A small update on what ive been up to

[chrisc]

Back in surrey for a long time now that ive finished my degree! the cars have been getting a bit of attention with a few niggling things sorted (electric aerial, sunroof not closing properly, marginally high idle on one of the cars - bad earth, broken speaker wiring so on and so forth). Still on the list is sorting out the high idle on the other car (sorry hamish!) and changing the sump gasket. Most of my time at the moment is being diverted to helping out a mate whos bought a vw camper as a restoration project. A handful of pictures are at http://users.aber.ac.uk/dsf9 (his website). Ive got hold of a good gearbox thats awaiting fitment to replace the one on my 84 where the 2nd gear synchro at least it toast.

Anyway, just letting people know what ive been up to. About the only important thing ive got to note is that my 85 hpe vx is still unsold and if it doesnt go within the next 2 or 3 weeks its going to have to be ebay for it, and id rather not do that. So if anyone wants a good solid hpe vx that could benefit from really very minor cosmetics then let me know.

[Hamish]

Chris,
Guessed you must've been busy as hadn't heard back from you.... :wink:
I would have the VX like a shot but can't afford it and to make things worse the Renault :evil: I replaced my VX with decided to snap the timing belt :evil: 16 bent valves, knackered camshaft etc etc etc :roll:
I've just forked out a wad of cash to buy the damn thing (nice modern reliable car that won't let you down :x ) and another huge wad ( enough to keep the Reg Vardy mechanics in beer for a few months.... :roll:) to get it fixed another VX looks like being a long, long way off...
Fortunately enough :lol: Renault decided that as the car is less than 5 years and well below their recommended belt change time :x they should (and did :!: ) pay for the majority of the work :D Makes you think about manufacturers recommended servicing periods though :idea:
I changed the belts on all my betas religously every 2 years and nearly always the tensioner as well - worth thinking about for all cars it would seem :wink:

[DJ]

OOOuuuuchh!!!

But we won't make any jokes about French cars, though. Especially since I see them kicking EVERYONE's rear on the FIA WRC circuit lately. Those things are HOT!!! (At least the Peugots and Citroens are. Not sure how the Renaults compare...)

[Hamish]

All 16 valves? - I'm afraid so :roll: I've seen 'em just to be sure......
Renault gave up on rallying to actively persue F1 with Williams, Benetton,Ligier etc and haven't really produced a meaningful rally car since the ill fated Megane project of perhaps 5 years ago.
Sadly my Renault is neither a Megane or fast - merely adequate :cry:
Electric windows work a treat though :wink:

[chrisc]

Ouch indeed. On the timing belt schedules note - didnt lancia say 37000 miles for the betas? i will hit age limits (say 3 years) long before i hit mileage limits, even going by 25000 miles. Big shame yup.

[Shant Fabricatorian]

The official line is 36,000, but I've been told to play on the safe side and replace it every 25,000 miles. It may only have 8 valves to bend but that's expensive enough, and twin camshafts mean twice the cost...

Attended a Lancia club meeting on Monday night, bit of a treat as one of the members had brought along an immaculate Alfa Giulia SS and there was a beautiful series 1 Fulvia 1.6 HF Rallye too. Being held at the offices of a classic car insurer, there was a whole lot of other desirable stuff there as well, including an Aston DB7 Vantage. It's such a beautiful car, isn't it?

Which Renault model were you misguided enough to replace the VX with, Hamish? :wink:

Incidentally, apart from the very minor problem of around 20,000km in distance, I'd have bought your VX too Chris!

[Hamish]

Which Renault model were you misguided enough to replace the VX with, Hamish? :wink:

I'm sorry to say it's a Laguna :oops: not even a go fast one :evil: brakes are damn good though :roll: