A Californian drying out in South Africa

[The Nun]

Yes but crisps and paint dont have similar characteristics Roy well not here they don't.

[African Imp]

I am asked quite often about the Rostyle rims that the car has fitted.

They are from an Opal of some sort, made in South Africa, sized 13" a 5.5J rim width.

They were changed to resemble the Lotus Cortina rims by removal of the centers, reversing them, then welding them back in.

The paint finish was an effect silver, single pack, then a 2k clear coat over the effect silver.

While the stud holes are set at 4" centers, they are 1/2" sized, so some 3/8" steel inserts had to be made.

[African Imp]

This effect silver does not need to be mixed with a hardener, this 1 liter tin has been on my shelves some years, it air dries and quickly, a 2k clear coat is recommended?

The British Seagull flywheel is bare alloy, its not been painted yet.

[The Nun]

Question mark ? "A clear coat is recommended", does that mean you aren't sure Roy ??

Old silver paints weren't very stable even clear coated, look at how the 70s Ford's used to flake off if chipped, the Silver Fox Metallic they did the 1600E and 2000E in were very bad for that,

[African Imp]

Question mark ? "A clear coat is recommended", does that mean you aren't sure Roy ??

Old silver paints weren't very stable even clear coated, look at how the 70s Ford's used to flake off if chipped, the Silver Fox Metallic they did the 1600E and 2000E in were very bad for that,

I had a look, yes clear coats are possible, having just painted the down tubes on a 102 series British Seagull and with a foam roller, I got a decent finish but I believe that a clear coat is required to protect against todays petrol.

Ok no petrol on my wheel rims but the gloss finish is still so much nicer.


Permacron Base Coat 293/295/297 is a high-quality, conventional
basecoat for all clear-over-base systems. It can be applied universally to
all passenger cars, buses and commercial vehicles.
Allows for easy and reliable application.....
The mixing system makes it possible to mix all colours quickly and
accurately.
....
Can be overcoated with Permacron MS Clear Coats.....

[Uncle Henry]

That distinctly says the system is "clear over basecoat". So it NEEDS to be clear coated ! It'll be for UV protection as much as anything else.

AG

[African Imp]

That distinctly says the system is "clear over basecoat". So it NEEDS to be clear coated ! It'll be for UV protection as much as anything else.

AG

Issue number one for me is that I do not do spray painting work too often now, so the 1 ltr can of hardener after opening does not get used again for a while.

I have a guy near by who does dings and dents on private cars, I will try him for smaller amounts next.

[African Imp]

I was thinking of replacing the radiator leaf guard today but the fact we have fifty MPH winds today, well this past three days, puts me off laying under the car with so much noise, even in the garage. Its called a Black South Easter, with rain which is not normal, the Met office says its the result of a Cut off Low, which is a center low being pressed by two highs.

At least that replacement water pump shows no leaks now.

[African Imp]

I have someone with a Lotus Cortina asking about my Girling Mk2 brake servo, two questions he asked, what is the number on the end of the cylinder and what is the tank diameter?

The number I find is 86 and the diameter is five and a half inches, did they make other sizes?

That number may be 98 ?

A Lotus Ford Cortina member says I have the right servo for a Lotus Cortina.

[The Nun]

They made a 7" version too.

[oli]

That's 98 Roy - note the top half of the 8 is smaller...

[African Imp]

That's 98 Roy - note the top half of the 8 is smaller...

Yes, I saw that later and after first posting.

[The Nun]

Unless the apprentice doing the stamping got the punch upside down, as it appears he did a few times when he worked for Rootes stamping the chassis numbers

[African Imp]

Back on 18th January 2015 I fitted a new Exide 636c battery, its been drained a few times but always recovered.

It was placed on charge a week back, this morning I get click and then the panel is dead, so is the battery?

I cannot complain mind you, its lasted nine years!

Looking around I find that prices are up say R1000 which is more than I paid before, also Exide seems not to be sold now?

They do sell Willard which is the same company, can I remove the Exide label from my battery and stick it on which ever brand that I buy?

[The Nun]

Might invalidate any warranty if you start changing labels and messing with it ? etc

[African Imp]

Might invalidate any warranty if you start changing labels and messing with it ? etc

Thanks,
That is VERY good advice!

I have found an auto store that I use has Exide 636c stocks and at R1184 vat inc, which is far better priced than anyone in my village.

I have to supply the old battery as scrap, they add R400 otherwise?

Tomorrow I go for a drive!

[African Imp]

Now removed from the engine bay, I find that the sticker I applied on the rear of the battery shows the date that I fitted it, looks like I bought it from Charlies and not the Engen garage as I thought?

The label on the side of the battery says it is a 40 amp version.

[African Imp]

The new battery is also the same dimensions, a Nano efb but has 42 amps which is five percent more than the battery it has replaced.

For sure the battery is turning the engine over a whole lot faster than before!

