Osty1

Sounds like a ‘beer call’ and engine pull around your gaff then Tom!?!? Looks like a lovely garage with the added bonus of a place to eat and sleep. You obviously put the garage at the top of your house wish list. The build looks interesting.......and expensive. I’ll come over to Valley in the New Year after my rebuild is done by Jim and pay you a visit matey. You’ll have to start a ‘build thread’ so we can keep track of your progress. Nice one mate, see you soon.

Brilliant!! It's because he is from an era where day to day life required ingenuity and a time when you didn't rely on a halfords fitter to fit a headlight bulb. Good old engineering, learn something new everyday; thanks for sharing! Now go get your Dad a Yorkie bar or something!! A real man lol.

Another one for the collection, my missus is going to be so chuffed with another magazine squeezed on the bookshelf. Look forward to it.

Great idea and it would be a brilliant way of showing off both your interior magic and Jim's mechanical wizardry. Yes, yes yes, I will kindly let use my UK TT manual with Amber lenses; it's down at Jim's already lol!

Enjoyed watching that, great stuff! Proves how strong the block is!!

Keep your chin up mate, these cars are not the easiest to live with, however they are so rewarding in many ways when you get them right! Everything can be repaired so be patient, scan the net and pick up some secondhand parts to replace your damaged parts, sort your leaks out...........and drive it! Vavavoom.

Agreed mate, our paths will cross again, if not at work maybe from something arranged on here!! As for the photo........... Yeah, defo one for both our Zeds, you'll have to bring your Zed over to Marham next summer, we will get a sneaky picture.

Shame mate about the club. Marham..........Now that would be good! I've not been settled at Marham yet, I'm working between Washington, USMC Beaufort, USAF Edwards and the QE. I will be back home soon enough and will start something up again. Shame that I was on my way to F35 as you came back to Valley, especially as you've blasted around Ty Croes in your Zed; it would have been good to have two red Zeds onthe Island.

Hahaha, yes I remember the conversation mate.........just! Good news that you have stuck with your car and have resolved the issue, also that you now seem to have 'a new direction' regarding work; really good to hear! Hope the guitar playing is also doing well!

Hi Tom, how's it going buddy, have you now left RAF Valley?

Look in on my Zed whilst you're over there Si, she will be lonely in the French garage forecourt surrounded by Citroens and Renaults. Have a great and safe road trip!!

The cars are looking good good there guys. Looks like you were the first on site. Have a great day!

Thanks all for the comments, I feel better knowing that I'll get her back and into safe hands.

I've managed to get hold of the legend in France, She will be going to Bristol hopefully for an overhaul!! Thanks Gaz for the link to the Facebook page!!!

Ahh, I think I know about your investment through 'Face ache'. I hope it all goes well there matey, and your car should sell easy on here. Shame that you are moving on, however sometimes life just gets in the way and needs must!

Hey up matey, great stuff!! I hope you still have the Beast?? You'll have to pop round for a cuppa and catch up!

Haha, no worries, saved me a job anyway. Yes, unfortunately my car won't be there but if I manage to get hold of Jimmer and know my car can get to his workshop, I might still pop down and take some pictures and meet up with you all; if not, I hope you all have a great day!!

Unfortunately it's more than the hose mate, I would have knocked something together to get me home otherwise. I was traveling at around 75mph up hill when I started losing power. I managed to get back to the inside lane when the engine died. After 2 hours being stranded on the motorway waiting for the recovery lorry, eventually we were recovered to a garage where the engine was tried for diagnostic. No compression or attempt to fire up when cold. I will still try to enjoy the holiday though in the bright green Ford Fiesta, not quite the Zed though. Message sent to Jimmer, just praying he answers then I can relax more. Cheers

Thanks for the reply Si and Gaz. This was my first thought. However if Jim is in France I will need to have the car dropped off on Saturday at his place. I can see this is going to be a logistical nightmare?!?!.

Every year we take Zed for a holiday in France without a hiccup. We left Calais and was making our way south on the A28 when suddenly there was a complete loss of power. I managed to get her on the extremely narrow hard shoulder, popped the bonnet to cloud of steam and heat. The top rad pipe had split, boiling off all the water and I fear causing head gasket failure! The French garage I have been recovered to took one look at the engine and in the politest accent said.....oooow, Non! I will have to be recovered back to the UK on Saturday after completing our holiday in a hired, bright green Ford Fiesta, but I'm struggling to work out who/where I should have the zed taken to?? As you can imagine, to say that this is a stressful time is an understatement. I'm trying to enjoy my holiday but am worrying where to get the car to. I am covered with European breakdown assistance, however there is no point having the car returned to home!! I won't be able to return comments immediately as I am out and about in Normandy but any advice and thoughts would much be appreciated!

Yes Craig, you are right. We all met around 0800, meet and greet (coffee from the garage) and then headed toward the event at 0830 to ensure we all got parked together. I'm hoping to get back to the UK Saturday evening; so will meet as arranged. Thanks for doing the donkey work matey, appreciated! Looking forward to getting back to the UK permanently! I'll bring one of the club flags.

What have you gone a broken then?

You were moving in the right direction for almost 10 hours.................Remember when you said 'Big no to Cellulose'? Stick with it buddy, you'll regret it if you continue to rattle can paint; possibly a full strip of all the paint you apply to be able to use 2K or water based in the future. Live with what you've got for now!

You are right to be cautious about 2K although horrendous is a little strong. 2K contains isocyanate that in large or continuous exposure is harmful to both your respiratory system and skin. Full ventilation respirator and spray suit you'll be fine.

My Dad owned a very success panel beating and spray facility for years and luckily for me I learnt the trade from a very young age (however, I didn't follow in his footsteps). Just to reiterate what Si and Pete have said; it's a big NO to Cellulose! Believe me when I say that Cellulose can take months to dry. Yes, after a day or two you are able to touch the paint and it may feel dry, however Cellulose will continue to release the thinning and bonding agents over extensive periods of time that you will not be able to recognize by touch; even in a forced heat environment the paint will still remain active. A recent post on here where a member came close to scrapping his car was partly due to using Cellulose and the subsequent paint reaction. Remember also to consider the amount of layers that you will need to apply. Cellulose will take a lot longer to catch/flash dry meaning; dry enough that another layer of paint can be applied over the top, wet enough that the new layer binds and activates the bottom layer. This will all be a factor of outside temperature and humidity that unless you are a scientist or an experienced painter, you will be guessing. In a nutshell, you wouldn't wrap Kate Middleton in a Primark outfit, so don't throw your money away by wrapping the Zed in a cheap alternative. Get it done once and properly and it should last another 25 years. The only part of any vehicle that Cellulose used to be used on extensively was the chassis of vans and lorries, and only because it was cheaper than 2K and no one really cared about the finish. All the best.