Why is it that a car that was running perfectly develops a fit of the sulks just before a trial? Didn't get to drive my new car yesterday, or go to clubnight, as it was a day working on the Dellow. Took it for a quick test run and it was running like a pig, well it could highly be descibed as running. Popping, banging and no pull. Changed almost everything, finally a clean up of the points and a new condenser seemed to clear the problem. Still running hot when stopped though and can't get a slow tickover. The two thinhs are ptobably related.

On the positive side the reconditioned water pump doesn't leak and its actually pumping water. I think there was an airlock before. The radiator is leaking again but we are going to take plenty of water and live with that. Got some Radweld onboard if it gets to bad.

Lots of detail work to do today and packing of course. Not to much as theres no room!

th plan is to tweet reports on the way round. Will try to set up a feed to the main page.

Well I would like to say the Green Dellow is ready but that would be far from the truth. Water is pi**ing out of the water pump, looks like the seal. I have ordered a new (refurbished) one from Small Ford Spares but I doubt its going to arrive today, hopefully by The Edinburgh though! The good news on the water front is that the second go at aralditing the leaky seam on the radiator header tank seems to be successful.

Still got the oil leak and I am not really sure where that is coming from. Hopefully it isn't enough that an occassional top up can't fix. Still got the Running In oil in the engine so tomorrow will be the running in!

Various noises coming from the engine which I don't like. Not sure what they are. It certainly doesn't run as quietley as the Eight in the Model Y. Oil pressure is 30 when hot but but boy does the pressure fall when the revs drop.

The mixture is definately to rich, at least on tickover. Will have to do tomorrow and then I think I need to consult Neil. Not sure how to tune twin SU's.

So all in all to get round the route tomorrow will be a success!

Starting up I found that water was coming up the studs. A phone call for advise revealed the problem was that the bottom of the stud hole had broken thru into the water jacket. The studs need sealing in. Got some Lok N Seal. Head off, seal studs. Now to refit head. No problem, I had a couple of new head gaskets come with the spares when I got the car last year. Oh dear, they are for 100E and of course are compeletely different. New ones on order but we are on hold until they come.

Well Friday was my last day with the old firm. Started in March 1973 so it was a long time. Enjoyed pretty much every minute of it until recently. Its a shame these things normally finish off with a bit of a bad taste in the mouth. Some things still have to be sorted with them but for the sake of good order I will leave it a while to explain.



The Audi had to go back of course. Well not back to the old firm, it was a leased car so they collected it and it went to the auction. It was a great car of its type. Fantastic build quality and nothing ever went wrong with it. Only complaint was that as a six speed manual it got a bit tiresome rowing it up and down the box. I thought of seeing if I could buy it but though its a good wagon it doesn't suit my lifestyle these days. I need something to tow with, capable of getting in and out of muddy fields and a Land Rover Freelander will arrive at Chaos Manor sometime in September. Lets hope that was the right decision!

Meanwhile attention shifts to the Green Dellow which is entered for the Norwich Union Classic, or whatever they call it, and Class 0 in The Edinburgh.

Michael’s new 1933 Short Rad Model Y pictured at The Luton Festival of Transport by Roger Dudley

I had wanted one every since going on The Y & C registers 2006 Tour of Holland. I put an ad in the club magazine, it took a year but earlier this month a suitable car came up. Its a Short Rad, built in May 1933, just 10 months after Ford opened their Dagenham factory. It came from East Anglia, arriving in Bedfordshire on a trailer. So far I have been to a family meal in nearby Hockliffe and took it to The Luton Festival of Transport on Sunday. It’s all very basic. 6 volt battery, not even a water temperature gauge. A different sort of challenge!

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