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It’s been ages since I’ve had time to even think about my LS. I left Openreach after 35 years, got myself a physically demanding but stress free job, had a new knee and been looking after two ailing parents. Sadly we lost Dad in January this year. Anyhow today I took time out to fit a new battery and bring the old girl home for a wash and a quick tinkering. Need to order some new tyres, adjust front wheel bearings and go through the carb next time out. Good news is I still have the Cortina mojo 😀 Here’s a few of the old girl taken today because we all love a few Cortina snaps!

1795 3.0 XLE “Big Six” Import from South Africa

Apologies for the mess and obstructions on the back seat. I always keep a cover on the rear seat and usually have the dog carrier on the seat for our little terrier. Must keep the cloth as safe as possible I always drive with covers on the front seats too.

Been to a local show today, probably about 20 miles each way (Weston Park, Shropshire). Went well which was good as I've not touched it since June last year.

Yes still got the Huntsman. I work for a couple that run a garden nursery business open to the public. I do the deliveries and much of the physical stuff behind the scenes.

Thanks Dean. I’m really pleased how paint etc has stood up. A good wax will quickly bring it back to where I want it.

Cheers

Pretty simple loosen the big locknut on the track rod first ( no more than 1/2 turn) then undo the nut holding the track rod end to the stub axle, either use a ball joint splitter, pickle fork or hit the side of the upright to shock the track rod end out. Spin the track rod end of the track rod. Undo the clips ,tie wraps or whatever is holding the gaiters on, slit/cut them off. To fit new ones squirt a bit of lube on the nut & case of steering rack. Slide gaiter on stretch over nut the secure in place. Screw new trod end on upto nut, put pin back into upright, fit/tighten nut, then lastly retigthen lock nut, repeat for opposite side. It's same as UK models.

It might have been messing the adjustment up.

The complicated thing about fixing distributors is that for checking their function one really needs a distributor tester... So I made this; Took entirely way, way too much time to make.. Made from junk I had squirreled away (as usual). Thing has a AC motor that is controlled by a variable frequency drive (VFD) which rotates a flywheel that has a LED attached and a mount for distributor pinion. On the top there is an adjustable degree wheel and a standard automotive RPM meter (divide by 2 for distributor RPM). Brushes for the LED. Copper from water pipe, brushes from a drill motor. Good practice for getting used to my lathe. Back is bit of a mess, ehh works so good enough. BNC connector for scope etc. if needed. LED has three main modes; Points open (surely has some use cases, mainly here because it was easy to implement) Points closed Dot mode for easier alignment Points closed mode is the inverse of points open, made with one transistor logic inverter. Dot mode was a bit trickier, I used a 4538 monostable multivibrator to pulse the LED when input goes high and resets after it goes low. By changing the motor RPM with VFD advance curves from the centrifugal weighs can be deduced. For vacuum advance I thought about using a syringe and a suitable vacuum gauge, does not need to be high tech. Max RPM is about 6k (engine) which is plenty enough. It is nigh impossible to take good pics when operating, just trust me that in person the LED is sharp and easy to read. DOT mode. Points open. In addition to advance it is easy to spot points bounce or dirty contacts and cam wear. Dwell angle can be calculated from RPM and degrees but for that I have a Fluke 78 automotive multimeter that has the dwell angle measurement built in. Resistance is also easy to check with a suitable meter. With this tester I can test my distributor as much and more than needed Certainly better than just hoping that it works.

Love it !!

What a great looking Mk4 If you change the auto fluid and filters for new that should sort the snatching problem. Pete

I don't believe in Experts...How Qualified was the man who invented Qualifications? I would like to see everyone try everything without fear of failure...A problem is only a problem if you let it become one..You can shout and despair at something not going right but, it will still be a piece of deaf metal when you are done with shouting at it. Try again...