What made you happy today?

[Dan E]

2 minutes ago, bogle said:

Weller's RIckenbacker 330 model 6 string - probably late 70s or early 80s model.  I'm unsure of the base color since it was custom painted.  My 330/12 FG from 1968 is pictured below to show the 12-string version of a 330 model. The Edge from U2 has the same model but it's a 1967 with an "R" tailpiece.  I removed the R tailpiece because it's a bitch to string.  The Trapeze tailpiece is far easier and much faster to restring.

correct 

 

 

[Bazza 907]

3 hours ago, Bazza 907 said:

Out to dinner tonight and hanging on the wall next to me was..

 

Any guesses where I was? Clue: Randy Andy swears by it..

Pizza Express Woking

[Chillidoggy]

10 hours ago, Bazza 907 said:

Out to dinner tonight and hanging on the wall next to me was..

 

Any guesses where I was? Clue: Randy Andy swears by it..

Jeffery Espstein’s gaff?

[pete]

15 hours ago, Dan E said:

correct 

 

 

Nice reply

[Dan E]

and thats why you don't buy a Porsche 

15 hours ago, Bazza 907 said:

Pizza Express Woking

and where was Weller from, oh yes Woking 

[pete]

Wasn't sure where to post this

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/cycling-london-helmet-camera-mobile-phone-driver-dave-clifton-b1141159.html

[Barrykearley]

Seeing the world descend into stupidity 

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-68402362

[C8RKH]

3 hours ago, Barrykearley said:

Seeing the world descend into stupidity 

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-68402362

I wouldn't trust many of todays new parents to provide guidance to any child. They need all the guidance they can get for themselves.

The world has indeed gone bonkers.

[bogle]

51 minutes ago, C8RKH said:

The world has indeed gone bonkers.

I had to look up the word as it's the first time that I've come across it.  I haven't watch Mary Poppins so don't know how it's used in the movie.  However, depending upon who's speaking, it could be jacked up with a funky accent making it nearly impossible to decipher. 

[Escape]

Cars. Seems it's usually cars that bring a smile to my face. 🙂

I was already in a good mood this week as I had the Jaaag back on the road, the replacement ECU cured the stalling and the sun was out tempting me to open the roof (need to fix the heater first though).

And then there was the Range Rover, Phoenix. So named because she is partly built from pieces salvaged from the workshop fire in 2015, including some fancy cilinder heads. I started gathering parts in 2018, in 2019 we built up the engine block (a recon Rover V8 5.0 with all new parts), rebuilt the gearbox and did a test run of the custom engine management system (MegaSquirt) on another Range. But then things slowed down. In 2020/21 the engine was completed (after getting some more parts, some that needed to be custom made) and at some point engine and gearbox ended up on the chassis again, along with the axles, fuel tank and body. I then spent considerable time, with very long intervals, sorting the electrics for a custom dashboard and switches. Which took a lot of trial and error. Last summer I thought we were ready to finally start her up. Alas, the ignition timing was all over the place and we discovered 2 leaking freeze plugs in the reconditioned heads. 😞 When the leaks were fixed (which meant taking the boy off again), other things got in the way (a couple of Matras for example) and most importantly, we were no closer to figuring out the timing issues. The last couple of weeks I started again, as I really want her on the road this year. It took a lot of strong language to sort the timing. Turned out there was a wiring error in the ECU, a misinterpretation on my behalf in the engine wiring loom and a blatant fault in the workshop wiring diagram for the coil packs, which I had based the custom loom on... When we tried it a few years ago on another car, we used a different coil pack and it seems 2 of the mix ups canceled each other out. A Rover V8 in reasonable shape will start and run even on 6 cilinders or less, so we didn't really notice. But this time around I wanted everything as good as possible before attempting to start the new engine. 

Last Sunday she finally started and even idled a bit. But she wouldn't rev and died as soon as you touched the accelerator. Everything pointed to fueling, so we started playing around with the fuel map, but that only made things worse. And I really didn't want to just keep trying, as I needed to bed in the cam, so wanted to get to 2000rpm as soon as possible and sit there for 20 minutes. Fuel pressure checked out so I started to fear the injectors were clogged, not flowing enough to get the engine to rev. In a final, half desperate attempt I decided to go old skool and try what I would do with an engine on carbs: spray a syringe of fuel in the intake. Lo and behold, she started and revved right up! Try again and she not only revved but could be kept at 2000rpm for a few minutes. The third time, after a quick check of the cooling system etc, she started without adding fuel to the intake and revved eagerly, so I could finish bedding in the cam. After that, a nice and stable idle and an engine growling with pleasure. Apparently I had a grin from ear to ear. 😎 

I'm so happy to finally get her running! Not only because of all the time and energy spent on the build (not to mention money!), but mainly because it's a special car to me. As far as we know, using a MegaSquirt this way in a P38 Range Rover hasn't been done. There is a lot of custom stuff in the car, most of it thought of and built by me. The base car was my first Range Rover V8, and she now symbolises how the Workshop came back together after the fire, better and stronger than ever!

This post wouldn't be complete without showing the lady in question. Obviously still a work in progress, but now the end seems nigh. Just a growling engine, but it meant the world to us after all the hard work and frustrations.  A huge thanks my mates Ben and Quentin who were with me all the way, sometimes (often) struggling to keep me motivated. And to all the guys on the Land Rover forum trying to help from afar.

