MOT (Inspection) Time

Had quite a bit of fun in the car since I last posted.  I did fit a new Master Cylinder and Servo (Booster) last December.

To say the difference was striking would be a massive understatement.  Once properly operating with the proper parts, the brakes were really good and highly reassuring.

A previous owner had not only fitted a totally incorrect servo/booster, but had fitted the wrong master cylinder pushrod - in fact it was two pushrods, one connected to the brake pedal mechanism, and the other just rattling around loose in the end of the master cylinder - not deadly, but very odd and certainly not correct.

Unfortunately, my joy at having proper brakes was short lived.  In spite of assurances to the contrary, the master cylinder that came with the servo was for drum/drum cars, not disc/drum as mine has,  Apart from the size of the reservoirs, the difference is that the disc master cylinder has a valve to hold the discs off slightly so they don't grab at low speeds.

Mine did grab at low speeds (because the valve wasn't there), so coming to a stop gently and smoothly was almost impossible, despite the fact that stopping from speed was now so much better.

In addition, the "Brakes" Warning light was showing on the dash, so it was apparent attention was needed.

Short version - I plan a full rebuild of the rear brakes, upgrading to later type brakes.  In the meantime, I have fitted several new brake pipes, rebuilt the differential pressure valve and fitted (another) new master cylinder.

The car passed its MOT today so it was all worth it - legal for another year.

Current Mileage 43131

No News is good news

With Summer now drawing to a close, I was reflecting that this has (at least partly due to the good summer) been the summer in which if  I've probably made most use of the car.

Other factors have coincided of course, and that's meant I've had a good year with the car.

Mileage has climbed to 42916.

On my to-do list -

Sort the parking brake (can't call it a handbrake as it's foot operated).
Weld up some subframes and install the BMW E46 Seats I bought for 99p off eBay
Put the proper brake servo (power booster if you're American) from the 67 onto the 68.
Fit the hazard (4-way) flashers I bought a while ago
Fit a rev-counter I've ordered from eBay
Repair the instrument cluster multiplug pins I damaged from my ham-fistedness.

Exhaust

At the MOT this year I got an advisory on exhaust blowing.  I thought it was the left hand exhaust manifold. Posting a question on the AMC forum about it elicited some interesting responses - I'd been surprised to find my car wasn't fitted with exhaust manifold gaskets but apparently this is normal.

Anyway, I ordered some gaskets (since they do seem to exist), but failed at my first attempt to fit them.  I also after some time figured out that whilst there might be a leak at the manifold, most leakage was coming from the joint with the downpipe.

Long story short - now all fitted (inc gasket) and lots quieter.

Miles 42776 after a quick trip out today.

Window Switches

The electric window switches on the 68 (driver's side) were replaced at some point in the past with a set from a 60s/70s/80s Japanese car.  Not bad, but they were tired and a bit odd looking - one had packed in, and the wiring was all those "chocolate block" terminals, OK but not ideal.

Some years ago I bid on a set of switches (there are four plus the lock - that stops the rear window switches working) from the USA, but sadly they proved to be the only thing I've ever had go missing from eBay.

Determining it was time for action, I bought a set of four switches and made my own panel.  It is smarter, if not perfect and they all work now.

Have taken the car for a couple of drives lately in the good weather and I hear there's more to come.  I also replaced the rubber pipe to the PCV valve with a silicone one - in black - no garish colours for me.

Spring Has Sprung At Last

The Week before last I took the 68 over to my sisters.  My nieces asked for a trip out in the car - I was more than happy to oblige.

When I got home, there was a fair amount of oil leaking from the rear crank seal again, but otherwise the car behaved OK.  Mileage 42548.

So this long weekend I determined to do battle with the '68 on a number of fronts.  Of course nothing I planned worked out how I thought.

What I have managed to do (and it was a lot more difficult than I expected) is to replace the front seats from the '68 with those from the '67.  The original '68 ones are full width items whereas the '67 has "bucket" seats and a centre console with the gear lever in it.

The reason for changing is simply that the driver's seat on the '68 is getting really threadbare and the switch over is cheaper than having it reupholstered.  In fact, finding £2.34 under the seats meant I was slightly up on the day, although I'm sure I spent more than that on spray grease and freeze and release.

Whilst I was at it I decided to check the screenwash and the parking brake for the forthcoming MOT.  The brake I've done by adjusting it - further than I should really have done perhaps, but at least I stand a chance of it passing this year.

The screenwash worked but then gave up almost immediately.  The reservoir turned out to have a huge blob of something very organic looking in it.  No idea what it was but it looked unpleasant.

First trip of 2013

Sunday I had a few hours to myself so I took the '68 out for a blast.  It behaved fine - even though it rattles and shakes due to the mishapen tyres.  Kickdown is a riot of sound and vibration, and it shifts a bit, too.

I really ought to try and check the seatbelts against the fixed ones in the '67 at some point.

Mileage might be 42529 but this is subject to correction as I didn't write it down.

Looking back over the blog I thought I should add that I did fit a new water pump and I did rebuild the rear brakes with parts from the '67 last year.

and another step back

As predicted (see last post) I did live to regret trying to recycle the water pump from the '67.  Although it seemed fine, once fitted it clanks whirs and moans at least as badly as the one I removed - it's also nearly as wobbly.