[The Nun]

Nano means small doesn't it? So it's a little bit better, 2A than your old one, but putting Nano on the side makes it sound highly technically advanced as if theyve highly qualified designers working on it, where probably they were just in Charge of the label, had so they can Charge you a nano more for it, so more profits Trickle in

[African Imp]

Nano means small doesn't it? So it's a little bit better, 2A than your old one, but putting Nano on the side makes it sound highly technically advanced as if theyve highly qualified designers working on it, where probably they were just in Charge of the label, had so they can Charge you a nano more for it, so more profits Trickle in

Not sure, read this, lets face it to last nine years is remarkable!

Sounds like the right battery for my own use?

EFB batteries are an enhanced version of standard wet-flooded technology. These type of batteries should not be confused with standard flooded or AGM batteries. The primary benefits of EFB technology are improved charge acceptance and greater cyclic durability when operating in a reduced state of charge.

The primary benefits of EFB technology are improved charge acceptance and greater cyclic durability when operating in a reduced state of charge (typical of Stop Start applications). As an approximation, EFB batteries will provide 85,000 engine starts, compared to 30,000 starts from standard flooded product.

EFB batteries have been introduced as a lower tier option to AGM batteries in terms of performance and durability. EFB technology relies on improvements to existing flooded technology through the addition of Carbon additives in the plate manufacturing process. AGM batteries benefit from the inclusion of unique design features not found in wet-flooded batteries. These include glass mat separators, recombinant lid technology and higher pack pressures to facilitate improved cyclic lifespan. AGM batteries are better suited to meeting the demands of higher specification vehicles that include one or more of the following technologies: Start Stop, Regenerative Braking and Passive Boost.

[Uncle Henry]

so more profits Trickle in

Sort of like a trickle charge then ?

UH

[RoyBlunt]

You could read the battery label literally. Nano EFG could mean just a nano (i.e. 1e-9 in scientific nomenclature or 0.000000001 in decimals) part of the EFG technology is incorporated..

Along much the same line of thought - just imagine a nano-Imp (again 1e-9 or 0.000000001 of the normal size). That would make the car about 12 iron atoms long......so much less to go wrong though....

Roy

[African Imp]

You could read the battery label literally. Nano EFG could mean just a nano (i.e. 1e-9 in scientific nomenclature or 0.000000001 in decimals) part of the EFG technology is incorporated..

Along much the same line of thought - just imagine a nano-Imp (again 1e-9 or 0.000000001 of the normal size). That would make the car about 12 iron atoms long......so much less to go wrong though....

Roy

Who knows but for me and with my irregular use its sure worked well for me?

It even has a carry handle!

[African Imp]

After a week of gales the car was dusted with sand, as even though its parked in a locked garage the gaps above the up and over door allows air circulation.

Today I used a hose pipe to clean the car a little and before I use a wash leather, I rarely use a hose pipe on the car.
I guess the two Cunard cruise liners have been able to enter Cape Town harbour now, winds dropped to hardly anything, one Cunard ship had to anchor in Table Bay yesterday afternoon, winds of 135 kms were recorded!

News item just posted, following the arrival of the Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria luxury passenger liners in Cape Town.

[African Imp]

so more profits Trickle in

Sort of like a trickle charge then ?

UH

Whatever but for sure this type of battery suits my kind of irregular use of the car

[African Imp]

In port now, a common sight this past few years, I read that Cape Town expects sixty seven cruise liners this year.

[The Nun]

I heard the trafficking gangs are now buying those old cruise liners so they can bring asylum seekers over 30000 a day in complete safety. Make sure you put a crooklok on your Imp.

[African Imp]

The new water pump change has been finished, as yesterday I re fitted my home-made leaf guard.

[The Nun]

Can't see any drips, water or oil

[African Imp]

Can't see any drips, water or oil

There was one coolant drip, I can live with that and its got better, the crank scroll area leaks oil but that I will have to live with?

As I built the engine I am sure its all in good condition, just an Imp engine thing?

The Sunbeam Sport radiator heat deflector I produce is fitted on the left, on the right is a Hartwell exhaust that I purchased from them at least twenty years back!

[The Nun]

Doughnut looks very close to the guard there?

[African Imp]

Doughnut looks very close to the guard there?

I used the factory drawings to produce it and while its close to the drive shaft assembly its clear enough?

[moose]

Hi Roy. When I zoom in on the picture of the donuts you can see stress marks where the edge of the driveshaft is rubbing on the donut. Next time you change the donuts radius this edge to prevent the driveshaft damaging the rubber. If you need an idea of how much to radius look at the output spiders on the gearbox side. Rubber under tension (like when accelerating) will cut a a lot easier and donuts compress and expand and flex all at once when setting off in an imp or spirited driving.

[Uncle Henry]

oh yes, I can see a "cut" !

AG

[African Imp]

I went to the local Engen garage and put some fuel in the cars tank, we pay R24.33 per liter, which is Pounds 1.036 per liter.
What does it cost in the UK?

