1970 Austin 1800 - The Red Dog.

If you want a proper challenge whilst you're down there, go Kimberley, Tasman and Ute spotting. All 1800 derivatives and rare as anything.

I've been a bit busy, so I'm afraid this hasn't been updated. Been an interesting week or so.

The 2M100 starter motor I was so pleased with decided to become as lazy as the old one. Re-fettled the old one (oiled the bearings) and stuck that back on, it went whizz, so that's staying for a bit. Based on that, I've ordered up new bushes and brushes for the 2M100 and we'll re-do it properly. If THAT doesn't work, I don't know what I'll do as I have no real confidence in the old M35G.

Went to set up the handbrake properly for the MoT test (She always fails on the handbrake). Lubricated and worked every pivot, bell crank and clevis pin; then went to set the shoes. The offside one seemed to be taking a long time to lock. A very long time.... The thread which I re-cut had stippedas soon as the load came on. Which was nice. Found a spare backplate and had the adjuster off that. Cleaned it, lubricated it, fitted it, adjusted it. MoT failed on handbrake!

Now to be fair, this is a new garage to me, having moved. They were very thorough (After we got past the "Cor, look at that" phase from all the mechanics.) and I thought very fair. Advisory for play on a ball joint, pin hole in a cv boot and a steering rack boot. Failed the test on the handbrake. I pointed out that it did this every year and all we had to do was let me sit in the boot (Yes, really...). "You can't do that" was the reply.

So home again and new cv boot, steering rack boot, re-shim and lubricate three ball joints in the end and re-do the handbrake. Re-test today. Handbrake much better, but not quite good enough. "What did you say you usually did?" said Rick the Tester (See, we're getting along better already). "Sit in the boot" says I. "Hmm. Go on then". Pass.

To celebrate, I've fitted the ignition shield I found whilst hunting out a steering rack boot.

I'm taking Tuesday off.

Chris.

The Ute's been up for sale on and off almost since it first appeared about five years ago. Last time I checked he wanted £22k for it. At the risk of stirring up controversy, the wheels do not suit it at all. Chrome with rubber bands on a working vehicle just doesn't do it for me. *Personal opinion*. Feel free to disagree!

Chris.

The handbrake issue got resolved fully. I think...... The entire rear brake system was removed, stripped, cleaned and painted as necessary, then reassembled with plenty of copper slip. Every pivot, bellcrank, lever, cable and random doodads got done. It now locks on the fourth click, will pull to the fifth and holds nicely on the steep street in front of our house.

Headed for the garage to carry on with the customer project to met by the car leaning to one side and a pool of liquid. Well, thank you very much. Front displacer leaking. Drained off the remaining fluid and pulled it all apart. Eventually.

IMG_8220 by Penguin 45, on Flickr

Hub and shaft.

IMG_8221 by Penguin 45, on Flickr

Housing and tie-bar.

IMG_8222 by Penguin 45, on Flickr

Culprit hiding down its hole.

IMG_8223 by Penguin 45, on Flickr

There it is. Note black fluid contaminated by disintegrating rubber.

IMG_8224 by Penguin 45, on Flickr

Diaphragm failed. Will have a search of the small garage tomorrow and see what spares I've got. In the meantime I've started cleaning and re-rusting the suspension components.

There's gratitude for you.

Chris.