after 25 years standing...IT RUNS!!

[ericthered]

hi all,

MY 33 RUNS ;D ;D ;D

set the points, fitted new plug leads, copper type, i dont like silicone ones, they fail

set the plugs (new)

tested the compression but it was inconclusive as my gauge seems to be leaking
but seemed plenty there so just had a go (using a bottle of petrol and a pipe)

fired up first try and runs spot on ;D only down side the little exhaust pipe that warms the inlet manifold has a big hole, but thats nothing
not bad going for 25 years in a garage

also made the mistake of pressing hard on the brakes to try to free up the brake light switch as it is stuck on, its still stuck on and now so are the brakes lol. (where is the switch? is it a pressure switch on a union somewhere?

anyway things are look good (fingers crossed i might set up a free (piczo) website when i have time and put pictures on it, the underside of the car is in amazing condition very light surface rust in a few places but i dont think the car has ever been used in the wet!!

best wishes,
Eric.

[howard]

Hi Eric!

That's all good news, although I'm not really surprised. They really are hardy engines, and not that hard to persuade to run (I drove one home after being stuck in the garage for 20 years - I managed to get it running lovely and after 30 minutes decided to give it a go!).

The brake light switch pokes through the bulkhead from what I remember, so nice and easy to get at! Just a simple mechanical switch.....

Lucky you for having a clean underside! Despite having really bad flu I've been under my first 32, and although there's nothing too serious, I may well fit outer sills - mainly so I can inspect and protect the inners....

A website would benefit and interest a great number of us - in fact I was thinking of getting a digital video cam so I could post progress.

Go for it!

All the best,

Howard

[ericthered]

hi Howard,

yes these engines do seem very tough

i have made a start on a web site.... www.daf33.piczo.com

piczo sites are really easy to set up and add pics etc, you should set one up and have a play with it.

will check out the brake light when the weather gets better

i am waiting to hear back from Danny about a steering lock/barrel, it seems only UK and German cars have steering locks? normaly just a key switch.

best wishes,
Eric.

ps, did you happen to look to see if you had a rear lens?

[Richard DAF Webmeister]

Well done indeed, and good luck with your continued exploits.

DAF 33 rear light lenses... Might take a bit of finding - rare as hen's teeth, I believe... They are very vulnerable to parking knocks as well.

But don't give up!

[ericthered]

hi Richard,

all parts look pretty hard to find from what i am finding out

i might have a phone round some local scrap yards, i know its a long shot but you never know

regards,
Eric.

[Richard DAF Webmeister]

Yes, no harm ringing around. As a temporary measure, I've seen some 33 owners fit round generic "truck-type" rear light units.

And re other parts, well you seem to have done pretty well so far! Like any rare old car, there will be times when it can all seem to be an uphill battle, but then all of a sudden, things appear.

You will struggle with body and trim panels though.
But essential mechanical bits are available either from various sources you've discovered and/or the DOC.

[daf44]

congratulations.

keep up the good work and keep us informed.

sounds like the brake pedal or master cylinder is stuck. if leaving it overnight does not free it off, pull the pedal back by hand, oil all the pivot points and work them a bit.

tell us what happens.

paul44

[ericthered]

hi all,

will keep you informed of progress but i have to do some real work this week so might be a while

best wishes,
Eric.

[howard]

Talking of brake switches, the ones on my DAF 32's are different to the ones on the 33's - Intermotor list them as the same part though!

Just my luck that one of mine is broken! I'll have to ask Danny about this....

I feel another shopping list coming on.....

[howard]

Talking of which Eric, did you source yourself an exahust tailpipe? It looked to me that there wasn't much left of it in the original pictures on eBay....

[ericthered]

hi Howard,

no i have not found a tail pipe very strange that its so rotten on the tail pipe really the rest of the exhaust still has most of the original brown paint on it and in great condition

the only other rot on the exhaust is a big hole in the little pipe that warms the inlet manifold

my budget it tight so i suppose i will have to repair them for now.

regards,
Eric.

[ericthered]

hi John,

thanks for that, but i think i need something there to stick it onto

when i say big hole what i really mean is about 2 inches rotted away!!

i might have something in the garage about the right size that i can weld in

best wishes,
Eric.

[daf44]

hi all.

talking exhausts, when i got the 44 the front was a mess but repairable (barely) but all the piping was fine apart from an 18" gap in the middle where the silencer box used to be.
fortunately a mini exhaust system is all the right size, you may have to cut and bend the pipe to match the old tail pipe though.
most scrap yards round here will GIVE you the just the pipe if you ask nicely.

some of the older minis also had brake light switches in a t piece on the brake lines as well. grab one to check the thread against your switch. you may get lucky.

good luck.

paul44

[spunkymonkey]

Just seen the front page, so Happy birthday, Eric!!! Don't let the celebrations get in the way - you just know you want to get out there and carry on with the Daf repairs. And any mates / family / whatever who really care would support you instead of dragging you down the pub

Joe

[ericthered]

hi Joe,

thanks for the birthday wishes ;D

i have just spent 15 minutes trying to figure out how you knew?? lol.

i am not used to forums and i did not know what a front page was but now i know and i can put my mind at rest that your not a psychic! lol.

snow stops play today by the looks of it:( AGAIN!

best wishes,
Eric.