33grinder
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Post by 33grinder on Dec 31, 2009 13:53:24 GMT
Thanks all, I now have some things to look at but overall I'm really quite pleased with how she faired. No, no more grinding DD, thank god. In fact I thought I was free from grinding but last weekend the Rover started and I lost all gears as the clutch fluid totally dried up. I have a hose which I will change for braided, as I think the exhaust generates a surfeit of heat and boils the fluid, if the resevoir cap is any indication. I've topped up and can engage gears most of the time but the slave will need bleeding. I may one day be totally free from grinding, who knows? And yes Stef, I would love to make it to some meets this year. I won't make the first one of the year in Derbyshire, but I should make Princethorp I hope!
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stefan
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Post by stefan on Dec 31, 2009 17:15:18 GMT
look forward to seeing then mate it is usually a good do
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pauldaf44
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Post by pauldaf44 on Dec 31, 2009 17:26:33 GMT
Congrats and welcome back to daf driving. Perhaps we could see some some pics of her out and about on the road. I too intend to make Princethorpe so see you there if you can keep up with my near 100 extra cubes lol.
Paul
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33grinder
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Post by 33grinder on Jan 1, 2010 22:05:29 GMT
I started Daffing today, having fitted my hot air ducting from Danny and new exhaust donuts, the one that was still there being very perished, the other missing. I got 50mm donuts, don't know whether that was correct but it was a match for what was there. I had promised by brother that I would visit him once the 33 was back on the road. Grinder Junior wanted to come too. The journey to my brother's went well, with a maximum speed of 72mph achieved on the A127, a fast dual carriage way (well, the parts that the council haven't screwed up with their speed cameras that is). On arriving at my brothers house she promptly stalled, but I wasn't bothered as I had arrived. After a while and upon leaving my brother asked if I could give him a lift to the pub on the way out. No worries, except she kept stalling and I had to use the choke at junctions whilst holding her firmly on the foot brake. After a while the problem seemed to subside, although she seemed a little unwilling to pull away at junctions and traffic lights etc. My brother duly dropped off at the public house G Junior and myself proceded home. Our journey however was to end just before the Rayleigh turn off on the A127 about half a mile from home, on a bend on a hill just before the exit slip. I just about managed to pull her up onto the pavement to get her half off the road. Due to the dangerous position the car was in and the proximity of overtaking motorists obviously caught unaware at my Daf looming into view, I called the RAC and upon telling them the situation and having a youngster with me a recovery van came within 10 minutes or so and towed me to safety into a nearby car park. Further examination showed that the spade terminal connecting to the anti-run off valve had somehow sheared and disconnected. A new connection was made but then there was another problem. I could not turn the key in the ignition barrell. Further examination showed the wires from the barrell to the wiring multiplug had shorted somehow and the multiplug is toast. The answer was to cut the wires to the barrell and hot-start it. To switch the engine off was a case of removing a wire from the coil. The worse thing is that I had assumed a burning smell to be from the hammerite being burnt of the heat exchanger, but all along it must have been the wiring. There were no blown fuses which I find a bit odd. Still, onwards and upwards. I'll remove the multiplug and make some other connections, probably bullets, and see if Matt has another ignition barrell! I did take a photo of her new heater pipes and of her broken down at the road side but I really cannot be @rsed at the moment, I'm a bit peeved with her and she is sulking in the garage. Tomorrow I'll get cracking on it and maybe have a laugh about it. Cheese, 33G
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spunkymonkey
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Post by spunkymonkey on Jan 1, 2010 22:22:08 GMT
Both bits are explained hereI know it was late, but take the spaces out Done As for the 33G's fun & games today - as far as I know the feeds to the ignition barrel aren't fused. All fuses are in either permanently live circuits or on the switched side of the barrel, hence no fuse blowing. The overheating itself is quite likely to have been caused by the broken off wire for the anti-run-on valve. That's a straight feed from the ignition so if it was sparking around loose under the bonnet you would have been getting an intermittent short on the main ignition live. You'll forgive her in the end though
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33grinder
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Post by 33grinder on Jan 4, 2010 13:20:07 GMT
I've forgiven her Joe, just a bit peeved that had to happen. If only I had looked under the bonnet when she first started stalling I may have found the problem and still have a decent ignition barrell to boot. Matt had a couple of spare barrells which we tried out, one gave ignition but no start, the other gave start but then wouldn't release the starter when the key was released. I tried something a little Heath Robinson last night. I smashed the plastic gimboid out of the back of the barrell intending to 'modify' another one and hold it in the back with a cable tie. That didn't work. But I've connected the wiring of the new gimboid and I can now start it on the key (aka 'screwdriver'). Am I right in thinking that the barrell itself if attached to the column via a snap-off bolt and the only way to remove it is to drill out the bolt? As for Matt, Animal is coming up for her MOT and has started protesting. Yesterday she blew all of her fuses. Also one windscreen squirter has packed up. Both had stopped working but one has freed up with some compressed air. She really is protesting about her forthcoming test!! Matt intends to put her in to see what the failures are and work on her in the grace period. Matt also fitted a new back box on Goldie, his 46 and she has responded well to that. She was previously using a Marathon back box which sounded nice albeit the baffles were blowing. Well, that's all for now, although if anyone has a good spare 12V 33 barrell and key do let me know, together with how you removed it from the column! ;D Thanks, 33G.