The good news is that (touch wood) I seem to have made a successful transplant of the old Motorola Alternator and control unit (also removed from the '67).  This makes the car a bit more authentic (not that I care about that) but also has got a straight running alternator at no cost.  I expect I will regret this too, but not yet.  I need to source a short alternator really, as the Lucas ACR units are just too long - aside from the bracketry issues.  I have scored a working alternator warning light too, having "modified" the wiring back to its original state.

I did what I should have done in the first place and got in touch with US Automotive.  The pump's neither cheap nor a stock item, but at least I should have a new one in round about 2 weeks.

One Step Forward....

Having swapped the brakes, (and, I almost forgot, fitted 8 new spark plugs), I went for a blast to my Aunt's summer garden get-together.

I was enjoying the car so much that I took a long route home on a lot of minor roads.  I noticed two things - one of the rear brakes was squeaky, and there was an unidentified noise coming from the front.

Upon arrival at home I discovered that one of the springs that was supposed to be holding down the brake shoes had worked loose and was rattling around in the drum.

I also found that the fan (and therefore the water pump) had such a wobble it was a miracle that it didn't fly off.

Trying to track down a new water pump cost me plenty in time and effort.  Rockauto had one but after ordering and paying, they helpfully told me they didn't - but I could have one at twice the price.

No thanks was my response - so I took the one off the '67.  I expect I'll live to regret that, but as I speak it's all back together.  Nearly.  The alternator has never fitted properly - it's a real lash-up based on a Lucas Alternator attached to the original bracket for the OEM Motorola one.  I'm going to have a go at revising this based on an old Lucas bracket I have in the Garage - because what I have doesn't line the alternator up properly.

MOT again

My Local Mot station is an excellent place - they won't overlook really safety-critical items, but they are staffed by people old enough to remember that old cars just weren't as good as current ones.

They failed the car (correctly) on rear brake efficiency.  I asked them if they could sort the problem out, and they coaxed the brakes to the required level (just).  The car either fails or is borderline most years on this - and we have concluded that the troublesome auto adjusters are to blame.

AMC only fitted these for a couple of years, then changed the design.  A reto-fit of a later version is possible, but costly and time-consuming and the parts aren't easy to find this side of the Atlantic.

Fortunately, my '67 is fitted with the same rear brakes.  I 've removed them and the adjusters look in much better shape.  Just need to fit them now.

We're not alone

Came across this in idle web search - considering how few there were made, there seem to be plenty still around.

Cruise for the final time this year

Off to Charnwood Cruisers get together. Another great day on Saturday - bright sunshine and a good turnout - some fabulous cars too.

I'd fitted the new breakerless distributor I obtained from another member the previous week (2/10/2011) and gained an instant improvement in starting and running.

Current mileage 42396.

Charnwood Cruisers Cruise

This is local and I get to it when I can (which is sadly not as often as I'd like). There are some fabulous cars there, mainly hot rods and muscle cars - I marvel at some of the feats of engineering. Anyway, a quick pic of my car there.




















Current miles 42353

Weekend Drive

I had booked a single seater driving experience at Rockingham so I thought I'd travel there and back in the AMC.

It did the 100 mile round trip with no problems and I drove there and back with the top down - all this despite its total failure to start last week because I'd let the battery get flat.

It did the two things it does - on filling up I got a huge spit back and soaked the forecourt with petrol - I'd forgotten about that. I am sure that's down to the non-standard tank and filler setup.

The other thing it won't do is start when warm except on a full throttle - embarrasing at the filling station because having spilt fuel everywhere I then look like a total boy racer on startup.

Must get that stuff sorted. One day.

MOT'd and Working

I have actually been spending a bit of time driving around in the car! I fashioned an exhaust from a combination of some new silencers and pre-bent bits I got from the excellent Jetex. I had a small setback in that the car failed again as there weren't enough brackets holding the exhaust in place and I'd failed to notice one of the indicator tell-tale lights in the dash was out.

Soon sorted that and the parking brake, and I've fitted a remote oil cooler too. Now I'm not spewing gallons onto the road all the time, I have even changed the oil.

Recent mileages
Sat 9/7 - 42142 - 42161
Sun 10//7 42161 - 42190

I went to Rempstone in the car - parked in the ordinary car park - I don't feel the car is up to show standard. Was tickled pink though, when a chap stopped and took a photo of it.

MOT Time

I took the 68 for MOT - it's been laid up a while. Before taking it I checked the lights - which to cut a long story short resulted in a couple of days sorting (shorting?) out the tired electrics in the region of the headlamps and front indicators.

As delivered in the US the cars had two amber side/indicators in the front bumper. At some point (presumably before delivery) the sidelight connection was disconnected - amber sidelights weren't legal in the UK at the time. I'm guessing the wiring was then modified to provide side (parking) lights behind the outer headlights - not an unusual fitting at the time. Fast forward to 2010 and several hacks later and it was time to replace the lot with new pigtails incorporating new sidelights from Autosparks, a small friendly outfit who were very helpful.

