This is a read-only archive of the old Madabout Kitcars forum. New posts and replies are no longer possible, but every thread is still here to browse and read.
A little internet research revealed that my old callipers are Type 16 to match my (unbeknown to me) Vitesse/GT6 front suspension. I've been in touch with ANG and, once they've received the Type 14s and verified their unmolested state, we can sort out my latest SNAFU.
ANG, to their credit, refunded the purchase price, helpfully pointing out that there are two types of Type 16 callipers. The chief difference being the thread for the flexi hose - later models being metric. Making double treble sure this time that I knew what I needed (Imperial threads) I sourced them from Jumblemaster, ANG only having the metric ones in stock. They arrived, together with pad mounting kits, yesterday .
Over the last couple of weeks, when weather permitted, I got her started for the first time. At first she ran very roughly so I cleaned the carb. again and re-flushed the supply pipe. She now runs only fairly roughly . The second hand 28/36 DCD I bought was jetted (according to the vendor) for a 1500cc pre-cross flow Kent. Reading my 13/6d Triple C Weber Carburettors booklet revealed that it's unwise to assume that any old 1500cc engine will require similar jets, so further research is required. Watch this space.
The other day, when weather permitted, I wandered down to the cave to complete the assembly of my front brakes, dreaming that, help in the shape of my furloughed son being available, bleeding activity would soon follow. Hopes dashed again, as ever. I'd carefully assembled the pads and anti-squeal shims into the callipers with the merest smear of copper grease (unlike that tall bloke who puts it on with a trowel), and bolted the units onto the uprights. So far, so good. Next job: flexi pipes. Aaaaargh, they're too short. Check various internet sources and discover that GT6/Vitesse callipers have a metal pipe and bracket which brings the outboard flexi-pipe attachment more central to overcome any stretching or fouling. Buy necessary pipes, fabricate suitable brackets (they're unavailable) after studying You Tube videos, fit same, offer up flexi pipes: still too short. Aaaaargh again! More research reveals that extra long flexis are still needed for this application. I bought the necessary on line in stainless this morning so the saga should be concluded in next week's forecast good weather. I really hope so. The picture shows the current state of play.
My seamstress friend, who did such fabulous work for the A352, has gone to live in the USA so I decided to have a go at making the seat covers myself. I bought a pre-owned sewing machine on line this morning and am picking it up about 12 miles away tomorrow. How difficult can it be .
I bought a pre-owned sewing machine on line this morning and am picking it up about 12 miles away tomorrow
I decided, as the weather was so good, to pick this up in the A352 'D-Type'. It turned out to be more like 20 miles each way, and pick up was in a tiny village in the middle of nowhere. Anyway, with my purchase balanced rather precariously on the passenger seat, I'd got about a couple of miles back down the twisty B road when a hood down E-Type appeared going the other way. I thought 'This is well worth acknowledging' but the lady driving it went into raptures, taking both hands off the wheel and madly waving them above her head with a huge smile as we passed. A magic moment that made my day .
My new SS front brake hoses arrived in the week and, given the hoops I've had to jump through, it was with some trepidation that I set about fitting them. This turned out to be a doddle as I'd only gently nipped up their predecessor's attachments.. The moment of truth arrived and turning the steering from lock to lock revealed that they are plenty long enough. My delight was rather tempered by the back of the nearside wheel hitting the body on full left lock. I'd already (years ago!) fitted lock limiting hose clips to both ends of the rack, it seems another is required - more evidence of the body's asymmetry. Here are the shiny new bits in situ. Excuse crap photo', an orb web spider had spun between the cover and the cave roof necessitating delicate uncovering and gymnastic contortion.
I spent a couple of hours on You Tube yesterday learning the techniques of machine sewing vinyl which resulted in a burst of Ebay activity. Teflon foot, special needle, strong thread and correct machine lubricant are on their way.
I wandered down to the cave this morning before it got too hot, and consulted my 'To Do' list. Adjust handbrake and bleed brakes were two of the four remaining so, as pedal pushing assistance had been negotiated for later, I decided to pitch in with the former. In order to get my Machine Mart aluminium racing jack (great buy!) under the diff. a few feet of forward movement is required. The garden is slightly downhill so removing the chock achieves this. Why won't it move? Ah, it's in gear. Why don't I sit in and see if the clutch has freed itself as the engine's been run a few times. To my amazement it had. Miracle no.1.
Jack up, axle stands, remove wheels and set to tightening the threaded adjustment ends of the transverse cable until there was no slack either side. I checked the shoe adjuster - still spot on - and applied the cockpit lever. Drums locked. Miracle no.2.
