A Californian drying out in South Africa

The Nun · Post by **The Nun** » Mon Apr 27, 2015 6:51 am

Free time on the IMP then?

African Imp · Post by **African Imp** » Mon Apr 27, 2015 8:02 am

A day off??

I wonder what I should do?

The only thing that needs sorting on the engine is the way it runs, do I strip the Strombergs again and if I do what am I looking for I wonder?

African Imp · Post by **African Imp** » Mon Apr 27, 2015 9:23 am

I changed over the fitted Lucas Sport coil yesterday for another one, there was no difference to the way that the engine ran but it was a good time to fit a replated mount bracket.

African Imp · Post by **African Imp** » Mon Apr 27, 2015 9:25 am

The lock that should not work?

Myself and The Nun have inspected the construction of this lock set and can see that it should not work?

They must of made at least 800,000 and more so clearly they did and they still do, so why did one on the Californian fail?

oli · Post by **oli** » Mon Apr 27, 2015 10:22 am

Am I looking at it wrong, or have you got the handle part in the wrong way round? Do you still need the handle part in the package I am putting together for you?
Oli

African Imp · Post by **African Imp** » Mon Apr 27, 2015 10:56 am

I have the rear carb off once more, what can I find???

I know that the main body is clean, spotless really, when the carb was taken off the manifold I found lots of petrol sitting in it, thats far too much petrol for the car to run on?

I decided to do a gravity test using the blue hose and a small funnel filled to the brim with petrol, this will not mimick the pressure of the AC petrol pump but may give an indication if the petrol started to leak out, the indication would be to the float chamber needle sticking, its new by the way.

Nothing happened at all, then I hooked up the air line and right away saw a high jet of petrol come up out of the central hole.

Is this what the problem is I wonder?

I now need to do the same test with the float bowl removed and the float up against the control needle, the float is set to 16mm above the edge of the body.

African Imp · Post by **African Imp** » Mon Apr 27, 2015 11:23 am

This carb has been off so many times I forget just how many, finding a fault is the issue?

I have just found one, it may be the cause, as it sure is the kind of fault that will allow excess petrol into the fuel bowl and then flood the two cylinders that the carb feeds.

What pressure does the Imps standard AC petrol pump deliver petrol at?

I used an air line and 4.5 bars, that is about 63 pounds?

I applied the air line and expected air to leak from the new valve fitted recently, on inspection I could see a leak as a series of air bubbles were streaming from the brand new alloy washer that came with the kit.

I tightened and re tightened, still it leaked, I changed to another and thinner washer and the leak has now stopped.

Was this the problem, time will tell

The picture of the jet and washer show the brand new parts fitted, I have removed and changed that washer.

A 1/4 Whitworth socket fits that needle jet very well.

The Nun · Post by **The Nun** » Mon Apr 27, 2015 1:43 pm

African Imp wrote:What pressure does the Imps standard AC petrol pump deliver petrol at?

I used an air line and 4.5 bars, that is about 63 pounds?

Its only a couple of psi at most, your airline will blow up a bus tyre at 4.5 bars.

African Imp · Post by **African Imp** » Mon Apr 27, 2015 4:17 pm

While the engine running was much better after I found the leaking washer to the needle valve it still was not correct, so I changed the carb to one that I originally purchased from Hartwell Tuning in Bournemouth over twenty years ago.

This did the trick and the engine runs super well, I suppose I need to fit the matching carb to the set now?

Check out The Odd Couple ( the first film I ever saw in the RSA) still while the set does not match they do work very well as a pair

At last, now to discover why the other one does not work?

oli · Post by **oli** » Tue Apr 28, 2015 7:11 am

Roy, you should just stick a Weber 28/36 DCD on it and save yourself a lot of hassle!

African Imp · Post by **African Imp** » Tue Apr 28, 2015 7:23 am

I have a Nikki here but have yet to fit it to an engine.

The Stromberg carb I fitted yesterday is an earlier version than the one I removed?

I have never in all my years of using Stromberg 125 CD carburettors ever had a problem, there is it seems a first time for everything?

They look the same from above, I see I have the cover cap the wrong way around but that was the only way the piston would fall correctly.