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spunkymonkey
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Post by spunkymonkey on Jan 4, 2010 14:04:23 GMT
As far as I know they're break-head bolts (obviously, you can use normal ones to refit it). As for the barrel itself, I don't have one but I do have some nice pics of how the whole thing comes apart: www.dafmobile.ournet.org.uk/index.php/page/15.htmlNote the single grub screw that holds the switch on the end of the barrel - may not be easy to see with it in the car but you should hopefully be able to get at it with a bit of fiddling without drilling the barrel off the car. If you look at the second photo, you can see how the plastic switch bit is in two parts which click together with a couple of little plastic teeth. Once they're off the barrel you can open the switch up easily enough at that point - if you have access to two of them you should be able to put a good one together from the two. Just be very careful as you open it to make sure nothing falls out of place - working out how they were assembled can be a PITA if that happens
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stefan
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Post by stefan on Jan 4, 2010 18:58:12 GMT
Good to hear you are still Daffing in the bad lands even in the cold
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Post by dafdaffer on Jan 4, 2010 21:47:47 GMT
i have always used a pin point punch and taped them round
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33grinder
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Post by 33grinder on Jan 4, 2010 23:05:22 GMT
Thanks for the advice all. I may try the turning out with the pin punch. I'm assuming it would turn out anti-clockwise? If it's got to come out then I can't make it worse than it is! It's a shame that the colum obscures the grub screw and you can't get to it otherwise. Also the plastic at the end of the wires into the loom are uber brittle and I may do away with it all together, as all the wires are spades anyway. I assume the plastic clip is to keep the wires apart and from shorting (not that it worked in this case), isn't that what leccy tape is for?!! This is how I was using the ignition until recently (twisting the black and blue wires gives ignition 'on' and touching green wires switches starter on); I really must spray glue that carpet down, it's annoying me now. Anyway, I now have the key in the ignition barrell to remove the steering lock, and I have an additional key now, which when not in use sits nicely in the dashboard airvent so I don't misplace it (the interior light doesn't work): God, I cut my knuckes to shreds smashing the little gimboid out of my barrell, to no avail...... Anyway, just for (Gladys) Paul's edification, here's some photos of Gavina 'out and about'. Broken down on a dark desolate part of the A127 (well, just before the Rayleigh exit slip as it happens): Gavina dutifully waiting for me in Wick's car park (Rayleigh) whilst buying some solder for my soldering iron which cost me £15 (yes, I bauked at that) and I didn't get to use any after all that: Gavina reaquanting herself with Animal at Animal's stomping ground.... ...Essex Daf Central of course!! ;D And yes Stef, I use her in all weather, although I do have a guilt complex because she was t-cut and polished before the MOT and looked uber shiney, not she's filthy and I have to look at the mess everytime I go into the garage. Hey ho, cars are meant to be driven after all. I really must fix the heater. Danny's heater pipes are doing the job (noisely) but the cold air switch is stuck half open, so I'm not getting as toasty as I would like to be, us Southerners don't like it too cold you know! ;D
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stefan
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Post by stefan on Jan 5, 2010 8:46:47 GMT
I use my volvo in most weather thats what the were designed for, volvo not taxed just now as skint but will be as soon as i get some money.
