Zel's Fleet Blog - BX, Jag XJ-S, Sinclair C5, Mercedes 208D & 230TE, AC Model 70.

[Zelandeth]

Yeah, the old speaker "pods" seem to be pretty much extinct in everything save for 6x9 sizes nowadays. Based on my brief poke around last night anyway.

Making something hidden is a good idea, though the question is where would you put anything? Being a van, the cab is relatively minimalist, so there's not a huge amount of wasted space that stuff can be hidden in. Especially when for the tweeters at least you're really wanting line of sight with the driver's if possible. Unless you're clever like Saab and bounce everything off the windscreen. The sound stage in that car was really good.

Depending how and how rigidly the headlining is fixed in place, putting them overhead might be worth considering. I know from in the back that can sound decent anyway. Plus was a pretty common solution back in the day, so wouldn't necessarily look too out of place.

Some further thinking involved methinks.

[Zelandeth]

Fun fact: I'm a blind idiot.

Poking around in the cab, looking for the best possible locations for speakers I noticed this...

Now I'm no expert, but that looks like a blanking plate for a speaker hole. The one on the driver's side also turned out to be the cause of the annoying rattle that I was sure was coming from inside the dash, it had lost all of the clips meant to hold it in place. It's surprising how much of a racket a bit of hard plastic sitting on a metal shelf can make.

Looks like the hole was originally the correct size for a standard 10cm speaker. That was however before the dash was actually stamped out into its current three dimensional shape. Not sure if there might originally have been a fitting kit available...though I will check with Merc in case it's still obtainable.

It's possible to get three of the four screws in though and to get things securely fitted, even if the cover obviously doesn't fit quite flat.

It's a bit of a hack job, but it's better than nothing. You wouldn't notice the issues with it at a glance at least.

As far as audio is concerned the difference is like night and day... actually sounds halfway decent in the cab now. It's still no concert hall, but it's decent enough.

Of course having it working well in the front has now highlighted how dull the original drivers in the back sound...at least that's easily sorted though. Having had a look, there should be enough depth available to fit the same drivers there as I did up front.

Nice simple job for a Sunday afternoon - even if it did mean taking the whole rear dash section off.

[Zelandeth]

A few days ago I had one of those odd moments where I was sure I saw something move out the corner of my eye, but couldn't see anything when looking closer.

A little investigation revealed this sneaky little menace to be the culprit.

It will be getting permanently attached with Sikaflex once I've had the scuttle sorted (which will also do a good job of sealing the bodywork joint to keep water out), but for now some new double sided tape will do. It's bolted on at the top so at least I know it's not going to do anything more than flap around if it comes loose halfway up the M6 or something.

It's been too long since the poor Invacar had any attention. Still no closer to being roadworthy...the DVLA have lost my V5 application apparently. Yay. So back to square one there...balls.

Nevertheless, I decided it was time to get back into the swing of things with it. First off I pulled the nearside roof trim off KP to replace the mangled one on TP.

The fact that the fasteners had all dissolved made getting it off pretty easy. This being knackered (so it doesn't sit flat against the roof) was one of the main reasons so much rain water was getting into the car as it's meant to prevent it all draining into the door apeture (the seals are pretty rudimentary). It's never going to be a submarine, but the amount of water that gets in currently is downright silly!

However the only reason that the lack of weather resistance is a problem just now is that she's living outside. With zip by way of security (no door handles = no door locks), in a car that you can push with one hand...You know what, why don't we just get cars shuffled around so she can get into the garage where she's going to live long-term.

Like so.

Was really nice to spend a little bit of time with it again, and has really got me looking forward to buzzing around on the road in it. Having the oil level correct (I'd managed to massively overfill it) has vastly reduced the start up smoke screen, and she now revs much more cleanly. Still can't fathom why anyone would want to stick a bike engine in one of these things with such a lovely sounding little power unit as standard.

So KP has now been wheeled into a corner and put under a tarp for now. I've got pretty much everything I want off it now, so it's Last Chance Saloon time for it. If nobody wants the rolling shell for anything soon I'll likely break it down further. Will keep all the suspension etc, probably cut out the likes of the windscreen surround as a template in case of damage, and will keep the roof. Dash and windscreen will be kept as spares too. Unless someone wants it as it is, in which case they can have it as is.


In other news, I've finally been able to attack the van with the pressure washer and some good car shampoo.

Looks massively better, the sheer amount of crud that came off the trim and such was astonishing. It's definitely a few years since the was last given a proper wash.

Roof still needs doing, but I need the bigger ladder out for that and wrangling that thing is a two man job.

I couldn't resist a little bit of further investigation...so got the clay mitt and polish out and went after the bonnet.

What do you know? There's half decent paint under there! Will take a long while to do the whole van, but will get there.

With regards to the area around the heater intakes, I think I've got a plan.

I reckon the best short term plan is to go in there and remove all the loose, crumbly nonsense, drown the whole area in Jenolite/Kurust or whatever I have to hand. Then get some Isopon in there, and make sure everything is sealed. Won't be hugely pretty, but the theory is that if I can keep the water out, it should vastly slow the degredation until such point as I can afford to get it professionally sorted.

