The Dark Wob

Eddie Honda wrote: ↑Tue Aug 13, 2019 3:06 pm

fried onions wrote: ↑Tue Aug 13, 2019 12:53 pm Turning a knurled knob with fingers does not save anything over turning a 1/2" AF nut with a spanner.

You must walk around with a 1/2" AF spanner in your pocket. I have to hunt for mine first...

No, I just use a small adjustable.

mercrocker wrote: ↑Tue Aug 13, 2019 3:22 pm Probably wrong (I usually am) but I just leave my earth terminal loosely wound up in storage. If I need to start the car or use any 12v power it is a push-on job rather than a spanner twirl to remove and replace it. Haven't had any issues starting it up like that although it is dry and fairly warm - a really cold start would call for the spanner.

Have to add, I do normally leave an open-ender in the car for that purpose although more than once have arrived home with it still in my back pocket...

Aye the terminals are tapered so it's basically a wedge like fit. I do the same with my stored cars.

SiC wrote: ↑Tue Aug 13, 2019 3:29 pm I was thinking something like this longer term:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2x-QUICK-REL ... 2163872109

A similar idea is used to keep my bike wheels attached to the frame.

This probably shows what an idiot I am but I fitted some of these to my T2 which then kept on stopping when they came loose.
Despite my best efforts and the garage trying a few times they still kept on coming loose so ended up being replaced by 'proper' ones. I got them from a reputable supplier so am still at a bit of a loss as to why it happened.

Perhaps it needed a spring washer or locknut to replace the securing nut?

They are shite. And worst of all, people cut the original factory fittings off to fit this shit.

Or just fix the drain on the car? I've never seen a need for such things unless you're parking it up for months n months & then I'd just use a spanner as it was such an uncommon thing.

Bloke where I store my van likes to have the cars isolated so I have to do mine twice a month or so while they are up there (I never leave a vehicle two weeks without running it up to temperature, around the farm yard a few times and then putting current through every circuit).....

@chadders - was the reputable seller of those terminals JustKrappers by any chance?

I don't think so, I think it was someone like AES but I bought them about 6 or 7 years go so can't say for certain. I bought a load of stuff off them and everything else was fine.
I just thought that they were a good idea as the battery is hidden away in what would be the back of the rear wing in a normal car, you have to crouch down to get to it and the terminals are partly hidden. Not ideal in the case of an engine bay fire.

fried onions wrote: ↑Wed Aug 14, 2019 11:54 am No, I just use a small adjustable.

Deluxe pliers.

I know, I'm not a proper engineer.

Two Sprints have sold recently on eBay as auctions. It reiterates to me again what a great price mine was really. I have possibly more work (remember the diff whines on mine too) but I paid £1.1k less than the cheapest of the following. If a garage was doing the work, I could spend that
difference very quickly. However they're not and my time is free*.

First was this:

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre ... 3612891122
No current MOT and body looked in similar state as mine. Also it's shit coloured.

Second one:

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre ... 3881866269
No MOT and not had one in a long while. Body looks in decent condition and a very rare colour. But it's an automatic!

Dolomite Sprints don't come up all that often really. Seem to have nothing for ages and then a whole load come up. It's why I jumped at a chance of getting mine. Even if it does require a fair bit of attention.

MOT in less than two months too. Might postpone it until next year as I won't be doing many miles in it at all till Spring really. It's exempt of course and yes I still like to get mine tested - it keeps me happy.