Apologies for the lack of updates & MOT failure

I'm sorry I haven't been keeping up with the blog, but a combination of Mercedes Elbow and the winter meant that I had not made much progress until the last few weeks.

However, I'm back on the case and have since been making good progress.

I put the 220 in for an MOT just before Christmas having had some welding done and fixed the electrical gremlins. However, the car failed on a few minor points like the lights pointing in various Marty Feldman-like directions, and one major one - the brakes.

To cut a long story short, pretty much the entire braking system needed repairing or replacing:

Rear brake cylinder leaking
Hand brake too weak
Master cylinder leaking
Front to back brake line rusty

In addition, a couple of the bleed nipples were sheared off, one on the ATE T50/26 remote vacuum booster and one on one of the front brake cylinders.

I will attempt to break down the jobs done since the last update and will now update the blog on a regular basis.

Thank you all again for your interest!

Refitting the Choke Cable

After a break from the car for a couple of weeks to sort my house out, I took the cable clamp bolt off the 300se's main air suspension valve to replace the choke clamp I broke by overtightening it on the 220.

Also cleaned the plugs (again) and narrowed the spark gap to .4mm from .6mm. Adjusted the idle and jets on the carburettor and the advance on the distributor, but need gas analyser to get it right. Running OK though, no clouds of black smoke.

Eventually got the passenger door fitting correctly enough for the MOT.

Tomorrow need to bleed the brakes, finish sorting the doors out and replace the horn switch on the 220 which I nicked off the 300se, then get the sills welded and hopefully it will pass its MOT.

From 20100603

Last door on

Went to vote today and saw this Bike on the way back - I want one. Pulled a muscle so just got the door on ready to take it to be MOT'd after I've bled the brakes.

Starting the engine and replacing the doors

Had a bit of a battle to get the 220b going again after cleaning the whole fuel system except the fuel pump which I am going to rebuild with a kit. Turned out it was the plugs which I had cleaned last week, but which were completely filthy because of the multiple attempts at getting it going without success over the past few days.

Moved the car out of the garage and started on replacing the doors in order to get the car to the Welders and then the MOT. Got both the back ones on and the front passenger side back on, then it got dark, so I will put the driver's side on tomorrow and adjust them all so that they fit well enough to drive with, given that they will all have to come off again to prepare the car for spraying.

Finally, I'm going to bleed the brakes tomorrow and put the horn switch on which I nicked off Hercules (the 220b's hooter developed a mind of its own a while back and I had to disconnect it to avoid getting beaten up every time I turned left).

Very knackered, but very relieved the car started.

Fuel system nearly done

Spent most of the day wire brushing pipes and tubes. Next time I'm going to wear gloves... Anyway, got everything back together again, and it's beginning to look better under the bonnet. Tried to start the car, but the battery died, so it's on charge and hopefully it'll fire up tomorrow.

Reinstalling the Carbs and Thermostat

Rain stopped play yesterday, so I made a very small start on organising my house and caught up with friends.

220b

Compensated for the lack of progress today though. Dismantled the hoses from the radiator to the thermostat housing on both cars. The pipework was really garred up with what looked like the stuff bachelors get in their washing machines when they haven't cleaned the soap powder tray for several years. Set about them using the wire wheels. Had to use a hacksaw to remove one of the Jubilee clips. Put the plumbing back together along with a new rubber hose and four new Jubilee clips and am very happy with the result (as long as it doesn't leak when I start the engine).

Replaced the carburettors, getting the left hand plate the wrong way round the first time. They look a lot better than before, but am intending to send them away for a proper rebuild prior to selling the car.



300se

Tried to get Hercules to rise up off its stops today, but the compressor gave up before I got anywhere except cleaning the gunk out of the air reservoir. I'll see what's wrong with the compressor and try again soon.

Petrol Tank, Carbs and Thermostat

Drained fuel tank and removed. Replaced and changed Jubilee clips. Using a jack really makes the job a lot easier. Blew compressed air through the system. Removed plumbing between fuel pump and carbs. Removed carbs. Soaked the carbs in the petrol I had drained earlier on. The washing up brush was ideal for the job, although it won't be washing any plates again. With the plumbing out of the way, I was able to remove the thermostat housing and extract the two 5mm Allen bolts that had sheared with a pair of mole grips.

Cleaned most of the oil and grime off the carbs and left them to soak in petrol overnight. Removed the needles and cleaned them with very fine wire wool and petrol.

Tomorrow I hope to get the engine running again and put all the doors back on.