Again, progress much slower than expected so far this year, but some significant progress nonetheless. The car went back to Dan Taylor's (expensive habit), and came back with the brakes pressure-bled and an MOT.
I had thought that the master cylinder was on the way out - the brakes would not bleed out properly no matter how many times I tried, and the pedal remained spongy and pumped up. This had lead to somewhat unpredictable braking, which made the car less pleasurable to drive. Dan has a super duper bleeding machine which apparently cost hundreds of pounds that makes short work of bleeding. The other thing that needed doing was some adjustment to the steering and brake callipers. The brake callipers had been hitting the front wishbones on full lock (not sure how it got through the MOT last year...) and my 'fix' had been to cable tie some coolant hose to the wishbones to stop the impact doing any damage. Dan fitted some lock stops to the rack, which limit the lock, but not too much. He also relieved the callipers a small amount to retain some semblance of lock (it doesn't have a great turning circle as it is!). While it was there it went for the MOT, which it passed fine, bar from an advisory on the rear anti-roll bar drop links having some play. I was somewhat surprised as the car has done very few miles since I fitted the brand new Steve Heath drop links last year. 'Cheap Chinese rose joints' was Dan's comment. It's not a big deal to unwind the old joints and fit new, but it's galling because the links are not cheap and come with glowing recommendations from just about everywhere.
I also ordered the stroker kit for the 302. I had wanted to get this from the US - it is cheaper there, but calling the suppliers, there was an 8 week wait before they had stock. Seemed very odd because clearly the market for 302 bits must be far bigger there than here. Because I wanted to get on with it, I ordered my kit from Real Steel. This has mean that there is a slight change in plan, as my original intention was to go with a 331 cu in. kit, and I've ended up with a 347. This means the engine capacity will end up being about 5.7 litres rather than about 5.4. The reason that I wanted to go with a 331 was that in some quarters the 347 has the reputation of using too much oil as the lowest piston ring spans the hole where the piston gudgeon pin goes through. I didn't really want this, but what the hell - it's not like I drive it many many miles and using a small amount of oil is not a big deal in my book. There's always the compensation of a bit more power anyway! The kit's not here yet, so no pics, but should be here on Tuesday, when I'll need to run it up to Modus where the engine block is so that they can do a quick dummy build to make sure all is well and the block can have final prep.
I also took the car out for a spin.Weather's been fine in the afternoons/early evening over the last few days, so the car's come off SORN and it's been legal! Amazing how many other soft-top owners are too wussy or too precious about their barnet to get the roof down!
On the downside, XJS sport seats do not fit this car. It's annoying because the seats in the car are not the best (they don't really hold you across the shoulders like a proper sports seat does), but the colour and available room for chairs means that a swap in that looks the part is difficult to find. I know that the XJS sport seats do fit TVR Wedges, but it would appear that the Chimaera is different.
I had thought that the master cylinder was on the way out - the brakes would not bleed out properly no matter how many times I tried, and the pedal remained spongy and pumped up. This had lead to somewhat unpredictable braking, which made the car less pleasurable to drive. Dan has a super duper bleeding machine which apparently cost hundreds of pounds that makes short work of bleeding. The other thing that needed doing was some adjustment to the steering and brake callipers. The brake callipers had been hitting the front wishbones on full lock (not sure how it got through the MOT last year...) and my 'fix' had been to cable tie some coolant hose to the wishbones to stop the impact doing any damage. Dan fitted some lock stops to the rack, which limit the lock, but not too much. He also relieved the callipers a small amount to retain some semblance of lock (it doesn't have a great turning circle as it is!). While it was there it went for the MOT, which it passed fine, bar from an advisory on the rear anti-roll bar drop links having some play. I was somewhat surprised as the car has done very few miles since I fitted the brand new Steve Heath drop links last year. 'Cheap Chinese rose joints' was Dan's comment. It's not a big deal to unwind the old joints and fit new, but it's galling because the links are not cheap and come with glowing recommendations from just about everywhere.
I also ordered the stroker kit for the 302. I had wanted to get this from the US - it is cheaper there, but calling the suppliers, there was an 8 week wait before they had stock. Seemed very odd because clearly the market for 302 bits must be far bigger there than here. Because I wanted to get on with it, I ordered my kit from Real Steel. This has mean that there is a slight change in plan, as my original intention was to go with a 331 cu in. kit, and I've ended up with a 347. This means the engine capacity will end up being about 5.7 litres rather than about 5.4. The reason that I wanted to go with a 331 was that in some quarters the 347 has the reputation of using too much oil as the lowest piston ring spans the hole where the piston gudgeon pin goes through. I didn't really want this, but what the hell - it's not like I drive it many many miles and using a small amount of oil is not a big deal in my book. There's always the compensation of a bit more power anyway! The kit's not here yet, so no pics, but should be here on Tuesday, when I'll need to run it up to Modus where the engine block is so that they can do a quick dummy build to make sure all is well and the block can have final prep.
I also took the car out for a spin.Weather's been fine in the afternoons/early evening over the last few days, so the car's come off SORN and it's been legal! Amazing how many other soft-top owners are too wussy or too precious about their barnet to get the roof down!
On the downside, XJS sport seats do not fit this car. It's annoying because the seats in the car are not the best (they don't really hold you across the shoulders like a proper sports seat does), but the colour and available room for chairs means that a swap in that looks the part is difficult to find. I know that the XJS sport seats do fit TVR Wedges, but it would appear that the Chimaera is different.
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