What did you do to your Imp today?

Bobbycham · Post by **Bobbycham** » Sat May 09, 2020 4:52 pm

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Fitted New shocks and springs followed by rest of pipe work etc, wishbone mounting plate and steering rack
Good day

Hope to get wishbones back on tomorrow and even better back on the deck

Bob

bks974c · Post by **bks974c** » Sat May 09, 2020 7:48 pm

Destroyed one rear trailing arm to save another

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Running short of gas so will leave the welding until later but that's the hard work done.

Scott

Peter Hurst · Post by **Peter Hurst** » Sun May 10, 2020 1:18 pm

Found time to spend all yesterday afternoon on the cars. ( some of us are still working)

On Imp I put passenger door card and pocket back on. The chrome trim on door was loose at front so replaced plastic clips with new ones
Checked tyre pressures and had to blow three up before firing up car for first time since the autumn.
Even with BMW power took a few turns of the key.
Car wouldn't go into gear as clutch plate stuck on. Re-starting car in gear with foot on clutch freed it off (any better way to do it?)
Moved car out on to drive so could work on Clan. I have single garage and Clan lives above Imp on a car hoist installed

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Clan engine needs changing and head already off. With hoist job is so much easier and soon had everything needed to get engine and box out except large bolt to rear mount sorted before calling it a day.

Went to put Imp back and found rear brakes seizing on so that's my next job sorted!

Need to get at least one car ready for when lock down lifted

Lotus-e-Clan · Post by **Lotus-e-Clan** » Sun May 10, 2020 5:50 pm

Teddie2003 wrote: ↑Sun May 10, 2020 5:24 pm
Peter Hurst wrote: ↑Sun May 10, 2020 1:18 pm Moved car out on to drive so could work on Clan. I have single garage and Clan lives above Imp on a car hoist installed
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What make/size of car hoist is that or did you make the hoist yourself?

I copied him and bought the same hoist 6 years ago only in red and yellow. It's from china - the smallest/narrowest version specifically for classic cars. It will still take my Lotus Excel (just).

Mine cost about £1100 including delivery (6 years ago) - delivery is quite expensive IIRC. Would be lost without it now!

bks974c · Post by **bks974c** » Sun May 10, 2020 6:04 pm

Pulled out the suspension to see what I actually had and came across a combined manifold - Score

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Scott

Bobbycham · Post by **Bobbycham** » Sun May 10, 2020 7:36 pm

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Got this far today , looked to be getting too windy to carry on , put car cover on with extra rope to hold it on

Bob

The Nun · Post by **The Nun** » Mon May 11, 2020 10:38 am

Had a go at retrimming a Stiletto steering wheel myself and considering I dont do sewing and leather and the original was in tatters it does look sort of presentable again.

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bks974c · Post by **bks974c** » Tue May 12, 2020 7:18 pm

Carrying on the theme of sorting through years of hoarding and turning the tat into ready to use parts, today was the turn of hubs/brakes.

Stripped them into their individual components ready to be cleaned and derusted before going through them and refurbishing them.

Surprising how many I could identify which car they came from - sad I know.

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Scott

617sqn · Post by **617sqn** » Sun May 24, 2020 4:25 pm

Today I sewed up the brushed nylon material and recovered the drivers seat in Stan. It's the first serious sewing I've done since the age of 16 or so, and I used the Toyota machine passed onto me when me Julie bought a new one last year. I have 4 of the 7 pieces needed to redo the passenger side one, so as I'm now confident in my technique, I shall order the rest of the material next week.

Andy G

jetmech · Post by **jetmech** » Tue May 26, 2020 8:36 pm

Finally got around to fitting a hazard lights unit. Very easy to install, no changes to the original wiring, just a couple piggyback connectors at the indicator switch and a permanent live, taken from the interior light circuit.

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Simon

617sqn · Post by **617sqn** » Sun Jun 14, 2020 2:53 pm

Today I completed the recovering of the passenger side seat in Stan. Took it out before lunch and put it back in half an hour ago. This side had a bit of surface rust on the seat frame, so I rubbed it down and applied some etch primer, just to keep it at bay. Went fairly well as a job, but probably hasn't been done in exactly the same way as the drivers side. Being a few weeks apart, I couldn't recall how I'd done it, so each is a journey into the unknown.

Andy G

617sqn · Post by **617sqn** » Sun Jun 14, 2020 3:45 pm

It does take a bit of stretching to get it tight. I'm worried about longevity of my sewing, so I didn't pull as taught as I possibly could have. But it's saved me having to buy new seats, which I can't afford at the moment. I might get another 10 years out of these

Andy G

jetmech · Post by **jetmech** » Wed Jun 17, 2020 10:02 pm

Went for a local spin in the Imp today, stopped at the village sign on the way home.

