Replace front indicators

This one was on the cards for a while, a breakage on the Ireland trip just forced the issue. No idea where the lens went, didn't even notice it was gone until one of the campsite owners told me.

So looked for some options, this one only £3 from china - nice shape - but a little too extreme on size - perhaps more suited to being a repeater.

After browsing Ebay for 'motorcycle fairing indicator' settled on this. It would be no good for IVA - no 45º visibility from the front let alone minimum distance to the side, but MOT just checks number and functionality on indicator lights so I should be fine.

The car is on stands so no way to stand back and double check I got them exactly level - all functional though, nice new clean look.

Couple of longer shots in the drive - looks fine to me, they are even reasonably level!

Replace steering column bush

I had a little, 2mm, play in the steering wheel, traced to the nylon lower bush.

Didn't feel right, apart from being an MOT issue, so swapped out the whole thing.

The parts are cheap, new on the left, old worn one on the right.

The bush had ridden back up the column. I'd seen plenty of pictures before the build of jubilee clips to back up the standard sliding clip, ignored them and now learned the hard way - its worth adding!

Interesting job replacing the bush and its mounting with the car built - last time I did this there was nothing in the engine bay and the scuttle was not installed. New installation shows the inner bush pushed fully through.

And the steering column moutnings - replaced with new nyloc nuts towards the driver this time - much easier to install & remove when the scuttle is on due to limited room behind to weald a spanner.

I did contemplate upgrading the bushing to a full metal bearing, decided not to because:

1. This arrangement has been fine for 4 years and 18.4k miles

2. Its a relatively straightforward like for like parts swap
3. I need to focus on the MOT and not make maintenance jobs larger than they need to be

Remove seat bolts

I already knew, checked, the lowest point on the car which scrapes cambers or speed bumps are the seat bolts. i.e. no real harm done, they can be sacrificial and replaced as and when.

These were getting up to the line though - worst on the drivers side where the inside rear nut was down to two threads and 4mm of its former 11mm self. Lasted 18.4k miles though so no complaints.

I'll replace the lot, probably use slightly larger washers on the inside too - some 50mm plate washers to help spread the seat load.

Interesting dent/notch in the leading edge of the passenger side footwell - that must have been a rock/other immovable object. Thank you for steel floors GBS!

I gave it another coat of under-seal while I was there.

 No issues inside - just a collection of road detritus.

Update - seats re-installed

Wet feet, Pedal box mod

Whenever it rains I get a leak over my right foot.

I've never definitively worked out the water route, I don't think it is puddling or coming in via the scuttle since I had rubber moulding in both locations, it also leaks when the car is just standing in the rain or being washed.

Strongly suspect the hole in the pedal box lid combined with my rear edge bonnet vents is the culprit.

So, while checking and re-adjusting the clutch cable, designed and made a simple waterproof flap which should stop any direct downward ingress while still providing access. The front edge is weighted to stop it lifting.

Afterthought - the cover may benefit from a couple of simple pleats in the front corners so it moulds more closely to the shape of the break fluid reservoir beneath. Need some rain to test it.

16v Zetec plastic badges

While I was away some ordered badges arrived, these ones are embossed plastic by a firm called Signomatic based on my original cam cover images. Similar tech to that used on shopstaff name badges and various colour combinations available.

Relatively expensive in small runs but the quality is above anything I can produce on the 3d printer, not sure yet if/when they will be applied to the car.

They also produce aluminium nameplates but too expensive for me.

The ideal would be some enamel on metal.

Ireland - Teaser

The Ireland road trip was from 24th March returning 7th April, with a week's break in the middle. 

Overview

Returned safely around teatime on the 7th April - 18.5k on the clock now so I must have driven getting on for 1,900 miles on this one.

One day across Wales, 5 days Ireland west coast, a break in the middle for a family holiday then two days back across to Dublin and through Snowdonia - mostly in the Sun - was awesome driving!

The route detailed on this previous post.

Teasers...

Running repairs,

Duncannon sunset,

Mizzen Head,

Healy Pass - snaking roads and the view for miles,

 

Slea Head,

so-called Craggy Island via some inland Burren driving,

 Doolough Valley - the most incredible driving,

Old Head quay near Louisburgh,

Rosmoney,

Snowdonia,

Home!

Slightly cooked from sitting in motorway traffic, car with its new Wesport GAA colours chequered finish flag.

Video

Uploading videos here, not much editing - just as it happened hi-lights.

Craggy Island, Jewel of the run and the End

Final day, I need to get to Westport at a decent time and meet up with my wife and Daughter, still plenty of time, and plenty of miles to enjoy on the way.

Craggy Island and The Burren

A decidedly wet day today, hunkered down in the car and kept reasonably warm between the downpours. My route leading inland after the Cliffs of Moher across The Burren, a strange landscape of exposed eroded rock. The road very low in places with high water sometimes surrounding me.

Parts of the road just cold and grey - felt like the Dead Marshes from LOTR, and so - once I had that thought I managed to give myself the creeps!

Interesting shell of a house or castle, I think I passed this way at least twice not quite sure of the route. My mood combined with the weather this feels perhaps like the House of Usher from Kidnapped with its stairways to nowhere!

Then - there it was! Just thinking I should stop and double check my satnav and pulling over there is a familiar house. Found it, the house used for external shots of Father Ted's house from the Channel 4 comedy of the same name. It is privately owned so a few photos and I'm headed off again.

R336, R335 - Galway, Maam Cross, Leenaun, Delphi to Louisburgh

Just when I thought I may be just focusing on the finish line - the jewel of the trip.

First a little frustration, the coast road pulled me into and around Galway - nothing against the city - I'm here to drive though not get stuck in traffic!

Then I divert - not around the coast road but towards Maam Cross - and just wow!

The rain from the morning has cleared so drying road and the view just opens up for mile upon mile of that perfect combination of weaving and rolling drivers road.

The striking thing about all the roads - no absolute height, plenty of roads virtually at sea level - but incredible views. Scenery you might expect on a painting just right there in real life.

Old Head Quay

Making good time, hit the coast at Louisburgh then a pause at old head to swap out the car camera SD card and make sure I didn't lose the footage of the drive north.

A quiet bay car on the harbour wall, not a soul around.

Rosmoney Pier

The final stop - Rosmoney Pier west of Westport, a small cottage right on the sea. I met up with my wife and daughter. The Zero parked up for the week while I take a break from driving and we do some standard tourism for a week or so.

This way to corners!

Reference to the most useful sign in Ireland, once you see this its a signal of a patch of excellent twisty roads to enjoy.

Chequered Flag

My finish line, the local Wesport Gaelic Football team's colours combine to provide my souvenir chequered flag. Some great driving, on the way through wales, along the coast and today inland. Weather mostly good - but always permitting a view so no issues there!

Thank you Ireland.
Thank you GN13!