Barchetta Lefty’s B - Progress Topic

[s130]

So basically, take them off, soak them in WD-40, hit them with a hammer and cross fingers!

If OMO won't brighten it and DAZ who whiten it then (two options):

"...... it" - best universal grit grime and effluent remover

or

" .... it" - finest universal cleanser known

Not to be displayed or kept accessible to children or other sensitive skins.

 

[LeftyGreg]

Exhaust now welded

Did the brake calipers over the weekend and hit the regulators with a hammer!

Back for the MoT tomorrow, fingers crossed

If it fails on the brakes again, I will have to find the pressure regulators somewhere and replace them

 

[LeftyGreg]

Back in for the MoT today

Exhaust - passed
New brake callipers - passed

However, when I took the exhaust off and refitted it, it seems I nicked a brake pipe which is now leaking

So angry with myself! :bang:

 

[Wiltshire Chris]

That's exactly the sort of thing I'd do so I feel your frustration. Good news on the other bits though.

 

[LeftyGreg]

Brake pipe kit now on order, should have it by the weekend

I have a couple of advisories which I will worry about after I have the MoT and have managed to drive it properly for a bit

Near side drive shaft cv boot deteriorated
Near side shock absorber leaking

I assume that if I am doing one side shock absorber, it will be crazy not to do the other side at the same time

 

[Davefridge]

Front or rear shock? Best to change both as they are the same age and have done the same amount of work. Rears are a piece of pee, fronts are more work but when you've done one the second one is easy. Take some time to clean and regrease the top swivel bearings. I replaced all my shocks about 7 years ago. Still have the old rears spare if you're interested.

 

[LeftyGreg]

Front near side, so doing the cv boot at the same time makes perfect sense

 

[s130]

When it comes to suspension, tyres, brakes, .... , basically all N/S and O/S components that provide symmetrical balance of operations/functions then generally it is best to replace both sides/fronts/backs together. This will ensure that not just an MOT pass is obtained but that the longevity, balance, etc. and YOUR confidence in vehicle operations is fulfilled.

 

[LeftyGreg]

When it comes to suspension, tyres, brakes, .... , basically all N/S and O/S components that provide symmetrical balance of operations/functions then generally it is best to replace both sides/fronts/backs together. This will ensure that not just an MOT pass is obtained but that the longevity, balance, etc. and YOUR confidence in vehicle operations is fulfilled.

That’s what I was thinking, so that will be a busy weekend when I get to it.

While on the subject, the parts book from the topic by Wiltshire Chris shows 2 different part numbers

Var2 Rev0 says C2168 part no 82483504
Var3 Rev0 says D2168 part no 46429633

How do I know which one is right for my car?

 

[Wiltshire Chris]

Depends on the date/VIN of your car. Change 2168 is

2168 NEW AXLE SHAFT WITH HOMOKINETIC RING JOINT IN "HYTREL" [DAT 15/06/1996] [VET 0020897]

which means that change was introduced on the 15/6/96 - VIN 20897. C2168 basically means cars up to that date. D2168 means after that date. I think the D stands for Italian 'dopo' meaning since, not sure what the C is

 

[LeftyGreg]

Depends on the date/VIN of your car. Change 2168 is

2168 NEW AXLE SHAFT WITH HOMOKINETIC RING JOINT IN "HYTREL" [DAT 15/06/1996] [VET 0020897]

which means that change was introduced on the 15/6/96 - VIN 20897. C2168 basically means cars up to that date. D2168 means after that date. I think the D stands for Italian 'dopo' meaning since, not sure what the C is

Thanks for the explanation Dave, mine is a ‘95 vin 12881, so I need the earlier one

 

[LeftyGreg]

It passed :spin:

 

[gar074]

That's brilliant!

Now you can get to enjoy it!

 

[LeftyGreg]

Just need some better weather

 

[Wiltshire Chris]

Great stuff, fingers crossed for some sunshine

 

[s130]

Great news. I'm sure it will be worth all the trouble when the better weather arrives!

 

[LeftyGreg]

Got the first chance to drive it properly yesterday as it was a warm evening & I had to give my daughter a lift home.

It was the first time it has been properly driven since 2009 and I was surprised how well it went.

It drives well, but you can tell the shocks need doing on the front, other than that, all went well on the 20 minute drive with the roof down It also seems that some Blue Hylomar on the rocker box gasket has solved the oil leak I had

Hopefully will get a better chance to drive it over the weekend as long as it doesn't rain

Front shock absorbers now on order and should be with me next week, then I will have a fun weekend replacing them & the CV boots

-----

2 Months of hard weekend work well spent and a lot of learning on the way. It is difficult to think that I haven't worked on any cars since I was about 20 as I have had company cars since then, so everything as new to me and learning along the way. When I was 20, it was Ford Capri's & Escorts being an Essex Boy!

I couldn't have got this far without the great help I have had from many people on here, Thanks to all of you

Now onto the next chapter of enjoying it over the Summer and then the cosmetics which need some work

 

[Davefridge]

Good for you. Glad you like the Barchetta. Our next hurdle is the change in fuel coming up. Is the government putting another nail in the coffin of the classic car user?

 

[gar074]

You've done brilliantly to get it back on the road, and it's great to have you on here. I'm sure the things you've learned about your B over the last few months will be of help to other owners, new and old, down the line.

 

[Wiltshire Chris]

I couldn't have got this far without the great help I have had from many people on here, Thanks to all of you

Hear, hear and, as gar074 said, well done to you.

This time last year when I got hold of a Barchetta by mistake I was in a similar position to you. The guides written by members past and present, the responses to my questions, the service manuals and the ePer system have all been invaluable to me in getting my MOT failure back on the road. While FaceBook and their like have their uses I do like having a good searchable forum that is there long after the members might have moved on.