Classic Car Toolkit - help me put one together

[Ffffaster]

Hi, I'm going on a 3,000 mile road trip in a 1960 Lancia.

She's in good shape, but she's 60 years old. I am fortunate to be traveling with a friend who knows his way around the car, but I think it would be wise to put together a classic car tool set. Happy to spend about £1,000 overall.

I've bough this set from Workpro, but what else should I be taking to you think? Do you think there is anything glaring that's missing/

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01L1JE5O0/ref=sspa_dk...

Set Includes:

1pc 1/4" CR-V coupler & 1pc 1/4" CR-V spinner handle
1pc 1/2" CR-V Dr.x250 mm flex handle & 1pc 1/2" Oil filter wrench
1pc CR-V 12.5mm socket for cover of cylinder: T52X100L & 1pc voltage tester
2pc CR-V adapters: 1/2" Dr. M X 3/8" Dr. F, 1/4" Dr. M X 3/8" Dr. F
2pc screwdrivers: 6X100 mm, PH2X100 mm
3pc CR-V quick-release ratchet handle: 1/4", 3/8", 1/2"
3pc 3/8" CR-V spark plug sockets: 14, 16, 21 mm
3pc CR-V universal joints: 1/4", 3/8", 1/2"
4pc 1/4" CR-V deep sockets: 8, 9, 10, 12 mm
4pc 3/8" CR-V deep sockets:13, 14, 15, 17 mm
5pc CR-V extension bars: 1/4" Dr.x50 mm, 3/8"Dr.x75 mm, 3/8"Dr.x150 mm, 1/2" Dr.x125 mm, 1/2"Dr.x250 mm
7pc 1/2" CR-V sockets: 20, 21, 22, 24, 27, 30, 32 mm
8pc 3/8" CR-V E-style sockets :E8, E10, E11, E12, E14, E16, E18, E20
9pc CR-V long arm Hex key set: 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10 mm
10pc 1/4" CR-V sockets: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 mm
11pc 3/8"CR-V sockets: 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 mm
11pc CR-V combination spanners: 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18 19 mm
17pc 3/8" CR-V bits sockets
18pc 1/4'' x 25 mm S2 screwdriver bits with holder
1pc blow molded case


Should I be breaking down what I need into categories?

1. Tools

2. Oils

3. Electrical

4. Duct tape, tow rope, zip ties, etc? (dodgy list, save for the towing rope)

5. Should I really be looking into some kind of jack?

Links to what exactly to purchase on Amazon (UK) or similar would be gratefully received. It's a minefield out there!

Edited by Ffffaster on Friday 14th June 14:39

[Turbobanana]

[eliot]

You need shadowfoam in your life!

[Ffffaster]

eliot said:

You need shadowfoam in your life!

Looks good, but what's in there! Thanks mate.

Turbobanana said:

6,000 + posts of similar quality, no doubt.

Edited by Ffffaster on Friday 14th June 14:48

[sortedcossie]

My classic is much newer, but I always have a small toolkit comprising:

• Small socket set inc spark plug socket and spare set of plugs
• 8, 10, 13, 14, 15 17mm spanners
• Long nose and blunt nose pliers, plus side cutters
• Ratcheting screwdriver with the usual bits
• Small snap of blade knife and a couple of decent bungee cords
• Cable ties, cloths and insulation tape
• Spare bulbs, couple of various sized hose clips and a range of crimp on connectors
• 500ml engine oil

Sounds a lot but it all fits around the spare wheel. I have good breakdown cover, inc Europe so I figure anything that I can't do with the above in 15 minutes will need a call out anyways.

I actually use the above when we go down to south west France in my daily, creature of habit being prepared! We once had a window regulator break on an E46 BMW so the glass dropped out, managed to get the door card off and get the glass to stay in place with that kit above.

Edited by sortedcossie on Friday 14th June 14:51

[Cambs_Stuart]

That sounds like a fantastic idea.
As well as a tool kit, you'll also need some spares. There's no point being able to disassemble the car if you can't replace the thing that's gone wrong. I don't know what is likely to fail, on your car, but look into things like rotor arms and distributor cars, hoses, hose clamps, any common failure point that could leave you stranded.
Some spare oil, brake cleaner, and some good gloves are always useful too.

[Ffffaster]

Cambs_Stuart said:

That sounds like a fantastic idea.
As well as a tool kit, you'll also need some spares. There's no point being able to disassemble the car if you can't replace the thing that's gone wrong. I don't know what is likely to fail, on your car, but look into things like rotor arms and distributor cars, hoses, hose clamps, any common failure point that could leave you stranded.
Some spare oil, brake cleaner, and some good gloves are always useful too.

Thanks a lot! If you have links to any generic hose, fuse, electric type sets/kits that would be awesome.

[classicaholic]

I always carry spare points, condenser, a couple of plugs, spare HT lead, Oil, Water pre mixed with anti freeze, radweld, spare hose and repair piece with clips, Jack, wheel brace with extending handle, reasonable toolkit, Bulbs and hi viz if going to France, a few fuses and a multimeter, Puncture repair kit as we often dont take the spare.
None of the above take up too much space and have got me going again although I have rarely needed them. I always do a reasonable amount of driving the car I am taking for week before a long trip to iron out any issues.

Hope you have a good trip, let us know where you are going!

[AMGSee55]

Ffffaster said:

Cambs_Stuart said:

That sounds like a fantastic idea.
As well as a tool kit, you'll also need some spares. There's no point being able to disassemble the car if you can't replace the thing that's gone wrong. I don't know what is likely to fail, on your car, but look into things like rotor arms and distributor cars, hoses, hose clamps, any common failure point that could leave you stranded.
Some spare oil, brake cleaner, and some good gloves are always useful too.

