This was one of the first run in's with Degsy. The wrestling match took place in July 2009. Best of three falls or a submission to decide the winner.
I decided to fit a step to get into the back to motor. It is a big step up and I figure I will probably rupture myself if I try to cart a super of honey or trays of spuds into the back of the motor. I got the step from the suppliers a couple of weeks ago. The step has a bar with two holes that line up with the bolts of the tow hook. So all you have to do is undo the bolts holding on the hook, slip the step bracket up to the blots and nip it all up again. I knew this was going to be easier said than done. First I had to find a supplier of replacement bolts for the hook. The current bolts would be too short with the extra thickness of the step bracket. I also knew that I would probably wreck the bolts getting them out. I had put a spanner on the bolts during the week and could not move them. A trip out to Breedon to the caravan shop solved that problem. Just the right nuts and bolts for a couple of quid. I had guessed that the hook was held on by nuts and bolts. Some perverse hook fitter put the nuts on the inside of the hook bracket so you could get a good purchase on the nut. I dribbled on plenty of WD40 and 3 in 1 oil and had a go at loosening the nuts, no chance. About 40 minutes of oiling and cajoling managed to get the nuts to come free. This released the tow hook assembly. Now I had the threaded ends the bolts sticking out the bracket. More oil. I gave the studs an optimistic rap with the hammer. The blows resounded through Degsy like a drum. More oil. I got the sockets and spanners out to try to spin the bolt and work it out of the drop plate. The drop plate is the lump of plate steel that has the tow hook on one end the and is bolted to Degsy are the other end. No joy. More oil. I decided that if a cut the bolt heads off I might be able to drift out the bolt shaft. Aching arms, two hacksaw blades and several skinned knucles later the bolt head were on the floor. Because of the awkward location of the bolts some of the bolt head still on the bolt. A very bad scenario. I got the angle grinder out and went to town on the remaining metal. Laying on my back under Degsy, sparks shooting everywhere and dirt falling all over me from the underside of Degsy, oh and did I mention it was at least 27C. Lovely. Job done I packed away the grinder, no doubt to the relief of the neighbours. I rapped the bolts again but nothing. More oil and more hammering. Nothing, no movement at all. I the idea crept into my head that the bolt might actually be a screwed rod with nuts on both ends. So no amount of hammering would draw the "bolt". It was tea time, I was hungry and my patience was wearing thin.
H had dropped Miss L off to a party and was staying over. H and I had Tea and got the chiminia going in the back garden and lit loads of T-lights, opened a bottle of something red and just had a chat, sat by the pond as the night drew in. Then it came to me as I pondered. What I need is a big set of mole grips, better yet a set of 24" Stilsons [a type of adjustable wrench for round objects]. My Stilson went to good home along tome ago. It was too late in the day to anything about it. Tomorrow 10am at Massey's they will have the tool.
Massey's did have the very tool. I got a stud extractor as well in case the Stilson did not work. Back home by 10.30 so everyone in the street sound be up. If they weren't, they so would be. More oil on the bolt. I tackled the left bolt first as there was room to swing the wrench. The wrench just chewed up the threads and would not budge. Then I drilled a hole in the bolt end, inserted the extractor gave it an good turn and "ping" the tool snapped. Now I had a bolt with a tool steel core. Bugger. More oil and some Tea. About this time H went out to collect Miss L and reminded me that we had a BBQ to go to at 3pm. Double bugger. More oil. I set about the right bolt. Slowly but surely the bolt turned. Very slowly and making a terrible squealing noise. More oil and more turning. Then it just went loose and the bolt came out with a gentle pull with my fingers. It was a bolt just with 30 years of corrosion. Removing this bolt released some pressure on the spacer plate. More oil, tapping and oil and wiggling to get the spacer off. Still the left stud remained. At least I knew it was a smooth bolt shank and not a screwed rod. More oil and a brew. Whilst drinking my brew I pondered the bolt and idly whacked it with the hammer. This time the noise was different. I looked at the back of the drop plate and found that he bolt had moved, perhaps only a millimeter but it moved. More oil. I decided to take Degsy up the fields where I could give the bolt a good hiding without worrying about the noise I was going to make. I threw everything in the back of Degsy and set off for Willesley Woodside. I found a spot. More oil on the bolt and then gave the bolt half a dozen good blows. That was it, the studs moved quarter of an inch. More oil and then hammered from the other side of the plate. Another two more passes and the stud was getting really loose. Then I got the stud I had moved from right side hole and used it as a drift to finally remove the left stud completely. Job done. It had only taken four hours spread over two days!
