SA Import Beta 2000 Coupe

[WestonE]

Over in Montecarlo land we have had great results with Classic Car LEDS https://www.classiccarleds.co.uk/?srsltid=AfmBOopstwarehpeUE3Yr62h_j-iyydVgt8tBA0KwBP88YlfgYAS68GD They have made a kit for the Monte and I have most of it on mine. The quality is far better than the ebay specials and they are not too big for the housings as many ebay ones are. An amazing transformation in tail lights and indicators. Of course you need an LED specific flasher relay which they also supply. Enjoy.

[Ferrit]

I was looking at doing this for my car at some point.  Thanks for confirming Eric.

Brake pipe and bending tool has turned up.  Had a couple evenings off the car as my wife was away in Barcelona, I was on duty for kids and pup.  Not a rest but at least different I really needed the rest.  I am so over suspension and brake work.  Tomorrow I will set up the compensator and fit the brake pipe.  Friday/Saturday I will bleed it. 

S/H wiper motor here care of Alan.

[Ferrit]

So brake pipe fitted yesterday, checked the adjustment on the compensator, and went for it and bled the brakes last night.  I went and gave it a quick roadtest.  Brakes work, just, pull up straight, but very long travel and soggy as hell.  They were really good before the new hoses, discs and other parts.  I am going to re-bleed again tomorrow.

I used a new pressurised bleed kit.  It seemed to work well at the time, it did as told and do front circuit front first and then work my way back.  I have always done furthest first.  I might try this tomorrow.

Another question.  My new speedo cable does screw down tight on the gearbox.  I have thrown the old cable away now so cant compare.  There is also no seal.  So the screw fixing goes tight but the inner part is very loose and lots of slack.  Any thoughts?

I can back from the quick roadtest and found a light oil everywhere under the bonnet.  Unfortunately its all looks like it could be from around the gearbox filler/speedo cable area or the brake MC.

I washed it all down, and cant see anything obvious today.  Tomorrow I will re-bleed and investigate.

[JASPER_40]

Hi Mark,

Light oil...must be brake fluid surely ? I read that you replaced the brake pipe to the front and so my guess if that the flare at the Master cylinder is perhaps not seated and could be leaking fluid past the thread and dripping / spraying under pedal pressure onto the gearbox. I presume it is a bubble flare ? . A new flare may also need more judicial tightening to form a good seat/seal upon first fitment.

Also, just fitted a new speedo cable but had not yet connected it up at the gearbox. Just been into the garage to do this and can confirm it screws in the gearbox completely and securely.

Cheers,

Steve
 

[Ferrit]

Is there a seal inside?

I am thinking you are right.  I will get someone to stand on it after a check and re-bleed

[JASPER_40]

Hi Mark,

No, there is no seperate seal as such...I was meaning that maybe the flare that has been formed on the new piece of brake pipe may not be sealing perfectly and need nipping up to mould in fully ?

Sorry for the confusion.

I really hope for the sake of you sanity that this is a loose fitting and not the same issue as I have. Very keen to hear your progress with this one.

Steve

PS Sent you a PM

[Ferrit]

so drive again and still the same.  No oil or water everywhere. 

I checked all the connections for the new brake pipe from the MC.  I think it could be coolant as I have stripped the rad out and all pipes removed.  I think it could be one of the expansion tank connections.  The 8mm hose from the expansion tank to the rad looks very tired.  I will replace it.

So wheels off.  What did I find?  I found a weeping connection on the os front mixed circuit connection to the hose.  Sorted that out.  Then I found a very wet rear os caliper.  I bought rebuild kits for the rear so I just got on with it.  Long story short, its all back together and bleed tonight and it does feel pretty good.  I did front calipers circuit and then did mixed starting furthest caliper first.  I will double check in the morning after a night on stands.

Odd story with this caliper.  When I got the car I was mooching about underneath and noticed this calipers piston dust seal off.  So I whipped it off and found inside the dust seal, the actual piston seal just sat there.  No leaking fluid.  So I popped it all back on and got one with life.  So when I pulled it apart did I find no seal?  Nope it had a seal...  very odd.

