the no dosh LJ revamp

[donkeychomp]

Been doing a bit of a refurb...speaker mounts etc. But this afternoon I had the usual stutter on the bypass (same time, same speed) then it overheated...with no stat in it. Clearly there are more serious issues here. Head gasket I suspected but no white gook in the oil and no smoke at all. She starts first time hot or cold and runs perfectly...maybe I should avoid driving late afternoon.

new centre console revamped

and in place...

front speaker pods

tail gate panel

[donkeychomp]

Didn't overheat today, maybe it's burped itself better than I did it, so carried on. The body is all painted now but some areas are a little patchy so more paint is needed. Best sell some more bike parts then...

Went to put on the new soft top as well. It has no stud fasteners on it so I got some and set to it, what a pain that was to do and only the windscreen ones, all nine of them. Then realised the new ones are too small!! DAMMIT. Started taking off the old ones and got annoyed so carried on painting...

[donkeychomp]

Busy day. Car painted apart from the bonnet, that needs a weld or two first. Then the roof..got all the old pop studs off the knackered roof and did the nine top ones. Not bad. Then stretched it over and did a couple of rear ones, then some side ones. Fits ok. When it gets colder it should shrink a tad and fit snugger.

[Jordi]

Looking tidy Alex.

Rattle cans?

[donkeychomp]

Yes mate but not the usual ones. This is a paint called Canbrush. It's like Plasticote but half the price and comes in 400ml cans. 1 will do a bonnet. But you have to lay it on thick so a bit of care is needed!

[donkeychomp]

Carrying on in this slightly cooler weather...though I started this at home...

And on!

[donkeychomp]

She's all Tangoed now. The bonnet is the last thing to do and I have an idea for something a bit different.

[andyrew]

Looking good dude.

Running any better?

[donkeychomp]

Cheers Andy. Any news on a thermostat? And today I discovered the REAL culprit of the stutters...an ancient fuel filter stuffed with crud. Long gone, new one fitted!

[donkeychomp]

Not much to report as I have been so busy with my mum. Dementia is a bitch, it really is.

But...the stutter got so bad I was having trouble driving the LJ. Slow and sedate under 2000rpm and all ok. Felt like fuel starvation. I checked the plugs first, all fine. Then got the new fuel filter off. Seemed fine but hang on...a crack in the plastic. Not a good sign. Took that back and got a free replacement then whipped off the air filter and whilst blipping the throttle via the carb I squirted brake fluid in. She coughed and stuttered a lot but finally seemed all good. I drove off down the road, floored it and yay! Back to normal. Actually running better than ever now.

For a bit of peace of mind I'm going to use that Optimax fuel as it has no ethanol in it and that can clog your carbs up BIG time. Seen it on bikes that have been standing for only a month...