PeteH

When you are towing, the propshaft is turning the gears, in much the same way as when being driven, As a gearbox relies on splash lubrication, then provided there is sufficient quantity of oil in the `box no harm will occur, Hundreds of thousands of miles every year are covered by those who do, including myself. With the events that do occur unrelated to the towing, more often forgetting to put the `box in Neutral, or more likely, leaving the handbrake engaged!. The U-S Tacoma, was an Auto too, the difference there was that with the Transfer box put into neutral all the rest rotated without any prospect of damage to the Gearbox, as it and the Engine where not in the "loop". Even the likes of semi Auto`s, basically auto clutch, including my P-107 are flat towed regularly and for hundreds of miles too without any issue`s. Slush box auto`s are a different thing altogether. That is a no no-no. DSG `boxes are not advised, although some have been towed without problems, it depends on the design, with some US dealers even fitting approved specialist "kits" to allow it. Pete

Nice. I quite liked them, Had 2 in quick succession (base model repmobiles) back in the day. They handled well, didn`t have the plethora of unwanted "gizmo`s" we have to-day, and even the bread and butter ones where quick(ish), Best of all, they had not by then gone so far into the "electronic age" they could not be looked after with a few tools and some basic knowledge. Shrewed move as well, in a few years it will be Tax, MOT and LEZ exempt!. Yet still a usable motor. In my view, Any Solid car of an age is going to become more than just the sum of it`s parts. Strangely the one I would have back. Is my BX diesel Eastate. That was a Versatile and yet still drivable vehicle, and those HUD derived diesels ran forever. Pete

No Heat on the feet?, (Cold air). Blocked or Airlocked heater Matrix, Control valve, OR the Engine is being Overcooled, in which case start with the Thermostat. An IR thermometer, as suggested, would be useful. No Blown air would suggest the Control flap is not functioning, or even debris in Matrix Air side. Took an Escort one apart once it was full of old crap, bit of paper, fluff bird feathers. A P-O had removed the filter screen. Pete

Been doing it with a variety of cars since about 2000. With the exception of the Smart. I have yet to experience problems. In the USA over a 5 year period I did 20,000 miles. 90% of which was towing a Toyota Tacoma pickup truck. Which after we sold the R-V my grandson and then his sister continued to use. As did we, on our occasional Visits too. When my son traded it for a bigger truck it made near as much as I paid for it in 2009. Peter

9+tonne, V`s 900kg?. Not much of a contest. I wrecked the Engine and Gearbox of a Smart Car, virtually the same manner behind My R-V. In that case the Smart showed a "False" Neutral on the indicator, when it was actually still in a gear. S-H gearbox and engine, £900quid. £200 to the young Guy who helped me do the swap, and reprogramme the EMS, £50 quid back for the scrap!. Afterward, I changed it for a full manual Fiat Punto. Pete.

Vehicle earthing issues are the biggest PIA, known to man. Getting worse too since the introduction of “cambus” systems. I am planing to run a substantial dedicated earth cable front to rear, if and when I get to that phase. Pete

This shows the pipe run, and the adjacent Brake pipes. I guess it could be done in a decent quality "nylon"?. Pete

Circlips are notorious for taking a "set". it could be that a replacement circlip is what is needed?. I have Expanded them again, in exceptional circumstances, but it`s not a general recomendation, Safer to replace. Pete

Screenshot from DVLA website:- Pete

I "got lucky", with a Careful bit of welding and drill and re-tap the hole. A "trick" to help locating the bolt in the hole is a Big(ish) screwdriver through one hole while you "feel" for one of the others. I`ve had a lot of practice recently doing this "solo", the doors have been on on off more often than................................ !(better not go there)😁. While trying to get the Doors to align with the Bonnet, Cill`s and still "gap something like". It`s coming but it`s a long old job!. Pete

Made me think. So I put it on google maps. I may well make the effort, as by my calculation it`s only a short detour from my usual "prefered" route south via the A46 to Near Aldermarston, where youngest son lives in a Thames Barge on the Kennet and Avon. Will the Car Park take a 26ft Motorhome, towing a car?. Pete

