Escape

Some great stories, and some great cars some you have! Even if they're not running. 😉 Makes me want to chime in. My story is a bit different in 2 ways. First of, I can't imagine myself driving a normal, sensible car as a daily. Every time I do drive something modern(ish) that should be worry-free, I can't wait to get back into one of my old cars and I appreciate them all the more. So in a way that's good for motivation. I don't like the detached feeling anything remotely modern seems to offer. Even if I can't claim every journey is a nice experience, at least with my cars it's always somewhat special. And I need that, I don't want to just get from A to B, I want to live the moment. Which is the main reason I'm so in love with my '89 Lotus Esprit as a daily. Sure, it's not the easiest car sitting in traffic when coming back from work. But sooner or later the road clears, a corner looms, the turbo spools and the engine sings, and my spirits are lifted. With the good 4.6 we recently put into it, I've started enjoying driving the P38 again as well. Even if she still needs some work. I'm of the firm believe a car needs to be driven, not just sit tucked away in a garage. Even the special ones. So why not use them daily/ regularly and enjoy what you have? After all, most of us have these cars because we like them, not as an investment that can't have any miles put on it for fear of decreasing the value. The downside of running such a fleet is regular attention is needed and things can go wrong. I for one can't see myself paying someone what is often a lot of money for often not that good a job. So I do everything myself (as above, usually with the help of some good friends). Even if it might not actually save me much money, I'll still get the priceless reward of knowing I've done a proper job myself. Like the first start of an engine after a rebuild. Or worse case, I walk away a wiser man, determined to do a better or smarter job next time. I need that kind of satisfaction, if only to compensate for my boring dayjob. I sometimes try to convince myself I'm getting to old for this sh.. and should just buy something sensible. But I know I'm gonna hate it. And/or will start tinkering with it. What else would I do? Go from one screen to another, sitting on a couch watching mind-numbing, spirit-crushing game shows, stuffing effin junk food into my mouth, rotting away at the end of it all, pishing my last in a miserable home, nothing more than an embarrassment to the selfish, effed-up brats I could have spawned to replace myself? I chose life! (sorry, got a bit carried away there, credits to Trainspotting, no drugs, I promise! 😁). So most of the time I'm very happy with my old cars, and I wouldn't want it any other way. It also means on occasion having 2 cars just isn't enough. So when the clutch on the Esprit went and parts took a long time to arrive in November, and the Range Rover started overheating due to a blocked radiator I just didn't get 'round to, we resorted to taking my dad's '73 450SLC for a trip with my better halve for her birthday. Traveling in style. 😎 I should probably add the Merc was only with me temporarily, while my Lotus Excel was stored at my dad's place. That one got some long overdue attention at the beginning of lockdown and is now a hoot to drive as well. And it's nice to know there's always a back-up, and it's not sensible either. Then there's the project cars... A '73 Lotus Elan, that died on me exactly one year ago while on route to the Brooklands New Years Day Classic Car Gathering. After a first glance and refresh of the ignition system, it was pushed into a corner of the Workshop. Plan is to pull the engine and gearbox (it lost 1st on the day I bought it) and sort it. Deadline was last week... Next to that sits another P38, the one I want to build up for offroading and traveling, as detailed in my build thread. 2 years in, not a lot has happened. Ladoga 2021 (if it happens) should be the next deadline. I'm already dreading the wooshing sound it will make when it goes by. Which brings me to a second important point. About 10 years ago I decided to start Escape's Workshop and work on other people's cars as well. Because I enjoy mechanics. And because it pays for my own cars and the Shop. But it also brings stress and takes up a lot of time. As does maintaining and outfitting the Shop. Which means I often don't get 'round to my own projects. I try to say 'no' from time to time, but with most customers sorta being friends, I don't want to let anyone down so try and help them all. Even if I don't really need the money. This year, with a lot of time on my hands (or so it seemed), I got tempted into buying and fixing some cars to sell on: a couple of Spitfires, a Volvo 850 T5, a P38, 2 more P38s stripped for parts and now a Disco TD5 with brake issues. Which all takes a lot more time then expected, flippin' bangers rarely goes as smoothly as one imagines when buying them. Still, some fun was had, some lessons learned, some money made, some well-deserved beers drank. But on occasion motivation is completely gone and it all feels like a chore. If I then spend a couple of days at home (like today) I usually can't wait to get back out to the Shop. Not that I'm always that productive when I get there mind. A good tip I got from a friend was to try and to do at least one thing for myself every time I'm there. Even if it's just tidying up a bit. I also realize I should count my blessing that a have such an understanding better halve, who doesn't give me a hard time about spending all that time working on other cars. I guess it's better than sitting at a bar looking at other women. 😜 For 2021 I'll try and works some more on my own projects, increase efficiency and don't take on too much at the same time. That should go a long way to getting things done. I wish you all a good time in 2021, either behind the wheel or with spanners in hand. May you finish what needs to be done, and leave just enough to dream about and look forward to in the future. Filip

