Stan's Newest Adventures.

Dion · Post by **Dion** » Sun Jan 29, 2017 1:32 pm

We have a two-year test for cars over 30 years and also have the exempt fixed cutoff date of 1960. However this will change when the new rule will be active from May 2018 onwards - which have a flexible date of "50 years and older".
So this will be the last ever official test for the Chamois. It is from Jan 1968 so 50 years when the law comes active

That said I have no problem with having a regular test. It keeps me on my toes - for example I saw a rusty brake pipe at the LH rear suspension arm which will need replacement.
What I will not miss is the brake efficiency test which ALWAYS is a bit of a problem on my Imps. I had fitted 4 new cylinders at the front and checked the shoes: perfectly fitting in the drums. But still the LH gives more retardation compared to the RH side.
Years ago I bought the disc setup from Colin Valentine but never fitted it. Maybe this summer.... although I like to keep the Chamois as original as possible. Want to use the discs in my Husky when I build it up along with the BMW engine. In the future....

SBS · Post by **SBS** » Sun Jan 29, 2017 3:31 pm

Currently in the UK vehicles that don't need an MOT include cars and motorcycles made before 1960 -

https://www.gov.uk/getting-an-mot/vehic ... t-from-mot

617sqn · Post by **617sqn** » Fri Mar 31, 2017 3:31 pm

Got around to fitting a couple of new parts I've had for a while yesterday. After the Sport airbox modification showed that the rubber seals that go between the airbox base and cast alloy carb elbows were showing their age, I bought replacements from Malcolm. So now fitted. Whilst I was fiddling about around that area I decided it was time to empty whatever had accumulated in the oil catch tank, which has never been done since I fitted it. (I'll look that up later to find out when that was). I guess I got about 2/3rds of a teacupful of water and a dessertspoon of oil out of it. All of which would have ordinarily ended up on in or around the Sport air filters. I'd say it was a worthwhile modification, despite the fact that I no longer need to replace these ever again.

Andy G

617sqn · Post by **617sqn** » Fri Mar 31, 2017 3:53 pm

I fitted the oil catch tank somewhere between the 14th and 29th of January 2012! So, I'm pleased with the way the catch tank works, and how little actually accumulated. Of course an undetermined amount of both oil and condensate will have been drawn in to the engine anyway.

Andy G

ImpManiac · Post by **ImpManiac** » Sat Apr 01, 2017 3:08 pm

So the engine seems to be in great shape, Andy.

IM

617sqn · Post by **617sqn** » Tue Apr 04, 2017 2:58 pm

MOT time today, via Trevor Woods Auto Technician.

All fine, save for the scroll Oil leakage, but that's pretty standard. I thought I'd give my tester something to smile about (see image). One comment was "is that so they know who it was that ran over them ?"

Andy G

617sqn · Post by **617sqn** » Tue Apr 04, 2017 3:01 pm

The Nun · Post by **The Nun** » Tue Apr 04, 2017 3:25 pm

Did you find out who dun it??

Is the oil scroll leak an MOT check point? or only an observation?

Grahame59 · Post by **Grahame59** » Tue Apr 04, 2017 3:27 pm

617sqn wrote:MOT time today, via Trevor Woods Auto Technician. All fine, save for the scroll Oil leakage, but that's pretty standard. I thought I'd give my tester something to smile about (see image). One comment was "is that so they know who it was that ran over them ?"

Andy G

Or maybe it's because the oil scroll makes 'Another fine mess, Stanley'.

617sqn · Post by **617sqn** » Tue Apr 04, 2017 4:19 pm

I think the floorpan fairies did it

I believe that the oil seepage is considered an advisory. A proper leak would be seen as potentially dangerous perhaps. It's worse when I boot it - so it's always at its worst

Minor oil film on the rack, but when he squeezed the end covers the bellows expanded, so no hole as such. Just a smidgen from where the steering arms attach. And the floorpan itself is in great condition for a 45 year old car.

