Now we have committed to attend the Small Ford Show at the British Motor Museum, Gaydon on the 21st of July, there are several tasks that we want to complete beforehand. Before that, this is how far we will have to travel:
As can be seen from the map, Gaydon is not exactly next door. I have specifically chosen a route that avoids motorways and where possible minimizes the use of dual carriageways. Lizzie will happily do 60-65 mph but this is at the top end of her speed range and I don’t want to spend too much time at this speed. As part of the planning we have been busy compiling a list of instructions, in a format known as Tulip, commonly used in rallying but we have used them on various drive-it days.
Using this will help submerge us into the motoring of yesteryear and minimise the use of satnavs, etc.
Forget about all that though, you are here to hear about Lizzie! With a trip like this, I want to be confident that Lizzie is the best that she can be, so we are undertaking some quality-of-life fixes…
No 1 – We have noted a small blow in the exhaust manifold area. New Gaskets have been put on but still not cured so work is still ongoing but hopefully being fixed very soon. There is a blanking plate between the Air intake manifold and the exhaust manifold and this is where the issue is occurring.
No 2 – Fuel sender gasket replacement. There was no fuel leaking but a slight smell of petrol when the boot opened. This can come from only one place, the fuel sender gasket. I had a spare, along with the copper washers in stock, and as the tank was only a quarter full, William undertook this small job.
No 3 – Squealy brakes… We have noticed, well you could not help but notice the squealy brake on the front nearside. The braking felt normal, just noisy! We have had the hub off and the hub was somewhat glazed. The glaze has been rubbed down and braking is now not so embarrassing. Again William undertook this job.
A test run to the Petrol station has proven that the fuel sender is not leaking (phew!) and that the brakes are much quieter now. The blow is still there but parts are awaited before a full fix can be carried out.
Note: As I drive Lizzie, I always double-check the work carried out by William before progressing to any test drives, etc.