I know that's what John meant and I can't deny it's a good idea. But coming from the other side, I wouldn't feel comfortable helping someone while being filmed. So yes, it does change people's attitudes, just not always for the better...

We just bought a running TD5 D2 for €1800, needs the brakes fixed to get through MOT and some tidying to be presentable, but looks like a decent motor. @jason110 I'd offer it to you, but being a LHD and in bhellgium probably makes it less of deal. Filip

I don't think I'd be too happy to tow someone who had a camera or phone pointed at me... If they don't deem the situation serious enough and still have time/ attention to spend making a video, they're obviously not in urgent need of my help.

That does look properly built, could be decent value for money.

Good idea about the rollers! It's wrapped 3/4 around anyway on the V8, so should work. Wish I had thought about using extra rollers on the TD5 instead of going to a chain drive.

Me and @elbekko had some good fun towing out cars stuck in the grass field converted serving as a parking lot for a festival with rain pouring down most of the weekend. Most people we helped rewarded us with some beer tokens, which made the weekend even more fun. But we did have a few instances when things didn't go smoothly. Like a cyclist trying to pass between 2 cars, despite there being a tow rope. Or people unable to find their towhook, let alone fit it (left hand thread on a lot of cars apparently). Best was an Oodi driver without patience, who started waving money in front of me to get us to help him first. Or another Oodi, a quattro this time, taking a huge run up just to make sure he'd get properly stuck in the ruts dug by Landies towing out cars. He made it pretty far, part of it just on momentum with all wheels free. And it took a Defender with a snatch strap several attempts to get him out. I had just returned from the last show of the night, sitting in my car having a drink before hitting the sack and enjoying the show. 🙂 More on topic, I'll gladly help anyone who needs it and asks for it in a respectful manner. And have done so repeatedly in the past, including towing a car with a woman and child from the center lane of one our busiest highways. May not have been without risk, but definitely the right thing to do, but for those people and to avoid more chaos and accidents in the increasing traffic. But some very good point about liability, something I'll keep in mind in future. Maybe if you live in an area where there's a good chance to asked to help stuck cars, you could keep a standard form in the Landie for them to sign. If they're of good faith, there shouldn't be any objections. Filip

A 14cc gear pump mounted on an electromagnetic clutch, rated to 5000rpm so should be fine when driven by the serpentine belt of the V8. I just hope the bigger pump doesn't cause slippage under low revs/high load conditions. Luckily pumps are cheap and easy to swap as long as you stay in the same group.

I didn't realize Nissan shared a designer with LR. That Armada/ Patrol could be another Range Rover variant, just slap on the badge...