Andy G

617sqn · Post by **617sqn** » Sun Jul 30, 2017 7:10 pm

I have kicked photobucket into touch as they have now become greedy and I'm not going to pay them $99 a year to host my images. So I'm now using imgbb.com instead. It's free and once you've discovered how to link to the Forum, it's easy enough. And better than using all of the club's available space with a not-that-interesting-very-often blog. So, here is another image of Stan I took for agreed value purposes.

Andy G.

Bobbycham · Post by **Bobbycham** » Sun Jul 30, 2017 7:36 pm

Very nice Andy
Should have been on the other side of the road , in the sunshine.
Bob

chris d · Post by **chris d** » Sun Jul 30, 2017 7:47 pm

cracking little car
glad your on the mend andy
will have a look at that photo posting service your using
cheers chris d

ImpManiac · Post by **ImpManiac** » Mon Jul 31, 2017 1:35 pm

Stan looks well, Andy!

IM

617sqn · Post by **617sqn** » Wed Jan 17, 2018 6:08 pm

Well today, considering the dry and sunny weather down here in Sussex, I refitted Stans racing gel battery (which has been on trickle charge) and ventured into town. This is the first time since the end of November following my latest surgery that I've been fit enough to do the seemingly simple task and be able to fold myself into the bucket and drive

He was rather reluctant to start, to be honest, but once the shock had worn off, he started first turn at each ask. That included a visit to Morrisons, a wait at a level crossing and a visit to the local co-op

Now that I've "broken the seal" I guess he'll get more attention, weather (and salted roads) permitting.

Andy G

Dave ' Linwood ' Lane · Wed Jan 17, 2018 6:11 pm

617sqn wrote:Well today, considering the dry and sunny weather down here in Sussex, I refitted Stans racing gel battery (which has been on trickle charge) and ventured into town. This is the first time since the end of November following my latest surgery that ice been fit enough to do the seemingly simple task and be able to fold my self into the bucket and drive He was rather reluctant to start, to be honest, but once the shock had worn off, he started first turn at each ask. That included a visit to Morrisons, a wait at a level crossing and a visit to the local co-op Now that I've "broken the seal" I guess he'll got more attention, weather (and salted roads) permitting.

Andy G

Glad your on the mend and that Stans up and moving again

bazzateer · Post by **bazzateer** » Wed Jan 17, 2018 8:59 pm

Good to hear Andy,

Looking forward to seeing some of you in Holland

colin rooney · Post by **colin rooney** » Wed Jan 17, 2018 10:38 pm

Great to know you and stan are back up and running , if you fancy a cuppa at the workshop and another blast out in stan pop up mate would love to catch up

col

617sqn · Post by **617sqn** » Thu Jan 18, 2018 8:55 am

Thanks Colin. I might just do that

It will be the furthest I've driven since November.

Andy G

ImpManiac · Post by **ImpManiac** » Sat Jan 27, 2018 7:29 pm

It's great to hear that you and Stan are getting out and about again, Andy.

IM

617sqn · Post by **617sqn** » Sat Jan 27, 2018 7:32 pm

Thank you Paul. I did indeed venture out to see Colin at his new workshop. Very interesting morning and good to catch up and chat. Pictured on FB apparently.

Andy G

The Nun · Post by **The Nun** » Sat Jan 27, 2018 9:23 pm

It was, it's amazing what you can miss not being there

617sqn · Post by **617sqn** » Sat Jan 27, 2018 9:25 pm

Yeeesss.

Andy G

bazzateer · Post by **bazzateer** » Sat Jan 27, 2018 11:00 pm

Is it a new location too or a new building at his home?

617sqn · Post by **617sqn** » Sun Jan 28, 2018 8:57 am

New location, Baz. And much closer to me

Andy G

bazzateer · Post by **bazzateer** » Sun Jan 28, 2018 10:43 am

Cool.

Uncle Henry · Post by **Uncle Henry** » Fri Dec 10, 2021 8:31 am

Excellent news, the Forum is being updated, and perhaps it will return to the platform it was back in the day. Well done to all involved, particularly John Ross.

