My First Imp (First Sprint this Year!)

bks974c · Post by **bks974c** » Fri Mar 27, 2015 9:54 am

As a quick guide I get someone of about 12 stone = 75kg (adjust for more or less) to stand on the towbar and see how much the rear of the car dips - you could be technical and measure it. Once the car is on the trailer I roll in back and forth until I get similar dip.

Scott

pubcrawler · Post by **pubcrawler** » Mon Mar 30, 2015 5:26 pm

Thanks for all the towing weight etc advice, always good to receive

Great busy and enjoyable weekend once I'd worked out where our Owen MC stand was

Lots of interest and questions about my Imp

including "what size are the white roof squares?"
...somebody said I should have replied with "the same size as the green one's"

pubcrawler · Post by **pubcrawler** » Thu Apr 02, 2015 6:57 pm

bornagain-imp wrote:Hi Martin, See you met Fuzz Townsend, I watch that program aswell new season starts next week
Rod

Yes Rod, he seemed genuinely interested in my Imp and said he wished he hadn't sold his now

I think he would have stayed longer on our stand but his phone rang and he apologised for having to rush off

Hope you enjoy "Frozen" at the NEC

pubcrawler · Post by **pubcrawler** » Mon Apr 06, 2015 9:46 am

Good well attended car show at Weston Park, Shifnal, Telford yesterday

Lots of Imp interest and we celebrated the 50th year of 3 of our club members cars

Mine, a Mk1 Lotus Cortina and a Morris 1000

Lots of interesting cars and trucks on show

Didn't win stand of the show though

weather in the afternoon made up for that

Met up with David Brown from Classic Car Weekly who made notes about my car along with a photo

Hoping to appear in next weeks edition

Edit : Stand photo changed

bazzateer · Post by **bazzateer** » Mon Apr 06, 2015 10:31 am

Don't think I've seen RHD one of those ^^^ before .

GURNSIMPS · Post by **GURNSIMPS** » Thu Apr 16, 2015 6:59 pm

Pacer 'woody' is class!

pubcrawler · Post by **pubcrawler** » Sun Apr 26, 2015 11:11 am

Although I like the stripped out Imp I was finding the noise wasn't helping my tinnitus on longer journeys

so decided to invest in a little soundproofing on the parcel shelf and behind the rear seat

Very pleased with the result and didn't take long to fit

The Nun · Post by **The Nun** » Sun Apr 26, 2015 11:58 am

Interested in how much do you think it reduced the noise amount by? approximately % better?

Do you have any sound insulation inside the rear wings too? like those bags of fluff things, or nothing except what youve done in your photo?

pubcrawler · Post by **pubcrawler** » Mon Apr 27, 2015 8:19 am

Been busy fabricating an underbody shield for the carbs from an alluminium sheet I was given

Once cut and bent I then stuck some self adhesive heat barrier from DT on the underside

Pleased as I was able to use the 2 origonal fixings in the chassis rail and didn't have to drill any new holes in the bodywork

Another job ticked of my list

The Nun · Post by **The Nun** » Mon Apr 27, 2015 1:46 pm

Thats how I would do the template out of card first, we could get a job on Blue Peter Im sure.

pubcrawler · Post by **pubcrawler** » Tue Apr 28, 2015 11:17 am

Had no intention of changing the silencer

but happened to be browsing thy Bay of eee's and found a brand new one for a £65 starting bid

No other bids were placed so it was mine

Slight modification to the fixing holes and job done, looks neater and doesn't protude past the bumper as much as the previous plus greater ground clearence because of the smaller diameter

pubcrawler · Post by **pubcrawler** » Mon May 04, 2015 8:02 am

Had a very enjoyable 2 days at Donnington Park taking part in their Historic Festival

This was courtesy of the HRCR group who were running a timed slalom course around the Melbourne loop

This was the first time I'd driven my Imp in anger and was well pleased with the results, very good acceleration and handling

Best time I achieved over the 2 days was on my last run on Sunday afternoon

The only downside is that even after just under 1000 miles of running in I still have mild blue smoke from the exhaust under acceleration

so will have to get back in touch with Ben Boult who assured me it would cease after 500 miles

Lots of people smiling at my Imp and as usual lots of stories from people who used to own or race them

pubcrawler · Post by **pubcrawler** » Sun May 17, 2015 5:47 am

Had a good day yesterday

re-fitted my kingpins after Malcolm had refurbished them

Steering feels so much better now

Then fitted nice blue silicone hoses (except heater)