[African Imp]

Hi Roy. When I zoom in on the picture of the donuts you can see stress marks where the edge of the driveshaft is rubbing on the donut. Next time you change the donuts radius this edge to prevent the driveshaft damaging the rubber. If you need an idea of how much to radius look at the output spiders on the gearbox side. Rubber under tension (like when accelerating) will cut a a lot easier and donuts compress and expand and flex all at once when setting off in an imp or spirited driving.

Thanks on you advice, they are radiused all ready!

This is a spare shaft, its had the sharpness of the corner removed as well.

[The Nun]

Have you got the flanges mounted on the coupling high upstands? It's harder to fit because it induces more lateral twist in the doughnut so some folk take the easy way and put the flanges on the low upstand, but of course it puts the flange nearer the rubber.

[African Imp]

Have you got the flanges mounted on the coupling high upstands? It's harder to fit because it induces more lateral twist in the doughnut so some folk take the easy way and put the flanges on the low upstand, but of course it puts the flange nearer the rubber.

Check the first image, with the rubber connectors that I have there is no way I can move them the way your suggesting.

[The Nun]

So you're saying your doughnuts arent to original spec and all the mounting surfaces are the same height?
You should be able to fit the flanges on the high upstand, the cars designed for to be done that way, the correct way, If youre saying it's just impossible to do then there's something wrong with the rear suspension set up as it is, maybe too much toe out on the rear wheels so pushing the shafts inwards?

[moose]

Hard to tell from picture but I think you are right Peter the donuts are fitted incorrectly. High points go to driveshaft and output, a little trick to getting them in place is to remove the engine mount and with engine supported on a jack push it across to the opposite side being fitted.

As I mentioned you need to radius the drive shaft to match the radius on the output spiders or as close as you can get.

[African Imp]

A leak of coolant but not from the water pump, I have changed the cap.

[African Imp]

So you're saying your doughnuts arent to original spec and all the mounting surfaces are the same height?
You should be able to fit the flanges on the high upstand, the cars designed for to be done that way, the correct way, If youre saying it's just impossible to do then there's something wrong with the rear suspension set up as it is, maybe too much toe out on the rear wheels so pushing the shafts inwards?

No on the rear wheels toe out, or in as the car was set up on a wheel alignment machine, they would have picked anything wrong right away?

I was there when they did it, a German machine that even had the Hillman Imp settings in it!

There is a fair selection of couplers that I have some used, some by SUK, so useless, some for the Ford Granada drive shaft, they never break!

[The Nun]

Wow you have a doughnut cupboard I can see differing heights of the mounting surfaces there.

I wonder if the rear tracking was out would they have known how to correct it? I suspect they would say its near enough unless it was miles out because it means removing the whole rear suspension and fitting shims behind the crossmember .

[African Imp]

Wow you have a doughnut cupboard I can see differing heights of the mounting surfaces there.

I wonder if the rear tracking was out would they have known how to correct it? I suspect they would say its near enough unless it was miles out because it means removing the whole rear suspension and fitting shims behind the crossmember .

The machine they used is Beissbarth, a German made machine, it was set up using the rear wheels as well on September 9th 2016.

https://www.beissbarth.com/en/products/ ... ex-433-mhz

I have only once ever found spacers behind the rear cross member, that was on a 1972 Hillman Imp, super low milage, never crashed and two owners only.

[African Imp]

My stash of drive shaft couplers includes some from the Ford 3ltr drive shafts, they are sized the same but they need the landings cut down, three on one side and three on the other side, the bolt holes are square, I had some insert tubes machined, 11.2mm inside ID, they fit fine.

The brand name is VIDAR, they were not expensive so I bought a few of them!

[moose]

If they are the same width as the imp ones then they should fit as per workshop manual and correct fitting with the tall step to the driveshaft and out put shaft.

[African Imp]

Another matter, its a while since I checked the brake fluid level, it was down a little last time I looked now its down a lot!

Is this something related to having front disc brakes?

Colin Valentine who supplied the Ford Fiesta front disc brake kit did mention using a larger brake fluid tank.

No leaks as I can see.

[The Nun]

Check your carpets to see if it's weeping from the front of the master cylinder?
Wear in the rear shoes and not keeping the adjusters up to cater for that will give more pedal travel.
Rear brake slave cylinder not sliding freely on the backplates.
Internal servo seals leaking if you have one, I don't think you do.

If the fluids gone down very slowly over time it's brake lining wear causing it, if it's gone down suddenly, in a day or so there's a leak somewhere.

I now have a separate reservoir for clutch and brake on both my Imps with disc brakes, it quadruples the fluid reserve, I've never felt the standard is really enough, just 2 egg cups full, even with the drums, just 2 pedal pumps of reserve. Not enough.

[RGWM]

I went to the local Engen garage and put some fuel in the cars tank, we pay R24.33 per liter, which is Pounds 1.036 per liter.
What does it cost in the UK?

Super unleaded is typically between £1.55 - £1.65 per litre in the North-West (Lancashire) where I am.

[The Nun]

The fuel here doesn't cost all that much but the tax does.