fry61

There was an article published by an engineer ( who also built large live steam locomotives ) who detailed the complete build of a 2b. Unfortunately I cannot remember his name , or find the file which contains the print-out I used in the workshop while building Florin. This was back in 2008/11 during her build. Hopefully someone with a better memory will shed more light.

When you have a moment ---- look up ---- the splitting of rocks by the expansion of wooden wedges.

Bouncy ride is due to dampers ?? Or have I got that wrong??

When the bushes are replaced -- look at fitting grease nipples to the outer tubes -- did this to Florin's 'bones when built & no sign of wear at 53K.

Little idea on front failure, were the bushes a tight press fit in the 'bones when built? No sign of rust having ground the holes oval ? Assume the rears are different to our 2B.

Are these the front wishbone bushes & how have they worn?

Might do better ????

Did a group rolling road several years ago with CKC , "near" Exeter. All was fine, it just proved that Florin was running as she should. Told the tester not to exceed 5K rpm as we needed car for the 135 mile trip home. Think the cost was around £50 -- so worth the cash to us but maybe a complete set-up would need a lot more time & effort by the tester. Was the only car on the rollers that had a picnic basket on the back.

Is it that easy to break the steering lock ? Florin has a battery isolation switch ( screw down type -cuts all power so starter motor can't turn) & there is a by-pass wire & 10 amp fuse so side lights will work if required ( fuse blows if engine cranked ) BUT lazy me has very rarely used the isolator switch --- never had any problems -- SO FAR. Fingers crossed it continues.

Phone your wife when at the bottom of the road !!!

Where was I ? At the chateau, yes; very beautiful ornate buildings. Shows what can be done if you own a large lump of France & grow tons of grapes. Would not like to be a craftsman there though, as soon as done one side of building the other side needs repair; due to the local soft white sandstone. The slates on the turrets are tiny (viewed from the ground) from a short distance they appear to be a bitumen covering, so close are the fit & over-laps.BIG HEAD!!!Hard top e-type not in good condition.Every stately home runs a classic car day.Older & better transport. We left the huge stately piles & purchased some more wine, fortunately Adrian's boot could hold a few dozen bottles. Another day, another drink or two before dinner.1923 Bentley at our hotel with a dozen modern ones.Lots of Bentleys to left & right of Florin. This hotel was just a few short miles from the port of Ouistreham for our journey home, a seven hundred mile round trip with not a single hick-up from Florin. Great time as usual, I like driving in France & Spain; the roads are so quiet compared to England; & the trip was shared with friends who guided us from point to point. Except when I over filled Florin with oil --- they were too polite to say but they were grateful when we travelled at the back of our small convoy. The Words, pictures & music may not be in exactly the right order, but the essence of our latest European Trip is there, many thanks guys & gals it was a pleasure for Mo & I.

Sorry about the multiple images, tried to delete but added more. Old age, 'puter illiterate --- blame falls & numerous bumps to the head.

Onward up the banks of the Loire we travelled on the following day --- time for lunch said Stephen ( Its always time for another feast he says ) Parked up along side the river & went looking for a bistro/cafe/restaurant --- he spied one across the busy cross-road. Lunch ??? NON we closed 5 minutes ago. We spread out searching N-E-S-W of the junction & I spotted another eating establishment -- only 100 M away. We all piled in to this new venue -- they were happy to see 6 hungry English. The menu was as to be expected this far south -- just in french & no english version available. Never mind we are on a motoring adventure so meals are part of that. We all ordered & most decided on the " Cheese Salad" --- seemed a safe bet --- just something to tide us over until dinner ( & more wine ) Our meals arrived --- we all looked in amazement at the plates --- heaped high with RED CABBAGE & a few hidden pieces of cheese -- no other veg, just RED CABBAGE Although to be fair Mo said she found little (TINY) bits of ham. So that was it came to France & found probably the only place that served just RED CABBAGE for lunch. No pictures of this meal, we were too shocked -- but we were hungry enough to eat most of the plate. This is NOT the location of the Cabbage cafe.It was behind us as we left the area,full of cabbage.Our next hotel was somewhere near here, cabbage dulls the brain. The following day after many drinks & meals which did not contain any cabbage, we visited two chateau, bought wine at one & more wine at the other.Very impressive buildings, this is a dry moat 18 M deep. Such skilled craftmanshipPrecision gardening !! I've run out of space again. More tomorrow, can you wait ??

Do you really need a detachable 'wheel? Never had any bother with Florin in the last 8 years & the only anti-thieft device is the steering lock --- if I remember to remove the keys. £120 is a lot of money, why not make or have made an adaptor plate to fit your new 'wheel to the boss in the pics?

Le Pelican at Vernantes was a one night stay so just a little sight seeing in the local area, Stephen & Adrian found an alternative mode of transport before the sun set on another good day in France with friends. We seem to have run out of room for more photos so will continue tomorrow , if possible.Just one of the beautiful sun-sets we enjoyed.Before another evening of drinks & a few bits to eat.

A rather tenuous link to our recent trip to the Loire Valley in central France. Our small crew had neither the finances or equipment necessary for a re-make of the submarine saga, so instead we opted for ------------------- "The Hunt for Red Cabbage" Many hours ,miles,wine & food were spent in our quest which started with our group meeting in Portsmouth prior to sailing with Brittany Ferries to St. Malo Our crew was myself & my wife Mo, Stephen Alwasser & Leslie, Adrian & Linda, we journeyed through the pleasant French country-side to our first hotel avoiding as far as possible the major roads as we were in no hurry . An average of 45/50 miles/hour allows for enjoying the views. Our hotel for the first two days & local views The crew, Mo is behind the lens. Day two we explored the vast River Loire , a very wide stretch of water with numerous sand banks, our captain pointing out all the local wild life --- but no "Red Cabbage" The following day was more motoring in beautiful weather & country-side to our next hotel. To be continued.

Been very busy to-day; will drop the other boot later.

Can anyone remember " The Hunt for Red October" ??

Sorry for the small pic --- but Florin's wipers are quiet good in the wet --- park on the left & are nearly vertical when at max sweep to driver's side. We took a long time with fairy liquid & a dummy set up of full wiper kit to get them working properly. The toothed wheel in the motor housing can be changed to give a 130* sweep, the arms can be bent more at the ends & the wheel boxes/ or the push-pull on the worm drive from the motor can be changed. I used several different combinations before settling on our final result, you may need to buy in a few differing cogs/wheel-boxes before the right solution is found for your scuttle hole positions --- ours were cut in a newly made scuttle & are off-set to the driver's side. ( E-bay is a good source for parts or CBS ) The arms will also need more of a curve in the entire length to give enough pressure -- blade to glass. Been in some right down pours, all O.K except as stated above the inside of the screen needs wiping --- that's for the navigator.

That's what I said !!!!

Just keep your fingers crossed the re-test examiner doesn't spot the horn symbol switch operating the fog light.

Has the GBS switch a spring return--- i.e it only closes & makes a contact when pressed or held down? Your new box of electronic gubbins probably has a relay of some sort & if an ON--OFF switch is on your dash the triggering supply is permanent so the relay can't drop out until that switch is OFF.

Sorry we were unable to stay for the pig -- but 130 miles to home with-out sat nav & Mo map reading by torch light was not an option.

Fog & reverse should be 21 watts in old tungsten filament days

A hungry cat with his basket in the car.