IanG Posted February 12 Author Share Posted February 12 Spare few hours today so fitted electronic ignition, backed off the mixture as still a bit rich, fired up the Cav, let her get up to temp and think about going out for petrol, then suddenly, hey what’s that steam wafting around? A quick look underneath and water is dripping down by the bell hosing onto the exhaust, OK so relieved it’s not oil or atf but where is it coming from. Head under the bonnet and it’s the lower hose onto the heater, so if i’m lucky it’s the hose, if I’m unlucky it’s heater out, fortunately I have a good spare. If I’d gone for fuel looking at the leak I’d have been lucky to get back without overheating. So I guess I owe the car a thank you, could have been a lot worse! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanG Posted February 12 Author Share Posted February 12 A day of surprises, leaky heater matrix and a call from an old mate down south. We both used to tune Viva engines some 40 years ago, he is having a clear out, has some interesting stuff like a Blydenstein 1500 Chevette engine but also a 2.4 Blydenstein lump that was fitted to one of his Exclusive Coupes. I’m heading down to Southampton in the van at the weekend to bring back as much as I can fit in. I met Bill at Station Works Shepreth back in the 90’s when he tuned my Cav Sportshatch, Manta GTE & Nova SR, very excited to see what else my mate has. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trooker Posted February 12 Share Posted February 12 4 hours ago, IanG said: A day of surprises, leaky heater matrix and a call from an old mate down south. We both used to tune Viva engines some 40 years ago, he is having a clear out, has some interesting stuff like a Blydenstein 1500 Chevette engine but also a 2.4 Blydenstein lump that was fitted to one of his Exclusive Coupes. I’m heading down to Southampton in the van at the weekend to bring back as much as I can fit in. I met Bill at Station Works Shepreth back in the 90’s when he tuned my Cav Sportshatch, Manta GTE & Nova SR, very excited to see what else my mate has. Sounds interesting, keep us posted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanG Posted February 22 Author Share Posted February 22 Going to replace leaky speedo seals at the weekend, anything to watch out for? Are the seals located on the speedo drive or the retaining ring or both? On an auto box btw On 12/02/2023 at 21:48, Trooker said: Sounds interesting, keep us posted. Disappointment I’m afraid the Chevette lump is 1500 Ford pre crossflow that came out of a modded car, the 2.4 has a cracked block and damage to the head surface, the head is missing. I came back with nothing to show for my trip! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cam.in.head Posted February 22 Share Posted February 22 there is an o ring on its outer .thats straightforward enough but theres also a specific seal inside it too. a proper o/haul kit would have it but you could possibly replace it with an oil seal from an engineering supplier. ive yet to do mine .not playing out weather yet ! also .with yours being an auto they often leak from the o ring that holds the dipstick/filler tube. this runs along the flange and gives the impression its leaking elsewhere ! yours should be ok there but you never know ? 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trooker Posted February 22 Share Posted February 22 2 hours ago, IanG said: Disappointment I’m afraid the Chevette lump is 1500 Ford pre crossflow that came out of a modded car, the 2.4 has a cracked block and damage to the head surface, the head is missing. I came back with nothing to show for my trip! That is rather disappointing but hope you had a decent day out in Southampton for all that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanG Posted February 22 Author Share Posted February 22 27 minutes ago, Trooker said: That is rather disappointing but hope you had a decent day out in Southampton for all that. Met some old mates and had a few beers so yes good my god it’s changed though! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanG Posted February 22 Author Share Posted February 22 2 hours ago, cam.in.head said: there is an o ring on its outer .thats straightforward enough but theres also a specific seal inside it too. a proper o/haul kit would have it but you could possibly replace it with an oil seal from an engineering supplier. ive yet to do mine .not playing out weather yet ! also .with yours being an auto they often leak from the o ring that holds the dipstick/filler tube. this runs along the flange and gives the impression its leaking elsewhere ! yours should be ok there but you never know ? Got a kit from Germany so should fit ok Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanG Posted February 28 Author Share Posted February 28 Tacking the heater this weekend, heater hoses have some bends are they formed or shaped hoses or just straight hoses bent into shape? Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cam.in.head Posted February 28 Share Posted February 28 they are formed into shape, usually ok thou. just check the ends and where they go through the rocker cover clips . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanG Posted March 12 Author Share Posted March 12 Starting to think about handing the Cav over to someone who can give it a through look at and assess what needs doing. Basically a mechanical check over and do things I can’t like the axle, swan necks and bodywork, especially the door bottoms. I appreciate most good shops are busy so I’m planning ahead, anyone come recommended or want to take this on, preferably Yorkshire area. I’d like to get the car to a standard where it can be driven daily with confidence and without rust Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trooker Posted March 12 Share Posted March 12 Yorkshire & a member on here but like you say, great places are busy for months ahead http://mantasport.co.uk/ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cam.in.head Posted March 13 Share Posted March 13 they are not a complicated car by any means and the idea of 'making them suitable for eveyday use 'is a strange expression. mine are used as everyday vehicles on rotation every week including winter. i simply get them up on the ramps in spring for a full clean and check over.there is usually very minimal work to do to keep them up to better than mot standard .mine are mot'd as normal. as for reliability then a component or wire can fail on any car,old or new so as long as you have got it maintained to a good standard with everything fitted and functioning as it was intended all should be well. rust however is another matter and i would strongly advise learning and doing your own repairs in this matter. if you have a mechanic or garage reccommended and you think you can trust what they are telling you and doing then thats fine also. when you recently buy an older car they need fully going through from top to bottom because you never know what has been done over the years,how its been done ,wether is correct or bodged. you just dont know. from what pics ive seen of yours theres not a lot wrong about it. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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