Delta's Earl Grey Break 2014

[Mike Bell]

Iain can probably correct me here if got it wrong, but Alf Francis tells the story in his book (Alf Francis, Racing Mechanic) of dropping the sump off his van during a trip and removing the mains (or big ends), taking them to a local garage and getting them re-metalled. Then refitting them and finishing the journey. This was with Stirling's car en route to a race in Italy......

Engine problem with a Disco 3 or 4 and I'm told you have to take the body off the chassis to remove it!

[LYNX]

Hi Ian, missed you and Michael at the members meeting. Would be most happy to hear your views on the weekend. have to write 5 reports of which one is destined for LM!

[GORDON STREETER]

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

Iain can probably correct me here if got it wrong, but Alf Francis tells the story in his book (Alf Francis, Racing Mechanic) of dropping the sump off his van during a trip and removing the mains (or big ends), taking them to a local garage and getting them re-metalled. Then refitting them and finishing the journey. This was with Stirling's car en route to a race in Italy......

Probably Chinese whispers as surely you could only re-metal one half of either ? I say that because I used to work opposite an engine recon shop when I left school and the old boy that ran it was the only remaining guy that still white-metalled and line bored blocks and con rods in the area at that time, and I sometimes helped him

[Robyn Slater]

White metaling, I,m still doing it.

[zefarelly]

I recently had a LEAF twin cam shells re-done as well, they're still out there.

[Mike Bell]

Sometimes wonder why I drive out of town into 'the sticks' to get MOTs done. Several alternatives closer. Remembered why today though when called in with my leggy old 924S. First David, the Boss, was reversing his 1959 Morris Mini out of the bay. Virtually original, including scruffy bodywork, but lovely in its own unmolested way. During the test, most conversation was about classics and the race meeting at Snetterton last weekend, then on the way to the portacabin / office to pay he showed me the progress on his Jag 420G, now having a complete resto. Last time I saw it the interior was completely original, and the word 'patina' wouldn't have described it! Close by was another customers wheels, a stunning MGTF, and not the mid engined version......

Great way to spend an hour- Wouldn't have had any of that going to the local Ford dealer!

[HRSTR5]

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

Sometimes wonder why I drive out of town into 'the sticks' to get MOTs done. Several alternatives closer. Remembered why today though when called in with my leggy old 924S.

Ahhh, the old "Keep em' talking, they'll not notice the problems" trick huh, Mike? I take it you came away with a new MoT …

[delta]

Originally Posted by HRSTR5

Ahhh, the old "Keep em' talking, they'll not notice the problems" trick huh, Mike? I take it you came away with a new MoT …

In a previous life I was a mot tester. Most boring job I ever had . I soon employed a mechanic to do the job . He loved it mind you I seem to recall he was blooming boring as well . Happy days

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by HRSTR5

Ahhh, the old "Keep em' talking, they'll not notice the problems" trick huh, Mike? I take it you came away with a new MoT …

Strange you should say that, but have never had a car fail there, or at the similar establishment I used before moving here!

I can see that doing MOTs all day would be boring, which is probably why when someone comes in who talks the same (old car) language, it breaks the monotony. I have noticed a TV in the little MOT office- not for visitors but for the inspector......

[delta]

Had a good day at Mallory yesterday, I tested the ex De Angelis Chevron B38 F3 car we are taking to Monaco. I had not realised there was so much history with that car.Aparantly Elio dad was kidnapped and that car was held by a priest as part of the barganing to get him released.
Any photo's yet GP>!!!

[terence]

Not much change in Priests since then, then!

[grantp]

Originally Posted by delta

Had a good day at Mallory yesterday, I tested the ex De Angelis Chevron B38 F3 car we are taking to Monaco. I had not realised there was so much history with that car.Aparantly Elio dad was kidnapped and that car was held by a priest as part of the barganing to get him released.
Any photo's yet GP>!!!

A few ... so far.

