Thread: The Grey Ghost - a Rolling Restoration

very nice bit of kit...

you have done well!

Fantastic work Tom. Finally all the effort, hard work, blood sweat and tears and parts sourcing expeditions have paid off.

I like the look and nice to see some of my donor car's parts breathing new life into the old girl.

So when will we expect to see a start on the next project? Love the mini too, used to have a moke years ago, there is something about them.....wish I could still fit into one comfortably but at 6'2" it is a bit hard.

Hi All,

Finally got the number plates from Vic-Roads, installed and took the Grey Ghost for a test run...

The car has a bog standard 2.25 petrol engine. It has had a full service - all oils/filters replaced.

Unfortunately not without some issues....

When going up a steep hill (bitumen road, not massively steep - I normally go up this hill in 2nd gear in 1976 Mini) - the Ghost, coughs and splutters like he isn't getting enough fuel. The car kangaroo hops and then eventually stops. It doesn't stall - you put it back into 1st, give it some revs - and take off again, like nothing happened... Suggestions?

After completing the test drive (not far - maybe 10kms) I drove home and parked. When I touched the front and rear wheels - he actual wheel face, the area around the wheel nuts - the steel is warm to the touch. Is this normal?

Here are some photo's:




Regards,
The Grey Ghost...

Originally Posted by grey_ghost

The car has a bog standard 2.25 petrol engine. It has had a full service - all oils/filters replaced.
When going up a steep hill (bitumen road, not massively steep - I normally go up this hill in 2nd gear in 1976 Mini) - the Ghost, coughs and splutters like he isn't getting enough fuel. The car kangaroo hops and then eventually stops. It doesn't stall - you put it back into 1st, give it some revs - and take off again, like nothing happened... Suggestions?

That does sound like from your description that the motor is starving for fuel,
how is the gauze filter on the tank pickup?

After completing the test drive (not far - maybe 10kms) I drove home and parked. When I touched the front and rear wheels - he actual wheel face, the area around the wheel nuts - the steel is warm to the touch. Is this normal?

When I have adjusted the brakes or the wheel bearings, I do the same check for heat at the hubs after a run.

cold; means it has settled down and all is good.
warm; maybe a high spot on the brakes or the new bearings are a still a bit tight, check it again sometime but leave alone.
hot; and maybe only on one wheel, probably wants looking at as something needs it's adjustment letting off a bit as it is too tight.
Too hot to touch; not good, there is something needs to be fixed straight away before you go on again.
Burning the paint off; get someone else to do the work and hand your mechanics ticket in.

Engine problem sounds as if it is fuel - likely causes, as suggested, the strainer on the pickup in the tank, or the strainer on the pump, or an air leak anywhere between the pump and the tank - usually, but not always, shows up as a slight fuel leak, but could be a tiny rust hole in the pickup inside the tank. But I have had similar symptoms that turned out to be the points closed up, and could also be any ignition problem such as HT leads - spark is good enough except when engine is asked to work hard with more mixture and higher compression pressures.

Back wheels - warm to touch, no great worry, but if you can't keep your hand firmly on it, needs investigation. Most likely dragging brakes - jack up the wheel should turn freely (out of gear and handbrake off) - apply and release brake, should still turn freely. Don't forget to chock front wheels before jacking up a back wheel.

John

Hi All,

I decided to give the Grey Ghost a minor present.

I installed a leather steering wheel cover - man that was a job! It took about 2 hours but I am happy with the result, and won't get black/sticky hands in winter anymore!

Looks good
Where did you pick that up from TB?

Hi Lost,

I got it from the usual suspect - fleabay!

Here is the link -

FOR LAND ROVER 2 SERIES TOP QUALITY ITALIAN LEATHER STEERING WHEEL COVER BLACK | eBay

Cheers,
The Grey Ghost