Some spannering on the T

Jonny69 · 24-03-2011, 13:52

Well this car hasn't moved for a while

I laid it up in November to carry out a few bits of work for the MOT. I really wanted to fiddle with the proportions but I didn't get around to it. I decided a few weeks ago that I'd just keep it simple and not turn it into another long term off the road project.

First thing I did was try and start it but it wouldn't fire. No fuel coming up, which was odd. Sucking on the hose by the carb all I got was a load of fumes, despite there being fuel in the tank. Working backwards I found the rubber hose at the back was perished:

There was no way it was going to fire up like that! New hose and it was sorted, but I'm getting a bit fed up with rubber fuel hose perishing these days. It's time they sold some that can take modern fuel.

Next job on the list was to sort the exhausts. I bought some Fenton block-hugger headers at great expense so I could route the exhaust under the car. Unfortunately there's no way they'll fit because they clash with the steering, starter motor AND the chassis, so it would be major mods to do this. I decided to repair and make good what was on there. Basically very rusted and full of holes:

"Silencers" out:

Here are some holes after cleaning them up with the knot wheel:

That whole section really needed chopping out and replacing so to keep them in shape I bolted the pair together:

A couple of years ago I swapped a chap on Retro Rides a bottle of gin for his pipe bender and this was the first time I decided to give it a go:

It did a fantastic job of mashing up and denting a couple of bits of prize tube I've been stashing, so I wasn't best pleased. Having used mandrels in the past I have relegated this to the 'not very good tools' pile. I think it probably works quite well with thicker walled tube and if you pack it with sand first to stop it collapsing.

So instead I worked with a straight section cut and angled:

And then I forgot to take any more pics, but I rinsed and repeated on the other side, gave it a thick coat of EHT paint and fitted them back up to the car:

I did also weld up the baffles a bit to try and reduce the amount of noise, but it looks like I need to do a bit more because it made absolutely no difference

I've also got the steering box off the car and a local place is rebuilding it. I'd normally try and tackle this sort of thing myself but it was completely shot inside, so there was no hope in hell of that happening!

volospian · 24-03-2011, 14:56

Yeah, I can imagine those "silencers" don't do a huge amount of silencing...

Jonny69 · 25-03-2011, 16:51

Woo! Just phoned the steering box place and it's ready to pick up. No-play steering here we come. First time ever!

Jonny69 · 29-03-2011, 20:07

One reconditioned steering box now devoid of play

I liked my invoice - labour £xxx, parts £0. They had to make stuff to fix it, which is most satisfying. I'm just waiting for a new column support bearing from eBay for the princely sum of £4.50 and I'll be ready to refit

Burble · 29-03-2011, 20:39

Mandrel pipe benders really are the way forward, I've attempted to use the sort of one you have and it just kinked and cracked the pipe.

I dunno why but I was sure the T was an 8 pot.

Burble · 29-03-2011, 20:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burble

I dunno why but I was sure the T was an 8 pot.

Ah, I see - 3 exhaust ports for each bank of 4 cylinders?

Flibster · 29-03-2011, 20:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonny69

I liked my invoice - labour £xxx, parts £0. They had to make stuff to fix it, which is most satisfying.

I love places like that. Proper workmanship needed.

I love going into one and seeing all the greasy machines and hand drawn sketches of whats needed, no digital kit anywhere. My idea of a workshop that.

Have some work for one around here, but the only one I've used before the chap retired and his workshop is now a car park.

Jonny69 · 30-03-2011, 12:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burble

Ah, I see - 3 exhaust ports for each bank of 4 cylinders?

Yes, middle two are siamesed. It's quite common on old engines.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flibster

I love places like that. Proper workmanship needed.

I love going into one and seeing all the greasy machines and hand drawn sketches of whats needed, no digital kit anywhere. My idea of a workshop that.

Have some work for one around here, but the only one I've used before the chap retired and his workshop is now a car park.

