Discussion
Now off to pick the car up from Tower View.
It seems that the coil wires behind the dizzy had melted together and this is what was causing the short in the ignition.
Apparently it looks like its been like that for a while, this hopefully means that I can now get an even better set up as this would have always caused a problem.
Just one of those things and nothing to do with having the heads off. Could've happened at any time. Just seems to have all happened at once.
Cheers
Mark
It seems that the coil wires behind the dizzy had melted together and this is what was causing the short in the ignition.
Apparently it looks like its been like that for a while, this hopefully means that I can now get an even better set up as this would have always caused a problem.
Just one of those things and nothing to do with having the heads off. Could've happened at any time. Just seems to have all happened at once.
Cheers
Mark
There was something very special tonight blasting hard past Westminster with the roof off !!!! 
It's great to have it back and its running better than ever. It really is flying aswell. Was forced to go through both Rotherhithe and Blackwall tonight. Came flying onto the approach from Greenwich flat in 2nd next to the flyover - sounded great - arrived onto the approach road cracking and popping next to a Police Range Rover who followed me through the tunnel at 30 mph in 5th to keep the noise down. Even gave me a smile !!!!
Cheers
Mark
It's great to have it back and its running better than ever. It really is flying aswell. Was forced to go through both Rotherhithe and Blackwall tonight. Came flying onto the approach from Greenwich flat in 2nd next to the flyover - sounded great - arrived onto the approach road cracking and popping next to a Police Range Rover who followed me through the tunnel at 30 mph in 5th to keep the noise down. Even gave me a smile !!!!
Cheers
Mark
Mark,
great to see that everything went all right at the end and that you're so enthusiastic about your refreshed S.
I expect to have the same, when I will take my S on the road in maybe 1-2 weeks. Actually it will be the first time I'll really use it and need still to get used to the beast. (did only maybe 300km up last year). I'm f....ng excited
Still some minor things on my To Do List.
Cheers Patrick
great to see that everything went all right at the end and that you're so enthusiastic about your refreshed S.
I expect to have the same, when I will take my S on the road in maybe 1-2 weeks. Actually it will be the first time I'll really use it and need still to get used to the beast. (did only maybe 300km up last year). I'm f....ng excited
Still some minor things on my To Do List.
Cheers Patrick
Well Roulli, I'm in the same boat as you mate. Only driven me car from Burwell to Cambridge (about 8-10 miles). stripped the front right down and repainted the chassis. New gaskets etc on the engine. Hopefully, I'll be driving the thing by the end of the summer. As you have proably found, things take a lot longer than you think and I have yet to start on the back. It cant take as long as the front, can it?
What have you been doing to your car during all this time?
gadgit.
What have you been doing to your car during all this time?
gadgit.
Talking of Chassis I was in a garage yesterday with a late type S whose chassis has corroded through on the outrigger and then due to this when jacked up had snapped by the diagonal bracing tube behind the front wheel.
The garage were then exacting a repair on this.
The car was a lot newer than mine !!! Its an area I haven't tackled yet and this has caused me a sleepless night now !!
My advice is lift that body up enough to get around the whole lot and check the condition of those outriggers now while its off the road (it is an area that the Bible does highlight a problematic)
Cheers
Mark
The garage were then exacting a repair on this.
The car was a lot newer than mine !!! Its an area I haven't tackled yet and this has caused me a sleepless night now !!
My advice is lift that body up enough to get around the whole lot and check the condition of those outriggers now while its off the road (it is an area that the Bible does highlight a problematic)
Cheers
Mark
quote:
Well Roulli, I'm in the same boat as you mate. Only driven me car from Burwell to Cambridge (about 8-10 miles). stripped the front right down and repainted the chassis. New gaskets etc on the engine. Hopefully, I'll be driving the thing by the end of the summer. As you have proably found, things take a lot longer than you think and I have yet to start on the back. It cant take as long as the front, can it?
What have you been doing to your car during all this time?
gadgit.
Well Gadgit, here's the list - some people might have done this in one week, please understand that wife and kids are still talking to me, if you know what I mean...
DONE:
1) reposition both doors as bottem, rear edge was stickuîng out
2) readjust side window guides
3) reinforce (reglas) body, where anchor plate of door lock is bolted to the body.
4) spray hinges with copper grease
5) spray window guides with silicon
6) reposition bonnet
7) get bronze guide into steering rack
8) connect both sides of bronze guide via 2 fittings & hose, to avoid gaiter inflation
9) de-rust & respray steering
10) readjust play between rack&pinion with gauged shims
11) de- rust chassis & spray with zinc & enamel (only superficial rust)
12) replace ball bearing of steering column and get new bearing housing machined out of POM
13) grease UJ's of steering column and protect them with "bike hose " pullover
14) remove oil cake from engine and clean engine
15) replace 2 CV joints & gaiters
16) replace oil pressure sender
17) refurbish clutch master
18) replace brake fluid (DOT 5.1)
19) replace driving lights & indicator lens
20) replace seat belts by new ones with short latch (220mm) (Spitfire replacement type)
21) set valve clearance as per bible & set them back after I found out that cat cars come with hydraulic tappets
22) remove colour and rust from rocker cover, polish and spray them with transparent enamel
23) clean hood with Renovo (what a difference!)
24) clean and nurish leather interior
25) reduce free play between brake pedal & servo by getting both linked up with an adapted SS bolt.
STILL TO DO:
1) refit rocker covers & hoses & alternator etc.
2) put reviver and protector on hood (RENOVO)
3) replace door opening wire of driver door & put door panels back
4) waxoil chassis and inner of trailing arms
5) put silicon oil on sealing rubbers
6) make 2 bags for Targa roof parts
7) get steering geometry checked
8) make one week tour to Corisika or Sardinia in late May
9) Zolder
>> Edited by roulli on Thursday 28th March 15:54
Not bad Roulli, what was the front suspension like. Mine was all rusty on the surface but sound underneath. The trouble starts when you want to paint everything properly (not that you have'nt) but I,ve ended up taking the whole front of the car apart. Rad off, all front steering and suspension off, New brake pipes (single pipe mod, stainless braded) had to hacksaw the pipes off due to rust. But its all part of the fun? also gone through 2 pots of hand cleaner.
Are! Johno! you've got all the real fun to come mate!
You thought you'd done the hard bit I bet?
To tell you the truth, I would'nt start anything as long as its sound, till the winter sets in. You know where to get the pics if you want anything.
Any one else is welcome to any shots of the front end or the heads being removed on the 2.9.
All the best.
Gadgit.
Are! Johno! you've got all the real fun to come mate!
You thought you'd done the hard bit I bet?
To tell you the truth, I would'nt start anything as long as its sound, till the winter sets in. You know where to get the pics if you want anything.
Any one else is welcome to any shots of the front end or the heads being removed on the 2.9.
All the best.
Gadgit.
Johnno,
I presume that S with the chassis problem was at Tower View? If it is that one it's mine. Just to give you even more sleepless nights it is not a neglected S. I sanded it down to bare metal, hammerited it and waxoyled the chassis last year. Unfortunately it corroded through from inside to out resulting in holing of the chassis outrigger tubing on both sides!!
Jacking up on the outrigger
obviously hasn't helped, I'll definately have to work out a better way of jacking the car up, the main problem being it's too low to get a trolley jack under the front.
I discovered the problem 48 hours before sprinting at North Weald on Sunday, and was all ready to pull out, but Tower View assured me that the outriggers would hold together for the event which fortunately despite my best efforts (2 spins and a very bumpy runway) they did.
Tower View are replacing both outriggers from front to back with a thicker grade steel and internal foam packing hopefully helping reduce future corrosion.
BTW Johnno when you come back to 'carrot crunching' land, do you get anywhere near King's Lynn? If so ,maybe we can share a few tales over a
regards,
Dave S3c
I presume that S with the chassis problem was at Tower View? If it is that one it's mine. Just to give you even more sleepless nights it is not a neglected S. I sanded it down to bare metal, hammerited it and waxoyled the chassis last year. Unfortunately it corroded through from inside to out resulting in holing of the chassis outrigger tubing on both sides!!
