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andyelcomb

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Posts posted by andyelcomb

  1. Yes, the Lifeline bottle is the car's extinguisher. Used to be Halon gas, now they use a type of foam as Halon hurts the ozone layer more than flames hurt the drivers...

     

    There will be two feeds from it - one to the cockpit and the other normally directed onto the carburettors as that's most likely to be the source of flame.

     

    The driver can operate it by pressing the red button down on the left, sitting within a ring so it can't be set of accidentally.

    There will also be a separate trigger button outside, next to a battery cutoff switch, that marshals can use.

    • Like 1
  2. Here's a shot from our stage rally back in 2005. To be fair, the Micra didn't drive away...

     

    Spotted%20Dick%202005%20Micra%20nose%20d

     

    It was quite an eventful day with one crew leaving everything behind...

     

    Spotted%20Dick%202005%20burning%20Metro%

     

    I was one of the officials, but as I was in shorts (in the background) I concentrated on putting out the vegetation and let the rescue chaps work on the car. We used a LOT of extinguishers as burning tyres are very hard to put out.

     

    Spotted%20Dick%202005%20burning%20Metro_

  3. I personally wouldn't put the stands in the middle of the bars, but yes, they probably are strong enough.

     

    It all depends on what you want to work on. If you aren't taking the wishbones off then I would prefer to place the stands where the braces meet the subframe.

     

    I'd raise the front first and then the rear as you have more clearance at the back and if you jack the rear first you'll have the nose sitting lower and might be more tricky getting a jack under. Also, the front is heavier, so getting that up and stable is more important.

    • Like 1
  4. I normally jack my 5s on one corner of the rear subframe, or under one wishbone if I want to put the stands on the subframe / brace parts.

     

    Whilst it might be ok, I try not to jack using the diff as you'll be putting a lot of strain on the rubber mounts and I know from experience that these do deteriorate and you stand a good chance of ripping them apart.

     

    With the front, anywhere on the front subframe is good to jack on but yes, it is a bit low so to drive onto a couple of pieces of plank or paving slabs is a good way to get that jack right in where you want it.

    The sump bolt is easily accessible once you get under there.

     

    My cars are not in the greatest condition so I would never use the sills or anywhere near them to jack or to stand on. Always use a tough part of the suspension and you'll not be at risk of serious bodywork damage!

  5. I took my r/c powered glider down from the garage roof yesterday but when I put it all together I found that one of the micro servos had failed.

     

    Its a cheap 3 channel plane anyway by I was shocked at how much a replacement servo was - $3 delivered from Hong Kong!

     

    How can they possible make any money out of stuff like that - even if they sold thousands!

  6. 'fraid so Tony, both of them.

    The Frogeye is complete but really needs a new shell and the Mk1 Midget belonged to a mate of mine years back.

    The Midget got stripped to patch up but like so many projects it never got completed. I was going to use it for practice before doing the Frgoeye. Poor thing has been under cover in various gardens for a long time.

    However the Midget is soon being picked up by another friend of mine who runs a restoration business in Kent and he can either do it up or break it for parts. He'll get  the engine and gearbox, a couple of spare axles and lots of other associated stuff that has gently rusting in the back of the lockup.

     

    One day I'll do something with the Frogeye as they are starting to go up in value and its becoming worth the effort. That's if i don't get too old and doddery in the meantime...

     

    It doesn't help that I've 3.5 MX-5s kicking about too.

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