GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project~”

[Grizz1963]

Forgot to add these.

No more pics now.

I hope.





Other side.





Next stop, insure and get to the MOT station.

[Grizz1963]

Got home early from work by 3.15

Shuffled some cars around before even getting out of my work clothes.

Took the Micra up to the farm road for a quick test run, makes it a whole 1.5km test run, not even a mile.

Really nice little car to be honest. Feels deceptively bigger than its size implies.

It started to rain softly, but I hit the brakes at 40mph a few times……

Decent lock up on the left rear.

I do hope that it is a bit better on the rollers at the test at 4.00pm tomorrow afternoon.



Back home I parked everything up.

Makes my driveway look like a South London Car salesman’s home.



I hope it is all good tomorrow.

[Grizz1963]

4 hours insurance bought.

That is EXPENSIVE

But all I need.

Next option was £110.00 for a month vs £300.00 for a year.



Ready to Rock n Roll.

[Grizz1963]

When one solution creates another problem.


Pumped all the tyres up this morning and took the Micra for a drive, suddenly the brakes worked perfectly, steering is straight.


Unequal tyre pressures clearly affect performance, reminder there.


Got home and thought I would drop both electric windows.


Drivers side, perfect behaviour.


Passengers side……. Worked last week. Today……. FCK FCK FCK ! Partially opened, then managed to get it closed,,sounds like the glass has jumped the rail.


Any experience or advice on short notice? No, crushing is not an option.

[Grizz1963]

More story when it happens.


https://youtu.be/KnBVCyN_bCA



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[Grizz1963]

Mate Craig sent a pic this morning at 06.00 when he was about to leave after filling his tow vehicle.



Yesterday he ran 40 miles into Wales to collect this little “gift” and 210 miles coming down to me today, then 35 to load a bunch of industrial shelving, back here again…… followed by a Turkish dinner tonight and headed home early tomorrow morning.

That is a bit of a trip.

[Grizz1963]

Well……

Some friends do love to spend your money for you.

So when Serendipity smiled upon the planets and @craigrk sent me this Marketplace ad for another dubious item I coveted for a long time, while it lined up with the purchase of a load of serious industrial racking and shelving from “Deleted Profile”, plus collecting a load of American and bootfair stuff from my place, I had to take a look.

1994 Westwood 1012 - £100

The actual description read:

Westwood 1012 ride on mower/yard tractor 12.5hp Briggs and Stratton Engine £100


Photos as posted in the ad.

Yup, confidence inspired, so I said to Craig how far from his home, keeping in mind he is 205 miles from here.

Oh, not far, about half an hour, just into Wales.

Perfect.

BUY AND COLLECT IF YOU CAN PLEASE.

That was Tuesday morning..

Sellers reply to Craig: SORRY, SOLD, Collection this afternoon.

Boll0x


Photos from the ad


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Craig was in London for work by this time, till Thursday evening.

Late afternoon he texted to say seller messaged to say “available again”

No, there are no alarm bells here….l move along.

So I repeated……. Yes please, buy and collect it.

Seller agreed to Craig collecting Friday night after work.


I was excited……. At least the odds of me getting something was better than winning the lottery.


So I patiently waited.


Yeaaahhh Right.

[Grizz1963]

So, while Craig made some major business decisions and transactions in the Big Smoke and ate meals worth a small African countries GDP and shared his views…..



I did my day job, got a great email from my agency (about money) and got inquisitive and impatient about this thing I was hoping to buy.

So I messaged Emma, the seller to ask for some better photos.

I was being hopeful here, and did not identify myself as the actual finacier…..

So promptly I got these……







Followed by these.







Much better than the ones in the ad, you will agree.

They confirmed to me mainly that it seemed intact, the body was in really good condition for a 28 year old tractor.

Also, very importantly, in fact most important, that it was a steel bodied tractor.

I have been offered very kindly before, a complete, running lawn tractor by a very good man, but declined because it was modern plastic bodied one.

In retrospect of course, one could make up some body, or add a Dodgem body over it with some supports.

I forwarded the pics to Craig, without explanation and he assumed that I had pulled them off the internet.

When I told him on Thursday that it was the actual tractor, he was pretty chuffed for me.