Jacking up on the outrigger
obviously hasn't helped, I'll definately have to work out a better way of jacking the car up, the main problem being it's too low to get a trolley jack under the front. I discovered the problem 48 hours before sprinting at North Weald on Sunday, and was all ready to pull out, but Tower View assured me that the outriggers would hold together for the event which fortunately despite my best efforts (2 spins and a very bumpy runway) they did.
Tower View are replacing both outriggers from front to back with a thicker grade steel and internal foam packing hopefully helping reduce future corrosion.
BTW Johnno when you come back to 'carrot crunching' land, do you get anywhere near King's Lynn? If so ,maybe we can share a few tales over a
regards,
Dave S3c
quote:
Not bad Roulli, what was the front suspension like. Mine was all rusty on the surface but sound underneath. The trouble starts when you want to paint everything properly (not that you have'nt) but I,ve ended up taking the whole front of the car apart. Rad off, all front steering and suspension off, New brake pipes (single pipe mod, stainless braded) had to hacksaw the pipes off due to rust. But its all part of the fun? also gone through 2 pots of hand cleaner.
Are! Johno! you've got all the real fun to come mate!
You thought you'd done the hard bit I bet?
To tell you the truth, I would'nt start anything as long as its sound, till the winter sets in. You know where to get the pics if you want anything.
Any one else is welcome to any shots of the front end or the heads being removed on the 2.9.
All the best.
Gadgit.
Gadgit,
I took the whole front out of the 2 yrs ago and repainted all the chassis. I took all the suspension off last year and had it shot blasted and replaced all the bushes with poly ones and new dampers and springs.
Been there and done that.....
As for doors I removed and reinforced the panels and replaced all the panel pins about a year ago. I desperately need to do the door alignment as they are both bad and passenger door is shagged.
I have pictures of most of the above but as this is my everyday transport it could do with being done again !!!!!
Cheers
Mark
quote:
Johnno,
I presume that S with the chassis problem was at Tower View? If it is that one it's mine. Just to give you even more sleepless nights it is not a neglected S. I sanded it down to bare metal, hammerited it and waxoyled the chassis last year. Unfortunately it corroded through from inside to out resulting in holing of the chassis outrigger tubing on both sides!!
Jacking up on the outrigger
I discovered the problem 48 hours before sprinting at North Weald on Sunday, and was all ready to pull out, but Tower View assured me that the outriggers would hold together for the event which fortunately despite my best efforts (2 spins and a very bumpy runway) they did.
Tower View are replacing both outriggers from front to back with a thicker grade steel and internal foam packing hopefully helping reduce future corrosion.
BTW Johnno when you come back to 'carrot crunching' land, do you get anywhere near King's Lynn? If so ,maybe we can share a few tales over a
regards,
Dave S3c
Dave,
I was careful not to mention any specifics about your car or its location as that wouldn't have been fair. I'm glad you read the info and didn't react otherwise.
I had come into the garage and commented to Dave that it was a nice looking S and he showed me the trouble that was going on.
It is a very nice looking car !! How are you finding the Nitrons ??
How much difference are the stage 3 heads and fast road cam making. Do they really make a significant difference to the car ??
As for getting near to Kings Lynn, not that often. I'm at home at the moment near North Walsham. I used to go to Downham Market a great deal as I had family there, but no longer.
It would be good to get a beer sometime though. Good excuse for a blat along the coast road
do you go to the Norfolk/Suffolk club meets much ?? I understand your Dave's Physio as he lives in Norfolk aswell ??
Cheers
Mark
A quick point on Jacking the car, would it not be possible to slide a trolley jack in past the wheel under the axle?!?! If you had to jack the left hand side of the car, turning the steering wheel to full right lock would give enough room behind the wheel to get the jack in but I don't know what kind of clearance there is!!!!!! (but then I wouldn't 
)
)Since dropping the 520 another inch or so at the front, I can't get a trolley jack under either. Carry a 3/4 thick bit of wood and roll the car wheel on top. This raises everything enough to get the jack underneath.
