PES 989J... "The Pest" ....Knockhill prep

colimp66 · Post by **colimp66** » Fri Mar 18, 2022 9:52 pm

Thanks Andy.
Well tonight I not only got number two downpipe tacked up and in position but also number three..

Fair chuffed with that result.

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Thought I'd show a photo of the rear with the transom on and the engine cover closed.
Cheers
Col

colimp66 · Post by **colimp66** » Sun Mar 20, 2022 7:41 pm

All welded up today but I ran out of flap discs to tidy up the welds so it didn't go back on. Will get some tomorrow after I pick up the revised airbox and fit them both in the afternoon.

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Cheers
Col.

colimp66 · Post by **colimp66** » Thu Mar 24, 2022 12:30 pm

The exhaust is now all tidied up on the welds and refitted to the car but no photos, OOps!!

But in other news I do have the shortened sump back form the welders which I do have a photo of..

Sump all welded up.JPG

Sump all welded up inside.JPG

Need to check it doesn't leak before painting and fitting of it to the car.
Cheers
Col.

The Nun · Post by **The Nun** » Thu Mar 24, 2022 1:22 pm

Could you have had a dry sump system and no sump at all, or is the exhaust system the lowest part now.?

colimp66 · Post by **colimp66** » Thu Mar 24, 2022 2:28 pm

Peter,
Yes , I can have a dry sump for the engine but at over a thousand pound to buy I am going for the slightly less expensive route initially and see how it goes.
I am hoping the lowest part now will still be the sump and the exhaust at 5" as before the exhaust was the weak link with only around 3" which was stupidly low and more vurnerable as it hung way out behind the axle line so scraped when there was any slope in the road.
Should be much better now though.
As soon as I get it back down on the deck I will post a photo.

Cheers
Col.

colimp66 · Post by **colimp66** » Mon Apr 04, 2022 10:25 am

Up early this morning to the mot station where it passed after
being locked in my garage for the last 13 years

To say I'm chuffed is an understatement.

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Now to iron out little niggles and issues it may have.

Cheers
Col.

Uncle Henry · Post by **Uncle Henry** » Mon Apr 04, 2022 1:15 pm

Great news, Col.

how does it drive ?

AG

Bobbycham · Post by **Bobbycham** » Mon Apr 04, 2022 2:13 pm

Well done Col, You Happy Chappie!

GJ Bob

colimp66 · Post by **colimp66** » Tue Apr 05, 2022 11:37 am

Thanks Andy and Bob,

Chuffed to bits that it is finally ok for razzing around in.
At the moment Andy it goes like stink but has a bit if a wobble on with the steering so waiting on the garage to phone me for a look at the tracking. The balance weights from the front wheels have fallen of

which isn't helping either I guess so that will need rectified when it is in for the tracking.
Had a wee issue with gear selection but think I have that sorted more or less now, needs more miles on it around the doors to check if it will be a long term fix that I have done.
all little niggles and teething problems I was kind of expecting to be honest. It hasn't been easy getting this far so why should it change now it has an MOT?

Cheers
Col.

The Nun · Post by **The Nun** » Tue Apr 05, 2022 12:26 pm

It's a stinker

colimp66 · Post by **colimp66** » Thu Apr 14, 2022 9:55 am

Well it's back apart again so I can add some lightness and hopefully cure a vibration I have noticed at a certain speed.
I always thought the reverse gear I had made was a touch heavy and possibly out of balance causing the vibration.
Only one way to try and solve it .. take it all apart and have it checked out and lightened.
Picked it up early this morning and chuffed with the resulting lightness and hopefully better balance to once it's back on .

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I didn't weigh it beforehand but just looking at it from previous photo it can't be anything else but lighter

Cheers
Col.

bks974c · Post by **bks974c** » Thu Apr 14, 2022 8:37 pm

Balance shaft missing from engine

You'll be a busy boy over the weekend and next week if your going to make Imp Ecosse.

Good Luck
Scott

colimp66 · Post by **colimp66** » Fri Apr 15, 2022 12:11 pm

Hi Scott,
the balancer shafts could be the cause of it too but I will try this first and go from there.
The engine cradle is all rubber mounted but possibly not enough or the if it is the balancer removal that's caused it I can always strip the engine and either refit them or remove the crank, remove the gear that drives the balancers and have that balanced which is another option..
Not before Imp Ecosse though

The new reverse gear is already fitted, the clutch seals replaced and bled with only the reverse starter needed to be fitted now and wired in and should be good to test from there on Sunday.