I have just been sorting out the inlet horn, the air horn stud center's are closer on the early carb and the gasket needs the stud hole making longer, also the alloy air horn needs some grinding to allow the nuts to be fitted as well.

The Nun · Post by **The Nun** » Tue Apr 28, 2015 7:53 am

Not sure if it makes any difference Roy but all the photos in the manual and stromberg info I have always show that protrusion on the top cap neck fitted to the right when looking on the front (inlet) of the carb.??

Whether that makes any diffrence I dont know? wouldnt have thought so, its an air hole to the piston plunger.

How about the piston spring, are they the same and ok? ALSO I remember reading somewhere that when the CD3 strommies were used on the IMP Sport it was unique in that they werent fitted with the springs unlike for the CDS???

In fact the IMP parts manual shows it without for the CD3

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African Imp · Post by **African Imp** » Tue Apr 28, 2015 9:50 am

The early carb and the one with the feed to the dizy is on top of a spare carb set.

African Imp · Post by **African Imp** » Tue Apr 28, 2015 10:00 am

This was the kind of treatment both carburetors had with the last owner, plus the lower part of the alloy petrol bowl had been welded up around the hole where the jet adjuster exits

I have made a key that is a flat plate but what does the correct one look like?

African Imp · Post by **African Imp** » Tue Apr 28, 2015 10:19 am

The Nun wrote:Not sure if it makes any difference Roy but all the photos in the manual and stromberg info I have always show that protrusion on the top cap neck fitted to the right when looking on the front (inlet) of the carb.??

Whether that makes any diffrence I dont know? wouldnt have thought so, its an air hole to the piston plunger.

How about the piston spring, are they the same and ok? ALSO I remember reading somewhere that when the CD3 strommies were used on the IMP Sport it was unique in that they werent fitted with the springs unlike for the CDS???

In fact the IMP parts manual shows it without for the CD3
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Thanks, my Strombergs have always had a damper spring in them.

One issue I do have is washer number 57 was/is missing in all the carbs I own, was that a steel washer to protect the alloy case from the spring or should it be an alloy washer?

benwick3 · Post by **benwick3** » Tue Apr 28, 2015 1:02 pm

I know this may sound obvious but with the original carbs did you check the mixture adjustment for both?

Pete Richards

benwick3 · Post by **benwick3** » Tue Apr 28, 2015 2:24 pm

I've found with my recent work sorting 150 Strombergs for my race 998 that it's not unusual for the settings for each carb to vary. Also not unusual for there to be a variation from the base setting for and between the carbs. I've been using a Colourtune with good results but also easily done by lifting the piston with the inbuilt lifter or if that's not there then using a thin screwdriver.

Pete Richards

African Imp · Post by **African Imp** » Tue Apr 28, 2015 4:22 pm

IMG_6771.jpg

Dipstick time?

I thought to check the oil level, its just as well I did as all the extra petrol has found its way down to the oil pan and I now have an oil level thats way past the high mark.

This will explain why the oil gauge was seemingly doing its own thing, it was up and down as I drove today.

I also wondered why the oil looked thinner than I would expect when I drained 2.25 ltrs out to seal the oil drain pipe banjo fitting.

Oil change time in the morning is a must!

On a positive side I will have a nice clean and flushed out engine interior, I doubt any damage was done as I have not used more revs than say 3000 rpm?

This is what I am using now.

Shell Helix HX5 High Mileage 25W-60

Premium multigrade motor oil – Helps to extend engine life.

•Contains anti-wear agents to provide reliable wear protection
•High viscosity to help reduce leaks in older, high-mileage engines
Specifications: API SL/CF

African Imp · Post by **African Imp** » Tue Apr 28, 2015 4:28 pm

I am trying to source the correct lock keep part that fits to the two holes in the engine mount post.

Bob of the spares dept did send me a sketch so I can fabricate one, the correct part would just be that much better and nicer

African Imp · Post by **African Imp** » Wed Apr 29, 2015 7:36 am

As the project gets closer to being finished, I can see some missing parts still, the engine cover lock keep was one , the original Kangol seat belt catches are another.

