Great start to the new season – with Uxbridge Classic Vehicle Club to Mayors Charity Day event at Duck pond in Ruislip.

Out on Drive-It day

Taking a spin on Drive It day

Taking a spin on Drive It day

I’ve been reminded by a friend that I haven’t posted much recently. I apologise to all followers!

It’s not that I’ve forgotten the project, just that life has filled up my days with other things lately.  I’ve had a few check ups – normal associated with age – and new hearing aids to get used too as well. Whilst semi retired, I’ve also had a “rush” of work and I’ve started redecorating too. Having had a new front door fitted and side stairs window, the hall was overdue, so paper stripping, sanding, fitted dado rails etc – another couple of weeks work I guess and finish trimming out the porch. Then there’s the garden with spring around the corner, the children and grandchildren and so on …..

Still, back to the car, I have had it out again a week ago – I always have a quick look over before starting out – just like a pilot – checking oils/water etc. I did find a nut on the running board and discovered it had fallen off the door hinge – bit of luck it hadn’t fallen on the road. Checkg the rest out, few were loose where I hadn’t folded over the tab washers – I think because I still had work to do. I was hoping to get out in the snow when it came, but come the occasion, my fears were being unable to get it back in the garage, as I have a very steep ramp, and it would have been impossible to push on the snow – ah well, another time perhaps?

Also found the slackest of  fan belts ever – the post had slipped all the way down. Used a tyre lever to prop up before tightening the clamp cotter – surprising how tight this needs to be.

Whilst tidying up around the garage, I came across a rubber triangle – needed for the bonnet corners, so had a quick go at fixing this. I rummaged amongst my loose bolts & nuts drawer to find an appropriate small round head screw and nut with shake-proof washers. Punched a small hole and fitted it all – good job done! Apart from the fact that I still need to find the other one to the pair and fit that.

Attended a Y & C committee meeting  couple of weeks back – these are always interersting  as the guys seem to have an encylclopedia of knowledge between them and always something to learn.

Brought the Y & C Yahoo Forum up to date, adding many photos sent in and approving a few more members. If you are a Y & C member or genuine interested follower of Y’s or C’s, then you ought to join this Yahoo group.

On the Forum, I need to add some more events to the calendar feature – please send some in to be added.

On Ebay front, acquired a brand new carb, pair of distributors and an interesting American magazine  with a feature on the Y history. I also bought a set of exhaust valves – brand new in box. These being 4.25″ long and I think good for my rebuild one day of the early narrow short original engine.

So, that’s where we are so far and spring around the corner with a full year of events and finishing off  the roof, inside trim, paint work, door fitting and so much more!

Don’t think for one moment I haven’t been working on the car!  It’s just that getting over Christmas & New Year takes its toll.

I have been out a few times for short runs of 15 miles or so to keep the battery topped up and all the bits moving.

I have made a working list for the winter – 30 items or so – that I hope to attempt before spring. I’ve mended the RH indicators – bulbs had blown, made up two new fuel lines, started the re-make of sun-visor, cleaned & painted a spare coil, cleaned up a little fuse box I want to fit and generally pottered around. Also tidying up tools left round the garage – so easy to make a mess!

Another week or so & I’ll be reporting more – I hope.

Happy New Year!

Had a great day At National restoration Show, Stoneleigh Park today. Really good autojumble – acquired quite a few bits – and also met up with guys from Y & C Cub as well as Ford Sidevalve Owners Club.

Included in my bits were a sheet of millboard – I need this under the lining and also to construct a new sun visor.

Managed to buy some sidelight bulbs – only 25p each. One in my rear lights had “silvered” up and very dim.  Got a couple of handles with really good rechromed ferrules, spare sidelight casing, brand NOS fuel pump, spare diagpragm, small Lucas fuse box, some micro-fleeces and a set of cobalt tipped drills.

Last week I rebuilt two more fuel lines  – and still have enough braided line for several more.

Finally repaired my original dynamo – re-soldered field coil connection and re-made output wiring. Fitted replacement cut out  and now working with healthy 10amp charge.

Wire brushed head and painted in red Hammerite, along with fan blades.

Touched up in silver”chrome” paint the front number and numbers on front number plate.

Sorted tool box and fixed small magnet to plywood top so it can stay open when needed.

Rebuilt a distributor from various parts and installed – now much better and smoother power output.

Knocked up two laminated “show” notices :

Uxbridge & District

1933
FORD 4-door “Long rad” MODEL Y

Manufactured
by:

Fords
of Dagenham, designed in Dearborn USA

Specification:

933cc
4 cylinder sidevalve engine

Three-speed
Gearbox (Sync on 2^nd/3^rd)

Top
speed 55mph

History:

One
of 170,000 Y’s & C’s  built with
1300 known survivors. “Put away” in 1963 with seized & melted white
metalled bearings. Original early narrow/short engine with matching
chassis/Engine numbers awaiting rebuild. Later tall/wide engine installed, same
HP & size.

All
other parts and body original. Interior roof lining to be replaced. Pytchley
sliding sunroof reconstructed & new vinyl added. Commenced project 1999

Shown
at Fords of Alperton’s Centenary.

Driven
to & shown at Old Ford Rally, Gaydon 2011

Ongoing
project – interior to complete and repaint needed

Now all it needs is a good wash & get to Kempton Park display on Sunday.

I’ve been trying to make up a good spare distributor from 4 old ones – using the best bits from each. I want to rebuild the one on the car as it’s a bit wobbly and I think causes the odd misfire. Anyone know where I can get new bits – the brass pin on the plate is worn and the little brass spring carriers have oval holes too.

