Progress to date: Robert's Roadster

[Robert in Cumbria]

Re: Progress to date

The man from the local DVLA office at Carlisle said I needed to complete the repairs and present the car for an MOT and get a letter from the owner club, MOC, confirming the identity and authenticity of the car. They would THEN issue a new chassis number and an AGE RELATED registration number.

What does an age related registration number actually mean? What age? TOA 857 was first registered 1n 1956. The Marlin was about 1982/3, the new re-registration will be 2012 or 2013.

If they start being silly about an IVA test they can think again. While nothing is impossible, a Roadster IVA test would be a challenge for the well resourced, for me, impossible.

Crucially he warned me that all the local DVLA offices are closing next year, he 'suggested' it would be a good idea to have the V5 in place before that happens. That is a spur to action, hence the urgency to get it MOT ready ASAP without frills. Once I have V5 then I can revisit any areas that need further attention.


On the basis of what I have seen this evening admittedly in the dark! This engine is in reasonable condition, at least to get things rolling. May need rings, honing etc. but on the whole I think it's sound.

I am going to build the car with easy access to engine and transmission as a prime feature, so even if I have to take the engine out again after it's on the road it won't be a big issue.

fascinating story Robert - keep it coming.
Just watch out they dont insist on you going through the IVA test!
I have used the 1mm discs with great success - i get the erbaur ones they seem good.
Will it be a new engine or are you hoping to keep teh original - Keep it up

[chris_cussen]

Re: Progress to date

You age related plate should be related to the age of the donor car.
DVLA rules are: New components (or re-manufacured to new specification) - current registration
Majority of components from a single donor - A plate from the same year as the donor.
A pile of miscellaneous bits - Q plate

[Robert in Cumbria]

Re: Progress to date

Well I am even more confused now, I have the letter from Local DVLA They require the following:

1. Insurance

2. Dating evidence from Owners Club

3. Proof of (my) ID

4. MOT

5. First registration fee - £55

6. Licence fee (Currently £74.25 six months)

7. V55.5


Very quickly running down the V55 form it seems to be calling for a whole load of information which I don't have like trailer mass, emissions, type approval, sound levels etc???

Sounds a no go area to me. I will ring them again in the morning and find out if all that stuff applies...


Perhaps plan 'B' after all...

[chris_cussen]

Re: Progress to date

Robert,
A large number of the questions on the V55.5 are not applicable. I had to complete one when I registered my Cabrio, and ended up phoning DVLA Swansea. They were remarkably helpful and we went through the form together filling in the appropriate parts.
Good luck with getting your registration!
Chris

[Robert in Cumbria]

Re: Progress to date

The Crank is OK, the shells will re-use, but the bores are not so good, nor are the pistons, top groove is badly worn, as are the top rings, there is a significant ridge at the top of the bore and the top rings have been taking a battering. A friend thinks he has a set of new pistons, at +20 so I may be in with a chance if +20 will do the job.

Spoke with DVLA again this morning, they are not calling for an IVA, only an MOT in order to issue a new registration. They are sending me a new VIN Chassis number to stamp on the chassis. So then I will be official!

My strategy is now to go all out to get the car to MOT standard and tested ASAP. If needs be I can pull it apart afterwards to get it as I want it. Basic and simple is the watchword, If it isn't needed for the MOT then it won't be done.

I will however be fitting the o/d gearbox, I am leaning towards taking both gearboxes apart, and putting the Marina gear set and first motion shaft into the Dolomite box using the Dolomite output shaft. I could simply fit the original Marina 4 Speed box but the propshaft will be different, and the mountings will be different too. I think it would be better to fit the o/d unit even if I didn't activate it. I don't think there is any way of testing the o/d without actually using it in the car.

[CABRIOBOB]

Re: Progress to date

Robert

Use a big drill on the the gearbox input shaft and get someone to power the solenoid from a battery.

[Robert in Cumbria]

Re: Progress to date

What a wonderful idea!, I guess the change will be fairly obvious? Will have to re-fill the box with oil... Does it matter what oil I use to test it? I have loads of new Diesel engine oil I no longer need about 15-40, will that be OK?

What is a recommended oil for the gearbox?

I have a powerful diamond drill which will do the trick I'm sure. To avoid spoiling the spigot with the chuck jaws, I will clamp some heater hose onto a piece of 1/2" bar in the chuck and onto the spigot.

This seems a good article:

http://www.vclassics.com/archive/laycock.htm

Thanks for the tip.

I have measured the wear in the bores, I think a 20 thou bore might just do the trick, will do for now anyway. The plan is to take it to 1380cc eventually, once I get it on the road.

[Robert in Cumbria]

Re: Progress to date

Today it was fine, I spent the day annoying the neighbours grinding and welding all day! I have created and fitted the engine mountings, and the gearbox mountings. The engine and gearbox are now (loosely) fitted.

I have had a set of +30 thou pistons and rods given, they are lightened and balanced -50 grams and within a gram or so all the same weight, even end for end.The block will be bored early next week I hope. I have found a good (big valve) head which needs a couple of inserts replacing, probably all four exhausts if Malcolm the engine man has his way!.

I will test the o/d tomorrow, I went ahead and made the gearbox mountings anyway, trusting the o/d will be OK. If not I will mount the old Marina box from the same brackets.