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33grinder
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Post by 33grinder on Jan 8, 2010 22:30:55 GMT
Well, I tried the hole punch and hammer technique, that bolt must be made of kryptonite or something, I can't get it to budge. It'll be a drill out job I suppose, but I'll wait until I have a replacement first. Not wanting to hijack Joe's thread, I had a look tonight at the heater controls which necessitated dropping the radio out of the way first. I think to work effectively on those controls you need very long skinny fingers! I traced the cable back to the heater box on the bulkhead to some sort of switch. Pushing this up is effectively switching off the cold air and I can do this but still not move the lever fully over to the left. I assume I need to loosen the nut retaining the cable to the lever bracket, anyone? I have the lever at the heater box as far upwards as it will go. Driving her, I do get the occasional puff of icy cold air from the vents. I wouldn't call her toasty, even wearing several layers - am I expecting too much from her? So, I have two cars with defective heating. The Rover's heating works well enough but for some bizzare reason sends the temporature gauge rocketing skywards. The only way round that is to use the setting to pull in fresh air and have the temperature setting on max heat. Even then, the air vents that supply cold air only lets a cold draft through, even when switched off. I think I am destined to have a very cold winter in my motors!
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33grinder
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Post by 33grinder on Jan 18, 2010 0:26:50 GMT
Well, not much Daffing for me to report from this week, except for a lovely break in the weather today allowing me to extract Gavina from the garage for a wash as she was still filthy from the snow, which thankfully has all gone now from my part of the badlands. Saturday was to hopefully see myself, Matt and Dan meet up for some daffing, however Dan is in the building trade and work committments meant that we was no longer available on Saturday. Matt and I took a raincheck, as it was hissing down with rain and I didn't much fancy driving Gavina in that nor working outside. We decided to call a hault to any daffing plans and reconvene another time. Besides, Martin (the friend who's workshop I rent a corner of) was due back from 3 weeks away in Malta, so I thought it would be nice to catch up with him and do some work on the Renault. A mutual friend gave Martin a lift home from the airport Friday night and the head gasket blew on his Audi on the way home, so they went straight to the garage and proceded to work on it. Martin left the workshop in the early hours having been there all night, James was still there with his Audi and after a quick brew we got the final bits back together and engine started, all was well but the water pump he'd only fitted six months earlier (when he changed the cambelt) was totally kn@ckered, the metal fins had all sheared off! Anyway, here's some photo's of Badlands South. View from the front (there's a side door as well, and an outside lav too, although in the cold weather the water in the cystern freezed up, luckily it's all fine now! ;D There's a nice log fire in the workshop to keep things (well, within a ten foot radius) nice and toasty. Otherwise there's an office/kitchen (not photographed) which is always warm. We need to replace some flourescent strip lights, last time we used a forklift truck with a palet on the forks to let us reach the tubes. Now the guy who owns the forklift has moved on and is no longer on the estate. The high ceilings make changing bulbs quite hazardous and photos on my mobile came out dark. I've tried to lighten them on photoshop, hope they come out ok. And finally my little corner. I've since cleared all the parts of the Renault onto the shelves behind, together with the half dozen garden bags full of spares that were in the car. For those who follows/remembers/cares about the last Renault instalment, you'll know recovering her was a royal PITA and once I'd dumped her in the corner and mopped out the excess water from the dashboard that was all I could be @rsed to do. I've now had a chance to check electrics and I have indicators, rear lights, reversing lights, horn, interior lights, and one electric window. Not bad considering the dashboard was out of the car when I got it. James and I decided (after another brew) that we should try and get her started. We patched up a bad lead the starter and put some jump leads onto James' Audi, to no avail. We thought the starter may be ropey and bench tested our spare wihch was fine. We then shorted the starter terminals and got it to turn, however the solenoid was stuck. We ran a new wire straight to the batter so we could operate the solenoid ourselves, and managed to get the starter engaging. That freed everything up so she could be turned on the key. After some coughing and then remembering she has a choke, we eventually got her going. That's after James had tested for a spark and forgot he was holding the spark plug in his wrong hand (the one with the metal plate in this thumb). Anyway, she was running sweetly for a little while before she looked like she was going to overheat and the overflow bottle started to bubble up. Whether that is because the fan wasn't kicking in or the thermostadt was stuck remains to be seen. That was pretty much it from me. I shan't dwell too much on the Renault, nobody seemed overly excited about it last time, just thought it better to post something to read than nothing at all. Matt did get some Daffing done though. He is working at the MOT requirements for Animal who is now out of ticket. Some success for Matt today in that he sorted out a lot of electrical woes and now has his indicators back. Goldie is proving a reliable daily hack, as Matt's list for Animal is growing and include half shalf boots, anything else rubber apart from engine mounts need replacing and perhaps even a spot of welding. A Daffer's work is never done!! That's all for now! Cheese, 33G.
