I have now owned this beast for nearly a month and to be honest, although it makes me smile each time I open the garage door, I quickly lose the smile when I get it on the road. The first few weeks have been a bit of a disaster and things have not improved much since then.
Day one was interesting as I ran out of petrol round the corner from home – it would appear that when the petrol gauge suggests a quarter of a tank, it really means empty! Ed (who started my ridiculous love of these unreliable machines-more of that later) saved the day in his Grinnall and a can of fuel. (I won’t tell you that I ran out of juice an hour or so later too as that would make me look silly and also highlight the fact that a v8 engine is rather thirsty!)
A few days later, it was noticed that there was some “green” emanating from the bottom of the engine. On further inspection, it was seen to be coolant. Thankfully, it was not oily coolant. A top hose was duly sourced and replaced.
I could at this point mention how crap the brakes are. I am still trying to decide if the brakes are crap or that the braking system of 1980s cars is crap
And as Neil (previous owner) suggested, the fuel pump would appear to be more at home on a Mini 850. This may be why I can’t get up Husum Way (a hill, but not a steep one as my V70 with caravan attached whizzes up it without any problem) without breaking down? And also why I can’t get over 3000 rpm? And perhaps why it backfires?
Day one was interesting as I ran out of petrol round the corner from home – it would appear that when the petrol gauge suggests a quarter of a tank, it really means empty! Ed (who started my ridiculous love of these unreliable machines-more of that later) saved the day in his Grinnall and a can of fuel. (I won’t tell you that I ran out of juice an hour or so later too as that would make me look silly and also highlight the fact that a v8 engine is rather thirsty!)
A few days later, it was noticed that there was some “green” emanating from the bottom of the engine. On further inspection, it was seen to be coolant. Thankfully, it was not oily coolant. A top hose was duly sourced and replaced.
I could at this point mention how crap the brakes are. I am still trying to decide if the brakes are crap or that the braking system of 1980s cars is crap
And as Neil (previous owner) suggested, the fuel pump would appear to be more at home on a Mini 850. This may be why I can’t get up Husum Way (a hill, but not a steep one as my V70 with caravan attached whizzes up it without any problem) without breaking down? And also why I can’t get over 3000 rpm? And perhaps why it backfires?
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