Next job is to fit an 88 C thermostat, after a discussion on FB I've decided my engine isn't running hot enough

Also fitted the red springs (came with the car), 3/4" longer and slightly larger diameter. Car sits better and the steering knuckle no longer catched the suspension arm

Need to modify/weld the arm if I dedide to put the lower ones back on in the future

Dave ' Linwood ' Lane · Sun May 17, 2015 1:39 pm

Stag expansion bottle , you copying me

Grahame59 · Post by **Grahame59** » Sun May 17, 2015 2:03 pm

pubcrawler wrote:…fitted nice blue silicone hoses (except heater)

I like the idea of silicone for longevity reasons and may change mine next time the anti-freeze is due for renewal. Where did you get them from, Martin? Also, are they available in black (I prefer a 'period' look so the blue isn't for me tbh) and can you get silicone in lengths of 5/8" hose for the heater and bypass hoses etc?

pubcrawler · Post by **pubcrawler** » Mon Jun 15, 2015 6:00 pm

As part of my preperation for my 1st sprint I finished the fitting of the roll cage by cutting and bolting in the side impact bars

Kept them low at the front so as not to make getting in and out a pain

and also managed to clear the door pockets

Curborough was the venue, near Lichfield, and it was the figure of eight circuit layout.
Passed scrutineering and noise test with 99db....lied about max revs

Having never driven an Imp in anger I was very pleased with the handling and improved my times on all four runs

The cars great handling and Yokohama tyres made it a very enjoyable day and gave me confidence for more events in the future

Still have a problem with blue smoke though as you can see but with no power loss, Ben Bolt assures me it is down to glazed bores and that the scraper rings will eventually bed in although I'm begining to doubt him as I have now done a 1000 miles

Anyway he said do a few speed events so I am and if anyone has any suggestions then I'd be pleased to hear from you

pubcrawler · Post by **pubcrawler** » Mon Jun 15, 2015 6:17 pm

Here's another photo of me being lined up on the start line ready for another fun packed run

just found this on FB

Thanks to Rod (bornagain-imp) for bringing his Imp along and giving me morale support

ImpManiac · Post by **ImpManiac** » Mon Jun 15, 2015 8:56 pm

Glad you're enjoying the car, Martin. I must say, it looks the business.

IM

pubcrawler · Post by **pubcrawler** » Tue Jun 16, 2015 5:56 am

.....and another, be nice to say the smoke is tyre smoke

Lotus-e-Clan · Post by **Lotus-e-Clan** » Tue Jun 16, 2015 7:25 am

Nice and aggressive!

Does it smoke from any engine/oil temperature - ie does it get worse as the oil heats-up?

A 60 grade oil might help if it smokes more when the oil is stinking hot, but if it's done little miles from new (not run-in), then a thick synthetic isn't going to help at all. A 1000 miles on a proper running-in oil on the road with full throttle bursts from the get-go might have helped - but if it's glazed then it may be too late.

Another consideration is the type of strengthening plate /baffles sump used. If the oil is delayed (trapped by strengthening plate/baffles) from reaching the sump (especially on a high capacity oil pump -at high revs) then you will have a lot more oil than necessary thrown-up into the bores by the crank webs and rods dipping into a big pool of oil- which can only make matters worse if your oil rings aren't working.

Oil return to the sump is ultra important with high capacity oil pumps at high revs. I worked out that a hi cap pump (theoretically ) can pump oil out of the sump at 1 litre per second @ 10,000 rpm (not accounting for oil gear ratio). Similarly, if your breather system and head oil drain pipe aren't working well together then a lot of oil (especially on a high capacity oil pump), will be trapped/delayed in the cam box. Negative pressure (vacuum) in the crankcase is best for the oil drain from the head to work well. BTW, If you have a boroscope then you can see through the plug hole oil pooling on the piston tops and can work out whether rings or valve guide issues (or both).