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33grinder
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Post by 33grinder on Jan 26, 2010 0:45:06 GMT
Back again with another week's round up from the badlands! There was the possibility to meet up with Dan at the weekend, regretfully battery woes with his Alfa put paid to that. For my own part, I've been belting around the badlands and putting some miles under her belts. Saturday night saw a scorned Mrs G. and a rushed journey home where 85mph was seen on the speedo , a new record although that was down hill in a valley on the A130 (yes, we do have some hills in Essex you know) and by the time I crested the hill at the other end of the valley she had dropped down to 60mph. I'm getting very used to driving her again now, as to whether she is used to my leaden right foot I'm not so sure! ;D I have also located another steering column complete with steering wheel, barrell and key and will hopefully get this next weekend. Once the whole lot is swapped over I can dispense with my temporary screwdriver key. ;D I can report that whilst Matt is not being disturbed by the farmyard chickens he has found time to get on with some Daffing. Going back to Matt's 66 parts car, he has finally managed to get the 1300cc engine to turn over, allaying fears that it was seized. She's not firing yet, but some fresh petrol may help. This one will be broken as she is too far gone to be saved, but it is nice to know the engine is working before she is pulled. Work then turned to Animal. Matt started to remove the half shafts and found some rust in them, together with the rubber boots being cracked. He has cleaned out and at the time of taking the picture needed to apply some fresh grease. With animal off the road this has given Matt time to evaluate the grot spots and he has sent me some photos for your perusal. Matt discovered this hole whilst poking around under the driver's side front corner. Here's the driver's side rear of sill and arch: Nearside rear quarter panel and arch: Matt is going to text me a list of rubber parts that he needs for Animal which I'll put under the parts section of the forum, so look out for it and if anyone can help then Matt will be greatful. Well, that's all for now! Cheese, 33G.
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33grinder
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Post by 33grinder on Jan 31, 2010 23:42:39 GMT
Hello all and it's that time for a report of this weekend's Daffing at the Badlands. Saturday started late for me as I had to pay a visit to a friend in Romford, the opposite direction to Matt's barn in Colchester. Still, the sun was shining, I wasn't wearing shades and had half a tank of petrol so I set off in Gavina and 45 minutes later met up with my friend. Some time later I set off for Colchester which would be a good hour away. Still she was running fine and I thought I would take a different route to Essex central. Trouble is I found myself a little uncertain of my whereabouts and called Matt for directions. (Incidentally, if anyone can offer advice as to how to wire in a 12v cigar lighter so a fcukwit like me can run satnav so not get lost due to a total lack of spacial awareness and no sense of direction then please enlighten me!!). I confirmed my whereabouts and then Gavina stalled on me. I managed to restart her but using the choke. Performance came in bits and drabs and I called Matt again to say that I was possibly not make it to the barn. We struggled along and then I called Matt. 'Hello Mate, I've broken down' 'OK mate, we're on our way' 'You won't have to go far, I'm at the gate' ;D Fortunately Dan had already arrived and he and Matt helped push Gavina to the barn. I sheepishly admitted she may be a little low on go-go juice but she had only just gone into the reserve. Then I found that Gavina is a liar. This will put a strain on our future relationship, but I now know how far I can take her before a pitstop is imminent.!! Having said that, she's not that great on the MPG. Half a tank made it from Rayleigh to Romford and not quite Colchester, about 76 miles. I can't be @rsed to do the maths, but does that sound right? OK, we then dug out my spare heat exchangers for Joe and John's bonnet hinges. Matt couldn't find any spare throttle cables for Paul, so Dan took one out of the white 44. Then the obligatory cuppa was consumed and we refueld Gavina. Today Matt and Dan were working on Goldie as her Speedo had stopped working. Matt tried swapping over for another clock and the road test (to the petrol stationto fill Gavina's jerry can) showed that whilst Goldie was running in sterling fashion 3 up with a tool chest in the boot, the dial refused to budge. So the original clock (which also has lower mileage) could go back in. Eventually Matt found that the cable 'had wound itself up'. Here is another problem that he found, the plastic nut which is prone