clocks ticking !!

[Steve Kerswell]

Its Friday the 13th. Spring is here. So what plans do yo have for your Dutton(s)? I cannot believe how fast time is passing, evenings are drawing out and morning is light about 6ish, I think I need every available hour to get on top of every thing Dutton related. The B+ is up and running and hopefully will fly through the MOT next week, tomorrow its on the rolling road at the local engine builders, he owes me, so hopefully he will play OK. I may have to leave the paintwork and just drive it around getting progressively more patchworked as time goes on. Want it on the road by April so that I can get some miles on it before the Stoneleigh trip. The Sierra is running fine, I have plans, but nothing that cannot wait. I'm still thinking of cutting my losses and binning it, yet tomorrow I may feel like finishing it, who knows and who cares? So, come on whats what and who is going where?  Plus I got a Pinto and box to rebuild, just remembered that !

[Steve Kerswell]

Steering rack all off, gave up without a fight. Time for breakfast. :-)

[Dave Taylor]

Had a bit of a play, exhaust developed a lace curtain effect over winter were the pipe contacts to the flexi. So cut it out and welded new pipe into the box. Had to use a mates stick welder, which kept over heating and cutting out Grrrrr!
Managed it in the end though. Also found the engine knock, that turned out to be number 7 rocker arm hitting the ally rocker cover. A bit of gentle rubbing down with emery disc sorted, so while the cover was off checked the tappets.
MOT booked for Wednesday.
This morning I thought my face felt sore, then realised that the only welding shade my mate had in his workshop was a pair of goggles, now I have arc burnt face ouch!

[Adrian Southgate]

Aye thasem... and I agree about the B, age and experience wins.

[Adrian Southgate]

Tapers are different mk1 and mk2 however there are mk2 thread with mk1 taper rod ends available (or is it the other way round) which were made for the RS and BDA engined cars if I remember correctly.

Don't worry about the B type, I've seen a phaeton knock down a dry stone wall which would have killed a jap car dead.

[Steve Kerswell]

That's odd Ade, I m changing my rack tomorrow, going mk2, all posh like :-)) B+ is locked away in the tuners with lots of jap stuff, skylines etc. Hope they don't pick on it.

[Adrian Southgate]

More running repairs to the Sierra, changing the rack, new bushes and ends, changing discs and a general check over the calipers as it seems to be pulling left under braking. Might even treat it to a good blast underneath with the steam cleaner over Morrisons, get rid of the liberal coating of gearbox oil that appears to be getting everywhere.

Leggie project progressing slower than I wanted due to weather but parts being fettled in the garage in preparation for swapping out. Could do with a professional upholsterer taking all the old black interior away and duplicating in the new material, including the roof... so I can fit the black interior to the white car.

Green leggie needs engine mount repair and front suspension stripped and replaced with the new bits, unlikely to happen this weekend...

Oh and finally finishing the decorating in the front room.... unless I can escape somehow... bright ideas on a postcard please...

[Paul Sheridan]

Final rub down of the clear coat with 5000 grit and then on to polishing compound tomorrow, then trim the scuttle with vinyl, fit the screen and wiper mechanicals, fit the carpet and seat belts, make a front grill, get tyres fitted and wheels balanced, make a hidden bracket for the fog light (just for MOT times) fill gearbox and axle with oils, fit lights ........... etc, etc, etc  ;-)