Irish Clan minor miracle

[bks974c]

Today thought I'd replace the grumbly rear wheel bearing - couple of hours should see it done.

No chance - still nor finished.

Hub would not separate from the drive shaft - tried my hub puller now destroyed.

Tried a bit of heat but no use.

Tried driving the shaft backwards through the hub and bearings = gradually increasing hitting tool in size until I was swing a 14lb sledge hammer all I achieved was a mushroomed nut and driveshaft.

So I got the angle grinder out and cut of the remains of the nut and tried the sledge hammer again - nada.

Cut some slots in the hub flange and started beating it again - nothing no movement not even a thou.

Time to take the arm off - at least that was straight forward.

On the bench cut the flange until all that was left was this

and finally the shaft starts to move.

Then its a case of gathering up all the bits, dismantling a spare shaft for the splined end and flange.

Flange needs drilled out to take the longer Ford wheel studs.

Got the arm back on, drive shaft fitted but getting a bit late for making noise so finish up.

Hopefully get it finished tomorrow evening if its not raining.

Scott

[colin rooney]

oh some job that mate hope you get it sorted well i know u will

col

[bks974c]

oh some job that mate hope you get it sorted well i know u will

col

Col

Thanks, I've never come across one this stubborn before especially since the driveshaft was changed in April 2015 as the standard one had twisted.

Scott

[bks974c]

All back together and bearing noise gone

Couple of small things to attend to and should be all good for the National.

Scott

[ImpManiac]

Well done, Scott. That was a tough one!

Hopefully see you at the national.

IM

[bks974c]

Clan being getting a fair bit of use as been out somewhere every weekend for last month or so.
Today was the End of Season track day at Forrestburn - dry with plenty of grip and got about 20 runs so excellent value.

875 engine lacks the urge of the 998 so had more time to get the lines correct fun never the less.

Couple of the runs



Scott

[mikeC]

That looks a super course - is Forrestburn used competitively, or only for track days?

[bks974c]

That looks a super course - is Forrestburn used competitively, or only for track days?

Its a proper Hillclimb course whitch the club uses for track days, production car trials and autotests to help the funds.

http://www.mscc.org.uk/

Scott

[ImpManiac]

It's great to see you're using the Clan, Scott. I like the look of Forrestburn!

IM

[bks974c]

Clan has been parked on the trailer for the winter but had to dig out the trailer for my brother to use. Clan fired up after a couple of turns and idled nicely
Will give it a check over and retax it for the 1st April then its ready for Imp Ecosse.

Also got the engine back into the Alfa 75 and started although still work to do as it doesn't idle smoothly.

Scott

[bks974c]

Washed the Clan and gave it the once over, everything OK and drove it home.

Only thing I need to look at is the self raising lights, at speed after you lift off the light pods pop up, a bit like air brakes.

I have changed them to manual operation from electric as the drivers side had issues with sticking as linkage restricted by the auxiliary rads and plumbing that had been added. I had considered that leaving them floating free might have this result but decided to give it a go anyway, will add a couple of springs to hold them down.

Scott

[bks974c]

Oh and the Alfa 75 3.0 v6 sorted and driving = very sideways

[ImpManiac]

That all sounds good, Scott.

I'd rather like an Alfa 75 V6 myself. Mind you, I don't mind soldiering on in my Vectra GSi 3.2 V6.

IM

[Lotus-e-Clan]

Oh and the Alfa 75 3.0 v6 sorted and driving = very sideways

I think we should call you "DOCTOR SIDEWAYS' -- after all it's your favourite position!

(DOCTOR - not to be confused with gynaecologists)

[bks974c]

With VAK now usable I can give the Green Clan a little TLC, I had parked it up when its MOT/Road Tax and Insurance fell due at the same time so I committed to getting VAK ready for the National.

The sun was shining so finished replacing the head gasket and bolting the ancillaries back on - all running again. Checking it over for it MOT identified excessive movement on one front wheel bearing which when tightened allowed the kingpin movement to be felt so kingpin being replaced along with a new brake adjuster on the o/s. The n/s shows vertical movement between the inner and out stub axle assembly so that's off too to be rebuilt also needs a new adjuster. Unfortunately the washers I need to do the n/s are at the shed so will have to wait until tomorrow.

Once I'm happy everything is 100% I'll get it MOT'd and get it advertised for sale rather than lying outside over the winter.

Scott

[bks974c]

Decided to have a wee tidy up of the garage at home, seems to have become a dumping ground over Christmas

Cleared the bench and put some bits away in their place but still too much stuff that belongs in the house but I did find the big red key that was missing which meant I could try to start the green Clan.

Bearing in mind that its been lying outside for at least 18 months and today was below freezing with ice still lying on the car I was not too optimistic that it would even turn over. However ignition light came on, fuel pump ran and it turned over

Just as I thought the battery was going to die, it coughed and caught - hi torque starters are great - let it idle for a while, slowly closing the choke. Left it running for a while then thought I should check the fluids but couldn't get the engine compartment open as catch seems to have stuck. Probably need to remove exhaust to gain access to it but that will wait.

All in happy bunny, although still need to decide what to do with it.

Scott

[colimp66]

Glad to hear the Clan fired up Scott, nice one.

Good luck with getting into the engine to check the fluids.

Happy New Year to you too.
Cheers
Col

[Lotus-e-Clan]

If the rear lid lock is the same as a Crusader's then there is a downward lever extension integrated with the catch that can be pulled from below. It has a bit of a hooked end that you might get a very long ring spanner over (or a spark plug socket on a long extension) to help pull/push it a bit further - if exhaust allows in situ?

Before Christmas I fitted a solenoid boot popper to the front boot catch (cable remains as a back-up). After much faff, I eventually removed the slider to work out how to make the solenoid work better and found the slider very stiff because the grease has dried rock hard. New grease transformed the efficiency.

It might not help if the catch release slider is still moving freely but the 'male penal knob' has dislocated / sticking /caught on the slider carrier?

Good Luck.

[bks974c]

Col

Happy New Year to you too, hopefully this is the year

Peter

It appears to be the slider but no dangly bit. Difficult to get any real leverage on the slider while on the deck and exhaust in place.
Once up and exhaust off I'm sure it will submit willingly.

Scott

[bks974c]

Well that's the end of an era, after just short of 10 years I've sold the Irish Clan and it's now on its way to Bognor Regis.

It was never advertised but the new owner has enquired after it for a number of years but price was an issue and when he ask again at this years National I gave him a price that was attractive as i didn't want it to see another winter sitting about and happy to see it going to someone who appreciates it.

Hopefully he will get as much enjoyment from it as I did.

Scott

[617sqn]

It remains to be seen if he moves his Cally on, now the deal has finally been done, but good luck to the both of you. I'm sure it will get some decent road time, something lacking as far as said Cally is concerned. Can't wait to see it at a Sussex club meeting somewhen soon.

Andy G