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

[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]

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.


.

[Grizz1963]

After saying our good byes, I headed to the first gas station, having done 160 miles or 260km exactly, at the national speed limit, tonneau cover in place, unloaded, I was interested in seeing what consumption the 4.3 liter V6 would return.

Filled up to the neck as before leaving home.





Expensive fuel.

The return trip was nonstop rain, some idiots on the road, you know, the usual suspects.

Pulled off at J10 of the M25 to make a detour to pick up Kyle at his girlfriends house, then joined the M25 at J9 and carried on home.





The biggest bummer on the trip was the passenger wiper rubber (they were replaced before Christmas last year) disintegrated partially in the rain on the motorway, leaving a nasty gouge on the screen.
I did bend the tip up at one point when I was able to stop safely, but it was too late already.
I am not sure if I can have it repaired or buffed back professionally.
Any advice appreciated.



By 15.10 we stopped outside my place.



Safe load, and made back in one piece.

The truck was an absolute pleasure to drive, except for the bloody wiper blade.



After we got Kyle sorted, he headed off to find fuel, and then headed back to Bath by midnight, by way of his,girlfriend.

Reporting back that the Micra performed faultlessly.

Good news indeed.

I pulled the truck back into my back yard for the night.

Today I went to fill it again, to,the brim.

Same distance and almost the same consumption.

So,themload and lack of aerodynamics seem to make little differnce to its performance.

It certainly carried the load with absolute ease.



Am I happy with the truck and its performance?

Well, yes and no.

No, mainly because I just do not use it enough. Done less than 2000 miles in two years.

That is wasteful.

[Grizz1963]

Remember the tractor I just collected came without a carburettor and some bits….?



@pauly called me this morning.

From a Harley Davidson V-twin golf cart…….

Carburettor .

[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]

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]

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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[Grizz1963]

So after changing the starter and ring gears, failing to get it started, I checked the usual suspects.

Fuel pours out after the pancake filter

Sparkplug cleaned and dry.

Airfilter horrendously dirty, cleaned and removed.

At lunchtime I drove the 6 miles to my nearest Toolstation for some “Easystart” came back and tried it before the next online session started.

Put out a fire. Laughed and tried again.









So I pulled the cup off the bottom of the carburettor to find it pretty bad.

Wire brush and wipe out later, removing 28 years worth of crud and rust.





Reassembled, twice.

BECAUSE.



Then tried starting it again because that is what I do.

Failed again, possibly no fuel getting through.

No further fires.

But also a dry plug.



So I decided to walk away as it was getting dark, despite the lights in the carport.

Once back in the house a quick search showed that complete carburettors can be had for £11.99 delivered.

Seriously, even if I were working for minimum wage, my time and frustration, spent on a possible rebuild, just is not worth the effort.

So after speaking to a human I ordered a replacement part.



Tonight, on the way home I stopped at my local motorfactors to see if they had a battery to replace the very tired on that came with the tractor, in fact, they had two…… priced at £70.00

So I smiled and walked outside, ordered one online for less.

Battery is less than 24 hour delivery.



Unfortunately the spares shop is one down from the Fish and Chip shop.

The smell of freshly fried chips and vinegar permeates the air late afternoon……

So I promptly spent £2.40 of the savings made on the battery on a bag of chips to eat on the way home.



Friday night.

Waiting for the courier to get here with the V-Twin carburettor that @pauly sent over yesterday.

Maybe start to play with it tomorrow.

I know the FRANKENTRACTOR is missing a few bits.

Lets see what we can get done though.

Later.

[Grizz1963]

New Battery for Hopemobile (Westwood) landed early Saturday.





Obviously tried it, unsuccessfully as new carb has not yet arrived for fitting.

I also removed a load of wires and switches from the old battery and chassis that used to drive some LED lights on top of and inside the cowl/grille.



Found a broken emergency escape light fitting in a hospital scrap pile, got permission to remove it……

May be perfect for the FRANKENTRACTOR cowl that still need to be made.

Right width too.



Carburettor from @pauly landed around 7.00pm on Saturday evening.

To add to the rest of the carburettor and breathing parts in the pile that came with the FRANKENTRACTOR and then to try out when the weather eases up from its current unpleasant demeanour.







Got the tractor up onto some ramps and axle stands.

Removed all the waterproofing and plastics.



Slipped the carb onto the studs…….

Obstruction it seems.



When that fun stopped I put the old battery onto the tractor and tried the circuit.

Lights and quiet noises could be heard.

Realised afterward that I had not sat in the seat, or did I ?

Anyway.

Lights came on.