I still use them as they work fine but the plastic lever has been damaged due to allowing the seat frame to sit on top of the lever and snap it, that was my daughters fault

she used the car as a daily driver for over two years, driving to Somerset West outside Cape Town five or six times a week for work, in all that time the car stopped just the once, it was a petrol blockage in the fuel line.

Does anyone have one, a pair would be better

If anyone has a picture of the Kangol stick on lable I could have those remade, were they on a chrome foil?

The Nun · Post by **The Nun** » Wed Apr 29, 2015 10:54 am

African Imp wrote: If anyone has a picture of the Kangol stick on label I could have those remade, were they on a chrome foil?

You can get them from Classic Capsule in the UK.

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The Nun · Post by **The Nun** » Wed Apr 29, 2015 11:36 am

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African Imp · Post by **African Imp** » Wed Apr 29, 2015 12:20 pm

New oil, new filter, start the engine and we have 50 pounds oil pressure plus on the Smiths oil gauge

The Nun · Post by **The Nun** » Wed Apr 29, 2015 12:37 pm

They arent particularly good, ok there are all there, but I wont be using them so you could have them, just the plastic buckles? The whole lot would be quite expensive to post I expect if you want everything?.
I dont want anything for them as they will just be binned eventually anyway,

African Imp · Post by **African Imp** » Wed Apr 29, 2015 12:58 pm

I suppose I need to complete the paint works now?

African Imp · Post by **African Imp** » Wed Apr 29, 2015 1:02 pm

The cars original alloy trims to the doors while are not perfect still manage to do the job as they were intended?

The Nun · Post by **The Nun** » Wed Apr 29, 2015 1:55 pm

pbergs wrote:
image.jpg
The car is looking ravishing Roy. I came across an idea for a few extra cc's but slightly worried about engine bay clearance.. What do you think?

The .red paint matches

pbergs · Post by **pbergs** » Wed Apr 29, 2015 2:01 pm

Exactly..is there a problem?

African Imp · Post by **African Imp** » Wed Apr 29, 2015 2:12 pm

What can I say, its a perfect match to what I wanted, the seats are in for a trial fit, the car still needs paint and the seats will be plastic covered again and stored in a spare room pending the final fitting

I may as well fit the door cards and door opening cappings next to see the full effect ?

The Nun · Post by **The Nun** » Wed Apr 29, 2015 2:38 pm

Looks very plush

African Imp · Post by **African Imp** » Wed Apr 29, 2015 3:38 pm

The back seats are just in place and loose, the squabs look small, do the seat backs push back a little to make some more space I wonder?

African Imp · Post by **African Imp** » Wed Apr 29, 2015 3:39 pm

Out in the sunshine once more, at least the car can be driven once more

African Imp · Post by **African Imp** » Thu Apr 30, 2015 7:39 am

As this restoration seems to be coming closer to an end I would like to thank all the forum members who have offered advice along the way, plus some very scarce parts that I just cannot source in South Africa, right now it is seat belt buckles, engine cover lock keep and the coupe front head liner trim.

There were also a number of parts from the Imp Clubs Spares Department, Malcolm Anderson Imps supplied front and rear windscreen rubbers, also a coupe vent light, As John in Northern Ireland supplied the same thing but twice, one was the saloon by mistake but John then found me another one and from Scotland!

Frank down in Australia also sent me the coupe rear side window rubbers, vent light seals and also a cooling fan rubber gaiter, via the Imp Club Spares I have already received Franks head light seals and the steering rack rubber gaiter as well.

Oli is supplying the head liner trim in the picture below, plus some other smaller and light weight parts the car still needs.

My thanks to all of those involved!

As its quite a story

African Imp · Post by **African Imp** » Thu Apr 30, 2015 9:14 am

What does the Imps engine cover lock keep look like?

Questions come from myself and normally the answers come from you the forum viewers

Oli was kind enough to send a series of pictures to me, this is three of them.

My thanks to Bazzateer who was able to remove one from his car and will be posting it to The Nun for including into his Kangol seat belts parcel to me

there are lots of smiles here thanks you you forum members.

bazzateer · Post by **bazzateer** » Thu Apr 30, 2015 10:27 am

I'll be posting it off to Peter later. Peter, I can't reply to your pms as you've disabled the function to receive them!