When I got home it was a five minute to put the bolts through the tow hook, spacer and drop plate. Then offer up the step bracket to the rear of the drop plate and spin on the crimp washer and nut. Nip the nuts finger tight, check the step was level and nip the nuts up good and tight. I took the precaution of Copperslipping the bolt shafts so when I need to get the bolts out they should come away a lot easier. I had a tidy up and parked the cars by the time H got back. H could see I was properly pleased with myself. I had a few minutes to go over to Mo's and water the Toms. That done I got myself showered, shaved and dressed ready for the BBQ.
Tuesday, 23 February 2010
Monday, 22 February 2010
Long walk
I bust the near side wing mirror on the bushes in the garden. 30 seconds to fit a new one [I had one in stock] but I must have walked from the driver's seat to the mirror to make fine adjustment about fifty times. It is not quite right but it will have to do for now.
Eureka!
I was playing out on bikes last weekend so could do nothing with Degsy however through the week I bought a coil, £24.I have found a place in Coalville that is up my street. A bit scruffy but knowledgeable blokes. They seem to be able to get anything by 3.30pm the next day.
I set up Saturday morning for Degsy time. I have been out for a drink with allotment buddies on Friday night so it was not an early start. I had a bacon and egg butty and a brew to set me up. It had snowed overnight so Degsy was covered in a three inches layer of the white stuff. I got in Degsy, choke out and turned the key a couple of cranks and he fired up. I warmed him up just in case. I popped up the bonnet and with a long rope tied it right back. I took the steering wheel off which seemed liek the first step in getting the dash off. After twenty minutes the dash was not loose even though I had a handful of screws. I decided that this was the wrong thing to be doing so I put everything back the was I found it if a little cleaner. I decide to fit the new bits. The coil came off the bulkhead quite easily just a bit of WD40 to ease the screws. I fitted the new coil having first cleaned the contacts on the earth strap and resistor. I had a good look at the connectors onto the coil from white wire, which comes from the ignition switch, and the wire from the condenser on the distributor. Both were corroded so I cut them off and refitted new spade connectors. Now they are a very tight fit. I checked the dizzy. It was still tight. You might remember it has a talent for coming loose.
Since the job only took half an hour and I given over the whole morning to Degsy I look round for other dodgy connections. I had a bash at making the air hose to the carb better fit. It is better than it was but not as good as I would like. I gave the accelerator and choke linkage a good dosing with WD and a rub with the tooth brush. I also moved the linkage through their whole range of movement to make it as free as possible. I am not sure it did any good but I felt better about it.
I decided that I could do not more and started Degsy. He started straight away and when I booted him he revved hard and blew out some black soot through the exhaust. He even did a really good back fire which I put down the the repaired vacuum pipe not doing a proper job of advancing the spark. I let him settle down into a really nice tick over which he kept up whilst I loaded him for the allotment. I even had time to find an "R" clip of the right size to replace the rusted old split pin that retained the washer that retained the bottom of the bonnet prop. I went to the lottie and back including a bit of messing about at the lottie without missing a beat, in fact running really strongly. A bit like a terrier trotting along on it's toes and chin up.
I got back about five and decided that before the sun went down to reposition the steering wheel which was off by an eighth turn. I bagged the sockets and drove Degsy to a straight bit of road and when dead straight stopped to remove, reposition and retighten the steering wheel. This done I set off to drive round the block back home. Degsy started playing up again exactly as before. So it was not the coil. It conked out again and again. Whilst sitting there trying to figure out what could be causing it. I turned the key ready to start then hauled on the steering wheel to pull myself up in the seat.......the oil and charge lights went off! I turned the steering wheel left and right to no avail, no lights. I heaved the steering wheel back the other way against the steering column......the light came on. I heaved the wheel back and forth and was able to switch the lights on and off at will. It was as I had suspected, a loose connection on something connected to the steering column. I got Degsy home using this new knowledge.
I postponed what I was supposed to do on Sunday and resolved the take the dash to bits. I had snowed again but the sun was melting the snow fast and shining warm on my back. I did not even bother pop the bonnet. The steering wheel came off again. Then the instrument panel. Then the cover round the ignition barrel. The wiring was a mess. There were power feeds everywhere. I untangled the wires and used a bungee to keep the dash out of the way. I figured the white wire from the ignition switch was the wire the track first as it was the positive feed from the ignition switch to the coil. I figured the negatives were sound since the lights worked. With the key turned in the ignition switch I could make the dash light go on and off so it was definitely on the white wire. I thought the wire might trapped and chaffed through. I tracked the wire to the end of the ignition barrel to check the connector. Whilst exploring the connector it came off in my hand and with the slightest pressure the negative tag on the base of the ignition came away too. So that will be it. The hard ride and corrosion did for the connector tags. It did take 30 years though. Pity it was on my watch.
