30/03/2016

Professional Repair and My Amateur Fixes.

So now the Stag has been back on the road for a bit, I'm ironing out a few of the problems that are arising. 

1. Starter Motor. This has been working intermittently for a while now, even before I took it off the road, and it wasn't getting any better by itself. After considering high-torque examples, I decided to support a local business and took the old Lucas unit to Nacton Auto Electrics in Ipswich. For £40 they fitted a new solenoid and gave it a check over. The brushes they said were 'like new, and last forever on these old motors'. Fantastic service. 

2. Exhaust Manifolds. While I contemplate what to do with the exhaust,  the blowing from the near side manifold was getting annoying. 2 of the mounting flanges had rusted and were allowing gases to escape. My welding is not great, but I thought I'd try and create a repair, by building up the low areas with weld then grinding back. 





Quite pleased with the results. There's still a little blow, but that's mostly from where the down pipe joins the manifold, which is a horrible joint. 

3. Valley Gasket. This is repair I'm not proud of, but it's done the job. I noticed a fairly serious oil leak, with oil pooling in the V and running down the rear of the block. My first thoughts was that the rubber seals at the end had failed, but closer inspection showed a tiny pin hole in a rusty patch on the tin valley gasket, with oil oozing out under higher revs. 

You can just see it on the upper rib in this photo. 


So I had a choice. Replace the valley gasket, which involves removing the inlet manifold and trying to loosen 12 bolts (steel in alloy) that haven't been moved in years ... or decide on a less professional, but less labour intensive repair. 

I went for the second option, and pooled an amount of Araldite over the affected area. 


It does look like someone has sneezed on it, but so far it's holding. 

4. I also cut down my homemade tailpipes, so they tuck under the bumper. They look less like scaffolding now and it's neatened up the rear end a little. 

Before :


After :


12/03/2016

The Mule Returns

At last, after over a year off the road, my Stag passed it's MoT yesterday. 

I affectionately call it the Mule due to it's non-standard drivetrain (Rover V8 + LT77 5 speed box) and also because I fitted it with a manual quick rack (and other steering related parts) for a Triumph 2000. 


So now it's back mobile again, I can look at getting a proper exhaust for it. I may go the custom made route if the pricing isn't too bad. 

 
But it wasn't all smooth running yesterday, I managed to mangle the front number plate on my engine stand reversing out of the garage. 


I think trying to straighten it may be fruitless, so I imagine I'll be ordering another at some point.