Always busy Scott..

Cheers
Col.

bks974c · Post by **bks974c** » Fri Apr 15, 2022 7:23 pm

I've still got an spare Imp engine and gearbox

Your nearly there.

Keep going.

Scott

colimp66 · Post by **colimp66** » Sat Apr 16, 2022 9:02 am

bks974c wrote: ↑Fri Apr 15, 2022 7:23 pm I've still got an spare Imp engine and gearbox

Your nearly there. Keep going.

Scott

That can always go in as a temporary measure whilst I sort the Blackbird engine out I suppose..

Cheers
Col

The Nun · Post by **The Nun** » Sat Apr 16, 2022 9:06 am

Is a Blackbird engine similar to a Robin? 850cc, Just thought I'd tweet that

colimp66 · Post by **colimp66** » Sat Apr 16, 2022 9:59 am

The Nun wrote: ↑Sat Apr 16, 2022 9:06 am Is a Blackbird engine similar to a Robin? 850cc, Just thought I'd tweet that

very good Peter

Roy Sims · Post by **Roy Sims** » Tue Apr 19, 2022 9:15 am

Hi Colin, The balance shaft removal shouldn't make it vibrate badly, it should be smoother than the average car engine. With the shafts in these are supersmooth engines.
The car needs a high final drive, for your comfort. I use a 3.25 to 1 final drive on 22.5" tyres (slicks) in competition this gives 75mph at 6000rpm and 113mph at 9000.
The car looks good I hope you enjoy it.

Roy

colimp66 · Post by **colimp66** » Tue Apr 19, 2022 4:53 pm

Hi Roy,

Thank you for the info regarding the balance shafts and the diff ratio. I had read that the removal of the balance shafts don't make such a difference to the smoothness off the engine. I haven't had the gear removed from the crankshaft or rebalanced in anyway either. Is this something that you have done on your engines in the past?
The diff ratio I am using is a 3.6 on 185/60x13 tyres so a little bit lower geared than you have making it a bit revvier than yours will be.

I need to put more miles on it to suss it all out and will be doing that over the summer and making an improvement list I guess.

A new speedo cable is on its way so I can se what speed it is actually doing.

Cheers
Col.

Roy Sims · Post by **Roy Sims** » Wed Apr 20, 2022 8:36 am

Hi Colin, I have always left the gear on. If you consider that I mount my engines solid to the chassis if the vibration was bad I would really feel it. I also sit in an ali seat on the floor.
If you measure the diameter of your tyre I can send you a spread sheet so that you can check against your speedo.

Roy

colimp66 · Post by **colimp66** » Wed Apr 20, 2022 9:51 am

Roy,
I have a nagging suspicion the vibration may well be coming from elsewhere with what you say and what I have read elsewhere regarding the removal of the balance shafts. The wheels will be rebalanced this week to remove that from the equation and I will go from there.
185/60x13 tyres have a diameter of 21.7".

Can you tell me what clutch master cylinder you used for your Imp please Roy? I am using a rear brake master cylinder that has a 14mm bore similar to the Blackbird clutch master cylinder but I seem to have to re-bleed it more often than not at the moment although there are no leaks in the system and every component is new or been replaced with new seals. A strange issue and its starting to do my head in now.

Cheers
Colin.

Roy Sims · Post by **Roy Sims** » Wed Apr 20, 2022 1:01 pm

Hi Colin, I use a 5/8" girling, but I restrict the pedal movement otherwise it will over pump the clutch, I have tried a 1/2" girling type master cylinder but it is not enough.
I will email you the spreadsheet.
Roy

Roy Sims · Post by **Roy Sims** » Wed Apr 20, 2022 1:09 pm

Hi Colin, I use a 5/8" girling, but I restrict the pedal movement otherwise it will over pump the clutch, I have tried a 1/2" girling type master cylinder but it is not enough.
I will email you the spreadsheet.
Roy

colimp66 · Post by **colimp66** » Thu Jun 09, 2022 9:26 am

Thanks for the spreadsheet Roy, apologies for the late response as I have been pre-occupied with the Pest these last few weeks attending to the clutch and a diff that keeps chucking out its contents of oil when I go for a run.
Think I have it sorted now though.