to breaking when changing the cable. Then in the fading light Matt told us that he had to be home for 6pm as swmbo had a job for him to do and we all went our separate ways. Matt was hoping to accompany me to visit our acquintance Stephen Balls who I had promised to visit for a while now, to catalogue more of his stock. More of that will be posted on the appropriate part of the forum so look out for that. But before we departed we made an interesting discovery. Yes, chickens prefer Ovlovs to Dafs!! But then again, what do they know, they're reknown for their bad taste (unless roasted or fried that is!!) Well, I'm no chicken but it must be said that Dan's Ovlov 66 estate is a very nice example. The panels are straight and there are just a couple of faded areas. Inside she boasts a clean 300 type interior, those seats certainly look comfortable! Now, I like to keep these reports light hearted and they can go off track occasionally depending on the current state of affairs of the author, however I realise that mention of Stephen may involve thoughts concerning a certain individual who, whilst I am not at liberty to name here, if you slightly alter the corus of The Italian' Jobs theme tune you will get a clue. I would ask for none of those comments being posted here, no IBTLs as I do not want to be lynched by our webmeister if I do make it to Princethorp!! ;D So, more tea was consumed at Stephen's and some Daf banter followed, amongst photographing more of Stephen's stock. Steven had kindly kept aside a spare steering column / wheel / barrel and key ensemble for me from a 33 van. He had spent a couple of hours cutting and polishing the wheel and I can report that a very nice job of it he has done too. He was pleased to see my 33 as it is only the third one he had seen. I then set off home and although she didn't seem quite so peppy (must have sucked some dregs into the carb or filter) she did well enough until, when being a numpty and reaching for the control to put hot air onto my cold feet I knocked the dangling ignition wires and one fell out killing the engine. By zippo light I connected the wires and no more trouble was experienced on the way home, except I did stop for petrol!!! Today hasn't seen much chance for daffing, but I did install Stephen's replacement parts and I can now start Gavina by key rather than screwdriver, which is good as the plastic gizmo was getting harder to turn as the screwdriver kept taking chuncks out of it. I now have the luxury of not having to carry a screwdriver around with me! ;D Finally, I can report that there was a Daf Parts Wanted ad in one of the weekly inkies and Matt has responded. The chap wanted some electrical switches which Matt has supplied, but he also needs a 44 bonnet which Matt cannot help with. If anyone can help with this then please let me know. Also, should anyone come across a 6volt anti-run on valve for Dorothy, Matt's 44 then again, please let me know. That's all for now and happy Daffing! Cheese, 33G.
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spunkymonkey
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Post by spunkymonkey on Feb 1, 2010 0:03:18 GMT
Sounds like a productive weekend all in - and learning where your fuel gauge reads is always useful! 76 miles on 1/2 tank sounds pretty poor. On a 35 litre tank that'd be around 20mpg Bear in mind, though, that the gauges on these do seem to use the second half quicker than the first (that is, they're not very linear!) so if it was a half tank on the gauge then it probably wasn't in reality. Also, if the gauge was reading high when she ran out then that would mean you'd used even less. As for wiring a cigarette lighter, they're easy enough - especially if you don't want it to light up in the dark. The casing needs to be earthed and one wire on the back for live. Just remember that they draw a good 8 - 10 amps so use decent weight wire and a separate (inline is easiest) fuse is a good idea to save blowing any of the existing ones with the extra load.
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33grinder
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Post by 33grinder on Feb 1, 2010 0:23:12 GMT
Thanks Joe, I guess I won't know about the economy except if I filled her brim full and let her break down again!! In her defence I do have a very lead weight right foot and do keep the pedal flat out most of the time. Thanks for the advice on the cigar lighter. Much as it would be nice to have it light up, that's hardly essential and I don't think it would be in character. I'm planning on filing the whole currently covered by a blanking plate on the dash, where the ignition barrell was on earlier models. People let me know if that makes me a philistine and I'll mount it separately under the dash. Should I just scotch lock from a live wire (ignition maybe or go to the fusebox, what do you reckon?). I'm not very good with wiring I'm afraid!
