The Dark Wob

Bought this as a cheap comfy cruiser. It's not perfect, but it's had some coin thrown at it in the past.
Previous previous owner drove it daily, sold it on and the previous owner neglected the maintenance, popped the head gasket and ignored it until it didn't run any more. Not even going to bother with this one. Have a possible lead on a replacement locally. Interior is not bad, the usual slightly crunchy plastics.
It's done about 120,000 miles from what I can see.

Phil

Deffo time to check the valve block etc in the auto box then. That's right in the failure range. From what I've read the valve block is easy enough to do, especially for a man of your skills.

They're all 4.0l over there aren't they?

Hooli wrote: ↑Fri Apr 12, 2024 8:21 am Deffo time to check the valve block etc in the auto box then. That's right in the failure range. From what I've read the valve block is easy enough to do, especially for a man of your skills.

They're all 4.0l over there aren't they?

I think they only sold the 4.0 here yes.

I'll split the engine and transmission, pulling the transmission by itself will be easier.

Phil

Dunno if it had them but maybe worth checking any transmission oil/coolant exchanger if the engine was cooked.

SiC wrote: ↑Fri Apr 12, 2024 11:47 am Dunno if it had them but maybe worth checking any transmission oil/coolant exchanger if the engine was cooked.

Particularly as the traditional approach at Browns Lane was "Ey Derrek, ow big this ray-de-yayter gotta be?"
Derek takes a thoughtful sip of lukewarm sweet milky tea while Frank puffs on his pipe, hands in his brown warehouse overcoat.
"Well, we got that'un there. Them suits frum Osstin bruought it with'ey, it's quite big, from a Metro I think'ey said.'
Frank glances at the radiator, stacked up against a collection of rusting, dusty bar stock next to a lathe that hasn't been used since the war.
"Aye, I think Bob saiddee'as one o'they on 'is test freem outside, 'ee saiddee ran thu V12 on it an' it stey'd cool."
Derek looks outside through a filthy, cracked window at the drizzle in the yard, where an engine sits collecting rainwater.
"Mm. If it'll run in 'at, it'll run anywhur."
With that Frank stamps the work order and throws it in the mail slot, sits down and finishes his tea before wandering slowly back the long way round the floor to his desk.


...and that's the story of why the V12 got a bad rap in the USA.

Yes. That and the collective refusal of American buyers to put up with that kind of shit and knock the cars back with a solid threat of litigation instead of writing to Autocar or The Times.

mercrocker wrote: ↑Fri Apr 12, 2024 1:18 pm Yes. That and the collective refusal of American buyers to put up with that kind of shit and knock the cars back with a solid threat of litigation instead of writing to Autocar or The Times.

Yup. You could buy a Chevy for a fraction the price and it'd go on and on without any kind of maintenance. Even if it ran out of water or oil it'd carry on. (GM 3800 V6 the example there).

People expect their cars to act flawlessly for at least 60,000 miles here, before you even consider having to do minor maintenance.

If only stuff with that iron engine was more easily obtained over here.....Currently sitting on the fence with the Chrysler, it seems to be approaching the deathwatch kind of problem that usually scraps them. I'd love a V6 Buick or Olds but they rarely come up for sale at anything other than the sort of money that would get me a nice 60s car.

On a more positive note I spent a little while with some Otter Wax leather salve and massaged the seats. They sucked it up like a sponge. I used the whole tin just on the back seat alone. Ordered some more, and some oil to keep it in good condition afterward. It's nice leather, surprising that it's not plastic coated. Nicer place to be now.

Interestingly, my wife doesn't seem averse to the idea of repainting it.