Your fleet running reports

[integrale_evo]

For anyone asking about the projects,

Compact is back on a random assortment of e34 wheels, it, the Merc, the mito, the Up and the x5 all running and driving well. Still waiting on a new prop from Germany for the x5 before I declare it properly ‘fixed’ as it’s still running on a centre support I welded up, but that’s only a 30min job when it arrives.

Golf is still mid underside renovation, slow and steady, everything else (and winter) got in the way.

Alfasud, been doing bits and pieces in the evening to get a twin carb setup on it. Found a very rare intake manifold late last year, but it came as literally just the intake and thermostat housing, nothing else.

Cars that came with two carbs had different cylinder heads, and didn’t really fancy the hassle that involved, but and quite like the idea of using period tuning parts…

I’m pretty much there, got the fuel lines sussed, and a couple of tweeks to the cooling system to make space for the throttle linkage.

It’s still at the ‘get it working’ stage, the tidy it up and make it prettier but comes later.

The pressure is on, I’m supposed to be taking it to Goodwood in less than two weeks. As I haven’t had to do anything permanent I can revert back to the old setup if needed.

IMG_9146.jpeg (301.75 KiB) Viewed 147 times

Can’t remember if I posted about swapping the indicators so they hang under the bumper instead of on top and fitting a subtle mk3 golf chin spoiler late last year?

IMG_9157.jpeg (208.85 KiB) Viewed 147 times

[Jobbo]

The indicators look just right there Harry. Is that factory location for a different version?

[integrale_evo]

Yes, factory on early Tis is on top of the bumper, but I didn’t want to drill any holes.

I don’t think they’re any less visible underneath than many other cars which have them recessed into the bumper, like the later plastic bumper cars or mk1/2 golf’s, bmw e30s etc. Especially as the side repeater sits high at the front of the wings.

IMG_9159.jpeg (292.57 KiB) Viewed 138 times

[jamcg]

They’re more visible than some modern cars, where they are inboard of the headlights, or so small you can barely see them

Been for a walk out from low force to high force with the wife today, some fun roads to get there, nice to be able to stretch the puma out a bit. It’s quick enough to make overtaking easy, been a while since I’ve had that luxury. Needs a wash now as it’s got about 5000 bugs on the windscreen and front bumper


(As a side note, while it’s only around a 3-4 mile total walk, and this is probably for a different thread, she managed it easily, which after 7 knee surgeries is an enormous achievement!)

[John]

For anyone asking about the projects,

Compact is back on a random assortment of e34 wheels, it, the Merc, the mito, the Up and the x5 all running and driving well. Still waiting on a new prop from Germany for the x5 before I declare it properly ‘fixed’ as it’s still running on a centre support I welded up, but that’s only a 30min job when it arrives.

Golf is still mid underside renovation, slow and steady, everything else (and winter) got in the way.

Alfasud, been doing bits and pieces in the evening to get a twin carb setup on it. Found a very rare intake manifold late last year, but it came as literally just the intake and thermostat housing, nothing else.

Cars that came with two carbs had different cylinder heads, and didn’t really fancy the hassle that involved, but and quite like the idea of using period tuning parts…

I’m pretty much there, got the fuel lines sussed, and a couple of tweeks to the cooling system to make space for the throttle linkage.

It’s still at the ‘get it working’ stage, the tidy it up and make it prettier but comes later.

The pressure is on, I’m supposed to be taking it to Goodwood in less than two weeks. As I haven’t had to do anything permanent I can revert back to the old setup if needed.
IMG_9146.jpeg

Can’t remember if I posted about swapping the indicators so they hang under the bumper instead of on top and fitting a subtle mk3 golf chin spoiler late last year?

IMG_9157.jpeg

I remember when scrap yards had Alfas with that set up, they were a good supply for air cooled VW twin carb conversions

[IanF]

Looks great Harry.. you did show us them when you moved them but it looks so good I’m happy to see the Alfa again! You need a Vixen aquablast to go full-Sreten and clean up some engine parts!

[Jobbo]

(As a side note, while it’s only around a 3-4 mile total walk, and this is probably for a different thread, she managed it easily, which after 7 knee surgeries is an enormous achievement!)

That sounds quite a lot of knee ops - well done to her! Is a replacement knee on the cards in future?

[IanF]

I think the e61 did that too, it retracts halfway as the boot opens and then closes again with the boot. And iirc the dog net was integrated into the cover.

I never took photos of the load covers before so I'm relying on memory, but I do recall it lifting up automatically on the E61. I wonder if they thought they could get away without it when they binned the opening rear window? One of the joys of a 5-series or equivalent estate is that they generally have a much more premium experience than a 3-series boot.

3 series (with opening rear window has rails for cover to ride up, but has to be done manually. Dog net and cover both fit under floor panel (permanently in my case because dawg and I’d rather he had the extra room.)

Regarding the timings of M3 vs M5: carwow lists best times in standard fit( before lci M3 with less power) as 11.2 (M3 xdrive) vs 11.3 M5.. F90 M5 was 11.1, but hey !, better mpg!

ETA - opportune time for this to show up!

[jamcg]

(As a side note, while it’s only around a 3-4 mile total walk, and this is probably for a different thread, she managed it easily, which after 7 knee surgeries is an enormous achievement!)

That sounds quite a lot of knee ops - well done to her! Is a replacement knee on the cards in future?

No idea, hopefully the ops negate the need for a replacement

She’s had 3 acl repairs, an OATS procedure (major bone works), an osteotomy (even majorerer bone work), miniscus work, and osteotomy metalwork removal

[Sundayjumper]

The oil leak from the 360 looks to be from the cam cover gaskets, right at the front, and it's a common thing apparently. The parts are really not too expensive at about £100 for the gaskets & some sealant. Sealant. You need sealant because you have to cut the gasket to fit (!!) around the opening for the camshafts and then slather sealant all over the entire thing to make it seal. So Italian. Production were presumably like "yeah, whatever, just cut it, if it doesn't work then warranty can deal with it". Warranty must hate production.

If I'm unlucky it's the cam seals, and that's quite a bit more involved.

Reasonable video about the gaskets here:

[Sundayjumper]

I had warned Gavster in advance that a bit of smoke in the engine is probably OK as it's done it for ages, and to only start worrying if there's actual flames

[Sundayjumper]

The pressure is on, I’m supposed to be taking it to Goodwood in less than two weeks.

That's a trek from your place ! What's on at Goodwood ?

[integrale_evo]

It’s the Players Classic show. It’s a bit stancy airride, but there’s usually a good mix of other interesting things too.

My compact wouldn’t get in because there will be other e36s there that have had crazy money thrown at them. The Alfa gets in because you’re unlikely to see another!

Anyway, got it bolted up, first run on the carbs. I think it’s going to work

Cooling system isn’t plumbed in, so didn’t want to run it for long, but pleased it even runs at all. Obviously a fair bit of fiddling to do, but it’s quite a big step forward.

[Jobbo]

3 series (with opening rear window has rails for cover to ride up, but has to be done manually. Dog net and cover both fit under floor panel (permanently in my case because dawg and I’d rather he had the extra room.)

Ah, there is more space under the boot floor in the M5 so perhaps the dog net fits in there too. Because I took it out straight away without ever fitting it I’ve never tried it.

So the 3-series cover goes up the rear pillars when you open the boot? That’s definitely the better way to do it. Obviously BMW thought they could get away with simplifying things when they removed the opening rear window.

As for performance, yours is the slower LCI is it?