Also re-built the original dynamo but waiting to test it out.

Cut-out on car is erratic due to poor points – I have a new spare, but it only cuts in at high revs.

Been to Ruislip Lido event with UCVS in aid of British Legions 90th. Hoping to get to Marlow Carnival Satyrday, but unable to attend Classics on the Green as I’m helping at Larador Rescue Fete at Harefield.

Good news is that the car passed its MOT. Took it to the knowledgeable guys at Charles Stuart Autos in Pield Heath Rd, Hillingdon (near the hospital). They are sympathetic to older cars, as they have had Ford A’s in the family.

The test takes no time at all – all they need to check is lights, brakes etc and look over steering etc. Brakes had improved slightly on last year – I guess the new back linings are beginning to bed in, as well as the new central shaft assembly I replaced reduced free play.

I did notice one of my bleepers on the flashing indicators has stopped working so need to take a look at that – probably pulled the wire out under the dash.

Before I went, I had checked it over and given it a wash. I found two bumper blank domes that fit at the end of the front bumper and fitted them (after grinding down  a bit to fit) and also fitted the new flexible fuel pipe I had made up. I also spent an hour or so flattening the paintwork with 1200 grit – an improvement but much paintwork still to improve.

Managed to lose the security gate key, but popped back to the shops where I had parked and found it in the road. Phew!

Phone number of the MOT garage is 01895 254312 – Highly recommended.

Update -

Got to “Classics on the Green” at Croxley 3/8/11. This was a great day – weather was mostly sunny with no rain and being mid week in the school holidays, the crowds came too. Cars, lorries, scooters and specials were there in huge numbers – about 1000 I guess and there was no room for any more. I arrived early at 1.00pm to get a space on the Club stand area, even though start time was 3.00pm, and left at about 8.00pm. People and cars were still arriving.

I met up with friends and chatted to many more interested guys. This included  a chap who does re-metalling and re-boring who might prove useful in restoring my original engine – the early 32/33 narrow block. This would be great as it retains the matching engine number to the chassis.

Getting back, I was a little worried as the dynamo was running pretty hot. It’s still charging way too high. This was the one I pieced together after my Gaydon trip, when the original shorted out. I’ll be looking at that again, and might send off my original to someone who can rebuild it.

I have finally re made the flexible fuel pipe connecting to the pump, using some modern stainless steel braided thick rubber piping. I doesn’t look too bad. This I need to put on the car. I’ll then make up a couple more as spares – possibly to sell. I’ve also acquired some spare diaphragms for the pump and need to re build a couple of spares. With the new ethanol petrols, I know that these wont last long.

I’m off to get a new MOT today – I cannot believe it’s been a year since its first. I’ve also renewed the insurance – this increased by 60% !! Still cheap though as it includes breakdown cover as well as foreign travel and only £122… I did note that I have only done 400 miles and look forward to increasing that in the following year, now that I have more confidence in it. Still plenty of shows to get to this year.

Winter plans are to kit out the interior – linings etc, but I need to look again at the water drains in the roof first – I’m not happy with my first attempts. I also note I haven’t yet screwed up the windscreen hinges properly yet.

I have put a brand new tyre on the spare that I need to swap over to the car, and still have another new one to change. That leaves me with many spare good part worns to dispose of. I’ll also be selling off on eBay some of the numerous spare bits accumulated, as I need more space in the garage.

Enough – off to prepare the car for its MOT – I’ll post result later.

Lots to report on.

First I managed the drive to Gaydon – all OK apart from when I accidentally turned off ignition whilst flashing lights for an overtaking lorry. 81 miles in two and a half hours.

The Old Ford Rally itself was really great – so well organised by the Y & C register Club. Great variety of Ford cars, vans, lorries and tractors – even a couple of hot rods. Got a short look at the Heritage Museum as well.

The journey home  – decided to join a 5 car convoy most of the way – just as well because 100yards onto motorway, engine stopped. Decided it was crud in the carb and the flexible fuel pipe seemed blocked. I had bought a spare old pipe at the Auto jumble, but that was no use at all as it blew air right through the tube. Put another old one from my spares box on and cleaned most rubbish from the carb. Managed drive back without too much problem, but nearer home noticed Dynamo not charging.

Investigated and thought it may be the cut out – dark colour as if overheated and points very poor. Ordered new cut out from club stores.

Now the bad news! Dynamo is shot! I opened it up and one of the field feed wires had broken free and flayed other wires and a nice burnt smell too. Tried the motor test, barely turned a little.

I’ve cobbled one together from a couple of spare auto jumble ones in the garage – used best armature and best bearing plate and best used brushes. Had to re-insulate feed wire that comes out of top. Tested and good voltage coming out. Tried the old cut out after tidying up points and seems to work. Quick rev of engine  and it hit 20A and blew my fuse!
Shifted third brush a little – bit stiff and restricted by internal wiring, so more adjustment to be made. Had to re-tap taper bolt hole as well. It’s what they call a learning curve.

Guess I’ll need to fork out for a new dynamo ASAP

Next event 3rd august – Classics on the Green

The last two bits of carpet arrived today – really good work & service from Coverdales in Wigan. www.carcarpets.co.uk Highly recommended!

These two bits are for the footwells – I had forgotten to order them as I had no old bits as pattern.

The new carpet enhances the looks of the car so much, and the fast service enables me to show them off at the Olf Ford Rally in Gaydon organised by the Y & C Register.

http://www.fordyandcmodelregister.co.uk/