(G) Afrika Corpse - Battery Update

Good news from us! Looks like the mysterious battery problem that Beau had with the old two tone LHD Uno was nothing more than a bad connection! On first examination the battery was found to be chucking out a respectable 12.5 volts yet she still wouldn't start. A close look at the battery posts and clamps revealed that they were caked in crud. A quick scrub with a wire brush and bingo! She started first time and ran nice and smooth. Obviously we do need to keep an eye on it but it's looking good at the moment.
Saturday sees us off to the breakers to search for an air filter box, some spare wheels and any other bits that we can scavenge!
Updates and pics on Saturday...
AC

If you near me (PM for details) you can raid the pile of stuff inlcuind wheels and tyres destined for the scrap man you can take things away for next to nowt !!!
Plus i can bore you with what to wtahc out for when rallying an Uno !!!

cool tried the horn yet?

Latest news...
DONE
Battery working okay - tested Alternator, that looks fine too
Horn - cleaned contacts as suggested by Beau, working fine

TO DO
Still need to source an Air Filter Box, fix leaking washer valve and work out why the licence plate light isn't working. Replace all breaks, adjust hand break and clutch. Get MOT.

AFTER MOT...the fun begins
Strip out everything behind the front seats. Move both front seats back 3-4 inches (so we can stretch out and sleep in them!)
Make and fit bash plate under front of car
Fit roof rack, bolt spare wheels to every available surface
etc....

A BIG, BIG thanks to SuperUno who gave us 8 tyres (including some proper mean looking rally ones) and 3 wheels, a large radiator and lots of very useful advice, all for free. Top bloke and a nice guy. And his Rally Uno IS THE NUTS.

AC

is the same engine not used on other fiats?just if you open your search it may prove easier

remember the panda airbox also fits.

you gonna fit the stereo? might make it more fun journey

Just a thought - if you remove the head restraints, the front seat backs should fold horizontal and meet the back seat. Unfortunately I can't remember whether this was my Uno or some other car, but it's worth a try. The head restraints are secured by P-clips inside the backrest. Easiest way is to remove the plastic strip that holds the seat covering material in place, across the back of the backrest base.

You don't want the headrests anyway if you are trying to sleep, but I would recommend re-fitting them when actually driving...

License plate light is most likely to be the bulb or its contacts.

Air box; you really wouldn't expect it to be difficult to find one of these! Particularly with all the K&N upgrades taking place... óf course, you wiser people know that the standard-type paper element will be more effective in the desert...

Fitting a roof rack to the Uno may prove interesting. Perhaps you'll just drill and bolt through the roof?

Finally, what is the washer valve? One of those in-line non-return valves in the windscreen washer tubing? I've found that they just have a spring-loaded piece of rubber closing off the outlet. I would suspect that the washer pump would be more powerful without it... I don't think the Mk1 had a non-return valve.

-Alex

Forgot to say guys, with the rally tyres you may need to use inner tubes, which is often a good idea, as this can help prevent punctures.

hi,

im wondering if my parking permit is still attached to the car windscreen? or if you still have it if you removed it, i forgot to remove it from the uno when you left and in my area you get 2 parking permits and if you lose them then tuff so if you still have it please let me know, il pay for you to get it sent to me and now my mums boy friend's car is risking being clamped, let me know

Interesting - but methinks this might have been better as a private message, as I feel that I now know too much information!

I left my wallet in a car I sold once, which takes the cake I reckon . The new owner was too embarrassed to bring it back (I think) so he left it at the University as 'found in the carpark' two days later. Complete with the purchase money for the car. The funny part was that it was the mid-semester break, so no-one was there all week.

-Alex

any more updates?