African Imp · Post by **African Imp** » Thu Apr 30, 2015 11:29 am

Whats happening today?

Well we had rain last night and also this morning, with a temperature of 18c its as nice as can be in the garage with the doors closed

I am continuing with a trial fit of some of the new trims, the drivers door card needed opening up on the top edge as while I had sanded the long top edge to a thin edge, the trimmer had then applied 3mm thick foam and all the way to the top edge, I had to cut that back 1 1/2" then stick the black vinyl back on.

Finding the existing screw holes in the door to match the door card was an interesting job

The two screws that keep the door capping in place are large self tappers, about 5mm diameter I think.

African Imp · Post by **African Imp** » Thu Apr 30, 2015 1:59 pm

How did I pick up the doors two lower self tapping screw holes to secure the lower corners of the door card?

The picture should explain its self?

bazzateer · Post by **bazzateer** » Thu Apr 30, 2015 2:54 pm

Lock keep in the post and en route to the English Riviera.

The Nun · Post by **The Nun** » Thu Apr 30, 2015 3:12 pm

Ive got the seat belt bits ready too, found a tough box, should be all on its way Monday hopefully then.

African Imp · Post by **African Imp** » Thu Apr 30, 2015 3:31 pm

The day went well so decent progress before I get the spray gun and some re paints out.

The seats and trims have been fitted as a trial and will be removed once they have been fitted, stored well away from harm and over spray etc.

African Imp · Post by **African Imp** » Thu Apr 30, 2015 3:34 pm

All seems well enough excepting the door card tops, the rear side trims have the same fault issue but as they are well covered by the window capping, held in place by the back seat belt bolt and a screw in the back corner I will fit them as is.

African Imp · Post by **African Imp** » Thu Apr 30, 2015 4:03 pm

The one missing item I was sure would not be possible to find was a missing Californian side badge, guess what forum member Oli had one for me

it will require painting as its the plastic infill plate only, still with the chrome on the badge so I can manage that I think.

Can someone measure the exact position the cars two side badges need to be forward of the doors and high upon the front wing.

African Imp · Post by **African Imp** » Fri May 01, 2015 7:37 am

Happy Labour Day!

Progress will continue on the interior today, that is my day off

The plastic cappings to the dump boxes are now in position.

Rear seats are loose and not fastened down.

African Imp · Post by **African Imp** » Fri May 01, 2015 7:39 am

Interior showing the side panels, the rear seats are still not bolted in place, that will only happen later as the car nears final completion.

The roof liner and side trims will make or break this job ?

African Imp · Post by **African Imp** » Fri May 01, 2015 7:53 am

The rear ash trays will never be used but as a part of the cars detailing they are an Important item I think?

At least in the Imps, Rootes Cars were quite passionate about ash trays, were all the British car makers the same back in the 1963 era on?

The original side card also had a perforation for radio speakers, I had them on my 1967 Singer Chamois but never the radio, so this time I will leave the speakers out.

Note the way the top trim has had extra foam padding added to enhance the look and feel of the trim, the same was done on the door cappings as well

African Imp · Post by **African Imp** » Fri May 01, 2015 7:54 am

The rear side window rubbers are a very neat fit and are smaller than the originals, those had metal inserts painted in the body paint colour, mine were painted black when I got the car anyway.

The Nun · Post by **The Nun** » Fri May 01, 2015 9:29 am

Looks like new doesnt it, what are you doing for the carpets? making your own up or getting moulded ones made up??

African Imp · Post by **African Imp** » Fri May 01, 2015 11:26 am

The second door card is now in place, it went a little faster than the first one as second time around and you sort of know whats next?

This time I also ground the back of the card where the square drives to the door controls are, this will allow an easier turn of the controls.

I also added a nice thick layer of clear plastic to protect against moisture, not that I intend driving in the wet

African Imp · Post by **African Imp** » Fri May 01, 2015 1:34 pm

A flash back and a reminder as to what the cars upholstery (which was none original) looked like when I got the car back in July 2014

That image is quite sobering

rhydian_mason · Post by **rhydian_mason** » Fri May 01, 2015 3:22 pm

I do hope you plan to visit an Imp National Weekend in this car! Fantastic effort on the restoration.