Whimsey Rides Again?

[Martin Lawrie]

Lovely to see this Martin. I remember Whimsey in Vinnie's barn. How's progress now?
Sad news about Vinnie though.

Yes, It's sad that Vinnie is no longer with us. His funeral was emotional but a very nice send-off.

Since the report above, I discovered that it wasn't the radiator at fault as it still filled-up No. 1 cylinder with water. I removed the head and discovered that Vinnie's original fear that the crack in the block had migrated through to the bore was unfounded as the bores have been lined. Instead, I found a break in the head gasket between No. 1 and a water way. I set-to and replaced the head gasket, all the valve springs, all the exhaust valves and had the head lightly skimmed. I then started it up and all seemed fine. In the interim, Whimsey also now benefitted from a complete re-wire and some new tyres. Unfortunately, though, after a very short time, the head gasket went again. This time, I took no chances! I had new gaskets made (solid copper) in 1.5mm thickness, requested that the water-jetters didn't de-burr them and then turned all the edges over with the shank of a screwdriver. This, of course, was AFTER I had it properly annealed (I didn't anneal the last one, assuming that it was new(ish) from Ian Polson but I suspect they've been kicking around for a while and should have been). Once I'd done what I could with the gasket, I applied Wellseal and put the head back. It has lasted longer this time and is still holding up so I hope this is now sorted.

Whimsey is much nicer to drive than the Fuggle truck, the gear ratios are closer together (third and top anyway) and, joy of joys!, a taller rear axle ratio. This does make reversing up hill a challenge so I will just have to remember not to get myself where I need to do that. The steering is also lighter (wider tyres?) so it's actually a joy to drive!

I now need to get to grips with folding the and stowing the hood properly!

[Doug Reid]

Lovely to see this Martin. I remember Whimsey in Vinnie's barn. How's progress now?
Sad news about Vinnie though.

[jameswheildon]

Well done Martin, You will be spoiled for choice when we are eventually freed from captivity.

[Martin Lawrie]

With the Fuggle truck complete with new exhaust waiting patiently for a dry day and for its battery to charge up before entering the murky world of lambda sensors and Air/Fuel Ratio gauges, serial cables and laptop data capture! Attention turns to Whimsey, the 1929 AG Tourer.

The plugs, points, coil, plug leads and coil wiring have all been renewed and a suitable SU carburetter restored and fitted. The repaired and polished radiator is back on, along with a new top hose. After a brief balls-up while he relied on the original timing mark on the flywheel, only to discover that it must have been fitted one bolt round on the flywheel (this took days to deduce!), my second Talbot fired-up sweetly! It runs lovely and smoothly and will be excellent with the new exhaust fitted. It has no water in it yet and it's still cold in the video but it's pretty good for a first go!

The next step is to fill it with water in it and run it up to temperature. Vinnie reported that it was losing water the last time he used it which he put down to migration of the crack on the outside of the block to the insde. The outside crack must be pretty substantial as the cover plate that Anthony has fixed to it is as long as the block itself. I've checked the compressions (cold) and they're a spectacularly consistent 120psi for all 6. I have also fitted a non-leaking radiator and a non de-laminated top hose which it came with. I'm hoping that these two faults were what caused Vinnie's water leak rather than a crack but time will tell. I'm nothing if not delusional, sorry, optimistic.

[Bob Marks]

I have tried unsuccessfully since the end of last year to get my 75 running again. I am unable to get fuel to the carb, having replaced the fuel filter...

[Andrew]

Hello Talboteers,
Enquiring if any of you experienced gearheads could offer some guidance? I'm up in Ayrshire Scotland replacing wiring on two separate...

[Ron Rumbol]

I have finally decided to give up on my quest to get the the mechanical AC fuel pump to work on my car and have decided to fit an SU electric pump. Can...