Talking B____X

Philip Chidlow · Post by **Philip Chidlow** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 2:58 pm

He he! Mat...

Well the situation is this: I'm hoping to finally obtain the goods. It'll cost me a bit more but it's still just about worth doing.

But lesson learned. I'm not wholly without sympathy for the guy; he did make the effort initially to make amends for the fact the person to whom he entrusted the delivery ballsed it up, but there came a point where "I've got them in the boot of my car - I'll sort delivery" and "Give me your bank details and I'll pay you 2nd July" show that reliability, trustworthiness and gentlemanly conduct is far from universal.

If my courier turns up and they can't be collected for whatever reason, I'll report it as theft. Because that's what it would be.

electrokid · Post by **electrokid** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 8:03 pm

I'm hoping to finally obtain the goods

Fingers crossed

Philip Chidlow · Post by **Philip Chidlow** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 2:53 pm

Well, the situation is that for £35 I organised a courier. And they are supposed to be picking up today.

I'll wait to see, with fingers crossed, what arrives - if anything.

I've just been out in the BX and the old girl is still driving well. There's a little shunt engaging R in the autobox and there might be the merest hint of hesitancy pulling off in Drive. But that is to be expected given age and mileage: and with two recent ATF changes I trust it won't deteriorate rapidly. If the box goes I think I will go about finding help in changing it from auto to manual. I hope that is do-able.

The engine needs a new rocker cover gasket and possibly cam shaft oil seal - but as the cam belt, tensioner and water pump will be done later this year I'll get all that done then.

I have a pair of new Bendix front discs to go along with the pad change at the next service...

All in all the girl deserves a little maintenance and upkeep.

Move over XM you've had your turn!

Philip Chidlow · Post by **Philip Chidlow** » Thu Jul 22, 2010 3:15 pm

Well, wonder of wonders I finally have the wheels! And I am not disappointed, they seem fine, and all the bolts and so on are there.

I don't think I'll be fitting the Scorpion rear box/tailpipe yet, but the wheels'll go on later today or tomorrow.

Frankly the attitude of the guy I bought them off left a lot to be desired, but we got there in the end (and without his efforts in finding out what had happened to them I acknowledge I wouldn't have!) - 6 months and 22 days after paying him for them.

MULLEY · Post by **MULLEY** » Thu Jul 22, 2010 10:32 pm

Well done for keeping the faith Phil, just need to name him so that i don't deal with him as i certainly wouldnt have had the patience you've showed.

Philip Chidlow · Post by **Philip Chidlow** » Fri Jul 23, 2010 9:47 am

It's a guy named Ian Nixon who owns my old Phase 2 16v - and is 'upgrading it' with a supercharger etc. so never wanted the wheels. Initially he could hardly be blamed for the delay as he didn't know I hadn't received them. But after saying he'd located them and was going to sort delivery - and then offering to pay me back (but not) he sort of hoped I would go away. In the end he said he couldn't be arsed with me or the wheels.

Hardly gentlemanly.

Ah well, I'll post a pic of the venerable BX with its new shoes later...

Philip Chidlow · Post by **Philip Chidlow** » Fri Jul 23, 2010 5:45 pm

The wheels are on. And a new clamp on the exhaust where it was blowing too. Sounds, looks and rides better. Still a fair amount to do but the list is a little shorter

electrokid · Post by **electrokid** » Fri Jul 23, 2010 8:43 pm

Looks excellent Phil - and the wheels look spot-on

scarecrow · Post by **scarecrow** » Fri Jul 23, 2010 9:44 pm

Looks great.

I know this is a bit pedantic, but have you considered jacking up one end and lining the wheels up so they're at the same point of rotation?

Steve

Philip Chidlow · Post by **Philip Chidlow** » Fri Jul 23, 2010 11:10 pm

Actually, no! But maybe one day...

rayfenwick · Post by **rayfenwick** » Fri Jul 23, 2010 11:32 pm

Philip Chidlow wrote:Actually, no! But maybe one day...

Not much point - unless you plan to drive only in straight lines... as soon as you turn even a little bit the wheels are rotating at different speeds - hence the need for a differential... differential, geddit?

Philip Chidlow · Post by **Philip Chidlow** » Tue Aug 03, 2010 1:13 pm

New rocker cover gasket done. The old one had more cracks in it than Gordon Ramsey's face and was responsible for the oil stains on the road... But now I am down to two leaks to sort: First LHM is leaking intermittently from the somewhere: I suspect the PAS ram high pressure feed, but I need to clean the area and have a proper look. Next is a fun job too: the fuel pipe above the pump is on its last legs so its a case of rear seats out, fuel tank released and so on... I have a new fuel filter to fit too. But with those two jobs done it'll be a case of replacing the steering ram boot, getting the car an MOT and then regassing the spheres which need doing. There's a knock from the front: droplink probably (although the driver's side was done about a year ago) but ARB bush??? I don't know: we'll have to take a good look.

JayW · Post by **JayW** » Tue Aug 03, 2010 1:51 pm

Well, hopefully it's not the ARB bushes Phil, apparently they're NLA (maybe not NOS on the bay of E though) mmmm, going hunting meself now me thinks...

Post by **Defender110** » Tue Aug 03, 2010 8:45 pm

Only just noticed this picture, it looks absolutely fantastic Phil well done mate.

scarecrow · Post by **scarecrow** » Tue Aug 03, 2010 9:53 pm

rayfenwick wrote:
Philip Chidlow wrote:Actually, no! But maybe one day...
Not much point - unless you plan to drive only in straight lines... as soon as you turn even a little bit the wheels are rotating at different speeds - hence the need for a differential... differential, geddit?

Duh!

EDIT: me, not you Phil. I led you on!