Second study in brown

[Zuiko]

Re: Second study in brown

Me? Hammer. Screwdriver? With my reputation??

Oh I've changed brake shoes, plugs, points, oil filters (oil runs up your arm..).. I once changed the rear subframe on an Austin 1100. However the most ambition job I ever did was changing the clutch in a Porsche 911. Even now I can't believe I did that single handed.

Meanwhile I discover crawling under the Subaru to fit anti roll bar bushes turns out to be painful and surprisingly difficult. Were bolts always done up this tight, or am I getting weak in my old age?

Pete

I can remember Dad slipping copper pipe over spanners to get more leverage.

[al_kaholik]

Re: Second study in brown

I imagine the 911 clutch is very similar to the beetle to do... Trick was getting the car and engine jacked at the right amounts and then knowing when to tilt the engine to clear the alternator pulley and input shafts at similar times. Old oil sump plates on those before they had drain plugs, oil EVERYWHERE!

I haven't been under the Bora yet, my toolbox for that has been exclusively used on interior trim removers, soldering iron, wire strippers/crimpers, radio keys and a T20 torx bit. That is if you don't count the laptop. Remapping the engine to 180bhp was just a couple of mouse clicks, nowhere near as fun as re-jetting carbs, tweaking the timing and fitting a new exhaust.

On tight bolts and nuts I tend to fall back on my breaker bar (where space allows) and a tin of PlusGas, else its a 1/2" ratchetless ratchet. Presumably everything was re-tightened to the correct torque? and copper greased? Makes it easier next time

[al_kaholik]

Re: Second study in brown

I can remember Dad slipping copper pipe over spanners to get more leverage.

Beetle rear hub nuts is the breaker bar and a 6` scaffold pole job. I then apply my old man's ample frame to the end

[StephenL]

Re: Second study in brown

Beetle rear hub nuts is the breaker bar and a 6` scaffold pole job. I then apply my old man's ample frame to the end

My dad being an oil pipeline fitter, we had a massive torque wrench for our Beetle hub nuts.

[al_kaholik]

Re: Second study in brown

May have to speak to you about that now the old man has lost some weight...

[StephenL]

Re: Second study in brown

May have to speak to you about that now the old man has lost some weight...

Sorry, lost it 3 house-moves ago. It was last used in about 1979. Last seen in 2006.

May still have the socket somewhere, but since another house move is imminent ....

[alfbranch]

Re: Second study in brown

I remember spending a lot of time at the scrappy getting parts especially for the rubbish cars my dad had. In fact our garden turned into a scrap yard.
Our drive had a mini traveller a mini and Triumph 2000 none of which ran and we had a Marina on the road.

Glad I never turned out like that really

I have though changed a few things gearboxes, coil springs, brake shoes and discs, starter motors etc etc

[al_kaholik]

Re: Second study in brown

Back on topic, brown is a very under-rated colour!

[StephenL]

Re: Second study in brown

Back on topic, brown is a very under-rated colour!

I had a brown Alfasud. Great - couldn't tell where the car ended and the rust began!

[snaarman]

Re: Second study in brown

I had a brown Alfasud. Great - couldn't tell where the car ended and the rust began!

"Brown is good, it doesn't show the dirt.."

Ah. I had a brown 1.2 Alfasud. What a splendid car. What a testament to design excellence and automotive reliability. What luxury. No, wait a minute. Hit me with a wet cloth someone, I've gone mad.

[Seonnaidh]

Re: Second study in brown

A friend had a green Alfasod, as he referred to it.
I can't snigger because I had a brown Rover SD1 V8. Brown was the correct colour for this
particular piece of cr@p.
I also had a brown 3.8 Jaguar Mk2 that was fantastic until the clutch went then it was major trouble.
I once met a guy who said with some pride that he used to work for British Leyland in the
design dept. I told him to keep that quiet. When he asked why, I reeled of a whole list of names. Allegro, Marina, Princess. Ambassador.
Sorry I've got to go for a lie down now.

[StephenL]

Re: Second study in brown

"Brown is good, it doesn't show the dirt.."

Ah. I had a brown 1.2 Alfasud. What a splendid car. What a testament to design excellence and automotive reliability. What luxury. No, wait a minute. Hit me with a wet cloth someone, I've gone mad.

Ah, but they were a fun car to drive. I had quite a few 'Suds. I worked for a while as Warranty Manager for an Alfa dealer (anyone remember Westune of Horwich?) - boy, was I kept busy...

[StephenL]

Re: Second study in brown

I once met a guy who said with some pride that he used to work for British Leyland

I'm proud to say I once worked for British Leyland. Or Leyland Motors, as it was. They made good lorries. Except for the Buffalo, Bison, and anything else with the 500/510 engine ....

[al_kaholik]

Re: Second study in brown

At least the boxer engine was sound I tend to try and keep quiet about where I work as everyone has an opinion. Usually negative!

[snaarman]

Re: Second study in brown

Yes, I had two alfasuds, so I'm allowed an opinion :-)

Rust of course, shabby electrics, things fell apart, but the engine was just great and the roadholding was amazing. The turn in and front grip was so good, that I maintain you could turn down a side road that you had technically missed. Just yank on the steering, time was reversed for a moment, and there you go: You didn't miss the turning after all...

Pete

PS. The Sud was the only front wheel drive car I've had where you could lose the back going round a roundabout flat out in second gear...

PPS. So that is 4 boxer engined cars I've had....