Andrew Posted August 5, 2019 Share Posted August 5, 2019 3 hours ago, Meatibald Archpants said: Full report coming soon... Its taking too long.. I think you're concocting some elaborate story to cover the facts! You've killed Lionel! 😭 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAFKARM Posted August 5, 2019 Author Share Posted August 5, 2019 A bit apprehensive and a sleepless night before the day - I was a Billy no mates on this one, in an untested car I’d had off eBay for £430. Prior to the day id swapped the brake caliper and put lowered springs on (both included in sale). I also replaced the shredded alternator / water pump belt, put a battery on it and partially stripped it. When I did the springs it was clear the shocks had seen better days, 3/4 didn’t rebound at all when compressed, but in the spirit of budget I left them on anyway (mistake!) Brake fluid was changed for some superblue I had kicking around, but brake pads came on the car. Put some ten year old tyres on that came with some wheels I bought from @Rednop1 The car had sat on a farm for 2 years by the way (and smelt like it) Got to the track nice and early, quickly made friends with the guys next door and exchanged oil for a go pro mount that I’d forgotten. Sighting laps went ok, engine seemed strong. Did a 10 min session and all was mostly well - through the fast left handers the knackered shocks made the loaded front wheel bounce and skip all over the place to the point i thought it was going to fall off. Had to really fight the wheel to stay on line. 5 mins into session two, flat out through port froid (85 in Lionel), a huge bang, followed by an instant spin and a brown interior. The alternator belt had let go (the tensioner had been rusty) and took out a radiator hose depositing water (clever see - water rather than coolant to minimise track clean up!) over the back wheels. Dejected, towed off the circuit at 1045 and the day was over for me. I called @syman84 to give him the bad news. ”You can fix this, you absolute legend! I believe in you! You’re the best!” He said. The alternator belt was a pig of a job first time round, but I figured I could probably do it trackside in 1.5 - 2 hours if I had the parts. (I had a huge array of tools with me). So off I went to Halfords in Gainsborough who stared blankly when I said I needed a 4PK885 and ANY 90 degree bend hose (sorry we don’t have any Mk1 mx5 parts etc). They suggested I try a motor factor close by, I headed in with hope in my heart. alas they had no hoses, they did have a selection of belts (even let me go out back to look) but nothing I could use - not even a 6PK i could cut down. so so I tried, I failed, the day was a complete disaster. Or was it...... to be continued 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Posted August 5, 2019 Share Posted August 5, 2019 9 minutes ago, Meatibald Archpants said: Did a 10 min session and all was mostly well - through the fast left handers the knackered shocks made the loaded front wheel bounce and skip all over the place to the point i thought it was going to fall off. Had to really fight the wheel to stay on line. Looking forward to the video. 😉 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAFKARM Posted August 5, 2019 Author Share Posted August 5, 2019 As I wiped away the tears (metaphorical) in a lonely car park (not a metaphor) in Gainsborough I had a quick look on google. - sort by motor factor open on Sunday. Found one in Lincoln about 35 mins away. Called them - they had the belt but not the hose. I headed over to get it. Belt collected, I sat in another car park and ate the pack up my wife had made me 😄 which was good because the card machine was out of action at Blyton and I never have cash because it’s 2019. Got it back to the track at 1325 - now to change the alternator belt (2 hours remember) you need to get at it from underneath and it’s a massive pain. I asked ‘next door’ if I could borrow some stands. We had a chat and he suggested I try it from above, just in case. I did and it worked! Because I’d had the killer bolt off last week it was easy! Now to bodge the coolant hose - @BCF suggested I take the Westfield hoses with me while it’s got no engine in. Good lad, voila! Up and running for 1410! Enjoyed the rest of the day, although it was very hot and Lionel had a slight issue that it was starting to get a tad warm after 3 or 4 laps. 1645 I decided to call it a day, borrowed a compression tester from next door and got 140 100 100 140, so looks like head gasket failure between 2 and 3. Ill stick some K Seal in and see what happens on the next one.... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trevor Little (Trevturtle) - Treasurer Posted August 5, 2019 Share Posted August 5, 2019 7 hours ago, Meatibald Archpants said: . The side to side movement of the gear stick in the corners indicates transmission is moving a lot....of is it a built in roll indicator? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAFKARM Posted August 5, 2019 Author Share Posted August 5, 2019 It’s probably shagged mounts! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdamR Posted August 5, 2019 Share Posted August 5, 2019 Ace to see you getting stuck in despite the issues 👍 Hope the gasket fix works! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BenD Posted August 6, 2019 Share Posted August 6, 2019 will we see you at Cadwell then @Meatibald Archpants Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAFKARM Posted August 6, 2019 Author Share Posted August 6, 2019 When’s Cadwell? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BenD Posted August 6, 2019 Share Posted August 6, 2019 10 minutes ago, Meatibald Archpants said: When’s Cadwell? 29th of august Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAFKARM Posted September 9, 2019 Author Share Posted September 9, 2019 The K Seal didn't work by the way! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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