As I type my assistant is unavailable. I spent half an hour earlier bleeding the rear brakes single handed using a length of architrave to depress the pedal whilst my other orangutan like limb worked the nipple. Can't say if this was successful as the front pipes of course contain some air so no 'pedal' yet.
I was down the cave early yesterday, wondering if there was anything I could get on with before my bleeding assistant surfaced. Looking at the butchered coaming above the scuttle I decided that fashioning a full width ally cover (which would have to follow multiple compound curves) was an impractical pipe dream. Next best, small individual plates over the two worst and most visible areas. A trial run with small card templates decided me that, although it was ugly, it was nevertheless a lot better than nothing. I transferred the shapes to thin ally, cut them out, drilled fixing holes, bent them to the correctish profile over a breaker bar clamped in the vice and riveted them on. Not pretty, but undoubtedly an improvement.
Postie had by this time delivered three of the four sewing machine related items I'd ordered, the outstanding one being vital to progress on seat cover fabrication so nothing doing there. Much later help was available so brake bleeding commenced. Only a very soft pedal could be achieved without vigorous pumping so I dismissed my assistant and set to checking all the joints. I quickly identified and tightened the culprit, which was one of those into the four way union. The cave was by now a furnace so I called it a day
Not much to report from yesterday: my bleeding assistant was unavailable so I decided to play with the sewing machine. After a couple of schoolboy errors, and discovering that some parts of the machine weren't designed for bloke sized hands, I got acceptable seams in pieces of scrap vinyl. I also discovered that the teflon foot advertised as 'suitable for my machine' wasn't. An e-mail to the vendor elicited a request for a photo', as my machine is 'very unusual'. "Well he would say that, wouldn't he."
After perusing pictures of sundry 50s Italian racing machinery I'd decided that Mobil Pegasus stickers for the nose would suit. They arrived (by return) yesterday. Excuse even shakier photo' than usual - DTs, moi?
Three weeks ago today I was cutting my daughter's grass, which includes shifting the trampoline (in which she'd put my granddaughter's paddling pool) to get to the bit underneath. Failing to take into account the weight of storm water dumped in the paddling pool I did myself a serious mischief lifting it. Hamstrings - ouch! Both hernia repairs - ouch! Slipped disc - ouch! This put progress on hold and was followed by last week's house/dog/cat sitting for a holidaying friend.
In the interim I'd bought an Eezibleed due to the fag of recruiting help, plus the lack of success. Anyway, yesterday, at last feeling up to it, I pitched in and the job was done in what seemed like no time. The only tiny hiccup was the master cylinder cap not sealing at first, even after a gentle tweak with water pump pliers. A few twists of PTFE tape sorted that and success - a hard pedal .
With advancing years, I'm not sure that I've got another build in me. The only one that I'd definitely go for would be a Sherpley, but so few were made (I think I've heard 12?) that the likelihood of a part completed project coming up is remote, but never say never!
Thanks for kind comment regarding my posts, given the many hiccups along the way so far, I'm sure there'll be a good few more to report on before the thread morphs into 'on the road'.
Regards, Mick
My daily eBay Kit Car and Replica searches turned this up this morning. Lots I don't like about it, but lots I do. If only my between houses car access was a little wider, and I was loaded...
With advancing years, I'm not sure that I've got another build in me. The only one that I'd definitely go for would be a Sherpley, but so few were made (I think I've heard 12?) that the likelihood of a part completed project coming up is remote, but never say never!
Regards, Mick
About 4-5 years ago one came up on Ebay unstarted with a donor Sherpa about £8k IIRC.
There are 2 versions :-
Speed 6 - original with custom chassis and Sherpa running gear usually with better engine , picture in first post
Speed 4 - same body kit but made to fit Sherpa chassis and use van's engine
Speed 4 is easier build as no SVA however front looks wrong as springs not attached to ends of chassis - like the £28k listed !
I have 2 kit car reviews and original build manual [ vague does not cover it ! ] and some other stuff , PM me an email address and they could be winging there way to you.
I am building a Edwardian ' tribute ' on a Freight Rover chassis as I decided if I had a Sherpley I would spend all my money and time chasing the Blower Bentley look and not being happy with the results ?
If I build in the style off no one can say that's not right , and like your Moss I want to drive past and someone say ' what the h*ll was that !
I have sat in/seen a Sherpley that was for sale a couple of years ago , door on passenger side hard to get into and get under steering wheel very uncomfortable when sat in it and the build was crude [ maybe like your Moss ? ] I have pictures of that as well.
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. The second hand 28/36 DCD I bought was jetted (according to the vendor) for a 1500cc pre-cross flow Kent. Reading my 13/6d Triple C Weber Carburettors booklet revealed that it's unwise to assume that any old 1500cc engine will require similar jets, so further research is required. Watch this space.
