29 Jan 2008, 00:25
Regarding the DVLA, if you've still got any of the old paperwork for the car, it'll be able to keep the same reg, no nasty Q plates. You also won't fall foul of any SORN legislation if the car was taken off road before SORN came in - which on the case of 1991, was well before. SORN didn't come in until Jan '98, so if the car was last taxed before that date you don't have to do anyhting until you tax it again. After that you'll get the SORN/ Tax reminder every year as per normal.
Engine - do the oil change FIRST, you don't want to pump the old crap round. Sort out the fuel system - the old stuff will have turned to jelly in the carb, tank and fuel line. Ditto swap the coolant and check that the water pump hasn't turned to a but red rusty blob and spins freely.
Then, REMOVE the king lead and spark plugs before you first try to start it - (and put the gears in NEUTRAL as the clutch may have seized.) The last thing you want to do is for it to fire up straight away. That'd mean running in the dry before the oil has had the chance to get pumped round. Probably do more damage in the first 20 seconds than sitting since 1991! Spin the engine on the starter motor - with the plugs out, it'll go at a fair whack. That'll build up some oil pressure and wet things nicely. Then and only then, stick the plugs and leads back in, grit your teeth, shut your eyes and turn the key. Obviously open all garage doors and windows before this point!!!
You might find that the clutch has seized on. If it has, there are a number of methods of releasing it without having to dismantle - so fear not. The least brutal of these is as follows. When you've got the motor running, run it for about an hour or so until it gets fully properkly hot all the way through to the gearbox. Then, switch off, jam the clutch pedal down with a chock of wood against the underside of the wheel, and go to the pub. Following morning all will be free and you'll be able to dricve it to the car wash.
Or at least into the drive to fix the brakes properly...
Rich (with a little help from Practical Classics), just resurrected a funky 1981 Allegro! Not seen another on the road for about a year!
Engine - do the oil change FIRST, you don't want to pump the old crap round. Sort out the fuel system - the old stuff will have turned to jelly in the carb, tank and fuel line. Ditto swap the coolant and check that the water pump hasn't turned to a but red rusty blob and spins freely.
Then, REMOVE the king lead and spark plugs before you first try to start it - (and put the gears in NEUTRAL as the clutch may have seized.) The last thing you want to do is for it to fire up straight away. That'd mean running in the dry before the oil has had the chance to get pumped round. Probably do more damage in the first 20 seconds than sitting since 1991! Spin the engine on the starter motor - with the plugs out, it'll go at a fair whack. That'll build up some oil pressure and wet things nicely. Then and only then, stick the plugs and leads back in, grit your teeth, shut your eyes and turn the key. Obviously open all garage doors and windows before this point!!!
You might find that the clutch has seized on. If it has, there are a number of methods of releasing it without having to dismantle - so fear not. The least brutal of these is as follows. When you've got the motor running, run it for about an hour or so until it gets fully properkly hot all the way through to the gearbox. Then, switch off, jam the clutch pedal down with a chock of wood against the underside of the wheel, and go to the pub. Following morning all will be free and you'll be able to dricve it to the car wash.
Or at least into the drive to fix the brakes properly...
Rich (with a little help from Practical Classics), just resurrected a funky 1981 Allegro! Not seen another on the road for about a year!
Richard Hanlon
Derbyshire
DOC 393
1981 DMC-12 VIN 06126
Derbyshire
DOC 393
1981 DMC-12 VIN 06126