Post by tommydp on May 15, 2012 22:31:05 GMT
Hi all!
Busy days, so I haven't been very active lately. I have however got the new, white 1800 back home. It's the white one, as seen in previous pictures here.
It has been standing since 1988. All tyres were flat and the suspension was down on one side. However I managed to pump it up, and it actually stays level. The brakes were not seized and actually worked, the handbrake too.
So we could easily get it onto the trailer and took it home. Actually all the electrics worked when I installed the battery. The clutch cylinders were seized, so I'll sort them out next.
I put some penetrating oil down the bores and turned the engine by hand for a long time, checking operation of the valves. All well. I then oiled the rocker assembly, poured some oil into the cylinders and sprayed penetrating oil onto the valves/ guides. The next day I cranked it by the starter, and the oil pressure came up quite quickly. I removed the fuel pump inlet hose to avoid 24 yrs old fuel into the engine, as even the fuel pump worked!
Today I dismantled and cleaned the carb, replaced the jet supply rubber seal under the float chamber and put on a new float lid gasket.
I replaced the points and condenser, as there was no spark at the points. Got a spark right away once installed.
After cranking to build up oil pressure again (removed coil lt lead to avoid firing), I filled the float chamber with petrol and connected fuel supply from a bottle to the pump.
So, with fresh fuel and the coil lead connected again it fired right away and after some seconds it idled beautifully! After 24 years! These beasts are indestructible!
The engine sounded really nice! The exhaust is rather "incomplete" ie rusted, but I could hear the sweet sound of a healthy engine and after a few minutes there was no smoke at all from the exhaust.
Quite promising! It has actually done 179 000 kms. However the gentleman who has owned it from new, now 80, changed the oil and filter every 4000 km from 1970 to 1988 and serviced it very well! There is a book to prove it. Amazing. So I believe the engine could be good to go for a further number of kms.
I'm planning to make it roadworthy and MOTd asap and use as a runabout. It's not a show winner, but it's rust free and totally original. It's charming!
At least it makes a change for all the negative experiences I've had with the blue one, which has been put into the barn under layers of blankets etc. We need a break, both the car and I:-) I have a plan though...
All the best to all fellow 'crabbers:-)
Regards, Tommy
Busy days, so I haven't been very active lately. I have however got the new, white 1800 back home. It's the white one, as seen in previous pictures here.
It has been standing since 1988. All tyres were flat and the suspension was down on one side. However I managed to pump it up, and it actually stays level. The brakes were not seized and actually worked, the handbrake too.
So we could easily get it onto the trailer and took it home. Actually all the electrics worked when I installed the battery. The clutch cylinders were seized, so I'll sort them out next.
I put some penetrating oil down the bores and turned the engine by hand for a long time, checking operation of the valves. All well. I then oiled the rocker assembly, poured some oil into the cylinders and sprayed penetrating oil onto the valves/ guides. The next day I cranked it by the starter, and the oil pressure came up quite quickly. I removed the fuel pump inlet hose to avoid 24 yrs old fuel into the engine, as even the fuel pump worked!
Today I dismantled and cleaned the carb, replaced the jet supply rubber seal under the float chamber and put on a new float lid gasket.
I replaced the points and condenser, as there was no spark at the points. Got a spark right away once installed.
After cranking to build up oil pressure again (removed coil lt lead to avoid firing), I filled the float chamber with petrol and connected fuel supply from a bottle to the pump.
So, with fresh fuel and the coil lead connected again it fired right away and after some seconds it idled beautifully! After 24 years! These beasts are indestructible!
The engine sounded really nice! The exhaust is rather "incomplete" ie rusted, but I could hear the sweet sound of a healthy engine and after a few minutes there was no smoke at all from the exhaust.
Quite promising! It has actually done 179 000 kms. However the gentleman who has owned it from new, now 80, changed the oil and filter every 4000 km from 1970 to 1988 and serviced it very well! There is a book to prove it. Amazing. So I believe the engine could be good to go for a further number of kms.
I'm planning to make it roadworthy and MOTd asap and use as a runabout. It's not a show winner, but it's rust free and totally original. It's charming!
At least it makes a change for all the negative experiences I've had with the blue one, which has been put into the barn under layers of blankets etc. We need a break, both the car and I:-) I have a plan though...
All the best to all fellow 'crabbers:-)
Regards, Tommy