About to try and upload an image, which the difficulty of started the demise of the original Forum. Wish me luck !
AG

20211128_190539.jpg

Uncle Henry · Post by **Uncle Henry** » Fri Dec 10, 2021 8:32 am

Weyhey ! Brilliant and easy-peasy.

AG

Uncle Henry · Post by **Uncle Henry** » Sat Oct 08, 2022 5:26 pm

Just got to the end of covid isolation, so took Stan out for a drive to Sainsburys, via the M23 (the long way round, of course). He behaved perfectly, and slid along the motorway like a sewing machine. Half a tank of Shell V-power sees to that. It's a great feeling when it's all going well - love it ! Wore a mask in the shop, as is my want. Used their hand sanitiser in and out of the store. Must say, being all jabbed up and being careful these past years, getting it was a bit of a shock. It's very unpleasant, so try your best to avoid it !

Uncle Henry

Uncle Henry · Post by **Uncle Henry** » Tue Oct 11, 2022 5:19 pm

Out in Stan again today (same route as last time) to get a pair of eBay items into the postal system. Started on the button, and ran well. I really must get around to sorting the front suspension out very soon. I've had the parts for some weeks now so covid is my only excuse, albeit a good one ! I intend replacing all of the rubber bushes inboard with polyurethane items, and new shock absorbers. It'll be a good opportunity to attend to any missing paint/underseal and "Top up" the waxoyl type treatment in the wishbones.

UH

Dave ' Linwood ' Lane · Wed Oct 12, 2022 6:47 am

Poly bushes are a great upgrade , lube em up when fitting or they can squeak

Uncle Henry · Post by **Uncle Henry** » Tue Oct 18, 2022 7:02 pm

Finally got the chance to look at the front suspension today, despite still suffering some post-covid dizziness. Anyway, started after lunch on the drivers side where the knocking noise was audible. Dropped and removed the shock and spring, then as a starting point I compared the bottom of the spring platform against the adjustable rings on the Protech shocker, and made an educated guess and locked the rings. Next I removed the wishbone bolts on the same side and lowered it to inspect the polybushes fitted some years ago, incase they had worn. Both front and rear were as perfect as when fitted, so I took that as OK. Changed the nearside shock using the same method and didn't bother looking at the bushes that side. No point. All other possible points that might throw up a knock were inspected, bolts checked for tightness etc. All good. The shocks are presently set at the lowest start point as far as adjustment is concerned. I didnt get enough time for a road test - tomorrow will do. And I'll go from there - I have instructions from Mike Dent (the supplier). At least there is NO KNOCKING now when bouncing the corner. I'll report back after a run.

John A Ross · Post by **John A Ross** » Tue Oct 18, 2022 7:16 pm

Andy

Look after yourself and be careful Andy, discovery of passing out / dizzy when leaning over post covid cost me dearly and its still a problem a year and a half later !

Great you found the knock or at least it has gone away, I still need to chase one down at front since fitting the Protechs, cant find a thing wrong when I take it apart.

Found the one from the rear though when I took the transaxle out, seems that all 6 bolts on the coupling need to be tight, I dodged a bullet there

Uncle Henry · Post by **Uncle Henry** » Tue Oct 18, 2022 7:29 pm

Look after yourself and be careful Andy, discovery of passing out / dizzy when leaning over post covid cost me dearly and its still a problem a year and a half later !

Yes, of course. Ooh, that was just horrible !

I felt a bit off colour first thing and that ended up as a nauseous feeling then faintly dizzy for the rest of the day - trouble is there's going to be less and less decent weather allowing me to do these things. The knocking was really getting to me, so I'm hoping it's cured. Not helped by "that" stretch of road at Going Dutch and then hitting a massive pot-hole locally when 2 up. I'm positive the suspension fully closed when I hit it.

UH

impmann · Post by **impmann** » Wed Oct 19, 2022 10:44 am

I'm sure you've already checked it, but check the rack mounts. I had a knock on the front of Pele (bl***y pot holes) and I could not find it for weeks. Initial inspection of the rack mounts looked fine but it turned out one had split down the centre, causing the rack to deflect. Funnily enough, the steering felt fine...