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andy · Post by **andy** » Mon Jun 29, 2020 4:21 pm

Agreed to sell my Imp

I have owned YAB since 2003 and loved it, as did Dom.
Great fun we have been all over the country including LEJoG

and Europe

Been off the road for a few years now and I realise I am not going to get round to restore it again or have the space to keep it. So it has to go

Hopefully it will not long before its back in its former glory.

Andy

jetmech · Post by **jetmech** » Sat Jul 04, 2020 5:28 pm

Today I went on a successful 43 mile test drive of my newly installed sport spec. engine, that I cobbled together using parts collected over several years. I used a standard L4 block, with new shells and piston rings and a 180 cylinder head that I sent to Reg Patten for overhaul. The carbs, exhaust and manifolds came from a scrap Stiletto in 1988, the distributor and oil cooler via eBay.
As an experiment I have modified the air box to take a cut down Ford Focus 2.0 Pipercross air filter.
Anyway, no oil leaks and the temperature was rock steady, although only about 6 miles was at speed, on the A14.

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Simon

ganderson888 · Post by **ganderson888** » Sun Jul 12, 2020 12:22 pm

Checked levels, dusted it and painted the tyres ready for a run out after lunch

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617sqn · Post by **617sqn** » Sun Jul 12, 2020 12:25 pm

Us too

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See, is said they were chromey

Andy G

617sqn · Post by **617sqn** » Sun Jul 12, 2020 5:55 pm

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This would suggest that I have 50 minutes to remove and replace the rack, plus 1 hr 20 mins to tit about with it. 2 hrs 10 minutes then. I'll let you know how I get on, before sending you the invoice.

Andy G

Bobbycham · Post by **Bobbycham** » Sun Jul 12, 2020 6:51 pm

Suggest while you're about it Andy , Daves mod to fit yalve to end gaiter for filling or re filling with lubricant is worth doing.

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Just a thought !
Here's one l did ,make hole in gaiter smaller that valve body ,insert valve body in gaiter and glue in place
(you don't have the valve inside silly).
I put mine to off side pointing slightly upward .
Interesting book Andy .

Bob

bks974c · Post by **bks974c** » Fri Jul 17, 2020 7:23 pm

Finally have this tool that I've been thinking about for a while and at half the original solution.

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Anyone want to guess what it is.

Scott

bks974c · Post by **bks974c** » Sun Jul 19, 2020 8:21 pm

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Continuing working on the Lambda wideband controller project, my engine stand has been away for a number of years at a friends but got dropped off when he was picking up a cam. I've added wheels so I can roll it into a corner then forget about it

. I wanted to be able to test the controller so took Amy's engine which has been sitting for 10 years

http://forum.theimpclub.co.uk/viewtopic ... 7s+chamois. Where does the time go

anyhoo it was running when it was removed and dry stored since, couple bits missing - no carb, I sold it as it was a 24mm solex. She was 15 when she first got the car so twin carbs not an option at the time despite it being a 930 with ported head, the base plate for the dizzy also missing -think it was to replace another where the points screw hole was stripped.

Mounted it and then wire up the stand with an electric water pump/ rad fan and fuel pump so I have flexibility to run the engine with either electric or manual as it suits as all switched individually. The push start button is on on a long cable so that I can turn it over and adjust dizzy or carbs at the same time.

I put on a pair of newly rebuild strombergs that are to go on Gordon's Van, modified the exhaust to take the lambda sensor and fitted another base plate with new electronic ignition. After new plugs and oil I attempted to fire it up, got flames for the exhaust so rechecked the timing, had another go and it fired up

Had everything I needed apart from some heater hose which I think I have at home, so will take up timing light and carb balancer with me tomorrow and see if we can get it running sweetly then connect up the lambda tool.

Scott

bks974c · Post by **bks974c** » Mon Jul 20, 2020 8:48 pm

After fitting the heater hoses and filling the cooling system I started setting it up, the lambda controller worked fine but just couldn't get the sweet spot so started digging and it soon be apparent that not 4 cylinder was not at the party. On stripping it down there was minimal clearance on no. 4 exhaust so pulled the head off to find it burnt. I guess Amy's 30000 miles a year had its toll, the bores are good and crank and bearings on the two I pulled looked perfect so will go again with a little work.

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Pulled out another engine that was running when it was removed, this time it Karen's engine from her sport- seems we might have been here before

It was pretty dirty as I don't like to clean them and then having them sit as it's the best way to have them rust up but came up ok after a pressure wash.

