Testing 2000

 I have been having all sorts of problems getting PMW to run anything like right, so much so that I need a recovery truck to get me home recently.

The engine was easy enough to turn when I assembled it and it starts easily so I don't think there's an issue there.

I have checked the timing out but whilst trying to adjust it I kept getting shocks off the dizzy cap so I put an old one on. Then I put the old coil on.

Then I realised that the clamp bolt had been really too easily undone - it was probably too loose and the timing had slipped.

So, re set it to 8 BTDC and went for a run.

Not bad, didn't want to tick over but picked up well and also pulled all the way up to 4500 RPM no problems - then "tinkle" and a massive vibration.

Still had drive though so cautiously got home having done only 5 miles and it's obvious a propshaft UJ has gone AWOL

The engine running issues have now moved down the priority list.



Next will be to remove the propshaft and get that sorted. Whilst the car is up on stands/ramps I'll also fit new diff mounting bushes I bought some time ago. I bet that will be fun!


This car is really beginning to test me now

Border Raiders pics

It wasn't a food fest honest! This is at Restorante Adriano - very good too.

How to keep the cockpit dry when the hood is down and it's raining - or likely too!

The picture above is at the start of day 2 at Gretna Services but we had learned about the golf umbrella trick the day before.

The weather hadn't been very good but Deana and I kept the top down all the time as you only get wet even when it's raining hard if you have to stop. Well on one of the country roads just across the border in Scotland it was raining hard when a car came towards us and the driver flagged us down. She asked us to park up as a flock of sheep were coming along the road around the corner towards us - of course this meant we were getting soaked.

Deana reacted first by getting her easily to hand umbrella out which made me dive into the boot and get a golf umbrella out. As can be seen in the photo this is just big enough to go over the windscreen and door windows, covering the whole cockpit.

Great stuff. We made the guys on their quad bikes herding the sheep laugh too when they saw us :-)

Rover's gone, meanwhile the Border's been raided!

Yesterday my Rover SD1 was collected by the guy I bought it from - for the same price I paid 18 months ago.

I realised I was never going to get round to doing anything with it and it's back in good hands.

Last weekend though I took part in the Border Raiders put together by myself, Mik and Paul, This was a two day run from the Old Stone Trough, Kelbrook, Lancashire up through the Dales, the Eden Valley and into Scotland before overnighting in Carlisle and tehn returning to Kelbrook again.

"Spirit of the Event" was won by Theo Boonen and "Car of the event" by Chris Reynolds in his lovely gold TR7 V8.

Great roads to drive over, a very good tea room for lunch on Saturday and a real find in Ristorante Adriano in Carlisle for our evening meal. All very satisfying indeed.

A selection of the cars at the Old Stone Trough the night before

We just about filled the car park and the tea rooms!