Mk1 PFL Estate

[iani]

I took delivery of this car recently, it’s currently in a secure yard awaiting Mk2 hubs & discs being fitted to match the mk2 calipers it came with. I’m not sure what I’m going to do with the car yet, if my TR6 sells I will prob convert the Estate to 2.5 PI spec’

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[iani]

I still can't get at the car as the compound is locked until next week, so far I have ready:

thermostat housing with new water pump mounted, new temp sender and blanking plug fitted. I have a Mk1 stainless water pipe on order and I have an almost complete hose set, one heater hose isn't available but luckily they look in reasonable condition.

Alternator & mounting bracket, negative earth elec ignition module, new coil, male - male connectors & insulating tape to sort regulator wiring out.

New headlamp bowls with halogen lights fitted, ready to swap out the sealed beams. I also have a pair of Lucas Ranger light's one Fog, one Spot, just need to sort wiring out for those.

Pair of Alfa 156 seats, they're black but in such good condition I'm not going to worry about the colour clash with the cactus too much just yet.

Set of black powder coated TR6 wheels, should get them in February, the originals are quite nasty and I suspect blasting would leave a lot of pitting, I might store them away

[Forkie]

I know pictures can be deceptive but from my seat that looks pretty tidy for a '66. Good find

[iani]

I know pictures can be deceptive but from my seat that looks pretty tidy for a '66. Good find

Thanks, I'll post some pics once I have the car home and have had a chance to clean it up & take stock. The outer bodywork isn't too bad, sills need some work and the car has had underbody welding done in recent months.

Ian

[englishbull]

Look forward to seeing my old car on the road again Ian

[iani]

The Good:
The brake parts removed from my Mk2 PI have now been installed in the Estate, along with the suspension, a few brake pipe sections needed replacing too. Some dodgy fuel pipe sections have been replaced. The car now runs on a negative earth, Alternator charging circuit and the charge light now goes out. The drivers seat has been replaced with an Alfa one, the passenger will be swapped when I bring the car home.

The Bad:
The Tech who test drove the car discovered a bad air leak at the manifold gasket, this needs swapping out, he also suspects that at least one valve might need attention. I was expecting to do an engine swap, I just didn't think it would be this soon, I think this will go to 2.5 PI spec', I have the CP series PI kit on the shelf here, I also have a "fast road" head due this month, a warranty head after a recon head sprung a leak last yea

The Ugly:
The car has had a lot of welding underneath recently, I was aware of this when I bought the car, unfortunately there is heavy surface rust everywhere else, I need to clean up the wheel arches carefully, I expect I will uncover some more rot requiring more plating, the sills both need some attention too, having cover sills fitted that are corroding.

I just want to get the car home now so I can get stuck into it, roll on the lighter evenings

[iani]

Look forward to seeing my old car on the road again Ian

I think it will be a while before it ventures very far Lee, you're welcome to come down & visit anytime

[johnnydog]

The Bad:
The Tech who test drove the car discovered a bad air leak at the manifold gasket, this needs swapping out, he also suspects that at least one valve might need attention.

Leaking / blowing manifolds gaskets are quite common on Mk1 2000 engines in my experience. When I was using my Royal Blue Mk1 as an everyday car (many years ago!) I had to change the manifold gasket on more than one occasion. There's a right and wrong way to fit them relative to the asbestos(?) part of the gasket to the cylinder head. I'd do that first, then a further compression test before doing any head work.

[iani]

Leaking / blowing manifolds gaskets are quite common on Mk1 2000 engines in my experience. When I was using my Royal Blue Mk1 as an everyday car (many years ago!) I had to change the manifold gasket on more than one occasion. There's a right and wrong way to fit them relative to the asbestos(?) part of the gasket to the cylinder head. I'd do that first, then a further compression test before doing any head work.

That's the plan, new gasket going on next week then I'll collect the car & hopefully bring it home, will then see how things go.

[iani]

Drove the car home this evening, c.16 miles or so, a very pleasant drive, it keeps up with traffic fine, certainly in the heavy flow up to 65 or so, it was carrying a load of used suspension & brake parts too so fairly heavy. My first impressions are very positive, the Alfa seat is fantastic, just need to swap the passenger one out now too.