I had hoped that the small trailer I recently tidied up and put new tyres on, would fit it, but it is longer and wider, so I have popped it onto FB marketplace for a trade or for sale, in order to get something a bit bigger or ideally a flatbed chassis that will take the tractor and on decent sized wheels like the 14” this one has fitted. Behind the Rezin Rockit.

[Grizz1963]

Somewhat more daring than I am right now, but I love it.

https://youtu.be/g7qEdK_hpks

Looks like fun.

All on Wheel Horse tractors though, it seems.

[Grizz1963]

Got this pic from Craig on,Friday night when he was leaving Wales…..



Saturday morning at Stupid-0-Clockthis was happening.



In order to get this trip going.



By 9.30 Craig was here and we undid the tractor to get it off the trailer.



Maybe not so obvious, but a complete non runner, no key etc……

But I had to give it a go….

Size fit.




After the unload, without even a coffee, we headed out to “Deleted Profile” to go get this lot loaded.

The inside of the ML was also loaded to the roof.

Great seeing the man a few hours, and loading a load of extra sh!te he had put aside for my shop.

Shared between Craig and I later.

By 13.00 we were loaded and headed back to my place, via a service station to pump the trailer wheels.



Coffee and a pan full of fried sausages and fresh bread for a late lunch.

Followed by packing more sh!te into the ML.

Then down to the garage to play for a while.

[Grizz1963]

Due to a train accident, I did not manage to get a train into London today.

Resulting in closing work down earlier than usual.

Also meant I could get this done before dark.



Followed by raising the stakes, well, allof the new V-twin



Front end as well.

Closed up all the holes I could find.



And brought out the pressure cleaner to strip away all the flaked off red paint, as well as the piles of squirrel or rat nest nut residue

Plus I cleaned all the oil/fuel and greasy mess with some amonia based cleaner and a brush.

Much better altogether.




I have to say, I really do prefer to work on a clean machine.

And if the postal service delivers, the carburettor could be here in the next few says.


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[Grizz1963]

Back home from “Deleted Profile” we packed more stuff into Craigs ML, amd while he rearranged the load on his trailer, I cooked some sausages for lunch.

After which we put the HOPEMOBILE onto some ramps and axle stands.

Battery had changed and trying to start it failed.

Cowl hinge attachment points were partly missing, so just rested in place.



I also removed all the LED’s from the cowl.

Wiring and a switch box will be next, once I figure out how and what needs removing.

Craig had a quick nap……



Removing the flywheel and cooling fin cover as well as the starter motor cover exposed why, despite a screwdriver in the ignition, it would not start.





Having offered Sally, who was working from 6.00am on Sunday, and Craig dinner, we messed around briefly after seeing problem no 1 and then made a hard stop, closed shop and pushed the tractor under cover.



Dinner was very good, and the company great.



I had also moved Scruffy, the Micra up the alley till Craigs son collects it.



So a busy day, and good weekend all together.

[Grizz1963]

Busy weekend with yardwork and “Decorating”

Short video clip showing the tractor being abused by the previous owners brother.

So it certainly used to go…….

https://youtu.be/0TLZo8mXwWM

This week I was also given/offered another non runner…….

And a spare seat and some better wheels for the one I have.

Thank you to “Unknown Member” who can make himself known here, should he want to.

Needs to be fetched about three hours away.





So no tractor or garage time this weekend.

Weather still mild, but rain today, may lift later.

Yesterday I managed to fall out a tree, off the top of the ladder when it spun around a fixed pivot point.

Yes, I landed hard, only sprained my middle finger….. despite caution.

Accidents are so instantaneous to happen.

I skipped cutting this tree down last year and this year I wanted to cut it below the last pruning point.



Halfway, more to get done.



Thats a lot of branches to process and dispose of.

Anything more than a broomstick thickness will be put aside to dry for the fireplace next season.



Much better.



Will go up and tidy all the shoots that are sticking out everywhere.

Sally made me a white bread, bacon and two soft fried eggs sandwich today.

What a bonus.

[Grizz1963]

90% rain forecast for Sunday

Perfect weather for a 160 mile trip in the S10 to go load some “spares or repairs” stuff and a few tools from a friend, then driving back.

I had planned on hiring a van, then realised the load bed is long and wide enough, and that I already own a truck…… yes it can do the job, rather than sitting looking pretty on the driveway.

Then collect @craigrk ‘s son from Leatherhead to come pick up the Nissan Micra that will be headed down to Poole in Dorset

Really would love if it did not rain, at least while loading, but the dice are cast.

