What did you do today?

[R_D_Olivaw]

The short answer to both questions is "I don't know".

When I went over to see Nick I wasn't planning on buying a car. All I really wanted was to find out more about the Mk3 and now I have one sitting on my drive.

I have some plans for the car, but it's going to take me some time to realise them. The car will be enjoyed for a few weeks and then put into storage over the winter while I figure out exactly what I want it to be before sending it up to Phil Ivimey's.

I'm going to try and improve the car and make it more suited to my needs without losing the essence that Nick spent so hard creating.

As and when things get moving I'll keep everyone updated.

[R_D_Olivaw]

Went to my first National day and what a day it was. Someone even arranged a helicopter landing right next to us. I'm starting to detect an air theme for the National day. Wasn't it the Red Arrows last year?

For those that didn't make it, here are a few photos.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/9765rxb3dlyhqr8/IMG_1931_1.JPG?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ykhurj2hujd1qzq/IMG_1937_1.JPG?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/srbodyvv0p6w7a4/IMG_1938_1.JPG?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/sike3xl0zsgd5ie/IMG_1952_1.JPG?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/s3vkgzqotr2n5r8/IMG_1955_1.JPG?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ucjpkfbbzd1qsrp/IMG_1959_1.JPG?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/4jzpas1wllloq5s/IMG_1969_1.JPG?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/pep8esdx1fkelgv/IMG_1980_1.JPG?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/5kp8yq8vlb8o0ne/IMG_1991_1.JPG?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/lnqq8zoqtebwplg/IMG_1994_1.JPG?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/c4oececjgbuugkw/IMG_1998_1.JPG?dl=0

[R_D_Olivaw]

Since getting the car back from Phil I've been getting to the know all the good and bad things about it and doing my best to tackle some of them, even if I will need to redo some of them at a later date, when I get around to preparing it for paint.

I'd like to point out that I don't know much about the mechanical side of things so this is a bit of a learning experience.

So far I've managed to:
1. Replace the alternator.
2. Replace the dizzy cap, rotor arm and HT leads.
3. Replace the spark plugs.
4. Replace the rubber at the top of the passenger door. A job that took at least 1 1/2 hours and three bucket loads of my patience.
5. The rubber around the inside of the door frames. Need to slam the door a little harder now to close them, especially the driver's door that wasn't wonderful before I did it.
6. Replace the rear boot handle/lock as the old one fell apart.
7. Fitted a new radio.

On my to-do list is:
1. Work out why my heater doesn't work.
2. Fit a new carburetor. On order and probably something for the new year when I can free up my garage. I have a feel mine is all rusted up as it seems to get through a lot of petrol just sitting on the drive.
3. Removal of the carpets, or what remains of them. It's lucky I'm not allergic to horses because the hair seems to get everywhere.
4. Fitting of sound and heat insulation.
5. New door mirrors (ones that you can see things with).
6. Fit some reversing lights. Shouldn't be a big job as Phil kindly put all the wiring back in place.

All the best,

RDO

[Jimbern]

I was looking for a little easy job to tick off on my winter list so I Decided to change the rear gearbox oil seal . I gave myself an hour tops to complete the task , wrong ! I removed the prop only to find one of the universal joints had play in it so down to the local Motor factors to buy a new u j, 1/2 hour to change it and then on with the oil seal . 1 1/2 hours gone ! Who put a chassis cross member adjacent to the end of the gearbox so you can’t use a hook lever to easily remove the seal , it was a struggle! 3 hours gone ! When I removed the prop I saw that the pinion oil seal was leaking so I have ticked one job off only to add another!

[lennyb72]

Nothing Gilbern related today because i`ve got my wife`s family up from Cornwall for the weekend. I did drive my MK2 to our local Bristol meeting on Tuesday and also plan to replace the dated electronic ignition with a new unit sometime over the next few weekends. Kevin

[R_D_Olivaw]

After 15 months of Gilbern ownership I finally managed to give the car a proper reason (there were good reasons why this had never been done before); however I first fitted a new rubber to the top of the driver's door to make sure the water stayed out.

Started off with a pre-wash just to loosen up the dirt, then proceeded with a proper wash using the two bucket method. The car was then clay barred before being given another quick wash and dry. I then taped up all the gaps and went over it with my DA polisher to bring some shine back to the paint. This was then followed with a coat of wax. I would have done more, but time and light were not on my side. I finished the car off by blackening up the tyres, polishing the windows inside and out and adding some Rain-X.

Pros - The car looks a lot better and from nine yards, quite respectable. Also no obvious leaks.

Cons - Just about every panel on the car has something wrong with it. The paint doesn't worry me too much as I know it needs a repaint, but there are bumps, cracks and craters all over the place. Preparing the body is going to be an enormous task.

I bought myself some car dehumidifiers and put those in to see if they can absorb all the condensation that appears on the back window.

All the best,

RDO

[JayeM]

Put the front windscreen back in my Mk3! WooHooooooo!!

[R_D_Olivaw]

Hi Jaye,

When I come to take mine out I'll be back for some advice.

All the best,

RDO

[lennyb72]

Had a few hours in the garage on Sunday and replaced the dated Luminition system that had been on the car since the early 70s. I moved the coil to it`s new .position on the bulkhead to make more space for a new electric suction pump ( next winter job ) and fitted a new Accuspark unit, red rotor and ballast resistor. In doing so i managed to disturb the flimsy post connection on the solenoid. The car start`s but a replacement will have to be ordered. Due to the bad weather i never had the chance to take it out to see if there is any improvement. A big thank you to Gavin ( All way`s on the end of the phone when i need a second opinion! ).

[lennyb72]

With the new Lucas type solenoid and new electronic ignition fitted i took the car for a test drive today to deliver Christmas cards. All is well, the only adjustment needed was an extra turn on the tick over screw.
Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Kevin

[R_D_Olivaw]

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to everyone.

I hope to get my brakes sorted in the New Year. I seem to be getting through a lot of brake fluid at the moment and there is a consensus that the seals in the master brake cylinder may have given up the ghost. Once that's done the new holley carb will go on and my 10 mpg will be a distant memory.

[Fareham GT]

Hi Ian,

Sounds like it could be the seals in the servo, so all you are doing is filling the servo up with brake fluid. If it is really full you will find that when you brake you will get a puff of white smoke out of the exhaust, as you will be pumping fluid into the inlet manifold.

Keep at it

BG

[Jimbern]

Great day today. ! Cleaned underneath both front wheel arches , undersealed the wings , painted all the suspension, changed the rack gaiters and the track rod ends and greased everything up I think I am now ready to celebrate New Years Eve.
Happy New Year to all Gilberneers , Jim

[lennyb72]

My new Lucas electric suction fuel pump arrived on Saturday, so i was back in the garage to fit it yesterday. I removed the old Morris Minor electric pump that was used to prime the carburettor and replaced the mechanical pump with a nice shiny stainless steel blanking plate. I also relocated the windscreen washer motor, fitted new fuel hoses and a cut out switch.The weather in Bristol today
improved as the day moved on so i was able to take the car out for an hour. What a way to spend the first day of 2018 !!!
Happy New Year To All.
Kevin

[Jimbern]

Another good day today . Took off the door cards and put Dynamat on the inner doors , lubricated all the mechanism and adjusted the doors ( I used to work on a farm and adjusting cattle gates stood me in good stead ) !