Not sure if the first one has anything to do with Priests but it does seem to be a position that Iain adopts frequently when working in anything with Italian connections. (See recent pics from HSCC Donington ... )

[Alan Raine]

Originally Posted by delta

Had a good day at Mallory yesterday, I tested the ex De Angelis Chevron B38 F3 car we are taking to Monaco. I had not realised there was so much history with that car.Aparantly Elio dad was kidnapped and that car was held by a priest as part of the barganing to get him released.
Any photo's yet GP>!!!

Noticed this on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...type=1&theater

[grantp]

A few more pics from Mallory yesterday. Still not yet as busy as it used to be but interesting nevertheless and the days seem to run more smoothly with fewer stoppages for recovery and incidents. All in all it makes for a very enjoyable day.

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by grantp

A few more pics from Mallory yesterday. All in all it makes for a very enjoyable day.

Nice to see Ken C keeping an eagle eye on the Roover, and Delta also!

I've long got the impression that 'Wednesday at Mallory' can be treated as a social occasion as well as a test opportunity! Wished I lived a bit closer, but am working to fill the truck and journey over there in next few weeks. Just make sure that black pudding is on the brekky menu, please!

[grantp]

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

Nice to see Ken C keeping an eagle eye on the Roover, and Delta also!

I've long got the impression that 'Wednesday at Mallory' can be treated as a social occasion as well as a test opportunity! Wished I lived a bit closer, but am working to fill the truck and journey over there in next few weeks. Just make sure that black pudding is on the brekky menu, please!

From your POV Mike one of the better aspects of the alternate Wednesday full day arrangement is that it potentially makes your journey more productive.

It has had a nice feel for the past few visits - helped by relatively clement weather of course, especially last Wednesday.

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by grantp

From your POV Mike one of the better aspects of the alternate Wednesday full day arrangement is that it potentially makes your journey more productive.

It has had a nice feel for the past few visits - helped by relatively clement weather of course, especially last Wednesday.

Good to hear. The new arrangement is not so good if you just want to shake down one car for a few laps, but better for serious work. Sort out weather for the next two car days and I'll be there for one or other! (Having starved for previous few days in order to justify the breakfast....)

[grantp]

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

Good to hear. The new arrangement is not so good if you just want to shake down one car for a few laps, but better for serious work. Sort out weather for the next two car days and I'll be there for one or other! (Having starved for previous few days in order to justify the breakfast....)

I think the next one is another delta day. Can't guarantee the weather though.

You can still book for just a half day for a quick shakedown. AM or PM.


Mr. Hadfield of this parish seems to prefer the AM slot. However Mr. Simms, also of this parish, favours the PM.

Or so it seems on recent form.

Either way one has the prospect of some controlled drifting through the esses and other places no matter which time of day one is observing.

[Tim Falce]

I'm currently pulling my hair out trying to put the front suspension back together on the MGB. I've changed the lower wishbone bushes but when I put everything back together again the lower trunnion holes don't line up, no amount of heaving, jacking or swearing at it makes any difference.

[Clive Brown]

Can you not align the holes using a podger?

[Tim Falce]

Not really, there's too much tension with the spring and if I did get one in I couldn't fit the bolt.

[terence]

Remove the spring plate and fit the trunnion bolt first Tim, it should be tightened BEFORE you start to lift the spring and bottom plate into position.Then a small jack under the plate making sure the spring is outside of the top sentralizing ring.fit the four plate bolts rears first fronts might need a bit of manouvering so dont tighten the rears before all bolts are in position. Was going to say I'l pop down and do it for you, but-------------------.

[Mike Bell]

I was trying to remember how I have fitted the Gilbern lower wishbones in the past, and sounds like same way Terence. Outer end bolt first, then jack inner end up into place. Wasn't sure if the B was same, as Gilbern doesn't have subframe. Also have short springs which makes it easier!

[Tim Falce]

Thanks for that Terry, I'll give it a go tomorrow. I did try it with it all assembled loose and that's when it went a bit wrong, I think It' the spring tension is forcing it out of line.

[terence]

You're welcome Tim,I assume the springs to be standard length? can be a pain.As mike said,much easier with lowered versions.