RELAY

Most of the mechanical jobs are done now, I still have the front brakes to refurbish and new timing chains to fit, no rattles at present, but just in case as a failure would wreck the engine. Really just cosmetic jobs now, but I did want to fit a relay for the Kenlowe electric cooling fan. I had found the the wiring to the overide switch on the dash got quite warm when I used it and the warning light didn't come on.

I thought fitting a relay between the radiator and front grill, where it would be out of site would be a good idea. I had already removed the air horn to this area and I knew there would be space.

I worked out how I would run the wiring and tried it out by temporarily connecting the relay to make sure it all worked, with a relay only a very small negative current would run to the thermostatic and dash override stitch, but a separate live supply would be needed for the dash warning light.

 All worked as I had hoped, so I measured out the correct lengths of appropriate cable and crimped on insulated spade connectors and connected them all to the relay switch, I then permanently fixed the relay to the other side of the thermostatic switch.

I ran the wires up to the engine bulkhead in split corrugated tubing, clipped it into place and fed the wires under the dash to the new switch and LED warning light.

Great, now I will know exactly at what temperature the fan switches on and will be able to adjust the thermostatic switch accordingly, because at the moment I think it might be coming on a bit early, no bad thing, certainly much better than overheating.

BLOOD SWEAT & GEARBOX

Stella and  I have been to a several local car shows this summer and good fun they are, but they can get a bit tedious and I only stayed a few hours at the last one in Chelsham, called BLOOD SWEAT & GEARS. It was in a lovely rural setting near Waringham Surrey. On the way in however I pause for a professionally posed photo and later I went to their little tent and bought a hard copy of the picture, which also allowed me to download an online copy, here it is below.

The main reason for the smile on my face is that a month ago I drove Stella up to Evesham in Worcestershire and left her for two days with a gentleman called Clive Tate. Clive removed my clunky old BW 35, 3 speed auto gearbox and replaced it with a ZF 4 speed with lockup, autobox. Clive manufactures the casting that allows this box to mate with the Stag bell housing and other parts necessary to complete the installation. The new box was a fully reconditioned ex Jaguar box and everything works perfectly.

Clive collected me from Evesham railway station and immediately I felt the difference, silky smooth changes and the acceleration up to 80 70 MPH was so much quicker. the revs at that speed were 1,000 lower than before, making for a much more relaxed high speed cruising, or would once I had the wheels balanced as a substantial vibration set in over 50 MPH. Wheels now balanced, they were considerable out and now very smooth, hence as I said earlier, accounts for my smile. No photos obviously as I had no part to play apart from paying for new gearbox, conversion kit and labour, but well worth it