Steve
www.tvrbooks.co.uk
Steve
www.tvrbooks.co.uk
quote:
Not bad Roulli, what was the front suspension like. Mine was all rusty on the surface but sound underneath. The trouble starts when you want to paint everything properly (not that you have'nt) but I,ve ended up taking the whole front of the car apart. Rad off, all front steering and suspension off, New brake pipes (single pipe mod, stainless braded) had to hacksaw the pipes off due to rust. But its all part of the fun? also gone through 2 pots of hand cleaner.
Gadgit.
Gadgit,
Front suspension had only minor superfical rust spots, that I removed.
The springs however ("upper windings on block type") are the only parts, that are pretty rusty, compared to 18 year old Saab springs. And I have not foreseen to de-rust them as I don't know, how this can be done efficiently.
I know rust pittings is potential poison to spring steel, durability wise.
Anybody else whose spring suffer from this? Is this rust really an issue in practical life? Are replacement springs made out of better material, in terms of rusting?
Cheers Patrick
k are you up at 4.49??? 
I'm glad to hear they're getting on well with my car...pity it couldn't have been done for this glorious bank holiday but I'm more relieved that it isn't a total chassis replacement job.
Hi Peter and Mark, I have found the nitrons a significant improvement on the original konis most noticeably in absorbing minor to medium road ruts. It is interesting to hear that Dave wasn't too impressed with the ride. I am running spring rates of 500lb/" front 400lb/" rear on a nitron setting of 6 for road use and I was surprised how compliant it was when I first tried it. Obviously, considering the spring rates there is a firmness to the ride, much reduced corner roll but harshness only on more severe potholes. From what I remember of my Konis they transmitted surface imperfections much more significantly. Clearly Dave has been running round in his Ford Ka a little too long Peter he must have driven your rocket ship recently and your spring rates and suspension components are markedly stiffer/firmer than mine. Do you run the dampers much softer for road use?
Having said all that I'm experimenting with ride height at present and I think the car is set too low at the front in relation to rear. I wouldn't have thought that would affect ride quality particularly but it certainly made the rear end a bit loose at North Weald on sunday
Mark, with regard to the cylinder head work that I had done, I committed the Heath & Humphreys cardinal sin of going for more power and sod everything else
It wasnt a big mistake, as when I first drove it there seemed to be noticeably more mid range oomphh, but on the power for bucks scale its expensive. If I had my time again I'd either invest in sorting the suspension and the brakes first, or more likely I'd put the money into a fund and save for a V8S.
Nevertheless I love my S3 and plan to invest any future spare cash in sprinting and trying to improve my driving ability before further developing the car.
BTW Steve thanks for the tip for getting trolley jack under front of car
Regards,
Dave S3c
Hi Peter and Mark, I have found the nitrons a significant improvement on the original konis most noticeably in absorbing minor to medium road ruts. It is interesting to hear that Dave wasn't too impressed with the ride. I am running spring rates of 500lb/" front 400lb/" rear on a nitron setting of 6 for road use and I was surprised how compliant it was when I first tried it. Obviously, considering the spring rates there is a firmness to the ride, much reduced corner roll but harshness only on more severe potholes. From what I remember of my Konis they transmitted surface imperfections much more significantly. Clearly Dave has been running round in his Ford Ka a little too long
Peter he must have driven your rocket ship recently and your spring rates and suspension components are markedly stiffer/firmer than mine. Do you run the dampers much softer for road use? Having said all that I'm experimenting with ride height at present and I think the car is set too low at the front in relation to rear. I wouldn't have thought that would affect ride quality particularly but it certainly made the rear end a bit loose at North Weald on sunday
Mark, with regard to the cylinder head work that I had done, I committed the Heath & Humphreys cardinal sin of going for more power and sod everything else
It wasnt a big mistake, as when I first drove it there seemed to be noticeably more mid range oomphh, but on the power for bucks scale its expensive. If I had my time again I'd either invest in sorting the suspension and the brakes first, or more likely I'd put the money into a fund and save for a V8S.
Nevertheless I love my S3 and plan to invest any future spare cash in sprinting and trying to improve my driving ability before further developing the car.
BTW Steve thanks for the tip for getting trolley jack under front of car
Regards,
Dave S3c
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