Flippin insurance[V] They said a cover note would be sent out that day by registered post to make sure I got it yesterday (Friday) what happens the registered letter and the normal batch of documents arrived this morning - two covernotes:I I can only tax him once but by 11 o'clock this morning the Damson Demon was road legal
The excuses had run out so it was time for some serious roadtime(well a 50 mile round trip is not bad after 12 years couped up:I) Not wanting to push things too far the first time we decided to do a bit of food shopping at a posh farm shop type place (nice pies) so off we trundled in the pouring rain to our chosen destination. The first few miles on town roads were pretty uneventful but I impressed Barb by demonstrating the joys of overdrive Once over the Widnes-Runcorn bridge we hit the Expressway and an oportunity to open him up a bit - oh dear, anything above 50 and he coughed and spluttered and back fired like a man o' war broadside. Switched of OD and stayed in top for a while building up the speed slowly, there seemed to be a flat spot the size of Norfolk around 50 but I nursed him through and sat at about 55 before engaging OD again. We had to go through the village of Frodsham and there was a bit of a hold up. the lekky fan was cutting in and out as it should but after that is was coming on when driving occasionally. The narrow country lanes were very enjoyable as I got to grips with Commer 'handling' again[8D] and arrived at The Hollies Farm Shop without incident. While Barb was perusing the fresh veg, pies and other delight I was deep in thought and worrying why the fan should be cutting in - then I remembered my plumbing in of the lekky water pump, I had run a by-pass line from the stat housing to the pump suction - maybe it was by-passing too much. before we set off again I clamped the hose so everything would circulate through the radiator, things did improve but the fan still cut in once or twice. The engine wasn't overheating and lost not coolant at all but I think I'll flush the system out and give it another go.
We stopped off in Delamere Forrest to munch on some of the goodies we had just bought - our first Harvey picnic in a long time (apart from beer and burger night in the garage:I)
Rain rain rain:I
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Cheese Hill Lane - it's a bit steep for a Commer
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Peep-oh, do you like the chrome weather strips on the cab doors[^]
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A nice buttered scone
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Harvey did misbehave after this little stop-off, he was very laboured turning over and it sounded like the battery was dead but after a couple of attempts he fired up - a lazy starter methinks[V]
The journey back showed no signs of the earlier misfiring and on the Expressway we touched 70 in OD without any drama and there felt to be quite a bit more to be nursed out, but the carb definitely needs setting up properly - I might do a straight swap for the one off the Mini as I know that runs well and it will be easier to set the other one up when installed in the Mini. I'm going to give the cooling system a flushing out in the morning and then we are planning another trip - a little bit further this time[8D]
The excuses had run out so it was time for some serious roadtime(well a 50 mile round trip is not bad after 12 years couped up:I) Not wanting to push things too far the first time we decided to do a bit of food shopping at a posh farm shop type place (nice pies
) so off we trundled in the pouring rain to our chosen destination. The first few miles on town roads were pretty uneventful but I impressed Barb by demonstrating the joys of overdrive Once over the Widnes-Runcorn bridge we hit the Expressway and an oportunity to open him up a bit - oh dear, anything above 50 and he coughed and spluttered and back fired like a man o' war broadside. Switched of OD and stayed in top for a while building up the speed slowly, there seemed to be a flat spot the size of Norfolk around 50 but I nursed him through and sat at about 55 before engaging OD again. We had to go through the village of Frodsham and there was a bit of a hold up. the lekky fan was cutting in and out as it should but after that is was coming on when driving occasionally. The narrow country lanes were very enjoyable as I got to grips with Commer 'handling' again[8D] and arrived at The Hollies Farm Shop without incident. While Barb was perusing the fresh veg, pies and other delight I was deep in thought and worrying why the fan should be cutting in - then I remembered my plumbing in of the lekky water pump, I had run a by-pass line from the stat housing to the pump suction - maybe it was by-passing too much. before we set off again I clamped the hose so everything would circulate through the radiator, things did improve but the fan still cut in once or twice. The engine wasn't overheating and lost not coolant at all but I think I'll flush the system out and give it another go.We stopped off in Delamere Forrest to munch on some of the goodies we had just bought - our first Harvey picnic in a long time (apart from beer and burger night in the garage:I)
Rain rain rain:I
Cheese Hill Lane - it's a bit steep for a Commer
Peep-oh, do you like the chrome weather strips on the cab doors[^]
A nice buttered scone
Harvey did misbehave after this little stop-off, he was very laboured turning over and it sounded like the battery was dead but after a couple of attempts he fired up - a lazy starter methinks[V]
The journey back showed no signs of the earlier misfiring and on the Expressway we touched 70 in OD without any drama and there felt to be quite a bit more to be nursed out, but the carb definitely needs setting up properly - I might do a straight swap for the one off the Mini as I know that runs well and it will be easier to set the other one up when installed in the Mini. I'm going to give the cooling system a flushing out in the morning and then we are planning another trip - a little bit further this time[8D]