No pix today, too busy to get the camera out. Will take some tomorrow when I have painted the welded areas.

Progress at last!

[CosworthCabrioLee]

Re: Progress to date

Keep up the good work Robert

[Robert in Cumbria]

Re: Progress to date

In between rain showers Lee! Not having a garage now makes me appreciate the days I had a full and spacious engineering shop at my disposal! Even the old stable I started in, way back.

If I can finish the chassis welding this week, then I may clear some of the rampant vegetation in the greenhouse, and assemble the engine in there. The kitchen is overrun by Marlin! Then I will grab the odd fine day to sort the bodywork.

I did a quick mock up of the front panels. Considering the mods to the 'A' posts and the fact that I am building on a hybrid chassis, the Marina Marlins front panels are fitting well. The nose cone fits the front tabs perfectly and is about four inches higher than it was on the Marina, relative to the bulkhead and windscreen frame. Because I have raised the 'A' posts by six inches and the windscreen frame, that leaves the top of the side panels two inches 'too low' but in fact about perfect for me because I am lowering the bottom of the windscreen and bonnet by two inches. It all seems to be slotting together perfectly.

The effect of my mods can be seen here, less sleek and more 'upright'.

[ATTACH]3460[/ATTACH]

By my calculations I can insert a windscreen (glass) 60mm taller than the standard screen. I have made a dummy plywood screen and it fits easily. That will give me a windscreen two inches deeper.

The bottoms of the side panels are of course well short of the chassis rails and by different distances at front and back. I will have to make new side panels, unless I just extend them down with some of the surplus panels from the transmission tunnel for now... Likewise the infill panels or inner wings are not the right shape at the front and the massive hole for the Marina suspension is not required for the Triumph suspension, although remarkably the cut out exactly accommodates the Triumph suspension tower. I could probably adapt the Marina infill panels but it would mean covering the Marina suspension holes with something for the MOT. I suppose I could use the Marina fibreglass suspension covers.

[b_caswell]

Re: Progress to date

Hi Robert,
Your brave doing it all out side, would it be possible to get a gazeebo to work in??
Whats your thinking with making the the car deeper and will this put you into a higher class with the modifications??

If your going to test the gearbox and O/D you will need EP-90 gear oil. Ideally to the Spec of GL4 which Castrol still produce. Theory has it that the later spec GL5 has extra additives in it that may damage bronze components in the box. Before you fill the box clean out the filter thats inside the plate on the bottom of the overdrive. What ever you do dont run it backwards with the O/D engaged.

[Robert in Cumbria]

Re: Progress to date

I may create a shelter of kinds, but it isn't my patch of land, my patch is too small, 6ft by 12ft.

I don't know if the mods do put me out of class, but frankly I am not too bothered, coming last in class 7 or last in class 8, what's the difference? I may enter in class 0 then I don't think it will matter either. The steering wheel is in the regulation position, no closer than 700mm to the rear axle and the front cylinder is in the regulation position no more then 410mm behind the front axle. So I have tried to comply.

I have tried to contact one of the ACTC Scrutineers about engine location but had no reply.

I want a car which is up higher, more like an MG J type. I don't like the idea of sitting so low. I very much doubt it will improve my performance but it will improve my enjoyment of competing.

I have been reading up on the oils re. the 'J' type o/d it seems GL5 contains more of the additive which creates sulphuric acid, which attacks the bronze parts in the box like the baulk rings. The consensus is to change the oil at least every year. I will get some GL4 but for now I am planning to use some cheap 20/50 oil which will flush it out. Come to think of it I can't test the o/d yet because I need a new oil seal for the front of the box, and a new bell housing - gearbox gasket. Must order the parts.

I will check the filter you mention over the weekend.

Thanks for the heads-up on rotating the gearbox backwards or engaging reverse while the o/d is engaged.


I have made good progress today, all the engine and gearbox mountings are welded up and finished.

The block and head can go away to be machined tomorrow. Plan to start on the front body next.

[ATTACH]3461[/ATTACH]

[CosworthCabrioLee]

Re: Progress to date

Good to see you and the boys today, I have Christopher's dog, he forgot it.

[Robert in Cumbria]

Re: Progress to date

Yes it was a pleasant afternoon the trip up was relaxed and it was good to see you and Bob again.

Christopher gets silly when he has company, what little sense and reason he has, goes out of the window! Thanks for keeping the dog, I am sure he will be concerned when I remind him of it. He has had the dog for quite a while so perhaps you would be good enough to bring it down when you come please.

Just checked out the weather forecast for tomorrow, full sunshine and no gales. Should allow me to weld in the seat mountings and almost finish the chassis.

Have loads of ideas for the car after the w/e trip to Derbyshire. I had a good look at the roll over bar mountings and the back tool boxes and spare wheel carriers

Can anybody recommend a supplier for Marina 'A' series engine gaskets please? Rimmers seem to do mini transverse stuff but not Marina in-line engines.

I have looked at EarlPart but there are no pictures! lol

[andy4]

Re: Progress to date

Would the gaskets you need be the same as on a Midget ? Would the MG specialists be able to help ? Moss have their parts catalogues on line, often find myself playing spot the equivalent Triumph or MG part, thank goodness BL shared lots of bits across cars.