Filip

 

 

 

[oneshot]

Won £50 on the premium bonds

[bogle]

5 minutes ago, oneshot said:

Won £50 on the premium bonds

Is that some kind of lottery? Sorry, across the pond USA member.

[exeterjeep]

9 minutes ago, bogle said:

Is that some kind of lottery? Sorry, across the pond USA member.

Premium Bonds are an investment product issued by National Savings and Investment (NS&I). Unlike other investments, where you earn interest or a regular dividend income, you are entered into a monthly prize draw where you can win between £25 and £1 million tax free.

 

Wife has had bonds for almost 50 years and not one a penny.

[jep]

Premium bonds is a sophisticated system that pays out in line with interest rates. The returns now should average just under 3%, as UK base rates are 5.25. 

Your money is 100% safe, I think the max investment is £50k. UK government backed. You can have your money back anytime. 

It's not a lottery as your money in is still your money. The payouts are random, a computer called EARNIE does the pickin'. 

I get regular 'wins' on my £14k invested. It's not a great return but it's safe and you might win the £1m jackpot. Or a lesser big win.

Everyone should have some. 

Justin 

[exeterjeep]

1 hour ago, jep said:

Everyone should have some. 

Sounds like a sales pitch.  My parents never had any - they treated it like gambling.

[C8RKH]

30 minutes ago, exeterjeep said:

My parents never had any - they treated it like gambling

You're actually helping the Government to raise and use funds "cheaply" on stuff that helps UK society.

[jep]

That's fine. Each as they like @exeterjeep

It helps every UK citizen as it's cheap loans for UK government. I consider it almost a civic duty to have savings with NS&I for those that can. As part of a diverse savings plan.

Justin 

[Slotus]

...the arrival of the Palacio Purple Esprit s4 😎

...well, someone had to buy it!

[Bibs]

Congratulations, a very unique and very well cared for car

[Slotus]

Thanks! - it's definitely different! ... really wasn't sure about the colour, but it does look good on the rare occassions the sun shines. Funnily enough previous owner is less than 10 miles from me, and I had seen it on the road a couple of times over the years. Hopefully bring it along to a meet or two in due course.

[Bibs]

@rizla603104 is very well known about these parts

[Slotus]

...my littlest Lotus off on its way to Strattons this morning to have the bust oil cooler issue sorted and a general once over ready for sunshiney pootling about 😊

[jep]

Massive reduction on chocolate: 

[johnpwalsh]

Couple of weeks back a nice woman from further down the coast contacted me too see if I could help her sort out several cars left by her late partner. She explained that the whole estate had gone through probate and she was now the legal owner but had no clue how to value them prior to disposal. The fleet consisted of three nice Alpha Romeos, a BMW 525i, an MGB GC and a fifth which was hidden away in a garage and had not seen light of day since April 1995. This car in particular was why she had tracked me down and got in contact. We organised a day trip down to have a look at the fleet and see how we could help her out. the 1967 MGB GC had been completely dismantled in the late 80's with plans for restoration. This I was surprised at given the current condition of the car, never mind how it had looked when taken off the road. The trio of Alpha's were also in pretty good condition as on their last outing had been covered in a wax substance and put under cover's. The BM had been used as his daily driver and had been parked on the drive during all the proceedings. However, like all his other cars it was obvious that the car had been well cared for. Car No.5 was the last one I had too look over and I was gob smacked to see what it was. Half under covers of sheets and cardboard and completely covered in dust, surrounded by parts of the BGT GC all in box's. Sadly, some youngster had put a brick through one of the Perspex roof panels which had then gone through one of the cars windows leaving the usual mess of a shattered car window.

Now, for more info you will have to come back tomorrow evening, as early tomorrow morning we are off on a three hour drive, with a van load of tools, jacks, compressor, starter jump pack and god knows what else and a camera to catch the moment that the garage doors open for the 1st time in 29 years too reveal her in all her beauty.

 

                                                                               And guess what. She is now MINE.

 

[Dan E]

2 hours ago, johnpwalsh said:

Couple of weeks back a nice woman from further down the coast contacted me too see if I could help her sort out several cars left by her late partner. She explained that the whole estate had gone through probate and she was now the legal owner but had no clue how to value them prior to disposal. The fleet consisted of three nice Alpha Romeos, a BMW 525i, an MGB GC and a fifth which was hidden away in a garage and had not seen light of day since April 1995. This car in particular was why she had tracked me down and got in contact. We organised a day trip down to have a look at the fleet and see how we could help her out. the 1967 MGB GC had been completely dismantled in the late 80's with plans for restoration. This I was surprised at given the current condition of the car, never mind how it had looked when taken off the road. The trio of Alpha's were also in pretty good condition as on their last outing had been covered in a wax substance and put under cover's. The BM had been used as his daily driver and had been parked on the drive during all the proceedings. However, like all his other cars it was obvious that the car had been well cared for. Car No.5 was the last one I had too look over and I was gob smacked to see what it was. Half under covers of sheets and cardboard and completely covered in dust, surrounded by parts of the BGT GC all in box's. Sadly, some youngster had put a brick through one of the Perspex roof panels which had then gone through one of the cars windows leaving the usual mess of a shattered car window.

Now, for more info you will have to come back tomorrow evening, as early tomorrow morning we are off on a three hour drive, with a van load of tools, jacks, compressor, starter jump pack and god knows what else and a camera to catch the moment that the garage doors open for the 1st time in 29 years too reveal her in all her beauty.

 

                                                                               And guess what. She is now MINE.

 

100% its an esprit 😍 well i hope it is