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Post by dafdaffer on Feb 1, 2010 1:02:05 GMT
i should have a 6 volt valve somewhere, if not i know a man who would like to swap the 6v on his for a 12v at work at the moment..... next day off is tuesday so i will lok then, still not forgot about manual just not seen allot of stef or the gang due to weather and working hours
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33grinder
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Post by 33grinder on Feb 1, 2010 13:23:13 GMT
Yes, I thought you would like that Richard! I'll use a lego block instead then.
Paul, thanks for that and Matt would certainly be happy with a swap on the anti run-on valve, do let me know.
No need to hunt for a 46 handbook though as Matt has now located one.
Thanks,
Pete.
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33grinder
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Post by 33grinder on Feb 8, 2010 1:19:16 GMT
Hello all, and welcome to the round up of this weekend's Daffing from the badlands of Essex. This weekend's activities started with a call to Matt on Saturday morning to see what Daffing he was up to. I was fully expecting him to be working on preparing Animal for her MOT. Sadly this was not the case as, on way to the barn Goldie's power suddenly diminished and was accompanied by a clanging noise under the bonnet. Upon pulling over to investigate Matt found that a spark plug was hanging loose from an HT lead! This was carefully screwed into the cylinder head and Matt continued his way on full power. Once Goldie had cooled down, Matt tightened up the plug which has remained tight since, including following an hour's drive to the Grinder residence this morning. More on that later though. And so with Matt safely at Essex Central, we'll return to him in due course after details of my day's non-daffing activities I decided to tackle the Rover's electrical woes. The headlight switch was becoming worn and I have a problem where if I use the beam and release the stalk I loose the headlights and have to switch them off and then on again! A previous check of the fuses and relays did not show any faults so, given that I had previously replaced the faulty wiper stalk with a band new item, the headlight switch and beam stalk may be at fault. Unlike the wiper stalk these only come as one complete item, which includes a new wiper stalk and the whole assembly requires removal of the steering column. I removed the nut and was in processing of gently pursuading the wheel from the column by applying a copper faced mallet to the back of the wheel. At this point my mechanic friend Martin arrives and says 'this is how we do it to the Landies' and clouts the end of the column (no nut on it) with the mallet, making a mess of the thread and rendering it useless as the nut would not turn on it! Just bad luck that could happen to anyone I guess but frustrating nonetheless! So, out came the angle grinder, file and hacksaw and the thread was repaired. The unit was changed over. Here's the old one (note the nice wiper stalk : Work then turned to the R5 GTT's broken starter motor. Now, I don't know what it's like to remove one from our water cooled Dafs, but let me tell you in this car it is an absolute son of satan, beelzebub's spawn, bar steward of a job! Two brackets had to be removed to access bolts that are not visible, just to get access with tools that you can't actually use as there's no space to use them! After two hours of wrestling with it the R5 gave birth to an unhealthy starter motor!! ;D The fecking fecker!!! Really, I don't know what is worse. The fact that I have to do the job in reverse which will probably take twice as long, or the fact that the 'spare' which came from the car is not identical. Knowing what I do now about this job though, I'm not going to be taking any chances and a new item will be going back in. That pretty much concludes my day, other than a kebab and a few beers but you don't really wan't to know about that, so I suppose we shoud really return to Matt at Badlands Central. The Chickens didn't come out to play today so Matt got straight onto work with Animal, setting out his tools to replace the drive shafts and gaiters. Matt will be the first to admit that the most effective tool in any Daffer's backsidenal (that one just for you Matt ) can be seen directly behind the ratchet! Matt started on the driveshafts and the gaiters were shot And after some Daffing the replacement driveshafts and gaiters were installed. Much better! So, what jobs are left on Animal? Well, a wiper jet to be unblocked and three patches to be welding in. The welding will be done in a fortnight's time, all being well, which is just as well as Animal is about to loose her parking space within the barn and will be joining Daphne the 66 1100sl outside the barn. More on that later though! Matt needs some rubber parts for Goldie and Animal and more detais will be posted on that at a later stage. DD, whilst I remember, any news on that chap who wanted a swap a 6V anti run on valve for one of Matt's 12V ones? He would be very grateful as it would help return Dorothy (the 44 estate) to the road. Anyway, we now fast forward to this morning, which saw Matt and Goldie at the Grinder residence, as previously mentioned. Tea was consumed and discussion turned to Daf matters, as often happen when Daffers congregate to consume tea. The reason for our meeting at Badlands South was to visit Dave, or 'Mr. M' as previously mentioned on this thread. Dave is the chap who was featured in Practical Classics magazine's 'Barn Find' article who we tracked down a few weeks ago and for those who frequent Retro Rides