Of course an oil ring(s) might have been assembled wrong - if three part oil rings are fitted - very easily done (

ask me how) !.

pubcrawler · Post by **pubcrawler** » Sat Jul 11, 2015 3:15 pm

12 months MOT this morning courtesy of Phil at Halesowen Vehicle Services

https://www.facebook.com/about/login/#! ... es?fref=ts
One advisory though, front nearside kingpin, only just put 2 reconn ones on

......feel another e-mail to Malcolm coming on

pubcrawler · Post by **pubcrawler** » Fri Aug 14, 2015 8:24 am

Another photo from Curborough last Sunday

pubcrawler · Post by **pubcrawler** » Sun Oct 04, 2015 6:11 pm

I no longer feel self conscious about emitting blue smoke from my Imp's exhaust

617sqn · Post by **617sqn** » Sun Oct 04, 2015 6:16 pm

/\/\ haha

Andy G.

pubcrawler · Post by **pubcrawler** » Tue Oct 27, 2015 9:25 am

With my Imp making its 2nd appearance of the Classic Car Show at the NEC next month

thought I'd better tidy up the rear end a little

Been meaning to do something about it all year and as usual I leave it to the last minute

Never did find out why one of the previous owners drilled eight holes and linked them with slots

oli · Post by **oli** » Tue Oct 27, 2015 1:20 pm

Towbar?

pubcrawler · Post by **pubcrawler** » Wed Nov 11, 2015 8:17 am

Almost ready for the NEC now, rear panel strange extra holes now filled and sprayed

A little more detailing to be done to-day, will post more photo's later

pubcrawler · Post by **pubcrawler** » Mon Nov 16, 2015 9:52 am

Finished cleaning the engine bay a few days before the NEC Classics Show and fitted the new stickers

Great 4 days (1 set up day) at the NEC with lots of interest in my Imp and met lots of people with great stories about their Imps

Thanks to every one who came and said hello, made all the hard work well worth while

ImpManiac · Post by **ImpManiac** » Mon Nov 16, 2015 12:49 pm

Your car looks superb, Martin.

IM

Post by **Lars Hagermark** » Mon Nov 16, 2015 2:51 pm

The car looks very nice indoors too.

pubcrawler · Post by **pubcrawler** » Tue Dec 08, 2015 12:33 pm

Before the NEC show I ordered and fitted some wheel centre caps from Huddersfield Spares

Very pleased with the result, finished off the wheels nicely I thought

pubcrawler · Post by **pubcrawler** » Tue Dec 08, 2015 4:51 pm

Whilst at the NEC I met with Roger Gill who I found out used to own my Imp

Had a very interesting conversation with him about the stunt for the tv programme The Royal. I think he said it was filmed on the Nene Valley Railway and involved an Imp on the level crossing being hit by a train. He provided the two stunt cars and he explained how they filmed it etc. I asked him for some photo's and he duly obliged, here are just a few

Would love to find out more about its appearence in Heartbeat now and if any photo's are around of that

pubcrawler · Post by **pubcrawler** » Mon Jan 25, 2016 6:57 pm

Engine and box out again to-day, a lot easier 2nd time

Remembered to disconnect everything this time

Hoping to cure the engines huge appetite for oil

pubcrawler · Post by **pubcrawler** » Fri Jan 29, 2016 3:32 pm

A bit of advice please

, looking at my clutch plate (6 1/4" dia) it is near to the rivets so need to replace when engine is returned to me. Is it best to upgrade to Malc's 3 piece Mk 2 kit or keep as is and just replace the plate?
Also the ring that fits in the middle of the pressure plate fingers, is it normally in 2 halves and what holds them together

Thanks

pubcrawler · Post by **pubcrawler** » Wed Mar 09, 2016 9:07 am

Good day in the garage yesterday

Carbs, gearbox, starter motor all now refixed to the engine and engine bolted in place

Just need to connect all the other bits and bobs and then hopefully no more smoking

Seems that Ben Boult used crappy piston rings including one piece oil control rings

so it would have never had bedded in and I would have continued chucking in and burning litres of oil

So I now have Deves rings fitted which I'm told by my new engine man are very good

Keepng my fingers firmly crossed

pubcrawler · Post by **pubcrawler** » Wed Mar 09, 2016 9:57 am

Thanks Peter

yes it was a relief when I was told the reason for my smoke.
I just wished Ben would have said something instead of fobbing me off and saying it will be in eventually

Looking forward to driving it again and being able to see who is behind me

pubcrawler · Post by **pubcrawler** » Thu Apr 07, 2016 4:05 pm

A very early morning start to visit the rolling road but well worth it

Imp now starting and running as it should with a lot less smoke

Only revving to 6500 at the moment and have 80 bhp at the flywheel and 53 bhp at the wheels

Sounds good and now need to get some miles on the clock though I doubt if I'll push it to 9,000 once the engine has run in

