Keeping the spirits up..

[Chrissie]

Having lost confidence in mechanics and engineers lately, when my car engine developed piston problems I decided that I would rather do all the work myself, its only a little morris minor engine and I thought I would put in a new engine clutch and gearbox, this would solve the piston problem, any as yet unseen problems and boost performance from a 948cc to a 1089cc.
So I took the engine and gearbox out on Tuesday. Its taken ten days so far because of the rain, but yesterday I decided that the weather wasnt going to stop me any more, so I put a large patio 'sun' (rain) shade over the engine bay of the car to continue work.
I needed to clean up and paint the engine bay before I put the new ones in. So late last night a friend and I were still out there, under the umberella, he holding the torch whilst I painted, having derusted and cleaned for hours.
To keep the spirits up whilst rain trickled down our backs and into places I wont mention here, we cracked open a nice little bottle of red, now knowing that in the past I have been prone to dipping my brush in my tea by accident, I decided to hold the glass as I painted, purely for safety reasons of course!
At some stage whilst concentrating hard on reaching the further most corners with my paint brush, I absent-mindedly took a sip of my glass, unfortunately I was holding the paint can at the time.... luckily I didnt swallow, and we were creased up with laughter whilst I tried to wipe all the paint from my tongue teeth and lips! I think I will be keeping the spirits up with a nice hot cup of tea and a ginger biscuit today,
Just off to get my old foulies on, time to finish the painting, my car needs its engine in!

 

[Topcat47]

And when you'ce got all this extra power in your Minor, you'll find the wooden brakes need attention. More power to your elbow....as both trencherman and spammerman (in the non-sexist "mankind" sense, of course). /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

A classic car and a classic boat, you must be a glutton for punishment.

 

[DJE]

Come on Chrissie its about time you showed off Black Pearl. Do you want a tow round to the HHSC regatta next week?
Edit: A tow through the harbour entrances; I'm sure you can sail the rest.
Are you putting the old Morris engine in the boat? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Chrissie]

Its strange but I find all these traditional 'mens jobs' so much more enjoyable than the ironing and housework, and a lot easier than I had expected. The secrets out guys, and there are more and more of us girls doing it for ourselves, in fact you can even buy pretty pink tool kits nowadays!

Clasic boat and clasic car, I have a clasic house too, it must say something about me, but I havent a clue what, I certainly dont fit the clasic grandma role.

 

[Lakesailor]

Is it a Traveller? Does it have the proper moss and mushrooms growing in the window channels?
I wouldn't be too worried about the brakes. The bigger engine has only a couple more farts of power. Of course, if you're really keen you could hunt out some Midget disc brakes.....

 

[Chrissie]

[ QUOTE ]
Come on Chrissie its about time you showed off Black Pearl. Do you want a tow round to the HHSC regatta next week?
Are you putting the old Morris engine in the boat? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks Dave, my engine in Black Pearl is working at the moment, got me as far as Port Solent Friday when the wind died by the time I finished work. But it also has piston problems, judging by the rattle, but I will practice on my old Moggy engine first. I do have a spare moggy engine, I wonder if it can be marineised....

I was hoping to sail round to the HHSC regata, but might actually be crewing much further afield, but I am longing to bring BP round to HillHead, and join in the races as soon as I can.
This summer is flying by, far too fast, and far too busy,

 

[Chrissie]

I had a traveller, great for pushchairs and kids, but now I am far more self indulgent, this moggy is a very pretty baby blue convertable with white hood and lots of chrome, she doesnt go fast, but she turns heads (probably the loud big end rattle!)
The boat and the car are both 39 years old, and both clasic old ladies!