A little run out the other night before the sun went down, just around the town and the neighbouring village to chill out a bit after work.

Harbour rhs front.JPG

Winterfield rear lhs.JPG

Winterfield Rhs.JPG

Hopefully be out more this weekend, see how it goes as I have a little blow form the exhaust at the headers which will need looking at.

Cheers
Col.

colimp66 · Post by **colimp66** » Fri Jul 08, 2022 10:29 am

Had another little hurl out in The Pest to North Berwick last night for a pizza and to check if anything will need doing before the trip to the Glamis show on Sunday.
Great views over the Forth to the Kingdom once parked up.

NB rhs.JPG

NB rhs front.JPG

NB lhs to Bass Rock.JPG

All went well and the pizza was nice.
May have a tinker about later this evening all the same.

Cheers
Col.

colimp66 · Post by **colimp66** » Wed Jul 13, 2022 3:22 pm

So of to Glamis it was on Sunday morning and possibly a wee bit later than I wanted to but not by much so of we headed to Kinross services for the first meet up of the morning, cruising steady at first. As we got closer to Kinross it was obvious I was late and might not make it in time. ..
Of the slip road and into the services to be greeted by a gaggle of red Italian type cars... Ferraris I think they call them, no Imps there... Must have left already so back onto the M90 at a brisker pace(legal limits, honest) than before passing several classics on the way we finally caught the Imp convoy at the Bridge of Earn which was a relief.
Once over the bridge(can't remember its name)over the Tay on the M90 the car started to vibrate quite a bit when at 55mph or anything above third gear with any sign of throttle.. Oh no. First thought was the diff has cooked itself. Struggled onto the Morrisons at Dundee where we met the Fife Impers and then onto Glamis.. Very delicately on the throttle once into 4th gear as that's where the vibes started.

All into Glamis and parked up in the scorching sunshine that stayed with us all day, 16 Imps and 2 Clans gave a great showing for the Imp Club with a lot of interest from the public. The Pest got a bit of interest with its engine arrangement too.

Anyway it was a long haul home with the vibration but once home and after leaving it in the garage over night I had a look at what was the cause of the noise and vibration. Checking driveshafts, ujs, diff oil, engine oil, sump removal and then finally moving the diff back and removing the reverse gear arrangement and the prop shaft the culprit was found.

Donut disaster.JPG

Now ordered along with new hi tensile nuts and bolts so hopefully up and running again for the weekend. Seemingly the donut is from an Opel Omega.

Cheers
Col.

moose · Post by **moose** » Thu Jul 14, 2022 6:43 am

Lucky that did not let go.

moose · Post by **moose** » Thu Jul 14, 2022 7:07 am

https://www.autodoc.co.uk/mpbs/16413656 ... IMQAvD_BwE not sure if this would be an upgrade if the dimensions are the same?

colimp66 · Post by **colimp66** » Thu Jul 14, 2022 10:23 am

Mike,
Yeh, I was pretty lucky it didn't let go when we were going at speed on the M90 that's for sure . Thank you for the link but I have spoken to Nova transmissions where the the adaptor was from and they gave me a heads up on what it is required for a replacement. Already ordered with new bolts etc.
Wil be keeping a n eye on it in the future once it is all back together.

Cheers
Col.

moose · Post by **moose** » Thu Jul 14, 2022 10:26 am

Not so bad then that there is a solution

colimp66 · Post by **colimp66** » Fri Aug 26, 2022 10:07 am

So far since I have replaced the dodgy donut there's not been an issue in that department. However its never plain sailing with an Imp as we all know as last week the exhaust started making a bit more noise than usual. After a n inspection it looked like number 4 downpipe had a hairline crack in it

. Hardly surprising really as was where I welded it up.

Off with the exhaust once again and weld it up but before it was refitted I wrapped it with some heat resistant wrap as under the engine cover temps were extremely high after a run. Hoping this may make a difference to the heat build up in there. The outer right rear wing is very warm after a quick blast.

Exhaust wrapped.JPG

All refitted now and it will get a wee hurl tonight in readiness for the Fife areas run on Sunday around The Kingdom of Fife and onto the Ladybank show with a chippy stop somewhere no doubt.