Cold and with the weather turning,a drizzle starting, I closed up everything and went indoors early.

[Grizz1963]

Had @nickwheeler pop in for a chat and to bring back a small flexi-head 1/4 inch ratchet he had taken to service a while ago.

Once again he stopped my cutting corners on a future project.

No coffee, which was the first time ever he declined coffee, must be something wrong with the man.

I had a few chores to do in town and needed to get to Sally’s place to do some small daylight jobs.

So I Went grocery shopping in the S10 followed by a nice detour drive, once again realising what a cool little truck it is.

Parked up in Morrissons car park is seems so small, despite being a long but narrow truck



Got home, chatted with my returned lodger, one left this week, and one from a previous 5 months stay is back for another 3 months or so.

Then Sallys, did the small jobs before dark and settled with her Netflix to watch a few episodes of Better Call Saul.

Followed by a very yummy dinner I did not need to cook.

At 10.00pm I got a message from a chap 350 miles from home about a possible new shadow thrower for my driveway.

And by 11.15 I went to bed.

A few more photos, questions which may be dealt with today before making a final decision but I think it has already been made.




More in a bit for those who are patient enough.



.

[Grizz1963]

It is big, it is long.

And yes, I have more stuff than would keep a small country busy for weeks……

The guy who brought the Micra has declined as his rig is not big enough, but I think he prefers quick, local jobs.

@paulY suggested I buy and drive it to an MOT station locally……. Where I live.

Does insurance cover you driving to an MOT station?

I am very risk-averse at the best of times.

So have to consider looking at the alternative, which is recovery.


SIZE……….





FAIL SHEET…………..]


I think this is within my limited mechanical abilities.


Again, seems reasonably driveable, but maybe the law would not be impressed.






Thank you for the advice and laughing.


Now just needs fetching I guess…….


Road trip anyone?


ALMOST AS FAR AS THE REZIN ROCKIT.

[Grizz1963]

Have decided after 48 hours of intense research here and via my USA info sources, to walk away from this one.

Most importantly, got home last night and went to measure my tight driveway, and the car in question would only get down the drive, in reverse, with one mirror tucked in, and then allowing minimal room for error. The car is 2.118 meter wide, so with the mirrors it is 7 crazy feet wide. My drive is max 2.2 meter wide.

I have enough to keep my busy through winter, and despite having liked these an unhealthy amount over the years, I do not need another 5.0 liter V8 on my drive.

Thank you as always for the input and advice on here.


And for those looking and wondering what got me going.

1992 Chevrolet Caprice wagon.

If you are interested in buying it, send me a PM and I will connect you with the seller.



Back to work.

[Grizz1963]

Had the truck for two years.

Not done a ton of miles, maybe 2000

Just tripped over to 40k miles a few weeks ago.

But 20 years of living out back when driving, took its toll on the vinyl bed cover.

When I bought it, the previous owner had poked holes through the bed cover that had shrunk over time, and used cable ties to keep it in position.

Recently when I went to fetch the FRANKENTRACTOR from @frankenhealey I had to refit the cover once 5he tractor was unloaded.

I managed to tear it badly, trying to stretch it in the cold.

Keep in mind it has survived 20 years.


Unfortunately Extang do.not make the Blackmax for this model anymore, I called America about it.

And it does not seem like I will be finding a used replacement for it in America either.








So plan B for now seems to be to use a local “Sailmaker” who claims he can make something to cover the rear in a variety of fabrics.

Multiple colours available.

Very tempting is the option to colour match the cover vs going back to black.







So I went to Chatham Pier today, only to find the shop shut.

Typical.

But at least a couple of pics made themselves available.







I am also hoping to hear from the guy I bought the wheels from who happens to be a high end upholsterer.

Fingers crossed I can get something decent made up.

[Grizz1963]

Remember the fog light I lost when I went to @frankenhealey to collect the tractor?

Today after marathon 100 minute Teams meeting I though repairing it was a good way to recover and regain my equilibrium.



Once repaired I had a coffee and called the MOT station to see when I could go down to have the truck tested.

4.30 today became available just a few minutes ago, due to cancellation, interested?

Of course I was.



They were running late.

But we made it onto the ramp and by 5.30 the truck had a fresh MOT.

The truck must have impressed the young guy testing it, he told me the emissions were brilliantly in range, and that it was a cool truck, he loved driving it into the shop.



So we have a taxed, insured and tested truck for another year.

The last 12 months it only did 600 miles, which included the 320 miles it did a few weeks ago to fetch the FRANKENTRACTOR.


I really do not deserve to have this truck if I am not going to use it.