PeteH

I`ve been doing some service work on Plum, in the course of which I checked the Antifreeze concentration. It`s reading -22, which in my view will be sufficient. However the colour of the coolant, to my surprise, was Pink?. Reading on the `net is somewhat confusing as it appears unlike "the old days" when all you got was Blue there is now a plethora of "Gay" shade`s, some of which indicate incompatable formulations. I would hazard a guess that this is either ethylene glycol or maybe propylene glycol, but which is which? and can they be mixed?. As most of you will be aware, it`s sadly not as if I can ring and ask the P.O. I have a shed load of the bog standard "Blue" type, but just a little concerned about using it. I supose the "safe" way would be a drain.flush etc; but not in my gargage and the Motohome parked in front makes taking it out a bit of a marathon. The hoses all look good I think Jeff, had recently changed them. Pete

I had little or no choice back in the 90`s, down in deepest darkest Devon, after several day of rain caught between a Stream crossing a road and a line of Farm traffic behind. I "went for it" slow, kept the rev`s up, textbook stuff, it just made it over the sill`s into the car, Rubbish those seals on MK3 Escorts. Long story short, 3" of water in the cabin. Once clear I pulled over, ilfted the carpets and wacked the rubber plugs out with the handle of a small hammer. Company and my line manager where not impressed with the bill for drying out nor the bill for the hire car. Pete

Unless there is a (pressing?) reason not to, I tend to put the wheels flat two high each side of the car if I have all the legs dangling. save from a crush potentially if all else fails. Pete

On the Sprinter, 99% of the time it is the Plug not completely pushed home. They need the OBDI reader to reset. It is a "regular" too on Fiat Ducato Camper van`s. Pete

Ethanol, in Classics, has been a running debate for some years now. The only (objective?) article I could find relates to MG T-C`s. and is dated 2013. But is worth a read? https://ttypes.org/ethanol-blended-fuels/ Pete

The only comercial parts in that one, are the two floor panels, R-H front out rigger, and R-H outer chassis rail, bought as "patterns". Every other was hand fabricated or repaired using stock steel plate. In total just over 1 x 2000x1000mm, sheet(s). Sadly, it is now sat outside under tarpaulin, and will probably go for sale soon as an uncomplete project for someone else to finalise. I bought Jeff`s "Plum" last July, before He passed, and am using that as intended. Having passed my 80`th year, and now in almost full time caring mode, I am getting too long in the tooth, for any long term projects. I have 95% of the rest of the 13/60 stashed around the house/garage. Sad, But that`s life. Pete

Vaguely rings a bell, My younger engineers, and the deck department used to go regularly, when in the `pool. The theory? being less risk of picking up "Jail Bait"! Pete

Are these the bracket`s? I was in the middle of trial fitting wheel arch repair sections, but they are shown far lower left?. I note Item 10 etc; IS missing on the Vitesse. when compared to Colin`s screenshot? Pete

I do remember "Grab a granny night", at the Liverpool Rank dance hall?. Getting the Junior engineers "turned to" and finding Mature Ladies trying to hide under their sheets!. Pete

Got an old "baccy" tin full of the darn things, but good for walking on Machine shop "swarf", "tripple seg`s". Pete

Only one listed current NOS. £79.95+ £4.35 P&P?. As we say in Yorkshire "HOW f888888g much". Someone is taking the oracle. And this is not even a locking one!. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/116081443779?itmmeta=01HQKE6N6CRYKSYG3KNCFRVS3R&hash=item1b06fe43c3:g:CDoAAOSw7bpkDxaX&itmprp=enc%3AAQAIAAAA0ENK%2BHTtZ19E%2B8DOx94bJ1dqT9xFaxdvUImQ9ljJUNtJUqPqDEYmWEK9r3zbwEUom7Pc6sFoK1ZvldO96AAIsv20WDe2LQVoC4%2FZYUb6Lb6HC3Ueu8tHFTiL4kEBi3nBqQ2tdX6XRO9WRSHDdFttsYTwexL6qoR6WF09cKHl9w54xhzfUsUuFRaOIMPR6Zz4DQjavkjbhvVMlMA4mtckEmaxaZvisua%2BbjaIMCQxC0%2Bnc5lQF0f2uo7nKbZWvHny%2F8zaBZfYhUYPlEKyOX36JLg%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR6bTmu68Yw Pete

HI Out of curiosity, how do they "size" them, O/D, I/D, rim thicknes?. Pete

Do I recall correctly, that some Dolly`s where in the dark brown, I`m sure as I can be from this distance in time the one my son had, which was stolen and trashed was much darker. "Gusset" brown reminds me of watching the girls play Netball from the windows of the boy`s gym. Sadly, any still alive will probably be great grandmother`s by now! Pete.

