My first wedge
Discussion
Well, I finally stopped procrastinating and listening to my better judgement and purchased my first wedge - here she is http://bayimg.com/OAaJlAaCh - the 'go faster' cup of tea on the roof is my own addition.
First day it overheated but my mechanic identified two engine grommets missing which we popped back in and resolved the problem. The car, if out for a good while and pushed to its paces, still gets a boiling and bubbling expansion tank but we are going to flush the engine and check for rust etc in the hope this will help.
Only the speedo and oil pressure gauge works (oil pressure registers halfway at 50, is that about right?) - my mechanical knowledge is next to zero - but I intend to learn. The interior has been retrimmed in black so I guess some of the dials may have been disturbed during that, I'm curious as to whether getting these fixed is a long/complex job. Pertinently, I need the fuel and temp gauge to work.
Didn't pay much for it, 860 quid and it's got 13480 on the clock (at least, thats what the MOT cert reads from April 7th 08 though I'm a tad dubious). Engine is sweet, gearbox and clutch are fine - its one of the most challenging cars I've driven but once you get used to the severe steering its terrific fun, I'm enjoying it very much indeed. I particularly enjoy taking the revs right up and lifting my foot, those explosive burbles out the back, lovely. Took it out in the wet today, it nearly cut my throat going round a corner as the back end twitched out ever so slightly, its going to be a steep learning curve but I love the sheer brutality of the car, it seems, though endlessly beautiful, it wants to fight everyone.
I'll keep the forum abreast of what trials she puts me through, of which I feel there may be many but thus far its pretty plain sailing for a car that has, to date, cost under a grand.
With thanks.
KBJ
First day it overheated but my mechanic identified two engine grommets missing which we popped back in and resolved the problem. The car, if out for a good while and pushed to its paces, still gets a boiling and bubbling expansion tank but we are going to flush the engine and check for rust etc in the hope this will help.
Only the speedo and oil pressure gauge works (oil pressure registers halfway at 50, is that about right?) - my mechanical knowledge is next to zero - but I intend to learn. The interior has been retrimmed in black so I guess some of the dials may have been disturbed during that, I'm curious as to whether getting these fixed is a long/complex job. Pertinently, I need the fuel and temp gauge to work.
Didn't pay much for it, 860 quid and it's got 13480 on the clock (at least, thats what the MOT cert reads from April 7th 08 though I'm a tad dubious). Engine is sweet, gearbox and clutch are fine - its one of the most challenging cars I've driven but once you get used to the severe steering its terrific fun, I'm enjoying it very much indeed. I particularly enjoy taking the revs right up and lifting my foot, those explosive burbles out the back, lovely. Took it out in the wet today, it nearly cut my throat going round a corner as the back end twitched out ever so slightly, its going to be a steep learning curve but I love the sheer brutality of the car, it seems, though endlessly beautiful, it wants to fight everyone.
I'll keep the forum abreast of what trials she puts me through, of which I feel there may be many but thus far its pretty plain sailing for a car that has, to date, cost under a grand.
With thanks.
KBJ
May I be the first to congratulate you on your purchase, and to welcome you to 'Wedgedom' . 
I'm assuming the car is a 280 ?
My first Wedge was similar, and not much different on price, but a Fixed Head.
I don't remember mine making much noise on the overrun, and with that in mind and the overheating, it might be worth checking that the timing isn't a long way out (advanced).
Early V8s on the other hand will make beautiful pops and bangs when you lift off....standard on those.
The steering is probably not PAS, therefore very heavy. That's normal.
You'll soon have arms like popeye.
Gauges could be nothing more than a fuse or relay problem, but I'll leave that for someone who knows what he's talking about to suggest fixes for those.
I'm assuming the car is a 280 ?
My first Wedge was similar, and not much different on price, but a Fixed Head.
I don't remember mine making much noise on the overrun, and with that in mind and the overheating, it might be worth checking that the timing isn't a long way out (advanced).
Early V8s on the other hand will make beautiful pops and bangs when you lift off....standard on those.
The steering is probably not PAS, therefore very heavy. That's normal.
You'll soon have arms like popeye.
Gauges could be nothing more than a fuse or relay problem, but I'll leave that for someone who knows what he's talking about to suggest fixes for those.
Edited by grahamw48 on Saturday 6th June 20:56
Congrats on you fun purchase if you look at you temp gauge the conector nearest the drivers door a length of wire with 2 female spade conectors on it one to gauge other to temp sender on thermostat housing will tel if gauge is ok or not i had to rewire mine only had car 7 yrs lol fuel gauge next so we hope to see u at bbwf09 then ?
Thanks for the input everyone (in Cardiff by the way in response to one of the posts).
Mechanic is coming tomorrow, I've a list of things we need to sort out so will work through them, the temperature gauge and the fuel gauge being the most important at the moment. I'd love to come to the Wedgefest thingy but I'd have to be sure the car was tip tip before I made a trip as far as Blackpool, its only been up and around the block a few times and the maiden voyage resulted in overheating so I've got to get it running perfectly. I guess its a goal, if I do make it then it'll represent a fair amount of work so perhaps a fitting result.
Mechanic is coming tomorrow, I've a list of things we need to sort out so will work through them, the temperature gauge and the fuel gauge being the most important at the moment. I'd love to come to the Wedgefest thingy but I'd have to be sure the car was tip tip before I made a trip as far as Blackpool, its only been up and around the block a few times and the maiden voyage resulted in overheating so I've got to get it running perfectly. I guess its a goal, if I do make it then it'll represent a fair amount of work so perhaps a fitting result.
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