It's actually in my Range Rover, not decided on the Esprit yet. I was quite happy with the Nightbreakers, but got a tip from a mate who tried LED H4 and H1s in his Esprit. So I got the same ones, from www.classiccarleds.co.uk. Very good light, I do need to check adjustment as it doesn't seem very sharp. Could be one is still set for RHD, which will give a strange pattern when combined with a LHD lamp body. The big advantage for me is that you retain the standard look. There are LED-assemblies available for the Esprit as well, excellent light, but I'd be ashamed to use them as it would look like a Porker. 😛 Filip

Still gonna try and finish the Range. Got some more goodies this week, including a new hydraulic pump with clutch. Fingers crossed! Filip

It should, but that's a bit hard if you can't park inside over night. 😉 I replace the timer relay with a standard 4-pin relay on all P38s. That way the EAS is only active when the ignition is on, so wont wake up to level when parked. Helps prevent loss of air and makes it easier to check for leaks as you'll know which corner drops (as @elbekko said). Do keep the timer relay in the car, as you'll need it to connect diagnostics. Unless you manage to cycle the ignition in exactly the right way to put the EAS into diagnostic mode. Filip

I did the test with a 2Ah and 5Ah in my (old) DeWalt impact, and could not find a difference. Nuts done up as tight as posible with the 5Ah could be undone with the 2Ah. Both freshly charged of course. The 5Ah battery I used was a few years older than the 2 Ah, I haven't tried it again with the new 5Ah but don't expect to see much difference. Filip

Maybe you should look again at the cheap bluetooth things. I don't like modern technology and don't even use a smart phone. But I do have an old smart phone and a cheap OBD dongle (€20 or something + a free app) in the Workshop to be able to do basic diagnostics on non-LR cars. I find it very easy to use, just plug it in, start Torque (or another app) and you're off. In fact, I find it easier to use than either the Hawkeye or Lynx LR systems. Still prefer my old Rovacom to everything else, but that can't handle modern(ish) stuff. Filip

I do hope you have made an access hatch under the rear seat, so you don't have to drop the tank again...

You could put a T in the return from the radiator and plumb the return from the heater core to that. Or in the smaller pipe from the reservoir (it's often easier to find a T-pieve with equel diameters). As you probably know, on a 4.6 the thermostat is in an external housing and the return from the heater core goes there (as well as the bypass hose). Filip

I've recently upgraded my 5-year old cordless DeWalt impact to the latest DCF899. As discussed in another thread about impacts. So far it has managed to release everything I threw at it, including suspension bolts on a 20 year old Range Rover that had been sitting outside for some years. Bolts on a Micra wouldn't worry me. It's not cheap, but as I already had batteries and a charger, I found £150 for the bare tool a good investment and have been very happy with it. Even better, I sold the old one on for £90. 🙂 Filip

From what I remember, the rear was a standard Milemarker H12. The front had a bigger drum, bigger motor and a button labeled 'turbo'. We never got to the bottom of it, but I know it controlled a valve close to the winch motor. My best guess would be the motor was a parallel type (like many gear pumps) and the valve allowed one section to be isolated to increase speed (at the cost of torque). The pump was crank driven, much as on you Defender @Jimmymad99. It did feature a mechanical clutch. I briefly entertained the idea to fit something like this on the Range Rover V8, but there's not much room. And it would involve a lot more fabrication and trial and error, so I've just ordered a magnetic clutchdrive for the serpentine belt. We know that works and it's fast enough for what I want. Better to spend the time improving what we know instead of trying to come up with something new. That didn't work out at all for the winch on the Defender in 2009... We had done most of the testing with a magnetic clutch and a V-belt, but that kept slipping under water. So we changed to a chain, found out the clutch didn't want to play with the chain wheel and last mintue fabbed a mechanical clutch. Without an emergency back-up, so when the locking mechanisme broke while winching an UAZ out of a river, we were without a winch for the rest of the tour. 😞 Filip

A D2 could be a good choice. Reliable and not too complicated and less prone to rust than the D1. I'd want to recommend a P38, as those are better value for money IMHO, but I can't deny they'll require a bit more TLC and are less suited as a weekend warrior left idle for long periods. And the D2 is easier to modify if you want, with a lot more parts readily available. One thing to keep in mind is not all D2s have the center diff lock. So look for one with the diff lock if the main use will be offroading. You budget would get you a reasonable one over here, I think you'd have even more choice in UK. I'm sure someone with more knowledge will soon confirm/deny. Filip

