So, Dame Zara was bought as a 'usable' car, registered, roadworthy and a going concern.
Thus far, only five weeks in, we have covered over 1000 miles (1600 km), so there's not that much fundamentally wrong with her.
However, tonight I sat down and typed up a little 'to-do-list ... it's not so little!
the Dame Zara to-do list, as of late March 2006
Radiator/heater
• empty coolant and flush (use cleaning agent?)
• check all pipes and connections for splits/leaks (where is leak on LH side of engine?)
• chk thermostat (71 degrees?)
• use ‘water wetter’ or similar?
• add overflow bottle? If so need different cap
• remove heater and flush matrix (Coke?); chk heater valve and fix flaps/levers
• fix heater fan
• when re-mounting, chk that heater box is sealed on all surfaces
Electrical
• bulb for ‘ignition’ light
• bulb for boot light
• does rear screen demister work?
• chk self-cancel on indicators (works in one direction but not the other!)
• buy/fit radio suppressor: buy iPod and FM transmitter or get CD player?
Engine
• oil and filter change due
• buy/fit new points (and condenser?)
• chk all spark plugs and leads
• chk static timing
• tune carbies (idle speed about right now but dies on choke – too lean?)
• chk for oil leaks, any serious?
• cosmetics: clean and polish alloy parts; paint air cleaners, electrical box cover etc
Fuel system
• chk fuel pump (points, filter/s etc)
• new ‘doughnut’ mountings for fuel tank
• chk tank for leaks; does it have filter/trap to clean?
• does ‘low fuel’ light work?
Suspension/steering/brakes/underside
• chk front suspension for source of ‘clonks’
• chk all suspension bushes, ball joints, etc and replace where needed (rear should be OK - pretty much all new)
• RH exhaust rattles: new mounting needed?
• generally clean and chk for rust; underseal?
• remove and rust-proof/paint front valance
• chk brake vacuum reservoir for rust
• squeaky brakes: binding?
Body
• fit spat rubbers
• reglue/replace door rubbers
• clean up rear window seal and chk for leaks
• treat rust: spat, boot lid, under grille, RH side front bumper area—other rust?
• cut and polish paint; touch up chips
• buy and fit new window rubbers (incl quarters)
• try to improve front door fit, esp. RH
• lubricate/chk door locks (esp RH rear)
Interior
• try to fix speedo: needle and trip meter
• fit replacement headlight switch surround
• clean headlining, carpets and vinyl
• replace headlining around rear window
• fix rattly dashpad
• strip, polish and revarnish all woodwork
• repair/replace door linings
• seat belts: install rear belts; replace all belts with period/colour-matched?
• interior light lenses (x3?)
• fix/replace glovebox lock
Spares to find/carry
• points
• condenser
• HT leads
• spark plug/s
• oil filter
• alternator and water pump belts
• original jack (c/o Dad)
• other original tools & tool box
Other
• JDHT Heritage certificate
• any other paperwork/photos from previous owners, DLCV
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
Hi Brendan,
- no, I haven't had the heater box off as yet: I suspect it's a bonnet-off job, though ... the heater seems to work (a bit!) but the 'car/screen' flap is stuck and the fan sounds like it has a banshee stuck in it! So i'd better fix it before winter.
- the only rubbers I've fitted so far are the strip across the top of the rear bumper, which was a pretty easy job; and the seal for the scuttle vent, which was very fiddly! (And I'm told now that the rubber can be stretched *over* the vent lid so that you don't have to remove it - wish I'd thought of that! I bought rubbers from Scott's Old Auto Rubbers in Oakleigh and he also sold me a tin of excellent rubber cement. (http://www.scottsoldautorubber.com.au/)
- seat belts: Dame Zara has pretty ordinary black 70s numbers in the front and nothing in the back. I'll be looking for some tan belts with chrome buckles to fit all 'round (There were 'Daimler' badged buckles originally, but I doubt I'd find any - at a decent price anyway!)
I've just heard there was an accommodation cancellation for the Bendigo rally, so it's likely we'll go at least overnight now rather than for a day, so expect lot of photos!
cheers, Tim
Post a Comment