Over the past few days our website has gone through some major updates. It may look pretty similar but the cogs and wheels that make it all work have had a service. We hope this makes the website run smoothly and hopefully much faster.
It has, however, meant our workshop updates are a week behind so here’s one HUGE update to keep you busy! our current line up of competition cars have been taking up a few spaces this week so here goes…
1975 Volkswagen Beetle 1303
Refit offside rear drum, adjust shoes and torque hub nut and fit split pin. Refit wheel and torque up. Adjust handbrake cables to 6 clicks on lever. Strip and fit new front wheel cylinders. Refit drums and wheel bearings and adjust shoes. Refit wheel and adjust wheel bearings. Fit new circlip to speedo cable end at nearside hub nut dust cap. Torque wheels. Top up brake fluid and bleed all brakes. Pressure check for leaks. All ok. Top up fluid.
Remove engine and gearbox. Disconnect components and remove engine using trolley to rest engine on. Strip and remove gearbox. Clean and wire brush areas on body etc with no underseal.
Underseal engine bay. Wire brush engine components. Mask off area and paint exhaust.
Continue with engine tidy up. Paint heat exchangers and tailpipes. Remove coil and dipstick and paint both red. Unmask when dry and touch up any missed areas. Start cleaning parts ready for refit.
Continue cleaning parts ready for refitting. Clean and paint starter motor. Finish painting engine bay trays and trims. Refit coil and connect. Reposition vac pipe from carb to distributor.
Fit new plastic in line fuel filter to engine. Strip and fit new clutch assembly. Cut back wire from coil to points and crimp on terminal.
So that’s the updates from Jon.
1960 Austin Healey 3000
Meanwhile, Steve has been busy on the Austin Healey. He has cleaned and checked over brakes. It looks like it has already had new shoes and wheel cylinders fitted. Carried out brake fluid flush to keep things in tip top condition.
We have noticed coolant residue on top and bottom hoses caused by slight coolant leaks. Steve has removed the hoses, cleaned the pipes and put new jubilee clips on.
Time for a service. Checking oil levels on differential and gearbox. Fitting new spark plugs, points and replacing engine oil and filter as part of the service.
A few some small jobs that needed doing to tidy up the appearance. The exhaust tail pipes were solid but had some surface rust on them so they were rubbed down and had a couple of coats of exhaust paint applied.
The door seal trims were worn so were replaced with new ones.
The wiring for the auxiliary power outlet just looked scruffy so it was cut down to the correct length and used soldered joints rather than connectors.
Passenger side window mount had come away from the fixing plate and just needed the wing nut thread fixed.
2001 Aston Martin DB7 Vantage
Jon also had the Aston martin DB7 Vantage press car to attend to this week. This one is incredible!
First things first, Jon needs to carry out a full appraisal. Grease all points. Repair nearside centre air vent and refit.
Strip and remove wheels. Drill out disc holes, clean and check brakes. Clean and blow out handbrake and adjust shoes. Refit wheels and inflate. Resecure front bumper lower lip. Lower to ground and torque wheels. Un- twist nearside seatbelt.
Investigate parking brake warning light not going out when released. Check brake fluid sensor but has its own warning light.
Inspect lever and wiring to switch. View parts diagram to work out how switch is pressed.
Lubricate ratchet mechanism and fit small return spring to assist in pressing switch. Tested ok.
Refit gaiter. Make small knob for nearside door air vent control and test.
1998 Rover Mini Cooper Sports LE
Our next Mini competition is now in the workshops being checked over.
Put battery on charge and start appraisal outside. Bend driver seat lock bar back to vertical position and test, seat now and now secures ok.
Strip and check rear brakes. Front visible with wheels on. Adjust rears and refit wheels. Inflate all tyres.
Next up. We’ve blown out washer jets and replaced pipe to washer jets. Test washers and all is ok.
Secure speaker wires and reconnect. Remove offside boot stay for replacement. Strip nearside door and investigate reason it’s not locking via key. Found rod not connected from barrell to lock. Reconnect and test. All is now ok.
Reassemble door. Investigate repeaters not working. Clean connections to bulbs and test. Both now working.
We’ve replaced offside number plate bulb and tested. Re-secure gear knob and test.
Refit the alternator radiator guard. Vacuum fill cooling system and top up to max when finished.
