Mk1 BX 19RD Estate RHD! A new home

citsncycles · Post by **citsncycles** » Mon Sep 12, 2011 11:57 pm

Ah-ha! Just worked out who you are Mike. The shabby GS was the giveway. Previous owner of a Warty estate too? (that's the make, not description)

In the case of mine it was both! There's nothing quite like the howl of a 3 cylinder 2 stroke running at full tilt, although I tried to avoid it as the bonnet used to deform under the air pressure above 80

The reason for the Warty was that my parents used to run them, so when this one came up for free I just had to have it. I got very good at stripping the engine, found that generally it was easy to work on, and had the largest load space of anything I owned (I could stretch right out in the back and I'm 6'2"). Unfortunately the suspension would max out long before the space would, all the body to chassis mounts were rotten and it used so much fuel that it made the GS look frugal.

Dollywobbler · Post by **Dollywobbler** » Thu Sep 15, 2011 12:53 pm

New downpipe fitted today. Glad I farmed it out so I could watch the poor buggers at my garage of choice trying to fit the thing! I think they must have used the Mini as inspiration when it comes to fiddly access...

Car is now absolutely transformed. Back to being as it should be - smooth and quiet on the move. Even better, a box of goodies from Lockwood's has arrived - timing belt kit and water pump. That's good as it's losing a terrific amount of water and I'm scared to drive it any further until the new pump is fitted. Oh, and I should probably do a full service at some point too!

Philip Chidlow · Post by **Philip Chidlow** » Thu Sep 15, 2011 1:16 pm

Good news, Ian. You brave soul lol!

Post by **Tim Leech** » Thu Sep 15, 2011 1:36 pm

Dollywobbler wrote:New downpipe fitted today. Glad I farmed it out so I could watch the poor buggers at my garage of choice trying to fit the thing! I think they must have used the Mini as inspiration when it comes to fiddly access...

!

Tell me about it!

ive still got plasters on my fingers!

Get the oil changed asap, run it for 1000 miles and do it again if it were me, its what im doing on the TZD as it hasnt had one for 6 years until yesterday.

Well done though!

Dollywobbler · Post by **Dollywobbler** » Thu Sep 15, 2011 2:51 pm

I was going to change the oil today, but realised that I don't have the right sump plug tool. Bit perplexing, as I managed an oil change on the Green Tiger. Can only assume that I must have borrowed the right tool from someone...

Post by **Tim Leech** » Thu Sep 15, 2011 2:53 pm

Dollywobbler wrote:I was going to change the oil today, but realised that I don't have the right sump plug tool. Bit perplexing, as I managed an oil change on the Green Tiger. Can only assume that I must have borrowed the right tool from someone...

Indeed, we had the same problem yesterday, thankfully one of the techys has made one out of an old socket, will get one off ebay though!

scooters · Post by **scooters** » Sun Sep 18, 2011 12:32 pm

Enormous hat off to you Ian. When you told us on autoshite you had bought this I thought you were mad...we all know what a pig old citroens can be to restore and the lack of bits must have been daunting....you sir are a first class obsessive compulsive when it comes to bxs because your total passion and enthusiasm has proved many of us wrong. I am confident that you will restore it to its former glittering.in the meantime it still looks fabulous in an old car coming through stand aside euroboxes type way.

Congrats mate

Dollywobbler · Post by **Dollywobbler** » Mon Sep 19, 2011 9:50 am

Thanks Scooters. Look forward to some pics of your latest purchase once it makes it oop north...

Dollywobbler · Post by **Dollywobbler** » Wed Sep 21, 2011 5:42 pm

In total elapsed time, the cambelt change isn't going too badly, but we're into day two now. The correct water pump has arrived (somehow got sent an Escort one instead) but the 22mm crank pulley bolt is proving tricky to remove. I stand much more of a chance now I've found my 22mm socket though...

Sadly I've failed to blag/borrow an electric impact driver so other techniques are being attempted. Watch this space...

Kitch · Post by **Kitch** » Fri Sep 23, 2011 8:50 pm

Dollywobbler wrote:In total elapsed time, the cambelt change isn't going too badly, but we're into day two now. The correct water pump has arrived (somehow got sent an Escort one instead) but the 22mm crank pulley bolt is proving tricky to remove. I stand much more of a chance now I've found my 22mm socket though...

Sadly I've failed to blag/borrow an electric impact driver so other techniques are being attempted. Watch this space...

Starter motor out......jam a punch in the flywheel up against the block and use a breaker bar.

JayW · Post by **JayW** » Fri Sep 23, 2011 9:06 pm

I just insert suitably sized allen key in to flywheel timing hole and get an assistant to hold a prybar into the ring-gear through the hole in the top of the bellhousing. Works every time!

Dollywobbler · Post by **Dollywobbler** » Sat Sep 24, 2011 8:21 am

All a bit academic as I managed to get the bolt out using a long bar (scaffold pipe) and the starter motor. I've been flu'd up though, so no further progress. Not looking forward to tackling the water pump. It seems amazingly tight around there!

Post by **mat_fenwick** » Sat Sep 24, 2011 10:29 am

Can't remember if it's already been mentioned, but with the top engine mount removed, a trolley jack under the sump helps to position the engine for best access.

Dollywobbler · Post by **Dollywobbler** » Sat Sep 24, 2011 1:03 pm

mat_fenwick wrote:Can't remember if it's already been mentioned, but with the top engine mount removed, a trolley jack under the sump helps to position the engine for best access.

Thanks. Already at this stage. Guess I'll play around until I find the sweet spot. Still feeling rough but hoping to get back on this tomorrow.

Dollywobbler · Post by **Dollywobbler** » Thu Sep 29, 2011 5:21 pm

Bit of an update. Got my bargain £2.20 ebay front wing. Seems in very good condition - certainly a lot better than the one fitted at the moment!

Cambelt now changed, with new water pump. A test drive reveals no leaks so I'll see how it goes. It's currently on 'flush' coolant, so still need to replace that at some point and fit the temp gauge and new fan switch.

Sadly though, in a burst of anger, I managed to break a headlamp. "No problem," I thought. "The car came with a pair of headlamps and I had some given to me by a friend as well." Sadly, while I seem well stocked up for LH lamps, the RH ones are all no good. Bother. Currently has one of the spare lamps fitted, but only held my two clips. Precarious.

Also, when lowering the car, I noticed that the RH strut top seemed to move around an awful lot. I know I've got issues there as when the car drove down into the brake tester at the MOT station, the wheel moved all over the place! I assumed the wishbone bushes were wrecked (they're fairly oil-soaked) but now I'm wondering if there's a problem at the top of the strut as well/in place.

Still seems an awful lot to do!