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I am now the proud owner of another Marlin...
A Berlinetta this time, I collected the loose parts and two engines and two gearboxes a few weeks ago but yesterday I collected the rolling chassis and body. A 466 Mile round trip of 17 hours in temperatures up to 33ºC, I found it a bit gruelling to say the least.
Today I unloaded the car and returned the borrowed trailer, then this afternoon with my little helpers, Michael and Christopher, I assessed what we had collected. My original intention was to do a minimal job just to get it through the test and on the road ASAP, however... Having got up close in daylight, I now feel I will have to go the whole hog.
The wiring is a mess, so many badly made joints, no grommets where the wires pass through the panels, house wiring used to connect components, continental fuses, and a host of other issues.
The steering is a mess, three UJ's, worn bushes and badly designed support. The steering wheel is way too close to the dash, the rack pinion bearings are shot.
The front tie rod bushes have become a powdery yellow dust, so I feel I had better properly investigate the suspension bushes and joints. The diff pinion shaft oil seal is leaking, so that needs attention.
It seems to have adjustable dampers, so that may be a plus...
The engine mountings are very badly made, the modifications to the bulkhead are terrible, badly fitting patched aluminium sheets pop riveted (or not), with bits of foam stuffed into the gaps presumably to stop the draughts?
I need to make a proper back seat with seat belts for occasional back seat passengers.
I need to fit the engine properly and more securely, so the water pump doesn't try to drill through the radiator when the brakes are applied.
Speaking of brakes... I have no idea what they are like, except there is (was?) a good pedal. The servo has been moved closer to the side of the car very badly. I need to check if that is really necessary and if it is, then re-do the mod properly.
I believe the car originally had a Ford engine but at some stage this was replaced with a Rover 3500 V8 engine and auto transmission (slush box?) from an SD1.
The car has stood since (last licensed) 1992, so there is obvious age related deterioration but from what I have seen so far nothing that is a show stopper.
I can build one half decent engine from the two, only really needing rings, bearings, cam followers and gaskets to get it purring. I am hoping ONE of the BW type 65 gearboxes will do the business, if not I will be looking for a Ford type 9 box I suppose.
Being realistic I guess this will set my intended MOT back a little... Was hoping for September, that may slip a little.
I have some history of the car, it was in Scotland, then Stockport, until about a year ago when it was bought by the PO near Northampton who simply has too may commitments to undertake the task of returning the car to the road.
A break at Charnock Richard Services.
Screen Shot 2013-07-15 at 00.29.22.jpg
The front bulkhead and pedal box.
Screen Shot 2013-07-15 at 00.30.32.jpg
A Berlinetta this time, I collected the loose parts and two engines and two gearboxes a few weeks ago but yesterday I collected the rolling chassis and body. A 466 Mile round trip of 17 hours in temperatures up to 33ºC, I found it a bit gruelling to say the least.
Today I unloaded the car and returned the borrowed trailer, then this afternoon with my little helpers, Michael and Christopher, I assessed what we had collected. My original intention was to do a minimal job just to get it through the test and on the road ASAP, however... Having got up close in daylight, I now feel I will have to go the whole hog.
The wiring is a mess, so many badly made joints, no grommets where the wires pass through the panels, house wiring used to connect components, continental fuses, and a host of other issues.
The steering is a mess, three UJ's, worn bushes and badly designed support. The steering wheel is way too close to the dash, the rack pinion bearings are shot.
The front tie rod bushes have become a powdery yellow dust, so I feel I had better properly investigate the suspension bushes and joints. The diff pinion shaft oil seal is leaking, so that needs attention.
It seems to have adjustable dampers, so that may be a plus...
The engine mountings are very badly made, the modifications to the bulkhead are terrible, badly fitting patched aluminium sheets pop riveted (or not), with bits of foam stuffed into the gaps presumably to stop the draughts?
I need to make a proper back seat with seat belts for occasional back seat passengers.
I need to fit the engine properly and more securely, so the water pump doesn't try to drill through the radiator when the brakes are applied.
Speaking of brakes... I have no idea what they are like, except there is (was?) a good pedal. The servo has been moved closer to the side of the car very badly. I need to check if that is really necessary and if it is, then re-do the mod properly.
I believe the car originally had a Ford engine but at some stage this was replaced with a Rover 3500 V8 engine and auto transmission (slush box?) from an SD1.
The car has stood since (last licensed) 1992, so there is obvious age related deterioration but from what I have seen so far nothing that is a show stopper.
I can build one half decent engine from the two, only really needing rings, bearings, cam followers and gaskets to get it purring. I am hoping ONE of the BW type 65 gearboxes will do the business, if not I will be looking for a Ford type 9 box I suppose.
Being realistic I guess this will set my intended MOT back a little... Was hoping for September, that may slip a little.
I have some history of the car, it was in Scotland, then Stockport, until about a year ago when it was bought by the PO near Northampton who simply has too may commitments to undertake the task of returning the car to the road.
A break at Charnock Richard Services.
Screen Shot 2013-07-15 at 00.29.22.jpg
The front bulkhead and pedal box.
Screen Shot 2013-07-15 at 00.30.32.jpg
The things you do to keep yourself amused.
<wink>
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