The Wedge Project

[AceOfHearts]

norman156 said:

You're not in Biggleswade, are you? Recall going past a very similar wedge not long ago and moronically saying 'oooh, old TVR!' to the missus without realising there was a chap underneath working on it...

That's me

[AceOfHearts]

Yes I had a 748 for a while, and now have a Royal Enfield. Next time you pop by you will have to stop and give me a shout if i am about

You might also see the girlfriends red Cappuccino on the drive sharing with the Wedge.

Back to Wedge news, I dropped the heater matrix and radiator off at a radiator repair shop on Friday for flushing out and pressure testing. The guy spotted a small crack in one of the heater matrix pipes as soon as I dropped it off (i didn't even notice it!) so that will be getting repaired at the same time. Should be picking them up on Wednesday all being well.

[AceOfHearts]

norman156 said:

AceOfHearts said:

Yes I had a 748 for a while, and now have a Royal Enfield. Next time you pop by you will have to stop and give me a shout if i am about

You might also see the girlfriends red Cappuccino on the drive sharing with the Wedge.

Back to Wedge news, I dropped the heater matrix and radiator off at a radiator repair shop on Friday for flushing out and pressure testing. The guy spotted a small crack in one of the heater matrix pipes as soon as I dropped it off (i didn't even notice it!) so that will be getting repaired at the same time. Should be picking them up on Wednesday all being well.

May well take you up on that offer! Is this a straight-up resto or do you have any cheeky modifications planned?

On the Tasmin i am going to keep it standard(ish) to begin with. I am still not sure on my long term plans with it so I will be just keeping it simple for the time being.

The Chim on the other hand is not quite so standard, and I plan on getting a 4.6 built for it next year and getting it supercharged

[AceOfHearts]

Only got round to change the spark plugs today (had to change the wheel bearing on my Subaru

I got a call this morning that the radiator and heater matrix are done, so will be picking them up tomorrow. Pay day on Friday as well so I can order the next lot of bits I need:

-HT leads
-Alternator
-Coolant flush
-Coolant
-Rocker cover gaskets

[AceOfHearts]

Frustrating day today. 2 bolts sheared whilst removing the odd 2 part thermostat housing So i have been battling all day to remove them. Good news is its all done now but I need to buy a new rear thermostat housing and 3 bolts.

With the thermostat out I flushed the cooling system through, and thankfully it was no where near as bad as I thought.

I also picked up a new front bumper from a local PHer, so I can get some new front lights and fitted to the bumper ready for Mot time

Edited by AceOfHearts on Friday 16th May 22:56

[AceOfHearts]

Thermostat housing sorted by a friendly PH'er, new front lights ordered and just got some nice new HT leads through.

Plan for tomorrow is to get the heater box bonded back together with the new matrix inside

[AceOfHearts]

Box reassembled and weighed down whilst the tigerseal is drying

Edited by AceOfHearts on Friday 16th May 22:57

[AceOfHearts]

More goodies assembled today

[AceOfHearts]

New thermostat housing cleaned up, gasket made and studding. Will fit the new thermostat tomorrow.

[AceOfHearts]

No pictures yet but a lot of progress yesterday, got the engine back together and up and running yesterday (as well as rescuing a fellow stranded wedger who was coming to visit )

The dash is also mainly back in now, and the heater box has been refitted. I just want to check all the electrics before bolting it properly back in so I don't have to take it apart again.

Next I think all I need is an alternator and battery, and to check all of the electrics over and then I can book up an mot

[AceOfHearts]

Haha no not me, i think my misses would kill me if I brought any more cars home

On a positive note I should have a video update for the thread this weekend

[AceOfHearts]

New HT Leads and alternator fitted, but it is still not charging

There seems to be no link from the alternator cables to the battery so i think there may be a cable break or fuse blown somewhere, will investigate tomorrow

[AceOfHearts]

Got it running again after a dodgy electrical connection. Still have to sort out the charging issue but have narrowed it down now. Thought I would video the first time its got to clear its throat in 4 years

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F88I7_hVL7Y

I think the neighbours now hate me

[AceOfHearts]

Did the valve clearances and some tarty engine bay bits today (cleaned everything and painted the rocker covers)

I also adjusted down the tickover to its proper level so a bit less noisy on the drive now. Fitted a new battery too which actually fits in the engine bay and let's me close the bonnet. Not long now!

Edited by AceOfHearts on Friday 16th May 22:56

[AceOfHearts]

Not updated for a while, been concentrating on the Chimaera which had some more important issues to sort out before our summer holiday next week.

Had a good blast at a few jobs today though and got quite a lot sorted.

-Re-stuck the headlining where it was drooping in places
-Sealed around the windscreen to stop it leaking
-Repaired the saggy drivers seat
-Refitted the rest of the interior including both seats
-Got the horn working (turned out to be a wiring difference with the new switchgear

When I get back from holiday hopefully I should be able to afford to insure it and get it booked in for an MOT. Now all it needs is the bumper refitting and the front indicators wiring back up

[AceOfHearts]

It's 'finished'

Got the bumper and rest of the wiring sorted and it's now Mot ready (although it doesn't look it )

Also just got insured (fully comp for £130 which is a bit of a bargain at 25)

Bring on the road legalness!

[AceOfHearts]

With any luck, drive it about, fix any 'snagging list' bits that come up then make a start on the bodywork

I'm away for 2 and a bit weeks on Tuesday in the Chimaera so unless I can get it booked in for an mot tomorrow I probably won't get much chance to play with it until August

[AceOfHearts]

Failed the MOT on a couple of little electrical issues causes by a loose plug under the steering column (must have been knocked out by the tester I think as it was working fine on the drive there)

I got it all sorted anyways but now I can't get it back for a retest until Saturday as I am in Manchester all week with work

[AceOfHearts]

It passed!!

Went blasting around yesterday and this car is hilarious. The steering, accelerator and clutch are really heavy, and it gets unbearably hot inside, but I don't think I have ever had so much fun in a car. I took one of my mates out and he couldn't stop grinning.

The exhaust is so loud and blasting down the country lanes its addictive hearing it reverberate off the trees, and the popping and banging on the over-run is fantastic.

Taking it 30 miles into work tomorrow so fingers crossed it will be OK. Already compiling a snagging list though

[AceOfHearts]

Well I made it in OK, the first long drive has brought up a few issues though so i will add these to the snagging list I already have:

-Alternator stopped charging half way to work (unsure if this is true or the light / gauge wiring is faulty though)
-Headlight snagged on sidelight wiring when coming up and popped off the bullet connector
-Dash lights dont work
-Oil pressure gauge doesn't work
-Rev counter sticks and gives odd values
-Speedo doesn't work
-Only one speaker is working for radio
-Windscreen washer pipe came loose and melted onto the exhaust
-Sun visor is stuck in a position so that it is always touching my forehead (now removed)