Uncle Henry · Post by **Uncle Henry** » Wed Oct 19, 2022 11:57 am

I gave everything a quick once over this morning: wound the adjuster from zero to 5, (out of possible 13) and had a visual check on camber angle, which looks the same/similar to previous. I will get my engineering angle finder down there at some point and adjust things to around 1 degree negative. It's fine for now. I cleaned the wheels front and rear while the opportunity was there. Then I went out for a drive.... I'm very pleased to report that the banging has gone !

so, as suspected, it was the offside shock that had been damaged. Off into the recycling with that. I reckon that the ride is just a little stiffer than before, even on 5. I might leave it there for now - at least I have the option now. Rears are Spax adjustable and I'm happy with the settings on those. Progress made

UH

moose · Post by **moose** » Thu Oct 20, 2022 12:00 pm

Hi. Set spring adjusters to the ride height you want, check camber you want 3/4 to 1 deg neg with the car at normal weight i.e you in it and say a full tank of fuel. you may have to alter ride height up or down to get the camber right camber is more important than being 5 mm higher or lower than it was before. now set tracking to 3mm toe in. With the dampers on 5 drive it and see what you think and adjust to what you are comfortable with. If you have to alter ride height a lot to get camber where you need it then you will need to modify the king pins to alter the camber.

Uncle Henry · Post by **Uncle Henry** » Fri Nov 18, 2022 2:43 pm

A longer while ago than I'd care to admit, Stan received a whack on the laminated windscreen from an errant stone, leaving a small round hole (3mm ?) and a short crack to the left and right of around 6mm each side (1/4"). Right in my line of vision. Knowing from experience how these can develop into a larger crack, I got in touch with my insurer with regard to having a repair done. I was put through to Autoglass who told me that anything smaller than a match head wasn't worth the effort, and that the process of repair might put enough pressure on the glass for it to require replacement. I wasn't keen on any modern windscreen fitter having enough experience on rubber retained screens to not balls up something. In addition, it would be prudent to change the rubber anyway, as its original. I left it as it was. The insurer wouldn't cover the cost of me supplying my own screen and rubber, insisting that, for safety reasons (!) it wasn't permitted. I didnt fancy the personal cost just now so left it. Then I stumbled across a RainX repair kit for £7.50, and had a go this morning. I'm impressed. I followed the instructions to the letter and its great ! OK it hasn't completely disappeared, but its a great improvement and is not anywhere near as annoying to my vision. Result I reckon, at least in the short term.

UH

Uncle Henry · Post by **Uncle Henry** » Sat Apr 08, 2023 9:06 am

https://www.hagerty.co.uk/articles/some ... em-tested/

This is why I get Stan MOT'd every year, despite him being 50 years old and exempt. There are, and always will be, parts that cannot be tested by the average owner and need the eyes and ears of a professional.

AG

The Nun · Post by **The Nun** » Sat Apr 08, 2023 9:32 am

But then there's those who say an MOT pass only says the cars ok on the day of inspection, so on that basis we ought to be having one before we go out every day?
Maybe if the inspections for classics were free everyone will have it done, or would they? because they don't want the expense of having to fix it if it should fail?

That's what it's all about really, not having to pay for anything.

It's a crackers idea.
How about all classics are free from insurance, you don't need to have it insured now but we hope folk will continue to do so, of course its obvious many wouldnt bother.

If they said you got a free entry to the lottery with every MOT maybe then folk will be queuing up to get one every week