he is known as 'Flannelracing'. Great bloke and hopefully he's going to join this forum! Dave turns out to be a really affable chap and a true petrol head. There was some lovely metal at his barn and I am especially jealous of him having a petrolhead missus who actively encourages him to buy more cars!! I must say that the time flew past and Matt and I spent a very pleasant couple or three hours chatting with Dave and looking at some of his great motors. Sadly his Buick Riviera was elsewhere this morning, but here's some pictures of the other metal, just to whet your wistles: Note at the back the just visible yellow 44 bonnet which hopefully will be finding its way to the chap in Cornwall I mentioned in our last thread. Dave's missus has a 33 which is remarkably sound but Dave pulled off the road as he thought it was getting a little 'scabby'. In reality the worst of it was a rear wheelarch, and Matt may be able to help Dave with a wheelarch from a 33 that he has previously broken. We gave Dave plenty of encouragement to return the 33 to the road and he now plans to do this as a surprise for his missus. She is mechanically sound as have beautiful pinstriping bonnet and boot (we're talking about the 33 here!!) with a period radio containing a push button FM preset and chrome surround, which this numpty here forgot to photograph!! Dave also has a 46 which was at his friend's paintshop until it had to be moved back to his barn. He's now awaiting the chance to get her back. She's going to have moon discs and different rear light clusters. Having spoken to Dave we look forward to to seeing her finished as, given Dave's requirements in the minor details we expect it to be good quality. Now, I mentioned Dave's missus 33 and that is of great sentimental value to her being her first Daf. Dave was going to use a donor for repairs. Thankfully he has since decided that the donor is too good for cutting up. Here's the donor vehicle. Don't be fooled by the plates as this is an early 32 wearing 33 numbers as this car has a little identity problem. It still wears it's chassis plate and the engine is apparently original. We're hoping we can get some more information concerning its identity and date of manufacture from the DCN. Anyone know who we should contact? So, it was all there under the bonnet excepting some soft metal on one of the suspension turrets and the battery tray. The interior was a real peach, the only thing letting her down being the dashboard padded top where the foam has started to disentegrate. Most of the missing original trim was to be found in the boot. Dave told me she has covered about 3,000 kilometres (the speedo is in kilometers and has a trip counter too). There then followed some discussion and an agreement was made, hands were shook and I then found myself the owner of a Daf 32. Well, Matt's day was to get even better when, under some stored items emerged a blue 66, which had an MOT 2 years ago when Dave bought her as a stop gap whilst he finished his 46. It was incredibly solid and, well, you guessed it....Matt ended up also making an agreement with Dave and shaking hands!!! ;D So, two more Dafs will be arriving at Essex Central, the first being the 32 which will arrive once Animal's welding is finihsed in a couple of weeks hopefully. In merryment and shock we returned to the Grinder residence where there was much more banter and more of this: So, an absolutely great day for myself and Matt. Matt was meant to get home for 4pm to get down the pub to watch backsidenal loose again on the big screen, but that was soon forgotten after today's activities! Sadly Dan was unable to accompany us, although we hope to catch up with him soon and Steve, Matt's friend, too, so that welding on the Van can be discussed. So, that's about all from the Badlands. One more thing to mention though. A couple of people from on here have mentioned that they would like to meet up with us. We're always happy to entertain visitors and relish the chance to meet new Daffers. We also realise that we're some way from the core membership and that to make it worthwhile you need some time down here. We were therefore thinking of holding a Daf weekend down here. There is a good pub in close vicinity to Essex Central which offers good cheap accomodation. There may also be other options. If there is enough interest then we'll look into it further, do let us know on this thread, a PM's fine but mention it here and others may follow, the more the better and let's try and make a memorable event!! Also note that whilst Matt is currently not working Saturdays, he will at some point resume doing so as it is what pays for the Daffing, so weekend opportunities may not be available for too long. Well, that's all for now, off for a dutch moment as this darn laptop has lost me over three hour's work tonight, it's been an absolute nightmare! ;D Cheese, 33G
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Post by howard on Feb 8, 2010 2:00:36 GMT
My word - another 32! Be interested to see it when it is cleaned up a bit. I wish I'd done a "before and after" on mine, as one had been sat in a shed for 20 years, and the other was say in a garden for nearly three. They cleaned up lovely.... Anyway, yours is rubbish - where's the wooden dash? The carpets? The opening rear windows?? And um, all the other features that mine have! Oh, what other features? That's the lot! Love the interior trim and those big squashy seats. bloomin' rare cars over here though, so you're very lucky to find this one! To see what she COULD look like......... www.leboncoin.fr/vi/93020777.htm?ca=7_sAin't she pretty? Not sure those trims are mind, but they're more appealing than the price!
