Dutton Kit Cars and their owners

End of an Era??

Many of you know that for the past 12 or so years I have been fighting a brain tumor, Major surgery and follow up surgery has kept me alive, but at a reduced rate. 80% deaf and failing, unable to blink or move the right hand side of my face, now scary blood pressure fluctuations. I have worked in heavy engineering for the past 45 years and that too, has taken its toll. From working among 16000 fellow ship yardies, to being self employed working alone for the past 12 years making ends meet.

Today, I have ran out of my welding qualifications, no more ASME9, no more BS numbers are beside my name. Plus my Gas registration is about to expire. To renew all these at my time in life with my health issues I'm looking at the wrong side of £1500-00, Cannot warrant that sot of expense anymore.

I already miss the banter and wind ups, the tea breaks, the arguments about who was the better welder/fitter on the day.

Still, chin up ole guy. Life goes on, so be warned, I'm spoiling for a fight as I have loads of pent up energy, you could run a light bulb off me. The wife is dreading having me around. May finish loads of unfinished projects. Fed up welding for 10 hours a day anyway, who needs it ? :-)))

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Comment by Paul Thomas on February 21, 2015 at 18:08: I think head gasket too. Dye test not really needed as its compession issue, Head gasket probly blown between the 2 middle cylinder, May need head skim an block checked , You got to have a look,

Comment by Steve Kerswell on February 21, 2015 at 18:00: Doing a dye test tomorrow.

Comment by James Doulton on February 21, 2015 at 17:31: Okay, so that is three of us for it being the head gasket. I had thought that one cylinder being weak would not be enough to sap the power as much as it seemed by the description. A head gasket would be easy, except for worrying about why it went. Of course it could be something more serious but there's only one way to find out - Off with her head!

Comment by Steve Kerswell on February 21, 2015 at 13:20: 1@10 bar. 2@7bar. 3@6 bar. 4@ 12bar. That's cold. So 1 and 4 I could live with. 8 valves, springs, guides, machining to unleaded spec. £300 plus the vat sir. And you do the reassembled bit. That's more then I spent on the entire car ! Plan B I think.

Comment by Mark Reeve on February 21, 2015 at 11:45: I know how you feel Steve, I had an op on my brain tumour 10 yrs ago and they could only get 80% of it out .Ive been unable to work for 5 mths now as things are getting much worse.Yes its very frustrating having worked at the same place for 30yrs and now struggling to do the same job. yes money is very tight but will hopefully sort it self out eventually :) Boredom is a problem ,Ive spent too much time standing looking out the window at my Melos thinking /wondering what to do now. But HEY !! Mrs popped out yesterday for a few hrs so I went out in the shed for a quick poke about and a look around the melos,I didnt get a great deal done but it made me feel much better. Like James has said to take a head off a crossflow is an hours job but so what if thats gona take you longer .Do it at Your own pace /a bit at a time ,if it takes 3 days so what .Dont give up Mr. :)

Comment by Steve Kerswell on February 21, 2015 at 9:08: I'm going to let it sit for a few days (maybe !) while I stew. Price up the options and go from there. Is it worth spending money on? Is it worth spending lots more time on? At this present time my answer is no to both. Back to the B+ with a good engine and box, um?. Bit of body work to complete.

Comment by Dave Adams on February 21, 2015 at 7:28: Nothing wrong with the colour.....looks like that Zetec will be a fit sooner than later...

Comment by James Doulton on February 20, 2015 at 23:26: The way I see it, Steve, is that you can either keep the crossflow or you can sell it but either way you need to sort out the duff valve unless you flog the whole car. Taking the head off a crossflow is a breeze and a lot easier than swapping the engine. But if it is too much and it is getting you down then it'll have to go.

Comment by Steve Kerswell on February 20, 2015 at 22:41: Bag of Irish fertilizer would solve all my problems :-))

Comment by James Doulton on February 20, 2015 at 21:41: So head off and do a paraffin leak test? It might just need a bit of lapping. The head operation could last less that your 16 hour one.

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End of an Era??

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