Alex SBY

What an excellent night - from what I remember of it anyway... I did get a bit tipsy... Was great to meet you all there and put faces to names. Big thanks to Joe for the lift to and from Nuneaton, too. Oh, I might well be getting an Alfa after this.

Actually, this IS me and I fucked up login just now. This is Alex SBY, IN.

My issues were not from Rovertech. They have been a good bunch on there for the most part tbh. I can name and shame the shit fora, but I'd rather not. RT caused me no woes at all!

Audis seem to have taken the batton from BMWs as being the official "cock head car" on the road. Nothing against the cars, just the bell ends that tend to drive them...

Well, this car has been with Vard a while now and appears to be providing faithful and reliable service. When I last saw it (about two weeks ago) I did a few odds and ends to it, namely swapping over the headlining and pillar trims from the scrap L reg Vitesse, sorting out the rattling rear seats (the insulation on the catches had disintegrated) and swapped over the headlights and sorted the wiring. Whilst at it I fixed the horn (one had packed up) and relocated the air con relay pack from underneath to inside the engine bay, as per later cars. Whilst at it we also swapped over the wheels for the Roversports that were on the old Vitesse. Now the cat has been removed, it's apparent that this car smokes, and under wellie it's quite noticeable. Still, at this mileage who can complain We've decided that in the light of the clutch being quite high, the fact there is some tapping (minor) and the smoking to tackle an engine swap. Rather than fit another MK2 827 engine however we have decided to make things more interesting and install a Pre-cat MK1 high compression unit, with the MK1 setup (not legally requiring any cat). It was originally intended to use the engine from my old limo, but when Chris on the 800 forum told me he has a spare mk1 827 lump with a manual box attached (with just 50k under its belt) it seems less hassle to drop that straight in. No mucking about with changing engine wiring looms then... The plan is therefore the following: 1. Fetch engine and box from Chris. 2. Extricate old engine from car. 3. Replace cambelt, water pump and clutch, and swap over aircon pump onto new engine. 4. Before refitting engine, replace steering rack (already sourced) and at that time replace balljoints and track rod ends. 5. Using parts for my limo, install mk1 ecu and wire in the gadget that sits in the fuse box area.I might try and graft in the entire interior PGMFI loom from the limo but I think that's unnecessary from what's been said to me. 6. Install new engine/box and connect up. 7. Once that's working, get AC regassed. 8. Replace fuel filler neck (yep, that's done the usual) 9. Replace rear hubs. Originals must be tired after that mileage and they do get noisy after a while of use. 10. After saving anything of use, send out the old engine in style by converting it into a coffee table... It sounds easy here, but in reality there is a lot of work. Unlike the BM project however we know these cars and have a lot more knowledge. It's intended to get the engine from Chris in over a week, and get cracking on this shortly after. The short term plan is for Vard to use it until he gets another car. The medium term plan is then to take it on this years rally to Naples. The long term plan is to restore. Once it's back from the rally, using bits from Vards scrap L reg (arch sections, rear bumper, doors) any rally "battlescars" can be swiftly sorted. So that's the plan. I'm looking forward to cracking on, and ensuring this car lives to well over 300k miles!

Now sold. The eBay auction ended tonight and the chap that contacted me was a true enthusiast. Now, where do I sign for an electric DeLorean?

Cheers Joe! Sounds good to me. I'll be in touch when we've worked out if it's doable!

And I do still want a 750. It will happen.

Will do. I'll see if Vard is up for this, too beforehand.

This sounds fun. I'd be provisionally interested in this...

Just seen this... Yeah I'd be up for attending any of these meets if they are on!

Well, I've decided to sell the Vitesse and use this thing more. I just LOVE it. Other than use it and polish it I've not really done much else to it. But in the next month or so I'll start making progress on the bits that need doing. I really must get a load cover though. It's a royal pain in the arse having to cover everything in the boot with a Tartan traveling rug. Yes. I know. And don't say a word. Ta.

Discos are cool, as is an un-messed with Hilux. Though if you are talking off road, Defender/Series Landies or GTFO...

You sir, are absolutely WRIGHT.

You're not RONG there...