Operation Blue Streak New Home Required, SOLD

[saintjamesy89]

The merry pipers are probably still en route, but it looked like they got a lot done today. 3 out of 4 pipes were correct, and two have been attached both ends, with one still needing to be attached at the front. By the condition of some of the pipes that were taken off, i'm very surprised there was only one leak!

It was bitterly cold, and I only arrived as they were finishing. We headed to mine to defrost/drink tea and chat, but i'm sure Tim/Paul will have taken photos, hats off to Mike for some serious BXing! Even in arctic conditions...

[citsncycles]

Yep - 3 of the front to rear pipes attached at the back, although I'm not certain the one I fitted to the height corrector is in the right port. Speaking of which, I had to remove the height corrector as both the fittings for the front to rear pipes were siezed in. The last pipe couldn't be fitted as it was the larger diameter ABS version.

The large hose clip on the filler to fuel tank joint was replaced as the old one had rotted through, then the rear subframe was temporarily bolted back in so that we could roll the car outside. I then helped Tim fit the replacement radiator he'd brought down before jacking the car back up, threading the new pipes down to the front and starting on the front connections before the cold finally started getting to me. Tom managed some more jobs while I was doing this (sphere changing I think), and while not as much as we'd have liked (as always) some real progress was made.

The anorak in me made some interesting discoveries, such as the front subframe being the same type as fitted to the later MK 1's, wih extra member running under the engine and gearbox, and the inlet into the engine bay for the air intake being different to the MK 1, meaning the inner wing is different. God I'm sad!

All in all a good day.

[mds141]

Good job Mike.

[Tim Leech]

Home at last! 13 hours and 350 miles, thanks so much Mike for you're help today. I need a brake return for a non abs BX it seems! But learned that 1.9 petrol and diesel radiators are identical,

She will need another day of fettling, some hose clips, carb fuel pipe and of course the pipes but most of the hard works done,

I'm off to thaw out!

[mds141]

Good job Tim.

[Paul296]

Some pictures . . .

(I can confirm; it was bloody freezing! )

As we were arriving in Taunton, Tim happened to mention that there was a CCC member there who owned a black GSA and had just bought a BX. Presto hey! There he was in the Co-op buying loads of chocolate (or something). Anyway, we had bit of chat; 'we're all driving old Citroens aren't we?. That BX you bought is knackered. It's freezing. Bye (in short).



Anyway, Mike quickly got to work mending all the things that often break underneath cars . . .



We discovered that one of the replacement pipes was the wrong size. This is the 'cold and disappointed' shot . . .



Mike seemed to struggle looking 'cold and disappointed'; Tim managed it with practised ease.

Tim and Mike fitting the new radiator while I stood around (freezing). . .



Everyone standing around (freezing) . . .







That's it. I'm going to bed. It's freezing.

[mat_fenwick]

Mike seemed to struggle looking 'cold and disappointed'

I've never seen Mike without a big grin on his face! Is that plan still to replace the last pipe as well?

[Mickey taker]

Oi Mike be careful you dont get a chill in your kidneys with all that exposed flesh lol...
Fantastic effort all round guys amd nice to see Toms hair is gettong back to a decent length at last

[Tim Leech]

Mike seemed to struggle looking 'cold and disappointed'

I've never seen Mike without a big grin on his face! Is that plan still to replace the last pipe as well?

I hope so as Mike cut the old one off (I think it disintigrated actually)

[citsncycles]

It was a miracle that car lifted at all, let alone only had one leak! From the rear of the sills back, they literally disintegrated as I was removing them from the clips. I suspect that if the first leak hadn't emptied all the LHM out, one press of the brake pedal would have blown the others apart.

[bx petrol auto saloon]

Dear Tom, Mike and Tim,
Well done guys not easy at all, especially when it is so chuffing cold
Vince,

[Tim Leech]

Thanks Vince, I did question my sanity last night when I got home but the club members generosity and enthusiasm make it all worth while.

[Kitch]

Home at last! 13 hours and 350 miles, thanks so much Mike for you're help today. I need a brake return for a non abs BX it seems! But learned that 1.9 petrol and diesel radiators are identical,

She will need another day of fettling, some hose clips, carb fuel pipe and of course the pipes but most of the hard works done,

I'm off to thaw out!

I've just learned that they're not supposed to be!

[Tim Leech]

Well The one I bought described as a 1.9d was identical to the one fitted so I guess I fell lucky.

[Kitch]

The petrol rad has a header tank that is shaped vertical up one side, while the diesel has a header tank that flares outwards as it gets near the top.
Just been looking into it. So if the TRS had one that's angled, it's had a diesel rad before.
Or if the rad you bought has a vertical side, it's not a 1.9D one, it's a 1.9 petrol one (which would explain how you got it so cheap, as diesel ones are £100+ I'm finding!)

Guessing the diesel just carries a bit more water. Seems odd as they seem to take longer to heat up, but then the iron block probably resists cooling more than the alloy ones.

In your case, it matters not. In my case, it might do