Dean Roberts

Arrrrgghhhh, if it's not the kit car its the bloody new one....Crap alarm keeps going off every night.... Right.....Replaced 2 of the new spark plugs with more new spark plugs and re-seated all of the HT leads again. Tuned the dizzy by ear to a nice steady tick over of 1000 rpm with the vacuum lead removed. Took it for a spin around the block (22:30) and no coughing, popping, burping and farting from the car, drives much better again now. Nikki will take it out for a spin today and give a verdict on how it feels, but still unhappy that the car hasn't done any miles yet on a new set of HT leads, spark plugs, ignition coil and dizzy. Yet the spark plugs are black and oily when removed. Let's hope it's nothing serious!

Car ran like a dream last night.... Come home tonight to find it coughing, spluttering and very slow. Found loose ht lead, fitted back on but still crap. Any ideas.

Quick couple of questions another winter project: I have an auto gearbox using an oil cooler which is sitting in front of my radiator. Is it possible to swap out both (rad & oil cooler), freeing up space in the front nose cone using a replacement radiator with integrated oil cooler, if there is such a thing? If this is possible, what sort of rad would I be looking at for sufficient cooling on a 2.0 Pinto? Anybody know what core the existing VW polo rads are (if this is what I have fitted). Also any ideas on sizing for the inlet/outlet pipes for any silicone piping? All info greatly appreciated as I build up a list of what is required. PS - Anybody recommend a good water temperature sender/sensor for my existing radiator (which has broken this weekend). Cheers Dino & Nikki

Here's the main culprit that stopped the car from going to the meet-up last week. Faulty wire at back of old distributor: Also a very brittle earth wire trapped under the ignition coil (since replaced both)

Yeah.....needed to look on-line to find out what the TDC was for the Pinto engine (don't have a manual or experience). Typically we were setting it against a mark on the crankshaft top, when it was actually at the bottom covered in oil and only visible after a wipe down. Easy when you have the info, patience and a clean engine Great learning curve and now have ordered the manual....99p Thanks once again.....Dino

The wife drinks..... A mixture of half & half pint of chilled Vodka, with crushed ice, topped up with lemonade and a slice of lemon, straw and no umbrella.

Quick, get the Bomb Disposal Specialist Which one? The red or the blue...

Now which wire is it?

Nah....you put it in hot water and drink it

Look harder I added to a picture which includes yourself and the rest of the cars: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rhocar-The-UK-kit-car-club/202840173251980

Sounds like a case of marmite... some people like it, some people don't.

During the meet-up in the Midlands last night, somebody mentioned that you can use a VW polo brake servo as a straight swap for the sierra one and it's much smaller. Can anybody confirm this or provide a little more insight into this newly acquired information?

Arrrgggghhh....this is getting embarrassing, been the the last 2 meet-ups ......Without the car! Had a great night out at Leicester last week and this week at the West Midlands meet-up, but the bloody Car refused to come out of the garage for me. Even thou the wife had been using is all day, everyday while the kids are at school and I'm at work. Time now to trace back the wiring loom and try and find out why the car is as dead as a doornail. The lights are on, but nobody is at home...It's lost its spark

Great weather, good turn-out, just a pity my kit car broke down I still blame the wife for using it all day on a shopping spree!

I completely agree and think we need more fast women....oeeer missus.... Luckily for me, my wife is a speed demon and loves driving the kit car more than me and openly encourages the purchases. But she insists, the kids and the bills come first .

Do you mean something like this: http://danstengineering.co.uk/index.php?route=product/product&path=59_89&product_id=121 Tap holes into the manifold attach balance bar, then use a t-piece to split the 1m vacuum hose between the dizzy and the brake servo?

Encouraging news, as I have spoke to Steve about booking my car in around September for a rolling road session (hopefully after I get some bike carbs fitted).

Another quickie....anybody know off the top of the head what size the fuel pipes are going into and out of the mechanical pump on the 2.0 pinto? Cannot remember if they were 6 or 8mm, but unsure until I get back home to have a look.

So really jet size is all dependant on how much fuel you wish to burn and how much powerrrrrrrr you want. So according to my better half, size matters

Thanks Chris, U have now been nominated for 24hr support, when I begin fitting the new carbs. I suppose I could start with the ones fitted 1.3 and see what happens. Meantime, get some 1.5 and fit them before any RR sessions.

He, he, he....that comment just put the cat amongst the pigeons.... I have now been quoted with 1.3, 1.5 and 1.6, can I get a show of hands for what the recommended jet size is for Fireblade carbs

Maccavvy, I'm looking at getting some fireblade carbs set-up on my 2.0 pinto and noticed you seem to have experience in them. is this the fuel regulator you mentioned: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FACET-SYTEC-ADJUSTABLE-FUEL-PRESSURE-REGULATOR-6MM-/260967885010?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item3cc2e5e8d2 for use with the standard pinto pump and what pressure do you set it at 2 or 2.5 PSI? Also do you know what size the jets should be on the carbs? The ones fitted are 1.3 but some of the forums seem to have mixed messages of 1.2, 1.3 or 1.6 All information would be appreciated.

Can you please elaborate, as I'm thinking of fitting some bike carbs and curious about the filter options.

Hmmmm...my new fuel pipes may come in handy soon......(number 1 task for Dark months......fit new Carbs). After lots of zooming around as either passenger or driver, I suddenly realised the 1600 carbs on the 2000 engine is really holding it back. On a a plus point, its very frugal on fuel.... There nothing more embarrassing than your wife trying to take on a scooby and watching it disappear into the distance.

Nice find Ian, very useful, but be warned the transmission section is missing (chapters 6, 7, 8, 9).