Or should I just Kurust it, make sure it's dry and then seal the paintwork, otherwise leaving it well alone? Open to advice there to be honest.

[Pug_XUD_KeenAmateur]

the Invacar.... never going to be a submarine....
Having the oil level correct
if you can keep the water out of the van

No its never going to be a Submarine, they've got to be yellow; if you were to paint it that'd be a step closer though Portsmouth Historic Dockyard has a black one, but that's just boring

Curious about the Oil Level device, I'm guessing this must be some sort of strange set up; maybe something like a Gearbox with an Upper & Lower plug?

Keeping water out of the van's Heater Ducts, I seriously doubt it, especially given the bad design of the roof gutters (IIRC). Better to have it open to the elements save for some paint and avoid having a load of gook trapping that which finds its way in and then hiding the rot (coz it will, that's water for you).

[Zelandeth]

There's no oil level device involved - just muggins here fouling up filling it. I'm guessing that quite a bit drains back from the oil cooler/filter and I just didn't wait long enough for the level to stabilise before checking it. The level being right also seems to have stopped it blowing oil out of the dipstick hole as well, that always used to weep slightly with the engine running (in screws in like on a motorcycle).

The Lada had turned green again because of being parked under the tree. Having been released from its prison by the fact that the Invacar is now in the garage, it was time to give it a wash...and remove a few million pine needles from the heater intake, around the doors, gutters...and everywhere else. It could still do with a really good wax, but is better than it was. The fact that it no longer looks like it's been sitting in the Amazon rainforest for a month can only help it's chances of finding a buyer.

The mission to clean up the paintwork on the van continues.

Feels like we're starting to get somewhere at least.

The plan to deal off the heater intakes wasn't meaning to seal off the intakes, just the surface in general. I've opted for now to stick with Kurust and just paint over the affected area.

The reason they rust here seems to be down to an absolutely glaring design flaw. There's *no* drainage provision in the heater intakes behind the grill. The front edge of the grill is above the level of the "floor" of the box. As such when it rains there's going to be a puddle in the box. This box is just spot welded on to the scuttle I think, so the water then gets onto the back surface of it and winds up rotting the panel from the inside out. Daft design.

One thing's for sure, and that's that it will be a pain to fix properly - especially if I'm not lucky enough to track down a donor panel to cut sections from and have to fabricate them.

[Zelandeth]

Went to take the Lada out yesterday and discovered that there is no brake fluid in it. The light flickered last time I had it out a few times so had noted it needed looking at. The light does tend to be slightly over enthusiastic.

Was on the clock, so threw it back in its spot and grabbed the keys for the van. Will investigate when I next get some time, probably Monday. For now it's got the "do not move" sticker on the dash.

Spotted the tyre pressure plate on the van yesterday that somehow I'd not spotted before. No idea how I'd missed it, it's right there in front of you on the door step when you open the driver's door...values on there were waaaaaay higher than the numbers scribbled on the back of the handbook that I'd been using. They'd always looked quite soft even when at the written values. So upped them to those on the van (56psi front, 65psi rear compared to 48/51psi before) to see what it did. Looks far closer to "right" to my Mk I eyeball.

From the driver's seat it's transformed the steering. Actually has feedback now and is pleasantly weighted when moving, and at parking speeds is now merely "weighty" rather than "bloody heavy" which is nice. Haven't had it out on the open road yet, but around town it just feels much more composed seems like. I have checked as well, and yes the tyres are correctly rated up to and beyond the 2.8t max the van is played to. I'll be keeping an eye on wear obviously. While they're obviously newly fitted to the wheels, they are dated 2014, so we'll see whether they wear or perish first. Can't say "Maxmiler Pro" is a brand I know anyway...

Not going to have a chance to do anything this weekend sadly, but got a few things on the list for next week.

High on the list is definitely seeing if I can resurrect the heater blower in the van. It's not going to be long before a properly functioning demisters will be essential. Reckon the engine cover will need to come off to do that, so may well do the rocker cover gasket while I'm in there as it looks to be a pretty simple job.

Also need to get the prop shaft boot done, surprised that my plastic bag and cable tie bodge hasn't disintegrated yet! Especially after the 440 mile trek last weekend. I reckon looking at it that just undoing the two bolts holding the centre bearing in place is the best bet, dropping that whole bit of the propshaft, I'm guessing that will then allow me to just slide the splined joint straight off the end to stick the new boot on. In theory.

Also...Wheel trims!

Here's the photo from the front of the handbook...

Wheels are 14" on this. Anyone know of something vaguely similar looking (I know it's a really rubbish photo) or even better have anything laying around in a parts box which might assist me in getting rid of the horrible things currently on there.

[Pug_XUD_KeenAmateur]

Good luck with the wheel trims and the Lada's Brake Fluid issue Zel.

