It was another busy day at Lake View.
Daffodil the 3500 has spent the day having a light makeover as Ethel and the Blue McFoo look on from the Lake View sick bay.
IMG_20140911_134332273.jpg by
EthelRedThePetrolHead, on Flickr
Oil and filter are now changed - this has reduced the rattles and the tapping noises to a minimum.
Although, the engine sounds much smoother now as a result of the oil change but the long term problem with the fuel supply has not yet resolved - in spite of a fresh inline fuel filter being fitted, the car spluttered as soon as she hit the A523 for the return trip to Manchester and she wasn't right all the way home.
The first fuel filter fitted by Tom was fouled up within 30 miles. Before it was replaced, it was just about able to take the car out of the Irwell Valley at 50 on the needle - somehwat under the 50mph speed limit and I was trapped in lane 4 with a spluttering car and it was terrifying. In view of this hint, it was downright numptyish to attempt the M66, but this is exactly what I did and was embarrassed as the car struggled up the hill through the housing estate at 20mph.
When I replaced the filter, she took the Irwell climb at a strong 60 on the speedo (55ish) but spluttered when I asked for more - probably just as well seeing as there is that pesky 50mph speed limit. This time I took the hint and came off at the A56 instead of Simister and the M66 and it was easy going in the 30 zone.
The replacement filter lasted 180 miles so it was something of a surprise that the car didn't appreciate a fresh filter today.
I rang Tom from the Sainsbury at Cheadle Royal (20 miles from Lake View) and told him I wasn't enjoying the trip home. He said that he heard the spluttering when I left the garage - I said that I decided against turning back not just that I thought the car would settle down well before Bosley lights but also that I knew the car wouldn't break down.
Sure enough, she didn't break down but she
didn't settle and was miserable all the way home, except for a solitary flash of her capability on Kingsway, when the blockage suddenly cleared at 40mph and the car surged forward like a well struck arrow - I was anticipating this and was keeping even more distance than usual.
I see a carburettor overhaul coming on as well as a refurbished fuel tank but as an aside I would add that even with a severely constricted fuel supply, this car can still brush dawdling numpties aside with the contempt they deserve.
The car now has a presentable interior - the tan flat pleat set that was in the Blue McFoo is ideal for Daffodil in terms of the amount of wear and tear on the seats and I am very glad I didn't discard this interior, seen below in the Blue McFoo before I bought her.
Dry space is very much at a premium at Lake View and it was gracious of the Wizard to agree to my request when we removed these seats from the Blue McFoo - I pleaded with him to keep the seats in his bungalow for a while
"You know what will happen, Tom - we'll throw these seats out and then the next day a car will turn up that is begging for an interior."
Sure enough, Daffodil arrived with composted carpets and seats that were not just ripped but with extreme sun damage as well.
These tan seats, a bit ripped here and there look just right - green and brown even look good together, which is a bonus.
IMG_20140911_134347922.jpg by
EthelRedThePetrolHead, on Flickr
The teardrop headrests aren't the right shade but I am sure I can find someone who will swap. Unlike the earlier "E.T." headrests, the teardrop headrests are not that scarce.
Come to that, front E.T. headrests are not all that rare but rear head rests are ultra rare - only Ethel and Hildegard qualify for a full set of headrests
The car has had a power polish and looks much better for it - we'll get her waxed as well.
IMG_20140911_134342910.jpg by
EthelRedThePetrolHead, on Flickr
Whoever did this paint job hasn't got 1% of Tom's skills but there is always a reward for anyone making an effort with a car's coat, no matter how tired and scabby it might be in the first place.
We have got ourselves our Parking Eye season ticket. Anyone who thinks silver on black plates are completely invisible to the surveillance society is deluded but they are certainly a lot less visible to ANPR cameras.
On the subject of scabby paint, the Blue McFoo is on course for her MOT resit - I delivered a set of calipers, pads and a servo to Lake View so that the blue car can get the brakes overhaul it so badly needs. Tom has already addressed most of the other issues in the MOT fail and she should be good to go. All being well, Hildegard should be garaged for the winter - although she'll get plenty of excercise while the Blue McFoo and Daffodil hold the fort.