Cheers
Col.

colimp66 · Post by **colimp66** » Mon Mar 20, 2023 2:17 pm

Wow!!
Can't believe it's been that long since I posted !!!???!!
So the Fife run to Tayport, St.Andrews and the Ladybank show went well and so did The Pest. Cracking weather and a really good turn out if memory serves me correctly.
A few photos of the day.

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Since then The Pest was out a few local runs then put into hibernation for the winter and not really looked at until a few weeks ago.
I've moved the clutch master cylinder higher to try and solve a problem I've been having with it pulling in air at high revs for some reason. It has also been changed to the Honda Blackbird clutch master cylinder to see if this may cure it. Now bolted to the bulkhead and operated with a cable from the clutch pedal.
This is the photo of the mk1 version I have made but since moved to the rhs wing a bit further so a longer clutch lever could be used to make it a softer pedal.

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Here it is down the harbour after a test run which went well.

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Hoping to be out and about this coming Sunday with the Edinburgh ,Fife and others for a hurl to Duns to the Jim Clark museum.
An Impvasion to the borders.

Cheers
Col.

colimp66 · Post by **colimp66** » Tue Apr 04, 2023 9:38 am

After doing 2000 miles last year in the Pest it was time for another MOT on Monday which it passed

.

Time for many more miles this year hopefully and as many shows and events I can get to is the plan.

.

Winterfield lhs.JPG

Cheers
Col.

Pog · Post by **Pog** » Wed Apr 05, 2023 12:02 pm

And why wouldn't it! Absolute credit to you bud.

Pog

ImpManiac · Post by **ImpManiac** » Thu Apr 06, 2023 11:36 am

I love the Pest, Colin!

Maybe you have said in an earlier post, but what is the car like to drive? How is the handling? No doubt it has plenty of power.

IM

colimp66 · Post by **colimp66** » Thu Apr 06, 2023 4:19 pm

Thanks Pog,
it is still an ongoing project as they are never ever finished I don't think.

Paul,
You are correct the car has plenty of power and accelerates quite well as you can imagine.

Handling wise is difficult to tell as I don't have another Imp to compare it with other than when I had a loan of Paul Coulters white Super which was a very standard Imp. I feel that it holds the road well but it really needs a new set of shocks to make it better, there is old Spax on the back and standard dampers on the front which wont be helping with the handling. Race lowered springs on front and rear from Malcolm with polybushes all round to on the wishbones.
Still trying to iron out all the little annoying rattles it has but then again with fibreglass doors, engine cover, rear transom, bonnet and polycarbonate windows it will never be as quiet as a standard car although there is sound deadening in the car there is maybe not enough.

Another ongoing thing to do on it.
At speed (above 60mph)earplugs are required!!!

Always good to drive though and get out in it when the sun shines.

Here's a wee video I did last year.

Enjoy.

Cheers
Col.

colimp66 · Post by **colimp66** » Tue Apr 11, 2023 11:03 am

Out and about on Sunday morning and had to pop into get some shopping.

Look at the size of modern cars compared to the Pest

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Cheers
Col.

The Nun · Post by **The Nun** » Tue Apr 11, 2023 1:19 pm

And the Imp does fit properly inside the parking space.
Cars might be twice the size now but the parking spaces are still 1970s.

Uncle Henry · Post by **Uncle Henry** » Tue Apr 11, 2023 1:57 pm

Unfortunately, Peter, its the continuation of the lowest common denominator syndrome that affects just about everything. I once worked on a job near East Croydon Station, and the local multistorey carpark had its lines removed and the spaces closed up, so they got an extra 4 or 5 spaces in per row. All about money, and no consideration for people's property. Its about time the government (or local authorities, even) imposed some sensible minimum dimensions to carparks, living spaces, garages etc. There are "studio flats" locally where you can stand in the kitchen, keep your feet firmly in the same spot, but access all the work surfaces.

AG

The Nun · Post by **The Nun** » Thu Apr 13, 2023 9:56 am

There's no way one can get your new Range Rover into a modern single garage and get out of the doors now, folk have to climb out of the rear tailgate, its disgusting considering most of the drivers are in their 60s and up.

colimp66 · Post by **colimp66** » Sun Jul 30, 2023 2:00 pm

Thought I best give The Pest a once over in readyness for the run round Knockhill on Thursday.

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Been running fine the last few times it has been out so a general check of all nuts, bolts and fluids. Hoping not to get a surprise with anything.

See you there.

Cheers
Col.