Hadn't noticed the tyres partic' at all previously, but they certainly look about 'right' to me now. I've created a spreadsheet for my recent investment in tyres and am checking the tread depth Inner / Middle / Outer on each tyre, each time it clicks over to a new 'thousand' miles to see that they're wearing evenly.

Oddly, they're running harder than stated on the door jamb info sticker, as I found the fronts were wearing off both outers in the classic 'under-inflated' way at their proper pressures.

I don't envy you finding decent wheel Trims. 14" seems to be small by today's standards (405 size). This sort of thing was a popular aftermarket choice a few years back (photo taken 2008) and might look good if you can find some.

Old girl's long gone.

Also a mention re the external plastics: a dose of Autoglym's Bumper & Trim Gel would do them the world of good, really bring out the 'blue'. Its good stuff and doesn't wash off at the first sign of rain. https://www.autoglym.com/bumper-and-trim-gel

[Zelandeth]

Those trims look like Montego ones to me at a glance...but something in that sort of style looks like what I'm after.

Keeping a lot of tyre wear isn't a bad idea at all to be honest. Not something I'd thought of before, but may well adopt myself.

There are very little by way of exterior plastics that will need treatment - the bumpers and radiator grill are all painted, so it's basically just the mirrors, windscreen side trims and the door handles. Spare wheel cover too I guess, though that really wants replacing in an ideal world as it's a bit scruffy.

[xantia_v6]

You want a set of these don't you?



Full sets seem to be pricey, but odd ones seem to crop up for not much money, so maybe you could build a set over time?

[Zelandeth]

I'm honestly not sure whether they would look perfectly at home or totally out of place. The question as to whether they'd be best matched to the blue or white then has to be figured out.

Finding any trims for 14" wheels these days seems to be a challenge...but I'll be keeping my eyes open for anything that will suit.

[xantia_v6]

I am not sure, but I think they were available as an option for the T1, and were normally left unpainted in that role, which would probably look better on a large vehicle.

Just to tease you, here is a cheap set at the wrong end of Fance: https://www.leboncoin.fr/equipement_aut ... 00868.htm/

[Zelandeth]

Interesting. If they were available on the T1, that would definitely make me more interested in getting hold of a set. Given the overall look that Autotrail went with I reckon they would look best with the caps painted the slightly paper blue as used on the bumpers/radiator grill. Given the carpeting and seat covers they were obviously quite happy to upspec the basic van things were based on.

Investigation of the brake fluid loss on the Lada has proven inconclusive. There's no sign of the fluid anywhere, and topping it up and then taking it out and giving them quite a hammering hasn't resulted in any fluid lost. Odd. I'll keep an eye on it.

I did however find myself compelled to do a bit of further investigation into the high and uneven idle. It was plainly running on between two and three cylinders at about 1500rpm. Was absolutely fine under load, just wouldn't idle without sounding like a sack of spanners. Removing the plug leads for any cylinder would change things, but 2 and 4 far less noticeably than 1 or 3. A quick blast around with some brake cleaner though revealed the cause of the issue clear as day - a stinking great vacuum leak around the inlet manifold to head joint. Nipping up the front retaining nut instantly cause the idle to drop to a sensible level and smooth right out. I have all the nuts involved in holding the manifolds on a nip up for good measure and that seems to have done it.

For the first time in ages it idles properly and doesn't ping up periodic idle speed fault codes. Has smoothed out the throttle response quite a bit too. Generally just feels nicer to drive now.

If only everything was as easy to fix!

Likewise had the van out on the open road and can confirm it's far, far, far happier with the higher tyre pressures. Maintaining 60mph requires noticeably less throttle, and a hill I've always had to drop a gear for before was easily tackled in fifth...will take that as a win. Especially as the general road manners seem improved too.

[xantia_v6]

Investigation of the brake fluid loss on the Lada has proven inconclusive. There's no sign of the fluid anywhere, and topping it up and then taking it out and giving them quite a hammering hasn't resulted in any fluid lost. Odd. I'll keep an eye on it.

Not filling the booster with brake fluid is it?

[xantia_v6]

Interesting. If they were available on the T1, that would definitely make me more interested in getting hold of a set. Given the overall look that Autotrail went with I reckon they would look best with the caps painted the slightly paper blue as used on the bumpers/radiator grill. Given the carpeting and seat covers they were obviously quite happy to upspec the basic van things were based on.

Here is one example:

[Zelandeth]

Not filling the booster with brake fluid is it?

It's not got as far as ingesting it yet anyway. As far as filling the booster itself, no real way to tell short of pulling things to bits...and getting the servo out is a bit of a pain from what I remember due to the crowded nature of the offside of the engine bay on an RHD car.

Here is one example:

That looks nice that does...and that example is unreasonably clean! I have windscreen scuttle and front apron envy...

Edit: interesting...just noticed that van lacks the indicator repeaters. They a UK only thing I wonder?

Had the Lada out in town today in actual use and can confirm it's driving so, so, so much better. Really need to get it out on the open road properly for a test there too, but it's blindingly obvious that it's transformed the car.

Moral of the story: if there's a minor fault, just spend the time to sort it!