly forgotten. This was in 1995 when I had had the car for some years. He was my second Minor 1000. I learnt to drive on a 4 door saloon but the bottom rusted out of that one and it was too expensive to put right. This car is a genuine factory convertible not a 2-door with the roof chopped off.
After 19 years of having general junk piled all around him, Xavier was uncovered after a massive purge of useless rubbish in the garage. Naturally, I could not resist trying to get him to go again. So far, I have replaced the radiator and hoses as they leaked very badly and the radiator had more solder on it than radiator. All of the electrical contacts were badly corroded and a new battery was needed as well as distributor cap. He now cranks and there is a good spark but I am waiting for a new fuel line and parts for the SU fuel pump (points type). The carburettor piston was seized but released with some penetrating oil and a piece of wood. The dynamo bearings feel very stiff but I found a reconditioned unit in the boot and I remember intending to swap it 20 years ago. I also found a bottle of water in the boot which suggests the radiator was leaking all those years ago as well.
The brakes are completely seized. The handbrake was left on so I presume the cylinders are wrecked. Once I get the engine running I intend to completely renew the entire braking system. Once that is done, and the car can move, it will need the gearbox sorted out but I think that task is beyond my ability/tools/tolerance of being covered in black oil/state of my back.
Bodywork is not perfect but only a few patches of rust. Underneath looks OK except for a lot of oil on the gearbox, differential and everywhere else under there really. I know it dripped from the rear crankcase seal a lot. I recall that there was a lot of flex in chassis and the doors would pop open if it was jacked up.
This car will never be for daily use so I intend to keep it as original as possible. Having said that, I do wonder what I will think when I eventually drive it again. I remember the brakes being shockingly bad and requiring a lot of force.
I have considered selling this car many times but although it is not an MG or a Maserati we have a lot of history together and it is not going anywhere![frame][/frame]
After 19 years of having general junk piled all around him, Xavier was uncovered after a massive purge of useless rubbish in the garage. Naturally, I could not resist trying to get him to go again. So far, I have replaced the radiator and hoses as they leaked very badly and the radiator had more solder on it than radiator. All of the electrical contacts were badly corroded and a new battery was needed as well as distributor cap. He now cranks and there is a good spark but I am waiting for a new fuel line and parts for the SU fuel pump (points type). The carburettor piston was seized but released with some penetrating oil and a piece of wood. The dynamo bearings feel very stiff but I found a reconditioned unit in the boot and I remember intending to swap it 20 years ago. I also found a bottle of water in the boot which suggests the radiator was leaking all those years ago as well.
The brakes are completely seized. The handbrake was left on so I presume the cylinders are wrecked. Once I get the engine running I intend to completely renew the entire braking system. Once that is done, and the car can move, it will need the gearbox sorted out but I think that task is beyond my ability/tools/tolerance of being covered in black oil/state of my back.
Bodywork is not perfect but only a few patches of rust. Underneath looks OK except for a lot of oil on the gearbox, differential and everywhere else under there really. I know it dripped from the rear crankcase seal a lot. I recall that there was a lot of flex in chassis and the doors would pop open if it was jacked up.
This car will never be for daily use so I intend to keep it as original as possible. Having said that, I do wonder what I will think when I eventually drive it again. I remember the brakes being shockingly bad and requiring a lot of force.
I have considered selling this car many times but although it is not an MG or a Maserati we have a lot of history together and it is not going anywhere![frame][/frame]