I still think the rear ns shock is dead.  Time to start looking for a pair of replacements.  Steering wheel is also quite a bit out from centre.  I guess I get the tracking done soon and take if from there.

If its all good tomorrow is off to Brooklands on Sunday.  My first show :-)

PS - I noticed I am missing a big grommet to the right of the brake servo, looks about 30mm. 

Also what should be here where the vent pipes head into the boot area from the underside?  There is a seal on the other side with a metal cover, should there be something here also?

Lastly this is foxing me.  My wipers have a 7mm bayonet fitting, one wiper connection has broken but I cant find any replacements, any thoughts?

[Nigel]

The hole next to the servo is for the LHD clutch cable, just needs a grommet.

There is no seal underneath where the fuel pipes are. The top seal and plate should
be sufficient. You could add some extra closed-cell foam I guess.

I can't see what end shape you have on that wiper arm, but most new blades seem to have
every option in the box, often numerous plastic bits included.

N.

[Ferrit]

Cinders can go to the ball :-)  @Brooklands today

First show.  LMC members were a great bunch today.

Re: wipers - I am wondering Nigel, it used be the case but the set I purchased just had U clip arrangement only.

I tested another Beta brake pedal and think I can go better with the bleeding.  They work fine.

Gear selector rebuild then rear shocks, tyres, carb rebuild clean and maybe valve clearances next.

[WestonE]

Well done for getting out in the Beta. That is the hoodo broken.

[TonyLanciaBeta (Tony Harrison)]

Good seeing you their Mark, your car looks amazing 

[Nigel]

You've made some great progress Mark.
And the first 'official' outing!
Don't ever think it's finished, that has two effects: planning the next task
is not urgent but will be rewarding, and redoing stuff you've already done is even
more betterer.

..and never mind the cost!

Nigel

[Ferrit]

Tee-hee Nigel :-)

More rustproofing this weekend maybe.  Swap out the wiper motor and maybe the instruments thanks to Alan and Peter respectively

Mark

[Ferrit]

Ordered a big grommet, for the big ole down the side of the servo.  It  turned up.  Smeared some silicone grease in it.  Carefully tried to get it in place over the hole with fingertips.  Bugger dropped it down the back of the servo.  Why on earth is there a gap behind it.  Charged up my endoscope…. There it is I can see it..  messed about with a long picker thing.  Eventually got it.

No it isn’t the one I bought.  It’s the old one!  Where is the new one?  That was further down.  With the endoscope and fingers and screwdrivers I managed to get it out.  Popped the new one back in the hole.  That two holes found and blocked now.

I am going to try and fix the rear view mirror this weekend.  Tyres ordered for the end of the month.  Uniroyal Rain somefings, 185/65 x14

[JASPER_40]

Hi Mark,

That rear view mirror split is a classic issue and an all too common problem. I seriously doubt you can fix it as the plastic will have shrunk such that it will not come to gether to glue or fill. I have been there with exactly the same split.

I printed a clip over cover which us a snug fit and completely hides the cracks. it looks so much better then before. I may re-finish it by lightly sanding and spraying with texturised plastic paint to make it indistinguishable from OE.

I also print my own Gromets / bungs using a type of plastic called TPU which has rubber like qualities...yes I am sooooo sad

Steve

[Ferrit]

Wow that is good.  You need to start selling (please) all these cool bits.  I might have a good one in its way, but would be up for repairing the current to pass on maybe.

Mark

[SanRemo78]

Plus one (well probably two or three) for me too!

[Ferrit]

A few little jobs today:

New battery connections
New bonnet pins
Remove the wiper motor again - super easy when you know how; ready for a the new replacement
some rust prevention work in the boot
some endo camera work in the sills - looking good 
stuck the badges back on and a small item of trim - anyone ever found the little x-clips anywhere?  I have found the 21mm ones at a few places now but not the small ones

[SanRemo78]

I'm pretty sure that little X clip is the wrong one for that spot Mark - it should be one that's triangular in shape that retains the head od a bolt and is secured with a washer and nut from within the boot. I think I've got a couple of the correct ones spare. That little X clip might be usable by someone able to copy and 3D print it?

Guy

[peteracs]

Exactly, those X clips, another thing on the 3D printer list.....