I figured if I could get the ignition barrel off I might be able to fix the tags. I cleared the wiring back even further. I got he retaining screw out from the side of the barrel facing me. The other side was impossible. I could not see it but did manage to get the screw loose but I could not withdraw it. I would have to remove the ignition switch completely. That is easier said than done. The shear bolts, which secure the ignition barrel clamp to the steering column, had done their job and sheared the hex head of the bolt off so I could not get a socket on the bolt. I got the drill and stud extractor from the garage. I drilled the pilot hole in the stud and inserted extractor and with infinite care and good dose of WD built up the pressure on the extractor until the stud came free. Then I had to repeat the job on the other stud. That came away a bit easier as is usually the case. With the ignition barrel/steering lock in my hand I prized out the electrical switch from the base of the unit. The tags were well and truly broken. I considered a bodge but thought better of it. I made a brew and consulted the Internet. I could get the switch for less than a tenner. It was not worth the bodge.
Since I was ordering I made a list.
There was nothing more I could do so I tidied up the tools. The picture above shows Degsy looking poorly but is not as bad as it looks. It only cost a few cuts to my knuckles but there is a sense of achievement in analysing and diagnosing the issue, proving the analysis then taking action. lets hope all the bit come and it goes back together. Roll on Saturday.
I set up Saturday morning for Degsy time. I have been out for a drink with allotment buddies on Friday night so it was not an early start. I had a bacon and egg butty and a brew to set me up. It had snowed overnight so Degsy was covered in a three inches layer of the white stuff. I got in Degsy, choke out and turned the key a couple of cranks and he fired up. I warmed him up just in case. I popped up the bonnet and with a long rope tied it right back. I took the steering wheel off which seemed liek the first step in getting the dash off. After twenty minutes the dash was not loose even though I had a handful of screws. I decided that this was the wrong thing to be doing so I put everything back the was I found it if a little cleaner. I decide to fit the new bits. The coil came off the bulkhead quite easily just a bit of WD40 to ease the screws. I fitted the new coil having first cleaned the contacts on the earth strap and resistor. I had a good look at the connectors onto the coil from white wire, which comes from the ignition switch, and the wire from the condenser on the distributor. Both were corroded so I cut them off and refitted new spade connectors. Now they are a very tight fit. I checked the dizzy. It was still tight. You might remember it has a talent for coming loose.
Since the job only took half an hour and I given over the whole morning to Degsy I look round for other dodgy connections. I had a bash at making the air hose to the carb better fit. It is better than it was but not as good as I would like. I gave the accelerator and choke linkage a good dosing with WD and a rub with the tooth brush. I also moved the linkage through their whole range of movement to make it as free as possible. I am not sure it did any good but I felt better about it.
I decided that I could do not more and started Degsy. He started straight away and when I booted him he revved hard and blew out some black soot through the exhaust. He even did a really good back fire which I put down the the repaired vacuum pipe not doing a proper job of advancing the spark. I let him settle down into a really nice tick over which he kept up whilst I loaded him for the allotment. I even had time to find an "R" clip of the right size to replace the rusted old split pin that retained the washer that retained the bottom of the bonnet prop. I went to the lottie and back including a bit of messing about at the lottie without missing a beat, in fact running really strongly. A bit like a terrier trotting along on it's toes and chin up.
I got back about five and decided that before the sun went down to reposition the steering wheel which was off by an eighth turn. I bagged the sockets and drove Degsy to a straight bit of road and when dead straight stopped to remove, reposition and retighten the steering wheel. This done I set off to drive round the block back home. Degsy started playing up again exactly as before. So it was not the coil. It conked out again and again. Whilst sitting there trying to figure out what could be causing it. I turned the key ready to start then hauled on the steering wheel to pull myself up in the seat.......the oil and charge lights went off! I turned the steering wheel left and right to no avail, no lights. I heaved the steering wheel back the other way against the steering column......the light came on. I heaved the wheel back and forth and was able to switch the lights on and off at will. It was as I had suspected, a loose connection on something connected to the steering column. I got Degsy home using this new knowledge.