Very interesting project! I was talking to @elbekko the other about a similar idea. As your trailer pivot point is not at the end, you should get away with fixed legs (or adjustable without load): fit the rear legs with the trailer level, tilt it so the rear legs take the weight of the body, fit the front legs when the body is high enough and then lower the trailer about halfway to drive it out. As you say, that would require some radius in the mounts instead of just box section, so they don't bind while tilting. And if space is tight, you'd have to tilt the trailer a bit every time you park it under the body. But that's how I would do it, winding up 4 legs would annoy me after just a few uses. On the other hand, you do have hydraulics. It will take some time/fabbing and will not be cheap unless you can 'find' the necessary parts, but a nice challenge to get it working. Can the tail lift push down to take the weight? That would solve halve the problem, if you have room at the rear. Filip

We used to have a cheap DC clamp. It did it's job in that it told you if current was flowing and roughly how much. But I didn't trust it enough to pin point a small drain on a battery. Now I use a Fluke multimeter with built-in clamp. I got it with a good discount and it has proved to be very good value for money. We compared it to an inline meter (also Fluke) for low currents and there was no difference. I'm not saying it's accurate to 1mA, but more than enough for any car applications. Because it also has all the functions of a traditional multimeter (apart from the inline current option), it's my tool of choice for elecktrickery. As above, a Fluke can handle some abuse and if take a minimum of care, it should last many many years. Which is rarely the case with the cheaper alternatives. Filip

Yeah, that was Jez and the HOFS. First with Pig, than Petal and 2 years with Mouse IIRC.

The first and last year we had a support crew. As @FridgeFreezersays, after a hard day offroad arriving in a camp with a tent and a meal waiting is priceless! Not to mention assistance with the car etc. But it's not easy finding a support crew, we can attest to that! We did take trailers, and our support crew towed them 'round the lake. A challenge on it's own. In 2012 competitors were allowed to be trailered between stages. Which I think is a shame, 'cause it favors custom build racecars that would have a hard time covering the total distance. We had a trailer, but I still drove Mouse out of St Pete's and to the start of the stage. 🙂 The support crew stayed for the start and then headed to the camp with the trailer. We also had a close support car, that waited for us at the finish, just in case we needed assistance. As it turned out we did... When we did Grand Tourism in 2010 and 2011 we carried everything ourselves. In 2010 we were just one car, so didn't have a choice. In 2011 I actually carried tools and spares for the 2 other cars as well. Luckily we didn't need much, but we tried to be prepared for everything. It does add some weight, which is a big disadvantage, though the P38 didn't really seem to mind. And despite careful packing, stuff got rattled and thrown around on the faster stages. We did have everything organized so it didn't take long to set up camp. Grand Tourism (Grand Adventure) could be combined with support duty, might make it easier to find a crew as they'd have the opportunity for some nice offroading as well. As for communications, we found the mobile reception improved over the years. First year you'd see people standing on the roof of the car trying to get a signal, last year it was rare not to have coverage except when deep in stage.. Filip

You know there's always a seat for you! Or we could take 2 P38s 😎 @FridgeFreezer is right on the money. One day isn't too bad, but it's day after day. Usually you've also been burning the midnight oil the weeks before to get everything ready, as well as working your day job to pay for it. And then there's the long drive there. The ferry from Germany to Helsinki is great in that respect: it cuts down on driving time and forces you to relax. You can't get to your vehicles, so nothing to do but eat, sleep and drink. 🙂 @Jimmymad99 in 2009 I wanted to do Tourism Open with my 90, which is now called Adventure open. It was on 37" Baja Claws and should have (just) been up to it. But it is a TR2 competition route, so you're in for the full monty. Filip

Yeah, that was a very good weekend! I still have a short video of our (short) ride in hidden valley. She was bought by a Finnish team and is still competing as far as I know. I don't think she ever went back to Ladoga, but there is footage of her a Klaperjaht and similar events. I think @elbekko followed their adventures more closely. I couldn't at first, now I do smile when I catch a glimpse of yellowness in a youtube vid. 🙂 Filip