Is it just me.. or do all Marlin restorers go through this...?

[HairyDave]

Re: Is it just me.. or do all Marlin restorers go through this...?

Yup . Mine was a rescue that was almost a rebuild, Check out 'From where I was to where I am now' catchy title! In Pitstops. If you want reliability comfort smooth running and a boring life buy a buy a modern tin box.

[davidmartin720]

Re: Is it just me.. or do all Marlin restorers go through this...?

Many thanks Paul for correcting my posting. Can I put it down to old age, a senior moment or "losing it".
Sorry to hear of your problems, I think any kit car requires work, whatever the model. When we think back to the age of the various components, in my Roadster a 1968 engine & gearbox, problems do occur, especially as quite often they are being driven harder than what they were designed for. David.

[Mike]

Re: Is it just me.. or do all Marlin restorers go through this...?

Jayne and myself love out Hunter it is a lovely car the 2.3 engine pulls like a train, it crashes a bit over bumps so I will look at softer springing this winter. I like the fact that it is very comfy with great heater and a hood that works just wish it was the LWB version but beggars cant be choosers

Peter

My understanding is that Cabrios/Hunters use Sierra springs which are the same across all models except estates and Cosworths - so given you have a factory supplied Hunter yours should be standard.
You may find a softer shock absorber will solve your problem?

I have started to drive my Cabrio and have found changing the settings on the GAZ adjustables down to just 2 clicks (out of 20 at its hardest) has made the ride so much nicer. (- I must have stopped in every lay-by on the A50 between Stoke and Derby on our way back from Tatton Park changing the settings until we found a supple, non bouncey ride!).

Do you have adjustable shock absorbers? - if not I suspect yours are too stiff........... if you do have adjustable units, the solution is very easy - lower the setting until you find a ride that you are happy with.

Mike

[seasider790]

Re: Is it just me.. or do all Marlin restorers go through this...?

It's great to hear you're enjoying your Hunter David and good to see the photo of it. I'm afraid I can't sit by and not make a small correction to your posting though! The photo was actually taken at Burnham On Sea (my home town) and not Weston Super Mare which was the next stop on the route. Burnham's Pier is the shortest in Britain and the new extension (the bit on the left) has a retractable roof to cope with ever changing weather that comes up the Bristol Channel!! It was a shame I couldn't join you on the day.

My Roadster continues to have problems with a broken speedo (cable?), a mysterious juddering and clanking when pulling away from rest and brakes which pull to the left. I'm currently trying to find a local mechanic who's willing to sort it out as the previous one seems to have lost interest. I must admit that even though I love my Marlin when it's going well, I do wonder whether kit cars are really only suitable for people with mechanical skills, suitable tools and a workshop. If like me, you have to take the car somewhere each time something else needs to be fixed, it soon gets very expensive. Perhaps I should upgrade to a Hunter too???

[peterboat]

Re: Is it just me.. or do all Marlin restorers go through this...?

Jayne and myself love out Hunter it is a lovely car the 2.3 engine pulls like a train, it crashes a bit over bumps so I will look at softer springing this winter. I like the fact that it is very comfy with great heater and a hood that works just wish it was the LWB version but beggars cant be choosers

[davidmartin720]

Re: Is it just me.. or do all Marlin restorers go through this...?

Judy & I traveled over 6,000 miles last year in my Herald 1300cc based Roadster, even though the clutch would slip slightly on steep hills. As I did not feel well over the Winter and Spring nothing was started. Clutch changed 15,000 miles ago, so it must be either engine crankshaft seal or front gearbox seal. I know this is not everybody's solution but a Hunter appeared for sale in the local paper. I know Ben calls it a "Tarts" car, but "her indoors" appreciates the extra room, the fact the hood can be put up when we are sitting in the car and the comfort [heater that blasts hot air everywhere] !!!! It is surprising what a difference 10" makes !!!! I am talking about the width.

Picture taken last Sunday at Weston Super Mare Pier when 3 members from our local club supported "Pier Pressure", 2 Beach Buggies who visited every pier in the country over 9 days, covering over 2,500 miles, raising money for Breast Cancer. At Wsm there were 9 Beach Buggies and a Westfield, Robin Hood and my Marlin Hunter. David

[lynnx22]

Re: Is it just me.. or do all Marlin restorers go through this...?