Anyway, the car failed on a rotten exhaust backbox and the poor effectiveness of the hand (parking) brake. This latter was tested using a meter in the car on a test drive rather than on the rollers - it passed last time on the rollers so I'm wondering if the test's a bit more demanding if the car's moving.

Meantine I have won some new (old) electric window switches on eBay to replace the 70's Japanese (I'm guessing) ones that are fitted to the driver's door.

I need some new tyres, and I'd like some period-looking wider wheels, but finding any at a sensible price and that I can be sure will fit isn't proving too easy. The wheels of 14" and I think they are 5.5" wide. The 67 is fitted with 7.35x14 Cross (Bias) ply tyres and I don't think I want to go to those! (certainly not the 30+ year old ones on it -but probably not even a new set). Optional 15x5.5 wheels were available so it seems I could go to 15", but not too wide.

More Oil Pipe stuff

I am starting to question the fun and enjoyment that's supposed to come from tinkering with old cars. I seem to take one step forward and two back. The other thing is that I am poorly organised and (sort of) cash rich and time poor which isn't an ideal combination. I guess that I have grown up in the fortunate position where pretty much anything can be done or obtained within a reasonable time - the consumer society. As the Internet has shrunk the world and given us access to more information, I can shop for stuff and find out stuff far more than I ever used to be able to.

However, coverage is patchy, and the missing thing is that I don't always know what I have or what I need. There really isn't much point in telling any parts supplier in the UK that you have an AMC Rambler Rebel. Even one of the leading UK based US parts specialists I spoke to recently (who has been a great help with parts for my 1956 Chevrolet) gave a sharp intake of breath when I told them what I had.

As usual, a casual conversation with someone with a different perspective helped. I had found, via the Internet that the National Pipe Thread (NPT) threads are to all intents the same as BSP (British Standard Pipe) threads. This knowledge took me to a plumbing supplier - and (sort of) - bingo. Much scrabbling around and a trip to the stores out the back had me equiped with fittings I could marry to 1/2" oil pipe. I got it all back together (just about). I thought it might be good to fit a new oil filter - round to my local motor factor with the old one - blank look again. He promised to call me on Monday after he'd checked with his supplier. Of course it's now Friday.

I put it all back together with the old filter, tightened everything (twice). It wouldn't start so I don't know if it works. Oh Well.

Oil Pipes again

The Rambler's fitted with a remote oil filter. The filter's mounted upside down on top of a bracket above the alternator. There are two pipes leading up from where the spin-on filter is on the US version, because the steering box is where the oil filter would be on the US version. The pipes are 40+ years old, assuming they haven't been changed, and last year I spent ages raiding the set of 40+ year old ones from the 67 to replace the leaky ones on the 68.

Predictably, this has proven to be a short term fix, as last time I used the car (last summer!), oil was spraying everywhere and I was lucky to get home. I can only hope no permanent damage has been done.

When I swapped the pipes last summer I sent one to a supplier who advertises in various car mags - I asked if they could make up a replacement, preferably in some sort of ritzy braided hose and anodised style so I wouldn't have to change them again (they really are a swine to do). Unfortunately, despite a couple of reminders, it seems to have gone a bit quiet at their end, so I've now removed the ('67 if you see what I mean) pipes from the '68.

I did have a plan to carefully saw the crimped ends off the fittings and fit new hoses using steel hose clamps - but I sawed a bit too deep on one. Probably just as well since the fittings are smooth rather than the ribbed type that would have been better for fitting hoses and clamps to.

I can't really order stuff on line as I don't know what thread sizes I have - I can't ask the US AMC guys as this kit was never fitted to theirs.

I am going to try a hydraulic hose specialist; probably.

Car is currently SORN and without MOT but once the oil pipes are sorted I'll be taking it in for an MOT and hope to enjoy some summer weather with the roof down.

Oil leaks again

Took the car to a family get-together - 80ish mile round trip - all good but it's sprung a leak from the remote oil filter again ho hum.

That aside is cruised at an easy 65-70 although it was very windy and I got grit in my eyes a couple of times. I'll be interested to find out how much of the 23 quid or so's worth fuel I put in it I've used.

Speedo

So I have tried cleaning and greasing the old cable - no help.

Changing the cable over from the '67 - this cable looked in much better condition so I had high hopes - no go.

Finally, fitting the speedo from the 67 got the speedo working. It reads about 8mph fast according to the GPS speedo thingy but at least it is working.

Downside is that the mileage reading is now wrong - it read 42000 exactly when I put it in, now reads 42007 after yesterday's short trip out, and should have a quite a bit more on by the end of today with any luck.

Sunny Day

So time for a drive.

Actually quite a bit of stuff has happened that I haven't blogged so time for a short catch up. When I changed all the steering components for the MOT, I tried to set up the lengths of the arms to be the same as the ones I'd replaced. This didn't really work although it was close enough not to be unsafe.

I also didn't notice that although the new Track rod ends came with grease nipples, they hadn't been filled with grease.

To cut a long story involving an annoying brand new grease gun that didn't work short, I have now greased everything at the front that needs it. The tracking's better but not right.