moose · Post by **moose** » Sat Apr 08, 2023 9:47 am

Interesting article. I always wonder why anybody who owns a classic would be worried about a test? If it fails on say kingpin play then it is a jib that needed doing anyway to improve the drive of the car. Also the YEAH it passed confuses me slightly. It is a classic not a 30k a year daily that is in use so much you do not have time to look at everything. A classic car is a low use vehicle (in most cases I know some people daily them) part of the experience and joy of owning them is maintaining them so you get maximum enjoyment out of them when you use them. Why would you want anything less. There is no fun going out for a sunny drive to an event or just nice roads and all the time you are thinking what if it breaks down. Maintenance is so easy especially on an imp and parts are so cheap (ok you need to be clued up on ensuring you get quality ones at the right price not the cheapest possible from e-bay etc) How long does it take to clean the points and check gap? How long does it take to grease kingpins? I could go on but nothing on the inspection, clean and maintenance side is more than an hour, you do not need to do it all in one hit an hour here or there throughout the year and stored under cover and a classic will be as reliable for its 2-10K miles per year use as a eurobox doing three times that. If you think that adjusting the brakes or setting the points is too much like hard work then is a classic really for you. So an MOT should be a nice event to have the condition of the car confirmed as good. I bet Stan will fly through and if there is anything, then that is why you have it tested and everyone is entitled to a mistake or maybe does not have access to a jack at the time to check some of the things that will be tested.

Uncle Henry · Post by **Uncle Henry** » Sat Apr 08, 2023 11:58 am

I could not have put it better myself, Mike. Sums it all up nicely.

UH

bazzateer · Post by **bazzateer** » Mon Apr 10, 2023 8:59 am

Uncle Henry wrote: ↑Fri Nov 18, 2022 2:43 pm A longer while ago than I'd care to admit, Stan received a whack on the laminated windscreen from an errant stone, leaving a small round hole (3mm ?) and a short crack to the left and right of around 6mm each side (1/4"). Right in my line of vision. Knowing from experience how these can develop into a larger crack, I got in touch with my insurer with regard to having a repair done. I was put through to Autoglass who told me that anything smaller than a match head wasn't worth the effort, and that the process of repair might put enough pressure on the glass for it to require replacement. I wasn't keen on any modern windscreen fitter having enough experience on rubber retained screens to not balls up something. In addition, it would be prudent to change the rubber anyway, as its original. I left it as it was. The insurer wouldn't cover the cost of me supplying my own screen and rubber, insisting that, for safety reasons (!) it wasn't permitted. I didnt fancy the personal cost just now so left it. Then I stumbled across a RainX repair kit for £7.50, and had a go this morning. I'm impressed. I followed the instructions to the letter and its great ! OK it hasn't completely disappeared, but its a great improvement and is not anywhere near as annoying to my vision. Result I reckon, at least in the short term.

UH

Cracking job on the screen Andy, did the same on my motorhome last year.

Uncle Henry · Post by **Uncle Henry** » Fri Apr 14, 2023 5:56 pm

MOT time today - all fine, brakes especially good, LED headlights showing fab beam cut-off (as they should) . My classic friendly MOT inspector kindly allowed me the opportunity to have a good look underneath, at my risk, of course : all very strong and as it ought to look, but pointed out a couple of places that have had the paint worn away by, presumably, road grit etc. Not corrosion as such, but the surface rust needs removing and remedial work paint applied. Behind the rear wheel tubs where the inner and outer wings meet, and similarly at the rear of the front wheel tubs, very bottom edge in all four corners. A job for POR15, me thinks.

UH

The Nun · Post by **The Nun** » Sat Apr 15, 2023 4:12 pm

If you can get the lid off the tin

Uncle Henry · Post by **Uncle Henry** » Sat Apr 15, 2023 6:10 pm

Exactly, Peter. I've tried thin polythene held down by the lid, smearing the edge with silicon grease, wiping it carefully etc etc but STILL end up with a stuck lid that ends up in the most terrible condition in my attempts to remove it. Glass jars as a substitute, if decanted with care, might be my best option, to try next.

UH

mikeyhearne · Post by **mikeyhearne** » Sat Apr 15, 2023 8:31 pm

Dont get that sort of stuff on your fingers , they stay purple for days .
(Dont ask how i know).
Mikey

Uncle Henry · Post by **Uncle Henry** » Sun Apr 16, 2023 9:54 am

It's not a white liquid, water based rust converter, Mikey.

AG

The Nun · Post by **The Nun** » Sun Apr 16, 2023 2:41 pm

Depends where you are how easily the lid comes off, drop it in the house and it pops off with ease