1987 3.2 Carrera Backdate project - Sladeys hotrod

[sladey]

I'm thinking along the same lines - I'll adapt the cycle mirror so it clips over the door frame

[Bootsy]

Take influence from a simple Hot Rod Peep mirror for something easy to fit and remove.

Just be careful of that new paint!



Loads of VWs run them

[neilbardsley]

Well done that does look good. Looks like a similar colour to my 912 Aga Blue?

[sladey]

Take influence from a simple Hot Rod Peep mirror for something easy to fit and remove.

Just be careful of that new paint!



Loads of VWs run them

I've actually been looking at those for a while - I do like them - always loved them on a chopped '32 deuce coupe. However I wanted to do it properly and in my own time. I'll just rig something up tonight

[Northy]

I had one of those on my Type 3 - they mangle the frame up a bit if you're not careful.... watch that paint!

[DustyM]

Almost there Mark, keep the faith.

[Jonny Hart]

Peeps are cool

[sladey]

OK so last night was another late one - till 1:45 this morning

Firstly sussed that I'd forgotten to connect up one of the oil breather pipes which was leading to the lumpy idling - connected taht up and tickover was nice and smooth. Secondly the oil light had started to come on on the way home when accelerating. Had really good oil pressure though. When I checked the level it was very low - probably because the oil had gone from all the pipes during the rebuild. Stuck 2 litres in and the oil level was showing as half way.

Now have most of an interior


Not all done - ended up just fitting what would get it through the MOT

Also fitted the Halfords Spesh


Whilst the mirror is crap it should get through an MOT, and also confirms I could fit a nice peep mirror in that position.

This morning when dropping Meg off at school the oil light stayed on. Came back home and checked the level again - perfectly find. Phoned Mike about it and both agreed if the oil level was fine then it must be a faulty sensor.

Then took the car to the vinyl place for them to look at them - booked it in for the vinyls to be fitted and then took the long way to work. Connected my music up and really started to get to love the car again.

Car was driving like a dream - both in handling and performance. Finally got an empty lane and opened it up a bit - got to 6K revs once but generally 4-5K - was really sweet and very fast

That's when it all went wrong.

There was a sudden machine gun like noise - quite deep coming from the engine. Back off straight away but it was still there. Pulled in at the side of the road and listened. lumpy idle and a single thump coming with every revolution of the engine. Oil pressure was good. switched it off. Looked over all the engine - all seems clean and no leaks. Later spotted a minor leak by the distributor housing and a small amount of oil dripping onto heat exchanger near cylinder 1 but nothing catastrophic and as I said oil pressure had remained very good.

I was gutted. This happened at around 10 this morning.

Phoned Mike and talked it through. He ran through a few things it could be - most likely in my head was a piston gone/holed/damaged - it seemed to be that sort of rhythm to the thump - everything else still sounded smooth. He said we need to do a compression test to start with.

Phoned the AA - who have been excellent - the car is currently on a low loader on it's way to Mike for him to investigate the problem.

Now looks highly unlikely I'll be driving my car to CLM

There are however worse things in life. Car is still looking excellent and the problem will be sorted sooner or later. I will still be going to CLM and will still have a great time with my mates. After so long off the road I was just starting to get restore that feeling of enjoying the car.

So whilst I'm obviously gutted about it, I'm not suicidal or anything. I'm also going on holiday on Saturday for 2 weeks so am looking forward to the rest.

[Bootsy]

Bugger!

You've got the right attitude though and you know you'll still enjoy CLM being driven around and being offered a drive here and there.

Fingers crossed though it's something straight forward.

[964RS]

Balls. Can't say you didn't try though mate and gave it all you could...

[sladey]

Yep and it looked pretty cool sat there in the sunshine

Look at those arch profiles - going to raise it a bit at the back and drop it a bit at the front




Been broken down in wind and rain before. Sunshine is better. Even had a little snooze

[Gary71]

A real shame. Hopefully nothing major. See you at CLM anyway!

[theorangeperil]

Gutted for you Mark.
But it looks great! and will be sorted in no time I'm sure!
Now relax and enjoy your holiday!

[Bootsy]

Looks very cool in the wild - great colour choice. And yes, those arches look superb

[KS]

Let's see what the magician has to say about it before abandoning the idea of driving to CLM... You never know. BUT, the best things is that all that work you've done on the bodywork is amazing! I'd patent those flares under the title 'Sladey's signature edition'. Very cool, very cool indeed.

Fingers crossed all round...