I guess I,m lucky.
I did all that LAST year ...seats, dashboard, wiring, lights, wipers, carb, brakes et al.
THIS year I,ve out lots!

[David]

Re: Is it just me.. or do all Marlin restorers go through this...?

When a car sits for 8yrs without moving, you expect some problems when taking on a restoration...

First up the Starter motor was dead, bought replacement, didn't fit, sent it back, bought another, it also didn't fit, decided on getting the original one refurbished..

Next up the Ignition key switch wouldn't power to the Solenoid.. bought a flick switch & wired it in.

Then the Fiat TC 2.0 wouldn't start... eventually traced it to the HT leads & a duff spark plug, replaced them all...

Brakes... master cylinder needed refurbished, sent it off... when back fitted, the rear flexy pipe was duff so bought new one & fitted that. Then one of the rear brake pistons was leaking, bought 2 new ones & shoes & fitted them. With the new shoes... came the handbrake cable adjustment problem; have (yet) to remove the prop shaft to get at the whole mechanism to adjust by 1/2", work in progress..

Then the wipers & squirters stopped working.. bought new switches & rewired them to work.

Then... when I thought it was all finally good... The front nearside calliper piston has seized & I am in the midst of overhauling it, awaiting a new seal kit...

By the time I finally get everything fixed and in good order.. summer will be mostly over

Does this happen to everyone?!

Almost a carbon copy of the last year or so with my car...

[greyV8pete]

Re: Is it just me.. or do all Marlin restorers go through this...?

Yep! Me too! Thought that fitting the new clutch master cylinder was the last job for this year. If only! Started replacing a rear wheel bearing 3 weeks ago. Plus the CV joints that I bought 2 years ago. Which meant removing the rear exhaust silencers.

Then decided to scrape and paint everything while it was off. Then remembered the return fuel hose needed doing. Waxoyled under the rear body all the fiddly bits I couldn’t face painting. Then remembered that the diff oil level needed checking while the exhausts were off. Then added more shims to final fix the rear camber and toe.

That’s finally all back together today but during all that I found that the N/S/F coil over was leaking big time! So now that job (and the ever present kit car problem of identifying the correct replacement parts) has replaced the pleasure of being able to actually drive it again. That said with the crazy nonsense on the roads down here with holiday traffic seemingly hell bent on destruction I don’t think I have actually been missing anything.

But would I want a car that didn’t need anything doing to it? Nah! Peter.

[element]

Re: Is it just me.. or do all Marlin restorers go through this...?

It'll get better again, there were some nice bright days last winter, just wrap up warm :-)

I might not need to... I forgot to add that the heater appears to be stuck 'on'

[andyf]

Re: Is it just me.. or do all Marlin restorers go through this...?

It'll get better again, there were some nice bright days last winter, just wrap up warm :-)

[Mike]

Re: Is it just me.. or do all Marlin restorers go through this...?

I just spent two solid weeks putting my Cabrio back together - the weather was beautiful, and the Rio Olympics were on - so I missed both, in order to meet the Tatton Park show deadline.

And what did it do then?............. of course it hissed down with rain!

[andyf]

Re: Is it just me.. or do all Marlin restorers go through this...?

Using the car all year round helps as it keeps all of the moving parts... well moving ;-)

When I used to parknow it up over winter I'd always have problems with brakes siezing and starting and, and, and....

[Alan c]

Re: Is it just me.. or do all Marlin restorers go through this...?

I guess there are type who enjoy the mechanics more than the driving, visa versa and 50/50. I am the latter so these broken bits can be a positive

I am lucky after 1.5 years of start and use without issue. Having now said that the law of sod should ensure my other 50% is satisfied

If the good luck keeps up I will have to start tinkering and that should open up some opportunities!!

[lil_red_roadster]

Re: Is it just me.. or do all Marlin restorers go through this...?

Get used to it..!
Fuel pump, broken tie rod, bent suspension arm, clutch slave, rear wheel bearings, rear brake cylinder, broken crank sensor plug, cam belt jumped a notch, cracked oil pump housing, defective fuel gauge...the main issues from the last 2-3 years...most fixed apart from the latter. I blame the MOT because every year I dutifully toddle along and get the ticket and days later something goes bang (or doesn't when it should)...then "it" spends most of the summer idle while try to find the will & time to fix what broke & then before I know it the tax runs out.
I wouldn't mind the problems if I got time to drive the bloody thing...all part and parcel of classic car ownership I guess