We'll see

moose · Post by **moose** » Fri Apr 08, 2016 8:30 am

i thought there was only approx 13 % transmission loss on an imp? good to hear it is not smoking anymore, get some miles on it and get on the tracks

pubcrawler · Post by **pubcrawler** » Fri Apr 15, 2016 7:39 am

My old Suzuki silencer was OK but looked a bit tatty so decided to upgrade

Bought a good 2nd hand Suzuki GSXR 1000 silencer from the bay of fleas recently and found it was slightly larger diameter than my previous one

With new fixing holes drilled (4 instead of 3) I was pleased with the ease it was fitted

The only problem was that once I refitted the bumper I was concious of the fact it protuded past it and there could be a danger of burning peoples legs as it gets really hot

I then came across a couple of doorstops in my garage that I'd never used, re-drilled larger holes in them, fitted longer bolts and as you can see from the photo's the problem was solved

The Nun · Post by **The Nun** » Fri Apr 15, 2016 10:47 am

Interesting numberplate light, what it it? if it is one, or a silencer support of course?

pubcrawler · Post by **pubcrawler** » Thu Apr 28, 2016 6:55 pm

Following my 225 mile "drive it" day last Sunday my Imp was sounding pretty rough during the last 30 mile to get back home

Called in a local mobile carb man to take a look and he said 3 and 4 cylinder plugs were oiling up

this was probably due to the lack of airspace near the weber air inlets

So have now ditched the pipercross box air filter and gone for individual gorse trumpet filters

Seems OK on a local 10 mile test drive, watch this space

Dave ' Linwood ' Lane · Thu Apr 28, 2016 7:44 pm

Im inclined to agree with Peter , My Singers engine is currently buried in dust and this happens very frequently .
Im running K & N filters so have noticed no ill effects on the running aspect
This is an old pic of just how cruddy the filters get

pubcrawler · Post by **pubcrawler** » Mon May 16, 2016 6:41 pm

Having the wider wheels on and using the car more on the road now have been concerned about damage from stones etc on my bodywork

So bought some plastic mudflap material from Demon Tweeks and some alluminium strip from B&Q

Made some brackets and cut the plastic to suit, should stop stone chips etc on my lower rear wheel arch

Got some left over so probably do the same on the front

617sqn · Post by **617sqn** » Tue May 17, 2016 7:18 am

For every action, there is an equal and opposite pain I the 'arris, as Dell Boy probably would have said if he'd been on this forum.

Andy G

pubcrawler · Post by **pubcrawler** » Sat Jun 11, 2016 9:21 am

Engine now running with very liitle blue smoke but still not performing as I would like

Had another session with a friend on his rolling road changing jets and settings, a little better by the end

He's now going to order some smaller chokes for me to try.....will get there eventually

Darkspeed · Post by **Darkspeed** » Mon Jul 18, 2016 6:10 pm

Are you tuning the engine with those intake sieves fitted to the carbs or are they taken off when doing the work?

pubcrawler · Post by **pubcrawler** » Thu Jul 28, 2016 3:54 pm

Three and a half hours to straighten out all the hoops on the cooler

I have to say it was quiet therapeutic on a sunny afternoon

Thanks to tarace on here for posting me one out

and thanks to Richard Hammond for supplying one bracket and lending me another so I could copy it

A motorsport friend also made me a pair of new pipes

pubcrawler · Post by **pubcrawler** » Mon Aug 15, 2016 9:13 am

Took my green thing to Sunday's show and shine and won 3rd in class for competition Imps

Mrs PC won best visitors car with her Sprite

A great day out, good to catch up with friends

Thanks to all the organisers and marshals and thanks to everyone who voted for our cars.
Awards now have pride of place

Mark One · Post by **Mark One** » Mon Aug 15, 2016 9:08 pm

Nice work Martin. Congrats to both of you. Who gets to polish the trophies?

pubcrawler · Post by **pubcrawler** » Wed Oct 26, 2016 7:55 am

Always had low oil pressure on my engine once it warms up

Decided to fit a 'Bog Brush' cooler and swap the oil to Valvoline VR1 Racing SAE 20W-50

Have to say what a difference, now running just under 50 psi when engine is warm and just under 25 psi on tickover

Attended a couple of shows recently, probably the last outdoor ones in 2016, and lots of interest and stories etc from joe public

.....Best one was a guy who was told by his Grandad that the Imp was the safest car on the road and when he asked why he said
"Well when you are driving around with 6 gallon of petrol sitting on your lap it makes you a very cautious and carefull driver".
Made me smile