[Grizz1963]

Winter prep job No 1 completed.

Used the hedge trimmer to mulch and cut up the branches that were left over after cutting out everything smaller than a broomstick to pack away to dry for next years fireplace wood.

All the chopped up stuff fitted in the wheely bin after I repeatedly jumped on it to compact further.



Leaving the pile of cut back branches all at around 5 foot or 1.5 meter long.

I then used thick string to tie them into 5 large bundles to put out on the sidewalk. Lets hope the recycling guys put them in the truck.



The amount of work it takes to harvest alm of this wood almost does not seem worth doing.
But it needs to be processed so I may as well do it right.



Filled the Chevy up last night for Sundays Mini roadtrip

Current mileage will slip over to 40k miles or 65k km on Sunday.

Really low I guess for a 21 year old pampered truck.



I also took out roadside recovery today.
Not something that I ever do.
But this truck is so under used, you never know when something does go bang.

I expect no trouble but neither did Kennedy

Should be a nice trip.

[Grizz1963]

Looking forward to the trip tomorrow

Rain forecast for the whole day, but it should all be fun.

Made up.a couple of ramps earlier, including a pair of stops against the tailgate side for when you shove the dead weight of the tractor up there.

Rather than have the ramps run away from me.



Tie down straps are also in the truck and some bits of padding.

I trust it is all good to go.

Off to dinner with friends first, and then hopefully to bead early for an early start.

[Grizz1963]

Headed out just before 06.00

Stopped for a darkness photo.



Then stopped for an expensive motorway coffee.



A fellow motorist pointed out that I have a lovely looking truck, and that my rear foglight was dangling out back.



Carried on driving until I got to this point.



Followed shortly by this……

40k miles.

Only driven it about 1700 miles in two years.

Bit of a waste ehhh?

Pulled over to capture these.



Shortly after the clock turned over I got to my destination.

Passing this landmark.



And then pulled up here……

Not far from the top secret Secret Volcano Lair.



Walking around while waiting for @frankenhealey to get there from where he was hiding in the mountains…….

Parked up and watched farmer Brown drive his tractor and trailer around.

Perfect way to be spending time before 09.00 0n a Sunday morning.

[Grizz1963]

Once @frankenhealey got to the Volcano Lair he brought out the donor and spares or repairs mower.





14 horse power V-Twin.

Missing it’s carburettor a battery and of course not running.

Measuring the cutting deck, it became instantly apparent that it was not going to fit between the wheel arches, 47 inchest do not fit into 37 inches.

So we had to remove it.





Once loaded up the ramps, I pulled it over to the one side, using the wheel arch as a chock for the rear wheel.

Along with 4 corners on the truck strapped to the tractor.



Followed by adding a roller, Suffolk Punch mower with proprietary Chinese 87cc engine,with centrifugal clutch.



Closed up the rear……

Soft, car like suspension shows the load.



Once the truck was packed, we headed to Frankenhealy’s home for coffee, a chat with Mrs F and of course I got to play fetch with the dog….. best part of my day.

Until @Frankenhealey disappeared out of the kitchen for a few minutes, returning with two packs of Mts F’s Amazing, home made Pork sausages.

Seriously humbled, as I always am by these very personal gifts.

A drive around with Frankenhealey followed by being dropped off back at the truck.

After which I headed out homeward in the rain, which had not stopped all,day, except very briefly exactly while we were loading.

First stop was at the service station to fill up the truck again.

The idea was to see what the truck used empty, bit with the bed covered, compared with the load and no aerodynamics.

Return trip report in a bit.


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[Grizz1963]

Well……

As a follow on, on Sundays visit to @frankenhealey we had the pork sausages tonight.

Pork and Leek as you have never had it.

Supermarket sausages will always taste sh!t in future.

Thanks for the sausages mate, made the trip even more worthwhile.







Also had to Google a Harley Davidson Golf Buggy for myself.

And it seems they are real.

Also glad @craigrk ‘s boy Kyle picked up the mower deck in the Scruffy Micra to be fitted to his lawn tractor that is still a mower too.






That Nissan rocks for Sure.

[Grizz1963]

So the Countax V-Twin has a few bits missing, including the cowl and related parts.

I found this boiler/heading unit cover recently, 1.2mm and shaped front looked interesting.