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Restart again tomorrow, hopefully better luck this time.

Scott

bks974c · Post by **bks974c** » Wed Jul 22, 2020 10:05 pm

Battery went flat while setting up yesterday so recharged a couple - one to run the engine and the other to power the lambda controller as it seems to use a fair bit of power and test bed not running an alternator at present.

Once they were charged, finished setting up. It's been an interesting exercise, I ended up doing the same as with the twin 40's in that the I set the throttle stop screws to 1&1/2 turns from close and then don't touch them as adjusting them changed the mixture and any less than this caused it to run poorly.

The mixture adjustment tipping point was then easy to find once I had accepted the starting point was much weaker than the factory setting, it required a tiny tiny turn to change the mixture from too weak and starts to stall. It was then possible using the Lambda controller to match both carbs by richening a single carb until the AFR's fall then weaken again to match the other.

Best set up turned out to 13.5 AFR with an idle speed of 1100 rpm.

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While I was waiting on the batteries to charge I pulled out another Sport engine, it was one I had bought for the head and it was supposed to be a low mileage engine - aren't they all

Stripped it down as I don't know it true condition, after pulling the head it's clear it was worth doing as water way around 4 gunked up as they do but all fairly soft.

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However the bores and piston clearances look to be excellent and is genuinely a low mileage one.

Bearings are mint and would go again as they are but will probably replace along with new rings.

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Cleaned up block in preparation of a rebuild.

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Oops that's one I did earlier

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Today's one

Scott

bks974c · Post by **bks974c** » Thu Jul 23, 2020 9:34 pm

Started the reassembly of the Sport engine, decided just to put back together as condition was very good and don't have any real use for it as I already have engines for mine and the girls cars when they're restored.

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Scott

johnh875 · Post by **johnh875** » Fri Jul 24, 2020 1:56 am

This might be a silly question, but has anyone used an engine stand like this? The studs on the Imp engine are too short for the moveable mounting arms so I was thinking of drilling suitable holes in the plate they attach to instead. Alternatively, using a bellhousing/diff case to bolt to instead.

John A Ross · Post by **John A Ross** » Fri Jul 24, 2020 11:16 am

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I made a specific bracket so I can get into flywheel area a bit easier. For the VW flat 4 I just use a different yoke. Only 2 engines type ever been mounted on it and I found the arms pretty useless

bks974c · Post by **bks974c** » Fri Jul 24, 2020 8:30 pm

Been waiting on the call to get the Van up to use a friends sand blasting equipment, got it this morning when I was out picking stuff up - typical

So beetled it back to the shed and grabbed the trailer as the Van already loaded but had to clear all the junk from around the trailer first as you do.

Nice dry day but rain in the forecast for this evening so under pressure to get it done and home before it rains.

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Scott

John A Ross · Post by **John A Ross** » Sat Jul 25, 2020 12:03 pm

johnh875 wrote: ↑Sat Jul 25, 2020 6:03 am Thanks Brian and John for the replies. I would rather not remove the bellhousing studs if not necessary, even leaving the clutch on would save some work. I'll see how I go with a bracket.

John

I dont remove any of the studs at all, if you look at the end of the tubing there are flanges and the bellhousing stud fits through there and you just bolt it up.

My mate Paul does remove the studs, usually ending up having to loctite them back in (can only do that so much) as he uses same stand but with the adjustable arms and that was just way too much hassle for me, plus the size of the rounds on the arms and proximity to the flywheel blocl really most work on clutch if I recall.

With that "custom" plate I made Flywheel is free and you can bolt a starter in, fit clutch (including alignment tool) and run it.

The flanges point inwards towards the flywheel. Only took me a couple of hours to knock up. Work looking around what spare bits are in the shed. The tubing I used is just old eletrical steel conduit, the back plates are just a few layers of 2mm steel plate stitched together to make it thicker.

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jetmech · Post by **jetmech** » Sat Jul 25, 2020 11:09 pm

johnh875 wrote: ↑Fri Jul 24, 2020 1:56 am This might be a silly question, but has anyone used an engine stand like this? The studs on the Imp engine are too short for the moveable mounting arms so I was thinking of drilling suitable holes in the plate they attach to instead. Alternatively, using a bellhousing/diff case to bolt to instead.

I use one, but I do remove 3 bell housing studs, although that has never been a problem.

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Simon

bazzateer · Post by **bazzateer** » Sat Aug 08, 2020 2:36 pm

Another run out in the Chamois over to see Mr & Mrs Chairman.

617sqn · Post by **617sqn** » Sun Aug 09, 2020 12:38 pm

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All cleaned up and washed out with degeaser. Dried and reassembled with the pinion end cap filled with lubricant, rack smeared with same and right hand end cap filled up too. After a cup of tea, i shall endeavour to refit it to the car.

