Practically Classics Forum

JPB wrote:

Mitsuru wrote:spring loaded pensioner.

This I have to see.

The hellish lovechild of Zebedee and Victor Meldrew

The Spring Loader Pensioner has been ruled out.

The new idea is along the lines suggested by my friendly mechanic.



I will be using these parts obtained from a Toyota celica



The bracket it's self will be templated tomorrow

I found that the bolt spacer for the pulley was too big,
therefore a new bit had to be made.
I found another pulley in the toolbox with my socket set,
with one of the sockets in the place of the spacer.
After checking that i had a good fitting one and that
there are plenty of that size, I got the drill bits out.









Now I just need the right size of washers



Then out came the wire brush and paint brushes,
with the tin of black paint.





various brackets and the front bumper bar, are hanging
from screws in the shed roof dripping with paint.

I spent sunday recovering from the side effects of my painkillers,
that I took on Saturday night!

Today I took the rear bumper off my brothers Rover 45.
He had reversed into a fence post splitting the corner of his bumper.
I used bumper filler with some plastic and copper strips to reinforce,
and repair the corner and bolt holes.

Now that his is out of the way, and dad's Discovery has passed it's
MOT test, I can try getting back to mine!

Well if someone tries to nick my Christine!
they might find the engine a little wooden on the performance



Sorry couldn't resist the joke.
The wood are the boards that are usually across the inspection pit,
this was the last picture of the day and I had to put them somewhere!

I took the clips and plate holding the brake and fuel lines off,
too get ready for dropping the fuel tank at the weekend.



Looks like they were the original soft steel pipes fitted in the
factory! As I moved the fuel line I got a strong smell of petrol,
THEN I got covered in it! The pipe was split!



Well that is one thing explained! I now know where the fuel
leak was from and another reason for bad mpg.

I unclipped the quick release clip and removed both the fuel
and breather lines.



I pulled the old brake lines away from the clips
(not disconnected yet)
The front right replacement pipe has been been and placed ready.
All the twisting and turning had set my back off as well as my
legs went from under me, I called it a day.

Ok as the weather is changeable and is supposed to be thunder and
lightening or heavy showers, I have done nothing on the car it's
self today.

I called the Chrysler/Mercedes dealer and have ordered a replacement
Hose which connects the fuel intake pipe to the tank.
I can therefore have no worries as it will be here long before it is
needed.
Thanks guys & girl at Rycroft for the help in getting the right part
ordered.
Just so you guys know who and where my Main dealer is.

http://www.sytner.co.uk/kings-dodge/sto ... /home.aspx

Rycroft/Kings
Mercedes-Benz & Dodge
Concorde Way
Stockton on Tees
County Durham
TS18 3RB

Tel: 01642 677877

I had to wait till there was someone else was home before I started
on the fuel tank.

With a surname like mine which is 'Bacon' I don't want to end up with
a middle name of Crispy, or Flame Grilled!

The tank was drained of a fuel can of fuel before the tank straps
where removed(whats left of them)and the tank lowered onto some planks
across the pit, I then removed the tank from the pit and drained what
was left filling yet another petrol can.



And by the looks of things, there is rubber pipe with jubilee clips holding the pipe on this looks like it was done after it left the
factory.



Lets have a look at what the tank was hiding!





What a mess!! Looks like one or both rear brake lines have been
replaced at one time, and the old ones just cut and left!
That explains the scratching sounds that were heard but not found
what was causing them before.

Dad is happy, as now he has two fuel cans full of petrol for his
tractor/lawnmower, After he's just spent £7 filling one of the and
emptying it into the tractor

Where can I get some new tank straps made up?
Or will I need to order a set from the states?

I spoke to the guys at Rycroft, who has kindly given me the new parts numbers

Tanks straps left & right
K04495991 £19.90
K04495992 £14.69
(It will save me time and effort and money to just buy them from the dealer)

Fuel filter
K04546679 £29.00
(I will replace the fuel filter before the tank goes back under the car)

all include UK tax
Total £63.59
I'll call Rycroft(the dealers) in the morning and order them.
Nothing done on the car as of the rain!!

Ok the price for the fuel filter/pressure regulator didn't include tax
So when I ordered the filter and straps it was about £69.
My mistake that I assumed it did, assumptions being the mother of all F**KUPS!

Just waiting till family come home from work before I do anything on the car.
It also gives me time for the side effects of the painkillers to wear off,
I still feel a little drowsy and I don't want to screw things up on the car!

I will be trying to get one or more of the rear to front brake lines placed on the
car with all the bends and straights perfect. The ends will be done by someone
who has experience in doing them(in other words not me).
If there is enough time I might do the fuel pipe too.

I crimped then cut the old Left hand side rear brake line,
once the old was removed I installed the new pipe for that side.







Yes the bend in that last picture could have been better!
However, the pipe is straighter and more tightly fitted to the car
than the last one. So hopefully that will help get rid of any pipe
rattles!

Unfortunately I ran out of pipe for the brake and fuel lines, so that
will be my next port of call when I get to use mother's car.