I haven't been active on this forum for at least 18 months but I have just acquired a second car after a search for a suitable V8 project which lasted about 6 months. Having been visiting the forum to read up a bit about the V8's, something I hadn't really done before, I realised what a great resource this forum is ( still is). So here I am again.
My existing car is GMR732N 2200TC in Lunar Grey which I have owned for approximately 5 years and steadily improved. I have done quite a bit to it since I last posted so I will update that thread also when I get time.
GMR732N
My new project p6 is 1972 CVC 57K 3500s 10.5:1 finished in almond ( Not my favourite colour!). A friend of mine through the club was losing storage and wanted the car to go to someone who would look after it and could bring it back to its best. Unfortunately he couldn't find anyone so I had to do !
So here it is. It has to be said the photos do flatter the car somewhat
The car originally belonged to a doctor in London who had bought it new. At some point the car wore a cherished number plate plate VGN 25 ; I think the Doctor's name was Vaughan. It was apparently his favourite car and when he died his wife kept the car and couldn't bear to sell it. She serviced and MOT'd it every year but didn't really drive it much so it lived mostly undercover. When she died the family sold the car on to my friend in, I think, 2008.
The car has a later box pleat cloth interior which I am told is because the original flat pleat leather interior was in poor shape having dried out and split.
I went to view the car and a deal was struck, so here are the good and bad points of the car:-
The Good...
55K miles from new
Engine runs well with good oil pressure, no noises.
Gearbox is the original 4 speed, all gears can be selected no jumping out of gear.
Base unit is solid. Doesn't appear to have been welded.
Facet fuel pump fitted with pressure regulator.
Brakes work!
Kenlowe fan fitted
luminition electronic ignition fitted
The Bad...
No fluid in master cylinder when inspected
Gear change is loose, floppy and imprecise
Extensive engine oil leaks. certainly some from rocker box also sump.
Clutch judder taking off in 1st.
Facet fuel pump fitted with pressure regulator - under the bonnet
3 of 4 doors have bubbled paint at the bottom
Near side rear wing has extensive bubbling adjacent to D post
IGN light flickering dimly during drive home.
Steering is extremely light and vague in the centre position.
Steering box is wet as is the relay damper on the other side
Offside rear bump stop missing, looks like rubber has detached from backing plate.
Starter motor doesn't always engage
The previous owner replaced the door seals on the front doors but stopped after he realised he then needed to slam the doors to shut them and that the door flies open when the release lever is pulled.
Drivers side inner wing gutter spot welds starting to rust due to underseal missing from hockey stick area.
Some accessory wiring looks poorly done.
Looking through the history the car has had an expensive gearbox repair and new gearlever in the past.
The fuel pump was fitted but the pressure was too high for the carbs and the regulator with gauge was fitted to cure this I believe. The car has HIF6 carbs which I didn't think was correct for this year ? I suspect they fitted the wrong pump. Anyway I am not happy with the installation of the fuel pump and the associated electrics so I will attend to this is due course.
I checked for brake leaks but couldn't find any. I have since had the drivers carpet up and again its dry. I have also had the vac pipe off the servo and done the 'dip test' but again its virtually dry. I have since discovered that the fluid is shared between the brakes and clutch on the V8's so I suppose there could be a clutch hydraulic leak.
I have already sourced a good wing and some doors in case they are needed later but my intension is to get the car mechanically A1 first.
I have removed the alternator which is an 11AC on this early model in order to investigate why the IGN light is pulsing/glowing. I expected to find a faulty diode but they are all ok. The front bearing is noisy so I have ordered a new one along with new brushes. I will clean up the slip rings and reassemble it all and see how it goes.
Next I plan to remove and overhaul the starter to find out why it doesnt always engage. Sometimes it's as though its jammed, there is a clicking and the interior light dims like the battery is flat. The previous owner said it has always done that, but it has always started after 2 or 3 attempts.
As far as the steering is concerned, in my experience weeping from the bottom of the box is pretty normal. I have never seen a fluid leak below the damper though. The power steering feels very light compared to a modern car but its the vagueness in the central position that's the most disconcerting. It feels like there is play in the steering in that position.
Regarding the clutch judder/lurch, I suppose this could be due to a crankshaft oil leak. The two rocker breather traps look new but I believe there is another one at the back of the engine somewhere.