So it went on the pile

I also have a stainless steel oil cooler cover from 20 years ago, that was fitted to my BMW 1150GS.

Could it be part of the front end, including louvres or something similar, covering or replacing the Vaillant name?






Propped up on the front of the tractor, it seems to have the needed width.

Early days though.

Other options may still make their appearance in real life or my mind.







I also ordered a new set of starter gears for the Westwood.

At £24.00 delivered it must be worth a punt on a £100.00 pile of parts.



To replace these.



Last night I connected a battery to the Countax to see if anything moved when you turn the ignition switch.

All I got was a red light come on and off on the dash behind the lightening symbol.

Probably needs closer inspection of fuses etc.

[Grizz1963]

Did absolutely nothing today.

Watched Rat Rods For Africa channel on YouTube for hours this morning and played with Bonnie.

Came home around 3.00pm and made up,a bit of roofing from scrap offcuts I had from when I sealed up the carports last open area.

The rain would race over the gutter from the shed roof and end up inside the carport.

This should make a difference.

I do hope.



Scrap screwed together, two wedges inverted.





I also cleared out a bit of lawn and dirt under the pine tree in the garden to lay a few slabs in order for tractor no 2 to have a half decent and dry spot to park, in front of the firewood shed.

While digging out the lawn and some serious roots, using an sharp hatchet I had some pork shanks and butternut in the oven for dinner.





Came out really well.

Easier to buy at the shop, but none available to buy pre cooked, so I. Just did it myself.







Tomorrow I will get some sand down and then lay the slabs and add the bit of roofing.

This is the downwind and away from the weather side.

[Grizz1963]

Small jobs also take time.

And one leads to another.

Plan was to find parts for making up an engine cowl and grille ……..

Instead I made a parking spot for the Number 2 tractor.

Some sand spread, compacted.



Extra bit laid, grouted and pressure cleaned the lot.



Scruffy overhang roof added, made up from scrap, situated in the leeward side of the shed and pine tree, done the supports so I do not bash my head when pushing the lawnmower through there, it should work pretty well along with some canvas to keep it all dry.

Cut down bits from the plum tree packed away in the firewood shed, they will be dry next season.



And parked up.

Happy with that, sim-le, effective.

I hope.



More later.

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[Grizz1963]

Karma.

Always remember.

Got into a carpark today and a cabbie with a flat battery.

Took about 10 minutes to get him going.

He was surprised that I took the time to get him going.



Life is good, if you let it be.





Also in the mail yesterday.

The replacement ring and pinion gears ordered Friday.

Quick delivery.

Interesting to see the ring gear is cast ally, and the pinion is nylon/plastic/prayer material.

Three days online training and a London training meeting I am running means probably only getting to it over the weekend.

It would be very cook if that was the only issue with it.

I need to train the oil in the motor as well and refresh oil and filter if it gets to run.




Pretty new parts.


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[Grizz1963]

Three days at home with. Key Account Management training had me climbing the walls.

Only George kept me amused.

He's such a dickhead.



So today we got a full hours lunch break.

And when they closed the Teams meeting down for lunch, my plan was already made.

Down to the garage.

Pull out the Westwood Spears and Reapers tractor and dismantle the top to get to the flywheel.

A multitude of tools needed.





Bit of hammering to release the flywheel from the drive shaft.



Removed the shaft key, known also sometimes as a Woodruf key.

Important not to lose this little guy.



Got the flywheel off.

The ring gear was riveted in four places.

So mr grinder brought into service.



Punched out all four.





Reassembled after cleaning with the screws and nyloc nuts supplied in the service kit.





Reassembly looked decent.

At which point it was time to go back to class.



I would get back after work, just pulled a canvas over it all as the weather forecast was for a lot more rain.

More in a bit for those who like the whole story.

[Grizz1963]

So reassembly.

In the pinion gear, the carrier needs one of these little spring loaded pins inserted, after some struggling I ground it down very slightly and a hammer completed the job.



Result.



Cover had me stumped, until I looked at a photo taken earlier.

The mesh spins on the inside, it looks so wrong.

.

And of course the scrap.

Good enough reason to struggle or fail to start.





So I thought I would chance it straight away.

See if it would start.

Video:

https://youtu.be/p8B2iFqRTV4

More tomorrow I guess.

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