Car tinkering

Foster

This has been my view for most of today. Spent quite a bit of time today dismantling the manifold to give me access to the idle control valve - it's bloody disgusting in there, all the tubes are caked in black carbon shite.

chillidoggy

I feel your pain. I too, am a tinkerer in such things.

GuitarMonkey

E30 318is? 

Nunogilberto

I'm a tinkerer too. Have been tinkering away on an old Mini for the past 5 years on and off...

Foster

GuitarMonkey said:

E30 318is? 

So close! It's an E36 318is

chillidoggy

At least you've actually GOT an engine in the car! I'm still fannying around with alloy panelling.

http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee189/chillidoggy/Cobra/DSCN1554_zps3206f49d.jpg

Foster

I would've done a complete rebuild, but the car was dirt cheap and it's not really what i'm after. Plus the garage is too full to fit a car in :P

I'd really like an old Citroen (BX, CX, DS, 2CV/variants) though - I love the engineering to them.

Once the engine is sorted it's onto the wheels. I have enough parts for the rear wheels to completely overhaul them - bearings, hubs, discs, pads, shock absorbers. Then I need to sort out some panels (drivers wing is utterly rotten, the nose is rusty too), change the exhaust to something non-chav and sort out the interior as the seats are rubbish.

chillidoggy

My father-in-law always had Citroens, the last one he had before he shuffled off was the CX. I thought it was a very nice car, not fast, but soo comfortable. I bet they're a bastard to work on, the suspension was quite something else.

Foster

From the research I've done the suspension is easier to work on than springs, there might be some orbs that are trickier to get to - but as long as it's treated with TLC then it should work fine.

FX_Munkee

Foster said:

From the research I've done the suspension is easier to work on than springs, there might be some orbs that are trickier to get to - but as long as it's treated with TLC then it should work fine.

As the ex owner of a BX (which had suspension "issues") I can quite confidently say, springs and struts are much more straight forward to work on (and I've worked on quite a few).

Karlos

Nunogilberto said:

I'm a tinkerer too. Have been tinkering away on an old Mini for the past 5 years on and off...

@Nunohilberto ; what Mini ya got ?

Van_Hayden

Ahh the BX - soft spot for those. Funnily enough the suspension was pretty much problem free, as was the engine. The doors fell off before I had any trouble with the rest of the car.

Would quite like one again though, amazing ride. Would love an SM. Although not having a garage at home is a pain when it comes to tinkering!

chillidoggy

My mates uncle had an SM, I thought it looked like a spaceship straight out of the Jetsons.

Foster

An SM would be amazing - though would probably require a lottery win!

I'd love to sort the beemer out, sell it and buy a BX

FX_Munkee

Foster said:

I'd love to sort the beemer out, sell it and buy a BX

You sir, are a mentalist..

Foster

Why? I'd rather have a car with character than a boring german car.

FX_Munkee

I currently own an Alfa, so I'm fairly well versed on "characterful" cars
TBH I can't see the love for BX's they're not the Citroens of old, they're pale, plasticky, unreliable, imitations (IMHO).
Actually if you're looking for something with character (ie unreliable but pretty) how about an Alfa ? At least you'll look stylish when your standing at the side of the road with the bonnet up.

chillidoggy

You could always buy a VW Camper if you're hankering after something with "character". B-)

Incidentally, after hankering after a Lotus Esprit for ages, and realising that I'd never fit into one when I'd did try one in the 80's, it turns out there's a bloke 100 yards down the road that's got a GT3 version. Strolled past his place, he was in his garden, and we ended up nattering about it for a hour. Got to sit in it, and discovered I can fit in it. Apparently Lotus changed the cockpit after 1992. Which could be a problem for Mrs C, as she's adamant she doesn't like them....

Foster

The preference for the BX is its cheap - sub £1k. A good CX is around £6k

chillidoggy

Am I right in thinking the CX was air-cooled, the BX was liquid-cooled?

FX_Munkee

BX was liquid cooled, on a good day...
BTW if you like tinkering and 4 seats isn't a necessity I'd genuinely recommend an MX-5 (or Eunos Roadster import).
MK1 or 2 are incredibly simple to work on, have proper suspension (double wishbone all round), have a massive choice of aftermarket parts, are extremely reliable and can be had for sub 1K if you know where to look. Oh and they're definitely characterful.
I keep one in the garage for whenever the Alfa has a hissy fit, connect the battery and it always starts first time.