Andy G

617sqn · Post by **617sqn** » Sun Aug 09, 2020 5:58 pm

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All done and road tested. Just need to sort out a squeezy bottle for the remaining lube, accessible via the near side wheel arch, with the wheel removed.

Andy G

PS, I hope Peter Nunney approves.

The Nun · Post by **The Nun** » Tue Aug 11, 2020 3:19 pm

Finally got around to fully rebuild the SU carbs, took 2 days actually, ive had for the past 2 years and mounted them on a proper SU Imp conversion manifold ready to bung on and try at some point seeing as they are suppose to be the bees knees

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617sqn · Post by **617sqn** » Tue Aug 11, 2020 7:54 pm

How queer is that ? I've been refurbing a pair of Strombergs for a member north of Hadrians Wall

And they ARE the bees leg hinges !

bks974c · Post by **bks974c** » Tue Aug 11, 2020 8:23 pm

617sqn wrote: ↑Tue Aug 11, 2020 7:54 pm How queer is that ? I've been refurbing a pair of Strombergs for a member north of Hadrians Wall And they ARE the bees leg hinges !

Me too, rebuilding a set of Strombergs to go with a rebuilt engine.

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Scott

617sqn · Post by **617sqn** » Wed Aug 12, 2020 6:50 pm

All done, bar the fuel links.

Andy G

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bks974c · Post by **bks974c** » Sun Aug 23, 2020 9:41 pm

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Just about the last piece of the puzzle.

Scott

Peter Hurst · Post by **Peter Hurst** » Sun Aug 30, 2020 8:48 am

RoyBlunt wrote: ↑Sat Aug 29, 2020 8:42 pm Took Suzy for a run around some of the old Wicked Welsh Weekend roads near the old WWW base at Pandy. Great weather, quiet roads, lovely run in the sun celebrating my birthday a day late!!!

Roy

Your roads were quiet because all everyone else was the on A470 going to Storey Arms and Pen y Fan! Never seen so many cars there. If people just took 5 minutes to look there are plenty of quieter places to go and still have the views.
Wales looking stunning and rain has kept it nice and green!

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617sqn · Post by **617sqn** » Wed Sep 02, 2020 4:50 pm

Got around to taking a photo today :

Andy G

rhydian_mason · Post by **rhydian_mason** » Fri Sep 04, 2020 10:26 pm

Refurbed a set of CD3 strommies for Dad's Clan.

rhydian_mason · Post by **rhydian_mason** » Sun Sep 06, 2020 6:59 pm

New plates today.

mikeyhearne · Post by **mikeyhearne** » Tue Sep 08, 2020 8:16 pm

Not work on the nymph and I didn't do it but I now have a deep hole where half of my new garage will be

Final size should be 18x29 feet.with 7x29 feet sunk by 2feet to keep the neighbours happy .
Although not a level floor I should still fit 2 cars in tandem in one half .
Mikey

617sqn · Post by **617sqn** » Tue Sep 15, 2020 5:31 pm

Today I etch primed the last pair of alternative rear hatch friction stays i will ever make. They are destined for Stan, just because. Nowt wrong with those in there at the moment which I made maybe 12 or 13 years back, but I will keep those as spares. I like the newness of new things.

Andy G

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mikeyhearne · Post by **mikeyhearne** » Sun Sep 20, 2020 8:11 pm

Today I did some work on the truck ,with the help of my big bro.
Long way to go but its started

mikeyhearne · Post by **mikeyhearne** » Wed Sep 23, 2020 7:59 am

more work on the truck yesterday

bks974c · Post by **bks974c** » Wed Sep 23, 2020 10:05 pm

I'm still around too - see other post.

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bks974c · Post by **bks974c** » Wed Sep 23, 2020 10:24 pm

No, Andy the Marina is behind me in the photo.

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That's the Frankenstein Mustang/Jaguar/Marina monster.

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Scott

bks974c · Post by **bks974c** » Tue Jan 12, 2021 6:56 pm

Girls and I completed the 1000 piece jigsaw puzzle I got for Christmas.

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Scott

Bobbycham · Post by **Bobbycham** » Fri Feb 12, 2021 2:34 pm

Not actually ,work to the Imp .
After recent sales somewhat depleted stock , l finished off a batch of windscreen washer jet kits

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Just message me or contact 07960168749 if interested in buying.

Bob

MattorMatty · Post by **MattorMatty** » Sun Feb 28, 2021 6:32 pm

Gave EXF a wash today, 7 months since the last one ... slightly overdue

Matt