Returning to the fold!

Post by **blackers** » Mon Jun 04, 2018 4:05 pm

Hi there,
Just re-joined the RSSOC after a few years away - long story, don't go there.

Had a few technical issues, joined the Forum, which kick-started me to re-join.

Running a 1981 GTC, which I love
Had a (very) tatty SE5a back in the day, then moved up to a SE6 just as my oldest daughter arrived on the scene.

Then real life took over, and it was a series of 'Euro boxes' for many years.

Decided to look for a GTC about 13 years ago, so joined the RSSOC to get access to 'for sale / wanted' etc., and thoroughly enjoyed my time with the club.
Events conspired that made having the car on the road impossible (the afore mentioned long story!), but all back up and running from about 4 years ago.
Loving the car again, and starting to wield the odd spanner about for simple things - and loving that too!

Anyway, glad to be back

John Blackburn
3006

Post by **scimjim** » Mon Jun 04, 2018 4:36 pm

Welcome back

Post by **AllingtonGT** » Mon Jun 04, 2018 7:51 pm

Welcome back.

Post by **philhoward** » Mon Jun 04, 2018 8:03 pm

Welcome back!

Post by **guybetts** » Mon Jun 04, 2018 8:27 pm

Thanks for your e-mails John, and welcome to the Forum too.
Enjoy your GTC

Guy

Post by **blackers** » Tue Jul 03, 2018 2:06 pm

I must say, I'm enjoying reading some of the posts in the forum - very entertaining and informative!

I think I mentioned that for any 'big' stuff, I get a local garage to do things for me.
I'm now semi-retired - yeah, I know, I don't look old enough! - so having a go at a few of the smaller jobs.

Just replaced the upper wishbone bushes with poly ones - oh my, did that bring back memories from my youth and working on my SE5!

I ordered new lower wishbone bushes too, along with a trunnion repair kit.
My car is quite a low mileage example, but I think the trunnion kit is a good thing to do.

Both my previous GTE's have had cooling issues, so I get really paranoid when the GTC gets hot (I know it's a completely different engine, but I still worry!). The fan cuts in fine, but I do tend to watch the temperature gauge a lot!

With that in mind, my next job I'm going to have a go at is replacing the water pump and thermostat. The water pump has quite a bit of corrosion on it, so I'm replacing it and taking the opportunity to spruce up the front of the engine at the same time - rusty alternator and P/S brackets and idler wheel assembly.

Nothing ground breaking, but I'm short on garage space, so need to work outside - with the British weather, I'll be able to push it back in fairly easily.

Reading some of the other posts, I'm amazed at some of the work other members get up to. I used to do that sort of stuff 'in my youth', put I'm all for the easy life now!

Keep spanner wielding guys!

John B

Post by **philhoward** » Tue Jul 03, 2018 2:17 pm

Pulling the trunnion bolt is a worthwhile exercise as an annual "service" item (remove, check, grease, refit) anyway. Probably prolongs the life exponentially!

I'm not a Cologne expert at all, but I gather you need to make sure it's the correct thermostat (and they're not all created equally - as is the case with aftermarket parts sometimes) - needs to be the correct double acting one IIRC. If in doubt, then either ask here and/or just go straight to GW/QRG as whilst eBay parts are easy to get, they might not always be what they seem - sometimes just "what it says in the book, guv". I'm sure you know that already from your time previously!

Post by **peter freeman** » Tue Jul 03, 2018 2:58 pm

Not the John Blackburn who used to vome to the Ncle noggins by any chance ? Glynis and I currently in Belgium next stop Holland and the ferry home.

Post by **blackers** » Wed Jul 04, 2018 9:53 am

Hi there,
Don't think so.

Back in the early days (used to live in North Yorkshire), went to the Noggins in Garforth (?).

Whilst down here in deepest, darkest Zumerset, popped in to a couple down here.

John B

Post by **blackers** » Wed Jul 04, 2018 9:55 am

Phil,
The new thermostat is from GW, so I'm fairly confident it should be the right one - 88 deg I think it's marked.

John Bl.

Gillsfan · Post by **Gillsfan** » Wed Jul 04, 2018 10:34 am

Ere it appears you,re not to far from where I'm too in zummerset

I'm about 40 mins South of you not far from the air station.