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33grinder
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Post by 33grinder on Feb 8, 2010 2:16:36 GMT
Anyway, yours is rubbish - where's the wooden dash? The carpets? The opening rear windows?? And um, all the other features that mine have! Oh, what other features? That's the lot! Well, I was kind of hoping to see a wooden dash although she does have the pop out windows! I note she only has the one dial, so I'm wondering whether she would have been a standaard or comfort - anyone?
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pauldaf44
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Post by pauldaf44 on Feb 8, 2010 10:22:22 GMT
Definatly interested as for accomodation I have Gladys to sleep in. Heres my suggestion we do what area 52 does which is go to the workshops play DAFs till the early hours and drink copious amounts of beer, sleep in the cars (lots of blankets) then get up and play more DAFs and drink lots of tea. Oh and a BBQ with a lot of cow is required.
Paul
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33grinder
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Post by 33grinder on Feb 8, 2010 13:14:50 GMT
Well, that's certainly a possibility Paul (I say typing this and watching the snow falling through the window of my office). It may be just a little cold for camping, but if you want to go for it!! I don't want to work ahead and say springtime will be fine as I remember my son's birthday two years ago (21st March) where we had four seasons in one day - sun, rain, sleet and snow!! ;D I think Matt's landlord would probably not mind some tents being used and may even be able to provide some cow! Anyone interest from other Daffers too?
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pauldaf44
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Post by pauldaf44 on Feb 8, 2010 13:25:28 GMT
It was -3 outside at area 52 and that was warm enough just use plenty of layers and a nice thick beer blanket
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Post by howard on Feb 8, 2010 14:49:58 GMT
Yes, so she DOES have pop-out side windows. I take back all I said. She's not rubbish at all then I thought that was an LE feature only, but it's hardly difficult to have them as an optional extra I shpose....! Interesting to see only one dial too. To add to the confusion, one of my jadella twins has a black painted roof, which I must say does look smart. Other than that they are absolutely identical. Well, I need SOME way to tell them apart!
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Post by howard on Feb 9, 2010 18:42:26 GMT
Now THATS a proper dashboard
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Post by howard on Feb 9, 2010 18:45:43 GMT
And that's a lovely 32LE. It needs work on one arch though, and is a bit spotty on the flanks owing to surface rust, but I WILL get it resprayed fully and properly. It really is a gorgeous car that I love hugely.
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33grinder
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Post by 33grinder on Feb 9, 2010 22:31:59 GMT
She is lovely Howard It's odd that yours doesn't have the two-tone interior! I appreciate that interior photo, because now I know the steering wheel centre cap is on Dave's missus' 33. ;D Hey ho, it's her car!! Do hope I can get another one!!
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33grinder
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Post by 33grinder on Feb 14, 2010 13:47:01 GMT
Here's what we've done this weekend. Matt freed up the brakes on his 66 Marathon Coupe and it was rolling again within 15 minutes. All this to empty his barn to take Paul's requested 'cars on driveway' photograph. Meantime I ran a wire from Gavina's battery with a 15amp blade fuse in a fuse holder, through the grommet where the heat exchanger controller cable runs through the bulkhead: And here is the end result, a cigar lighter to run Satnav. No more getting lost (although I'm sure there are those who would sometimes like me to!!!). Replacement stereo doesn't work - what a p!sser. Cheese, 33G.
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