Thanks a lot! If you have links to any generic hose, fuse, electric type sets/kits that would be awesome.

https://www.carbuilder.com/uk - have a look at this website - gazillions of generic parts, tools etc, although some of the advice above will obviously necessitate items specific to your car.

In my own car, I carry a range of tools as you are clearly planning to do. But it's also time well spent compiling a box of fasteners various, meaning some nut/bolt/washer sets for M4-M10 sizes, tie-straps, string, gaffer & insulation tape - stuff that can help cobble a repair until you can access better facilities. Don't forget stuff like a couple of litres of pre-mix antifreeze in case you need to nurse a leaky cooling system along and, space depending, a 1 gallon fuel can.

[No ideas for a name]

Turbobanana said:

I wouldn't want my membership number to start with 'gimp'?

[eliot]

Turbobanana said:

I've had AA membership for about 25 years never needed them until recently when a hose clip got worn through on the PAS pulley due to my poor re-assembly - so ended up waiting on the M1 in emergency refuge for the AA man which took 1.5 hours - and 5 minutes to fix.

Been meaning to put together a little kit for the cossie - so this was the perfect excuse, i've got loads left over - so I think everyone's Christmas presents will be in shadowfoam this year too !

[Turbobanana]

Ffffaster said:

Turbobanana said:

6,000 + posts of similar quality, no doubt.

Edited by Ffffaster on Friday 14th June 14:48

OK, I was being flippant. In all seriousness, I often get lambasted for the amount of spares / tools I carry even in a modern. Including (but not limited to) hi-vis jackets for all occupants (mandatory in some countries), first aid kit, fire extinguisher, bottle of water, appropriate oil, spare bulb kit, some old cleaning cloths and a means of re-inflating a tyre, even if just a can of goo and a compressor.

I tend to tailor the tools I carry to the car I'm in, leaving behind all the old imperial spanners in a modern Mercedes for example, in favour of metric ones and star-drive bits.

My favourite item though is a bag of liquorice allsorts, so at least you have something to nibble while you wait for the car to cool down / AA to arrive

[droopsnoot]

I would suggest going around the car to each fastener that you anticipate needing to access during the trip, and include the appropriate tool to do that, then don't take the rest. Things like five different extensions - there's no point carrying them around if there's nothing on the car that will need them. For years I carried a set of 3/8" drive deep sockets in my boot, when the only place on the car that actually requires a deep socket is half of the cam carrier to cylinder head bolts, and I won't be doing that on the side of the road. I've reduced the number of tools I carry and am trying to reduce it yet further. Because I have classics on the road, I have them in a tool box, and a separate bag containing spares, so I can move them from car to car quickly. Car boot sales have been a great source of spanners that I can leave in the car, and I'm working towards having two sets so that I don't have to move them. Have some lengths of electrical cable and some connectors, I keep a short length of radiator hose so I can isolate the heater if something goes wrong there.

As for breakdown cover, please make sure that your cover is good. I have told this tale before, I think - a friend of a friend drove to Germany, car broke down in a way that couldn't be fixed on the side of the road, his breakdown company (AA or RAC, I can't remember which, but not some fly-by-night outfit) opted to write the car off rather than have the expense of bringing it back. I haven't had that conversation with my company - they were great when I broke down for a silly fault twenty miles from home, but if I were to go out of the country I would be checking first.

[OverSteery]

Turbobanana said:

I am guessing that a 3,000 mile trip may involve leaving the UK? I doubt AA will touch anything 60 years old. RAC got tricky with my 11 year old vehicle....

[SlimJim16v]

A 12v test lamp or multimeter and some self amalgumating tape and a knife.

[Martin315]

Not tools as such but it’s also worth taking:

Spare bulb kit (mandatory in some countries)
Glass cleaner and kitchen roll
Torch
Tyreweld
Foot pump/alternative - I have (and can recommend) one of these


https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bosch-Electric-Compressor...

[Jaz2000]

I have just returned from a long European roadtrip in my classic.

I spoke with my insurance company before leaving and arranged breakdown cover with them for less than £50.

I also have a similar toolkit to yours which I always keep in the boot, I dont know about Alfas but assume you have checked that Metric is correct. I also have a few other bits in a small toolbag.

Multimeter
Odd tools not part of boxed toolkit like pliers
An extending wheelbrace
Then a few bits like cable ties, tape, gloves etc

If on a long journey like this I will take a few spares such as
Dizzy cap and rotor
Plugs and leads
Ignition amp
1 L engine oil and ½ L power steering fluid

When travelling with other classic owners you will be able to share tools and spares with them which helps.

[eliot]

OverSteery said:

I doubt AA will touch anything 60 years old.

They will fix old cars - one of the reasons i’ve stayed with them.

[Doofus]

Which contains

A set of oe/ratchet spanners, a 1/4" socket driver and extension.


A ratchet screwdriver and extensions.


A set of 1/4" sockets, including plug spanner and four drill bits that fit the screwdriver.


A simple multimeter, crimps, fuses and electrical tape.


Driver bits, knife & blades, magnetic torch, head torch, pliers, cable ties, gorilla tape, Gungum, WD40.


Plus pen and paper, string, electrical and zinc wire, gloves, blue wipe, superglue, threadlocker and a bottle opener. And a wheelbrace and two cans of tyre foam.

Plus I carry specific spares for whichever car I'm in.

[GT6 Jonsey]

Has anyone mentioned a coil yet, had one of them let me down on a long trip before