Peter Bell

It sounds more as though the position of the mounts is wrong, the mounting arms should just drop straight on to them. There should be no lateral strain on the mounts. Peter Where abouts are you btw? If you fill in the details in your profile I expect someone would pop around to drink your tea and advise you!

I doubt if the switch to unleaded has caused a sudden big change in temperature, it may cause it to pink a little if you labour the engine, is this happening? As Ian suggests the answer may be more of a problem in the cooling system. Check the thermostat as well. Peter.

I had same problem with a Ford, contacted the original dealer who gave it to me over the phone, no charge. Do you have any idea who the original dealer was? You could try the Vauxhall service centre at Luton (if it still exists) they may be able to help. Peter

In theory, the old tanks hold about 34 litres, BUT it depends on how far the fuel filler pipe projects into the tank as to how much you can actually get in it. I have seen a nice tank with baffles and end wings pointing forwards which holds quite a lot more. Peter

You could try Leeds Tool and Gauge Ltd. tel Leeds? 560266 571694, a friend had one made there, it is a good job. I believe they make them for Pilgrim too. Peter.

Or you could try this game to get your own back!http://www.ukspeedcameras.co.uk/game/camerakiller.htm Nowt to do with me as they say. Peter

Here is the turbo version of this game (for Rizla?) Peter http://www.korenwolf.net/pingu/rocket-up-the-arse.html I must try to make a link!

Putting the bigger drums on the back could cause problems with the rears locking up, then you get into the old chestnut of the pressure reducing valve. If they work fine now then as Jim suggests leave them alone. There will plenty of other jobs to do. Peter

Looks as though you had great fun. My brother in law has just come back from Austria, (his wife is Austrian) and they made the comment that the only 4x4s you see over there are official type vehicles, everybody else just uses ordinary cars even for dropping the kids off at school! What has gone wrong here? Peter

As this is a private? road what is the situation on the speed limits? is there a sign telling you when you get on? Peter

And a view from the back, the knees belong to Dave Andrews!

This one was built by Brett Hobson who sometimes brings it to the Milton Keynes meets. Peter

Steve, just a thought, which end of the engine is your dipstick? I have an RS 2000 engine in mine and the dip stick is at the flywheel end, however I have another block which has it at the front of the engine, there is a cast boss at the front near the dizzy where the tube has been fitted in. Peter.

It is no good buying the arm you won't get the bushes anyway only the inner one. You want the compliance bushes on the anti roll bar, should be about £7? for the heavy duty ones. 'Heavy duty track control arm bush kit' is what is written on my last set. (The proper Ford ones are not very good). Which way was your 9.5°? with the top fixing forward of the bottom? have you measured both sides, you may find they are very different. Peter.

Just to join in the fray, I think Bob has the Cortina front suspension ? and due to the geometry has a different roll centre to other hood models. So an anti roll bar will effect each type in a different way, spring rates will come into this as well as personal preferences. Peter But I was very pleased with the result when I threw my anti-roll bar away! Mk1 S7

Owen, according to Mr. Haynes 'Renewing this spacer is outside the scope of the DIY motorist because a special tool is required for the removal of the pinion bearing'. It looks as if it is collapsed to a set length of 11.5 to 11.7mm they do not give a torque figure. The only reference is when fitting a new oil seal you have to record the torque required to turn the drive pinion before you start then having replaced the seal tighten it to achieve a very slightly higher figure. You could try GMS spares 01913771718 might be worth a shot. If you can't find a manual I could copy a couple of pages and post them if it may help/confuse further. Peter

Hi Guy, the camber won't have any effect on the self centering unless you have a huge amount. Look down on the top of the suspension, you should be able to see that the top ball joint slightly behind the lower one, if it is the other way around then you have a problem. Think of it a bit like the front forks on a motor bike. It is quite easy to measure approx. what the angle is by measuring horizontally from a vertical plane, (ie. piece of wood) standing upright to the centre of the bottom joint (with steering straight ahead) and then the top one. Measure the vertical distance between the two points and with a bit of basic trig. calculate the angle. I have about 3° on mine which to me is fine, light steering and self centering. Too much, and the steering is heavy. If you have time fit tie bars if not fit them later. Good luck Peter. Sorry Guy just realised you said it has mini mcpherson struts, so top ball joint doesn't exist but it will be subsituted by the strut top fixing bolt. Will we see you at the Stevenage meetings one day?

There might be a problem with the stick on ones on the nose cone because I think they are supposed to be vertical not almost horizontal. I was nearly failed on an mot many years ago for that reason. As many hoodz have stuck on ones I assume though people haven't had that problem? Peter Its supposed to be on a flat surface too.

I am pretty certain all the injection blocks were 205s and guess the easiest way is by seeing all the injection gubbins on it! The manifolds will be a straight swap, you might want to take a bit out of the top of the inlet manifold to try to match the pear shaped ports of the injection head and use a cheap carb gasket as the ford ones are a bit thin at the top. I think the other bits should swap over, it depends what comes on the engine, the water pump is different on the later engine, it has an extra bolt I seem to remember. Good luck. Peter.

Wet! It wasn't too wet for 2 of us! Peter

Hi Barry a friend had his done in this sort of greeny coloured block effect, it seems very well sealed too, he was pleased with it. I will see if he will email you when I see him next. Peter.

For speed camera enthusiasts. http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/28/35014.html Peter.

Steve I know you are sure but are you really really sure that the no 1 cylinder is on the compression stroke at tdc when the plug fires? not on the exhaust stroke. Peter.

Ben, I have a 2L block assy sitting on my garage floor, the bores seem ok, not sure about the bottom end though. Its yours if you fancy a trip to collect. Peter.

There is (or was) a magic roundabout in Hemel Hempstead too, I think it has 6 minis and I thought that was the first one, must have been a similar date. A friend used to go on it to and from work and spent lots of time working out all different routes around it. Peter