What did you do today?

[AMCrebel]

Been trying to get around to fitting the LED boards to my rear lights on the AMC but other stuff kept getting in the way.
Finally managed it and found I needed to remover the bumper - I don't think that's officially required but I may have squeezed the bumper up against the rear of the car a bit more than usual in the incident we don't talk about where I crashed two of my cars on my own driveway whilst driving neither.

Bumper came off surprisingly easily, chassis not looking anywhere like as bad as I expected either - for once a job that didn't turn to ratshit in ten seconds.

I love old cars where you are actually meant to be able to work on them.

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[panhard65]

Recovery was quick and I'm the 15 miles home already.
It drove into my driveway ok, so hopefully a change of oil will see it alright. Will need to fix the coolant and transmission oil mixing though. Hopefully seals can be had, if my diagnosis is correct.

Steam pouring out the gearbox is not something I was expecting to see!

My first thought was hgf until I opened the bonnet.

It has been a very long time since last playing with these but I think they have a cooler on the top of the gearbox that used to give trouble. Try bypassing the coolant hoses first to make sure the gearbox isn't toast before spending money on it

[Frogchod]

I spent a fun afternoon trying to remove the alternator pully from the C6.
I think I've got the correct sealey sx400 tool ,but no dice,the t50 bit is too loose and the m10 bit won't fit.
I'll have a look with a mirror tomorrow to try and see what's in there.
I suspect its a non OE pully and bolt.
Trying to avoid removing aircon pump and alternator...

[mercrocker]

Yeah, spent quite a bit last year on having windows out and apertures repaired, rear box section cut out and replaced and some repairs on the sliding door. Second bout of major bodywork in 14 years so not too bad for one of these - at least they weren't the same areas!

I keep forgetting she's 33 years old and still consider it a "modern" instead of a needy, rusting relic.

[PhilA]

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Went out in 35 degree weather and started to clean the woodwork in the back garden.
Along came a storm and took the air down to about 15 degrees, coupled with strong winds. Then lightning and rain and mosquitoes and finally some sunshine.

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Looks better though, think it was worth it.

Phil

[PhilA]

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Took a photo just now, in the sun with the fence dried out.

Yeah, that's definitely better. All the light in the bedroom is golden yellow now, coming in off the wood. Nice.

Phil

[BenHar]

20200815_174400.jpg
Went out in 35 degree weather and started to clean the woodwork in the back garden.
Along came a storm and took the air down to about 15 degrees, coupled with strong winds. Then lightning and rain and mosquitoes and finally some sunshine.

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Looks better though, think it was worth it.

Phil

Impressive!

What wood is it? And what are you using to clean it?

Ben

[Drum]

Took the cooler off the R5's gearbox.

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The hoses were not keen to come off.
Undoing the clips was like opening a can of corned beef and needed a 5.5mm spanner.

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I'm hoping the o-rings on the base are the source of the problem. The bolts are hollowed out, allowing the oil to pass through the cooler.
One showed signs of leakage.

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One of the coolant hose tubes is so badly corroded there's a hole in it.

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Cleaned up

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I had o-rings the right size so put it back together

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That jar is what the coolant looked like.

Drained and replaced the transmission oil and flushed the coolant. Bypassed the cooler as recommended by panhard and gave it a short test drive. The gearbox seemed to work fine.

When I connected the coolant hoses to the cooler, it leaked water at one of the hose tubes. I thought I saw it moving when I was taking the hose off earlier. It's obviously cracked. Can't see any for sale on the web, so might see if I can get it brazed.

[PhilA]

Impressive!

What wood is it? And what are you using to clean it?

Ben

I honestly don't know, but it's quite orange, as you can see.
It doesn't smell of anything in particular.

That's just washed down with cold water from my pressure washer, narrow fan nozzle on the end of the lance.

Phil

[mercrocker]

Think I have managed to get the T25 exhaust manifold lined up and torqued down. Not happy at the four threads of stud protrusion one side which indicates it hasn't sat down fully - I think there may well be a piece of studdage down there probably from before my time. As long as it hangs in until new engine day I'm happy....Also replaced the reversing light switch which involved the usual amount of fuddery with washers to get the balance between ON/OFF correctly synched with the actual gear lever position.....Both jobs involved being underneath with my chest against the sump but I managed to crawl out before the monsoon came. Also "seem" to have fixed the 12-year old water leak into the front footwell. Despite having 3 screens and 4 rubbers in my time with the van it was the n/s screen rubber corner - treated with Capt.Tolley for £3.60. Fuck VW specialists.......