Me too. I'm quite lucky that I know a guy with a workshop who just machines and makes stuff for a living. If I ever get stuck I just need to make a sketch and send it his way and he does a great job. He must have a fair size lathe because he managed to mount up a flywheel on it

Jonny69 · 02-04-2011, 17:39

Nice productive morning

Got the steering box back in no problem and it's nice to have no play. As an added bonus, while I had the column off the dash I re-drilled the mounting a bit higher up. This has moved the steering wheel up a few inches into a much better position and given me a lot more clearance for my legs.

Can't really see it in the picture though

24-03-2011, 13:52	#1
Jonny69 Noob Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Socialist Republik of Kent Posts: 5,032	Some spannering on the T Well this car hasn't moved for a while I laid it up in November to carry out a few bits of work for the MOT. I really wanted to fiddle with the proportions but I didn't get around to it. I decided a few weeks ago that I'd just keep it simple and not turn it into another long term off the road project. First thing I did was try and start it but it wouldn't fire. No fuel coming up, which was odd. Sucking on the hose by the carb all I got was a load of fumes, despite there being fuel in the tank. Working backwards I found the rubber hose at the back was perished: There was no way it was going to fire up like that! New hose and it was sorted, but I'm getting a bit fed up with rubber fuel hose perishing these days. It's time they sold some that can take modern fuel. Next job on the list was to sort the exhausts. I bought some Fenton block-hugger headers at great expense so I could route the exhaust under the car. Unfortunately there's no way they'll fit because they clash with the steering, starter motor AND the chassis, so it would be major mods to do this. I decided to repair and make good what was on there. Basically very rusted and full of holes: "Silencers" out: Here are some holes after cleaning them up with the knot wheel: That whole section really needed chopping out and replacing so to keep them in shape I bolted the pair together: A couple of years ago I swapped a chap on Retro Rides a bottle of gin for his pipe bender and this was the first time I decided to give it a go: It did a fantastic job of mashing up and denting a couple of bits of prize tube I've been stashing, so I wasn't best pleased. Having used mandrels in the past I have relegated this to the 'not very good tools' pile. I think it probably works quite well with thicker walled tube and if you pack it with sand first to stop it collapsing. So instead I worked with a straight section cut and angled: And then I forgot to take any more pics, but I rinsed and repeated on the other side, gave it a thick coat of EHT paint and fitted them back up to the car: I did also weld up the baffles a bit to try and reduce the amount of noise, but it looks like I need to do a bit more because it made absolutely no difference I've also got the steering box off the car and a local place is rebuilding it. I'd normally try and tackle this sort of thing myself but it was completely shot inside, so there was no hope in hell of that happening! __________________

25-03-2011, 16:51	#3
Jonny69 Noob Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Socialist Republik of Kent Posts: 5,032	Woo! Just phoned the steering box place and it's ready to pick up. No-play steering here we come. First time ever! __________________

29-03-2011, 20:07	#4
Jonny69 Noob Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Socialist Republik of Kent Posts: 5,032	One reconditioned steering box now devoid of play I liked my invoice - labour £xxx, parts £0. They had to make stuff to fix it, which is most satisfying. I'm just waiting for a new column support bearing from eBay for the princely sum of £4.50 and I'll be ready to refit __________________

02-04-2011, 17:39	#9
Jonny69 Noob Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Socialist Republik of Kent Posts: 5,032	Nice productive morning Got the steering box back in no problem and it's nice to have no play. As an added bonus, while I had the column off the dash I re-drilled the mounting a bit higher up. This has moved the steering wheel up a few inches into a much better position and given me a lot more clearance for my legs. Can't really see it in the picture though __________________

24-03-2011, 14:56	#2
volospian Vodka Martini Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 786	Yeah, I can imagine those "silencers" don't do a huge amount of silencing...

29-03-2011, 20:39	#5
Burble Rocket Fuel Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 7,826	Mandrel pipe benders really are the way forward, I've attempted to use the sort of one you have and it just kinked and cracked the pipe. I dunno why but I was sure the T was an 8 pot.