If your of the mind set. Carefull drilling of the hinges, and oversize pins. From memory it think I took mine from 3/8" to 10mm, Or maybe from 5/16 to 8mm?. using some "Stubbs" steel rod, I had laying around in the garage?. I "mushroomed" the top to stop it working through. Pete

Hi "A long long time ago" (that bloody song again!). I had a similar problem with a Pinto (Ford) engine. One cylinder would stop firing. I found the problem by accident as it was a dark evening, one plug lead was tracking and in the dark I could see it!, but every time we disturbed it when checking the sytem the leads moved and it would start, as it settled back it was tracking to earth. Replaced the lead and the issue was solved. Pete

Very similar to eyeletting tools for making tie down sheets/groundsheets etc: Lidle BTW had some Punch pliers in their collection a month or two back?. A Punch/hammer combo will probably be more effective on a heavy vynl Cover?. I found that a Lead Block made cutting easier, and saved the punch, and can be "recast" (sand mould, old pan and the stove) when it gets too mutilated, Lead was a "leftover" from a house build 20 years ago. Pete

I would tend to favour a BCA site (British Car Auctions), But the Ford Corsair in the bottom of the photo, appears to have what may have been the original Orange Disabled Badge in the window. so I wonder if it is a recovered car compound?. My son`s both did Valeting work weekends in the 80`s,for BCA Camberley as teens, a lot of cars came in with personal stuff still in them. (And more!!) Pete

You don`t hang the coat to the Radio Airel Then?.😁, (i`ll get mine).

There are several Postings about on here from people who have re-veneered them?. Needs some care but can produce excellent results. Pete

Even Sillier question? Why dosent my Convertible have a coat Hook??😂😭 Pete

Canley List them, (£125) but out of stock, They are still on Pilkingtons Wesbsite, Several S-H one`s on E-Bay. Pete

That`s likely why I had no problems then?. I changed everything seals, pipe, and all?. Pete

Hmmmm?. Only recent "fail" i`ve had was, Taking the R-V for MOT without removing the "masks" for continental driving, Dohhhhhhhhh!!. ☹️ 15 min later, passed!!. Pete

Sounds like a reaction between the silcon and the DOT 4?. Maybe some traces left behind when the PO changed over. Or pehaps the Seals where not changed?. I changed a Vitesse back in the 80`s, but I did all the seals and new copper pipework too. Pete

I suspect the bottom line so to speak is the volume of Damage repair work out there. Most body shops of any quality are looking at long lead times for anything. Just a small example is my Motorhome booked in for the Starter Motor to be replaced on a 3 week lead in. If it was light enough I would have done it myself but without getting it ramped, the S-M is not that accessible, and my jacks wont cope with a near 2 tonne front end. Pete

Had a look at those, they look the business, biggest drawback is the need to run the fan permanently to keep the shape. With the current cost of electricity that could be expensive?. Hence the search for a possible second hand party tent on a rigid frame. the strength is not critical as it`s going into a Barn anyway. So cheap and dump if neccessary after use?. Now got a line on an Old time, Painter Near Brid; in Yorkshire. He did some work for a friend. Just catching him when he is there as he only seems to work part time now. I have even considered doing the Prime by brush, while I get sorted with how I do the final coat. I spoke to a guy who reckons Acrylic is the way to go? He coach paints for the "steam" fraternity. Pete.

Ouch!!. I feel your pain. I`ve done all the welding and most of the fettleing on My 13/60. But need a sprayshop?. Can I find one? snowballs chance in hell. They appear to all be socked in with Repair work and no one wants to spend time on any "classics". The one shop that did, has a wait list to 2024/5. I`m currently looking to DIY. If I can get a large enough "party tent" to use as a popup spray booth, and in order to keep the pigeon poop off the paint!! with the intention to errect it in a friend`s son`s Barn. Pete