Anyway, there is plenty to be getting on with. I try to update regularly any progress I make.
Pat
My existing car is GMR732N 2200TC in Lunar Grey which I have owned for approximately 5 years and steadily improved. I have done quite a bit to it since I last posted so I will update that thread also when I get time.
GMR732N
My new project p6 is 1972 CVC 57K 3500s 10.5:1 finished in almond ( Not my favourite colour!). A friend of mine through the club was losing storage and wanted the car to go to someone who would look after it and could bring it back to its best. Unfortunately he couldn't find anyone so I had to do !
So here it is. It has to be said the photos do flatter the car somewhat
The car originally belonged to a doctor in London who had bought it new. At some point the car wore a cherished number plate plate VGN 25 ; I think the Doctor's name was Vaughan. It was apparently his favourite car and when he died his wife kept the car and couldn't bear to sell it. She serviced and MOT'd it every year but didn't really drive it much so it lived mostly undercover. When she died the family sold the car on to my friend in, I think, 2008.
The car has a later box pleat cloth interior which I am told is because the original flat pleat leather interior was in poor shape having dried out and split.
I went to view the car and a deal was struck, so here are the good and bad points of the car:-
The Good...
55K miles from new
Engine runs well with good oil pressure, no noises.
Gearbox is the original 4 speed, all gears can be selected no jumping out of gear.
Base unit is solid. Doesn't appear to have been welded.
Facet fuel pump fitted with pressure regulator.
Brakes work!
Kenlowe fan fitted
luminition electronic ignition fitted
The Bad...
No fluid in master cylinder when inspected
Gear change is loose, floppy and imprecise
Extensive engine oil leaks. certainly some from rocker box also sump.
Clutch judder taking off in 1st.
Facet fuel pump fitted with pressure regulator - under the bonnet
3 of 4 doors have bubbled paint at the bottom
Near side rear wing has extensive bubbling adjacent to D post
IGN light flickering dimly during drive home.
Steering is extremely light and vague in the centre position.
Steering box is wet as is the relay damper on the other side
Offside rear bump stop missing, looks like rubber has detached from backing plate.
Starter motor doesn't always engage
The previous owner replaced the door seals on the front doors but stopped after he realised he then needed to slam the doors to shut them and that the door flies open when the release lever is pulled.
Drivers side inner wing gutter spot welds starting to rust due to underseal missing from hockey stick area.
Some accessory wiring looks poorly done.
Looking through the history the car has had an expensive gearbox repair and new gearlever in the past.
The fuel pump was fitted but the pressure was too high for the carbs and the regulator with gauge was fitted to cure this I believe. The car has HIF6 carbs which I didn't think was correct for this year ? I suspect they fitted the wrong pump. Anyway I am not happy with the installation of the fuel pump and the associated electrics so I will attend to this is due course.
I checked for brake leaks but couldn't find any. I have since had the drivers carpet up and again its dry. I have also had the vac pipe off the servo and done the 'dip test' but again its virtually dry. I have since discovered that the fluid is shared between the brakes and clutch on the V8's so I suppose there could be a clutch hydraulic leak.
I have already sourced a good wing and some doors in case they are needed later but my intension is to get the car mechanically A1 first.
I have removed the alternator which is an 11AC on this early model in order to investigate why the IGN light is pulsing/glowing. I expected to find a faulty diode but they are all ok. The front bearing is noisy so I have ordered a new one along with new brushes. I will clean up the slip rings and reassemble it all and see how it goes.
Next I plan to remove and overhaul the starter to find out why it doesnt always engage. Sometimes it's as though its jammed, there is a clicking and the interior light dims like the battery is flat. The previous owner said it has always done that, but it has always started after 2 or 3 attempts.
As far as the steering is concerned, in my experience weeping from the bottom of the box is pretty normal. I have never seen a fluid leak below the damper though. The power steering feels very light compared to a modern car but its the vagueness in the central position that's the most disconcerting. It feels like there is play in the steering in that position.
Regarding the clutch judder/lurch, I suppose this could be due to a crankshaft oil leak. The two rocker breather traps look new but I believe there is another one at the back of the engine somewhere.
Anyway, there is plenty to be getting on with. I try to update regularly any progress I make.
Pat