I postponed what I was supposed to do on Sunday and resolved the take the dash to bits. I had snowed again but the sun was melting the snow fast and shining warm on my back. I did not even bother pop the bonnet. The steering wheel came off again. Then the instrument panel. Then the cover round the ignition barrel. The wiring was a mess. There were power feeds everywhere. I untangled the wires and used a bungee to keep the dash out of the way. I figured the white wire from the ignition switch was the wire the track first as it was the positive feed from the ignition switch to the coil. I figured the negatives were sound since the lights worked. With the key turned in the ignition switch I could make the dash light go on and off so it was definitely on the white wire. I thought the wire might trapped and chaffed through. I tracked the wire to the end of the ignition barrel to check the connector. Whilst exploring the connector it came off in my hand and with the slightest pressure the negative tag on the base of the ignition came away too. So that will be it. The hard ride and corrosion did for the connector tags. It did take 30 years though. Pity it was on my watch.
I figured if I could get the ignition barrel off I might be able to fix the tags. I cleared the wiring back even further. I got he retaining screw out from the side of the barrel facing me. The other side was impossible. I could not see it but did manage to get the screw loose but I could not withdraw it. I would have to remove the ignition switch completely. That is easier said than done. The shear bolts, which secure the ignition barrel clamp to the steering column, had done their job and sheared the hex head of the bolt off so I could not get a socket on the bolt. I got the drill and stud extractor from the garage. I drilled the pilot hole in the stud and inserted extractor and with infinite care and good dose of WD built up the pressure on the extractor until the stud came free. Then I had to repeat the job on the other stud. That came away a bit easier as is usually the case. With the ignition barrel/steering lock in my hand I prized out the electrical switch from the base of the unit. The tags were well and truly broken. I considered a bodge but thought better of it. I made a brew and consulted the Internet. I could get the switch for less than a tenner. It was not worth the bodge.
Since I was ordering I made a list.
- Ignition switch
- Vacuum tube
- Washer bottle cap
- Points and condenser [for spares]
- Dash bulbs
- Choke cable
- Shear bolts for the ignition barrel bracket
There was nothing more I could do so I tidied up the tools. The picture above shows Degsy looking poorly but is not as bad as it looks. It only cost a few cuts to my knuckles but there is a sense of achievement in analysing and diagnosing the issue, proving the analysis then taking action. lets hope all the bit come and it goes back together. Roll on Saturday.
Wednesday, 17 February 2010
Poorly Degsy
Degsy has let me down.........................He has started running intermittently. It feels like an electrical problem. The ignition lights goes out when the key is in which suggests it is something on the ignition circuit beside that fact the engines cuts out. It does restart after a few minutes which feels a lot like to coils is on the way out.
It conked out completely and I had the ignominy of having Steve towing back home. The next morning I did the static timing thing and Degsy started and run strongly settling down into a low revving tick over. I then took him for a spin only to have him cut out again. This time manged to nurse him home by letting things cool down before running another few hundred yards before conking out again.
The Internet has nothing offer on the issue. I have researched the ignition wiring and have come to the conclusion that either the coil is or the condenser is u/s. I rather think the coil might be the fault as it looks really old and the condenser was put on only a few months ago. I am going to get a new coil, condenser and points. It it all and see how we go.
I have also decided that the motor is using far too much fuel. I have also decided that the fitting of the new choke cable just before I bought Degsy might be the issue. I am going to send off for a proper cable and a vacuum pipe for the automatic advance mechanism which melted through when it touched on the exhaust manifold. I managed to patch it up but I do not think that is the running problem. A lack of mechanical advance would just make the motor run poorly at higher revs.
Lots to think about but I have the a few hours at the weekend to attend to Degsy.
It conked out completely and I had the ignominy of having Steve towing back home. The next morning I did the static timing thing and Degsy started and run strongly settling down into a low revving tick over. I then took him for a spin only to have him cut out again. This time manged to nurse him home by letting things cool down before running another few hundred yards before conking out again.
The Internet has nothing offer on the issue. I have researched the ignition wiring and have come to the conclusion that either the coil is or the condenser is u/s. I rather think the coil might be the fault as it looks really old and the condenser was put on only a few months ago. I am going to get a new coil, condenser and points. It it all and see how we go.
I have also decided that the motor is using far too much fuel. I have also decided that the fitting of the new choke cable just before I bought Degsy might be the issue. I am going to send off for a proper cable and a vacuum pipe for the automatic advance mechanism which melted through when it touched on the exhaust manifold. I managed to patch it up but I do not think that is the running problem. A lack of mechanical advance would just make the motor run poorly at higher revs.
Lots to think about but I have the a few hours at the weekend to attend to Degsy.
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