Got Me A New Toy .......

Did a grass autotest yesterday, no news of our success, because the car died

Managed three runs each, before the clutch shat itself
And I really mean shat itself. Daughters boyfriend was off work today, so he started stripping it, and we finished it tonight. Because of suspension lift, he couldn't get the struts and shafts out, needed a bit of old man knowledge

Gearbox in the garage, parts ordered including an exhaust (it fell to pieces on second run). Sunday booked in for refit.

 

Nah, just went for an LUK standard kit.
Enough expense, what with having to get gearbox oil, strut top bearing, two bottom ball joints, exhaust and hangars.

 

As OPP says, it does get that much abuse on the grass, starts are all about limiting wheelspin, rather than just dumping the clutch. Only time it gets punished is on tar tests. Did one back at Easter, and yes the clutch was stinking that day.
It's only got 116bhp originally, probably lost a few of them over the years, so not great power getting dumped either. In the mini it's all about maintaining momentum

 

Only can afford it because I made a killing on a bike deal last year

And teacher salary in Scotland is a lot better than USA, and actually more than England currently, we just got a 10% pay rise to bring us back in-line with industry.

 

Pulled it Monday, just waiting on parts.
Exhaust arrived, weighs about 1/2 the OE one!!! So that's a bonus

 

The 'official' way is even more extreme, taking exhaust manifold off back off engine and dropping the front subframe and ps pump !!!!

 

I used to change the clutch on my 59 minx in under two hours. So good at it, once under the car, I didn't need to come back out until the job was finished
Propshaft off, gearbox off onto chest, drop to the side, strip clutch, replace and then reassemble.

 

I actually find them quite easy. Changing a radiator is the easiest I have ever done. Ability to remove full front is a real advantage.

But starter motor is a real feckin twat to get to. I've just unbolted it and left in position. Can image removal is a pain. That top bolt was a swine, but still easier than a MG ZR inlet manifold

 

My mate had a Renault 14, it had the original oil filter after 10 years. It was do difficult to remove, no owner had ever done it, and by the time I got on it, it was rusted to the block. Was an engine out or at least off the mounts and canted over to get access.

 

My dad used to mark the oil filters on his company cars when they went in for service.

Only once did the try to say they had done the service and hadn't. After that, all the company's vehicles got a full service.

I recently did an oil change on my neighbor smart car, the filter had rusted through. Supposed to be serviced when he brought it. Was a breaker bar and chisel job to get off. Twats.