Question?. The static timing for a 13/60, according to Haynes is 9Deg. However the engine in Plum, is an ex 1300 Spitfire (HC?). I assume the static timing will be different? but by what?. Pete

Has anyone else "discovered" that the "off the shelf" bullet terminals are actually a slack fit in Lucar connectors. I haden`t given it a thought until last week when I tried to make up a broken wire in the Boot of Plum, and found it wouldn`t stay in place?. In the end I unsoldered (a lucar) one from an old wire, and soldered it in place, Curtesy of the Aldi wireless solder iron. That worked,👍 I now have some brass Lucar bullets, ready for the next job!. Which I suspect could be tidying up the lighting wiring in the bonnet. Pete.

So S-V. "Proceeding full astern, with all on board". Sounds just like the woman with a car full of kid`s who reversed out of a Morrison`s parking slot at full tilt and "T-boned" my (then) Fiat Punto!.😭. Any how they look the business now on the rear of Plum and I appear to have them in the correct alignment.👍 So thank you to all "contributers". Now where can I get a Chrome (Locking?) Fuel Tank cap, that fits, the one that came fall`s off for a passtime, and without paying silly money? Only not been lost because it was on a "string" (wire). Thought I had one in my "stash" but cannot find it.😟 Pete

Halfords, Used to do it? Most Vehicle paint supliers now, have spectrgraphic matching facilites, helps compensate for fade.you need a small part and they match. Pete

It is highly likely to be 1/4" BSP.?. Pete

Back when I was on Factory maintenence, 50 years ago!!, some of the wearing parts of machine tools where induction hardened. This however does require a different class of steel (inherantly more costly too). Whereas Low carbon (cheaper) steels can be benficially case hardened and is (as) satisfactory in many/most uses. The issue with "our" cars is their age and the declining availability of many O/E spare parts, plus the questionable quality of those being produced. Refurbishing damaged shafting by "metal spraying" whilst one way of recovering a part, also has it`s own hazards centred around "who and to what standard". Done right it is a way of recovering expensive to re-manufacture equipment. Pete

So if 6 to 8 is "factory", I assume O/E assembly tolerances? I would hazard that 3thou of wear IS tolerable. How much more is debateable? I would be inclined to the opinion that it is unlikely that it only takes 3thou of wear to reach the point at which the thrust washers would displace Is the same tolerance good for the 13/60 engine?. If so I have one (running when last fitted, engine) out of a car at this time and a Dial Micrometer, it might be an easy check? ( if I can find the damn Magnetic stand!!) Edit:- The 4cyl (12/50) engine end float is listed at 4to8thou. Pete

OK I`ll start:--- NOT, greasing your trunion(s)? (EP90?) only. Pete

Interesting thought?, My feeling is that failed outriggers would be more likely to affect the Boot spreading?. With the tub effectively confined by being bolted to the top of the rear suspension unlikely to affect the tub at the door openings?. Tub spread is in my view more likely as a function of weakening of the sill/B post area due to corrosion?. Or poor repair?. Either way, opens up a nice "can o worms" for debate? Pete

An update of sorts on this, I had the rear wheels off my 13/60, in the last week or so for access. Refitting yesterday, I found one of the Wheel nuts to have a noticably different Nose angle to the others. rummaging through my box of "spare wheel nuts various" I discovered a suitable nut Taper/thread wise, which was not 11/16 AF more 21mm? Eventually the stash did produce a correct nut. Worth watching out for, as the wrong taper could be a factor with wheels coming loose? Pete

Victor/Papa (V-P). Independently:- "V" Flown to Request assistance. "P" flown, to indicate all on board ready to proceed to sea. p.s: I had to go online to check as I last did "semaphore" in the Scouts about 65-70 years ago now. Pete Humble apologies gentlemen.😟 Updated: as pointed out below. I got the colours reversed. S (Sierra)= Flown to indicate "I am am procceding full speed astern. P

👍 Fitted, along with refurbished Triumph badges. Showing off refurbed overiders and polished alloy fender trims. Pete