I've done it before aswell...

Usually I'm really good at putting it in Park, but one day obviously forgot.. turned the key.. nothing.

I'm sure my heart skipped a beat, then I looked at the shifter and called myself a couple of choice words, back to park, and she fired up..
You would have thought that there would be a 'bleep' and message for that, like there is for 'select neutral' when the transfer case is changing and you shift into gear...

If you have a dodgy O2 sensor on the other bank, then it will also probably throw things out....

I'm currently on a fill-empty cycle to see what my mileage is like on gas. Now it's running a somewhat properly I filled up before Summer Camp and got 60L into the tank, which meant I had a total fill of about 75L.

Including the to/from summer camp, and the trip down to London yesterday, I'm up to about 150miles on the trip computer.

I got to about 160miles last time before I filled up and I reckon I had about 15L left.

Computer in the RR showed an MPG of 14.3mpg before I came to London, and showing 15.0 when I arrived.

I'm going to run it on gas tomorrow until I get to 200 miles (about half way home I think) or until it runs out and switches back to petrol - whichever comes first! Then I'll refill when I get home and post my figures up too.

I think it might be running a touch lean still under load as 50-70mph acceleration is a bit gutless, but I think it is also doing it in top gear with the torque converter locked up unless I really poke the throttle.

Figures in a couple of days...

I must say that I think I'll be going for slightly softer pads the next time around.

I went with the EBC pads all round, and whilst the fronts are alright, they are too hard for the rears, which don't do much, and I get some squeal on them, even after a few years..

Something a bit softer might be better on the back at least. Especially given the price!

Sorry - I haven't meant to just go completely quiet on everyone now it's over!!

Thanks all for coming along - those that came one day, and both days alike.
My only regret was that we couldn't get a lineup picture of all the P38's together - as I am sure (even with the green one, and my 2 restoration projects...) that we had about 9 of them there at one point! Which I think is a fairly rare occasion, given how many seem to get scrapped for no apparent reason!

Also, other than Grrrrrr/Jules who came to visit on the second day - I think we are all doing pretty bloody well (and disproving the naysayers out there) by having V8's on LPG...

I will keep Chris' tools (big spanner and smaller ratchet spanners) aside until we can next reunite them to him.

I also look forward to the next one - and the fact that there won't be a disco there to move! Though next time there will probably only be one workshop bay, as I'll definitely have one of the project P38's in bits by then! And chances are the green one will still be there... though if I end up buying it out, my aim will be to get it finished, cleaned, MOT'd, and sold before winter... not sure how that will work out, given my work schedule for the next 6 months, but I can try!

Miles - I haven't forgotten about the switchpack... I will drop you a PM/email at some point about it and we can work out a plan. I think Nick mentioned to me something about your front locks aswell?

Thanks all for coming, and apologies about having to move the disco... twice... I really had hoped that it would have been gone by the time we were wanting to be there!

Cheers!
Marty

PS - I'll post up what pictures I did get a bit later!

I did notice a few bits of trim kicking about, I will keep them aside (IE they will probably stay exactly where they are until I am next up there to put them aside!) for you

:)

Thanks for coming past and for the big spanner...
Think you left a set of ratchet spanners here, so think Richard is going to take them (and I'll give him big spanner too) as he's over your way and I think I heard him say he was passing Harlow at some point too.

Sounds like we are going to have a fun weekend!

I've made a list of things I need to get/sort/throw in the boot in the morning and no doubt will run around putting more stuff in as I see it...

I hope my ABS modulator reservoir is dry by the morning (it's in the boiler cupboard) as I've had it in parts washer solution and then fresh water to try and clean as much crud out of the filters as possible.

Going to try and remember to chuck the grease gun in aswell and a cartridge of grease, and then we can all leave with freshly greased UJ's...

Let's hope the weather does it's part - and we get a load done!

Please do! I'm going to bring a pair on lump hammers as Orangebean mentioned about doing a hub seal, and that means getting a front hub apart.... I've already got the old brake disc standing by...

Oh, and there's another guy dropping past (from Luton!) with his DSE on Sunday morning for me to swap out an engine ECU and resync it... he's a bit of a donut I think as I've told him what the problem is likely to be about 4 different times now, but he keeps asking the same question, or taking it places and getting told different things... he waited until I was back from China for me to have a look at it, and then books it in somewhere locally who charges him for doing sod all... still will be happy to have a look at it for him... for a fee..

Thanks for that.... I've been out and had a look, and it's bigger than my 36mm fan nut spanner, so I'm guessing it's 40 or 42mm easy.

LPG - I'll have my laptop with me, and we can hook it up and have a look and see what errors the ECU shows (if any) but I am sure that given that we have so many there on LPG - we should be able to at least figure out where the problem is!

I'll be there at 10am with the keys to open up - if you are there a bit earlier, then you'll see my 2 blue 'project' P38's parked outside. The workshop is in the unit just next to where the P38's are (they're outside a grain store) so if you see them, you are in the right place!

See you tomorrow...

Marty

OK, Question for someone who's coming tomorrow....

Anyone have a REALLY BIG spanner? I'm about to go an have a look at my steering box, but the replacement one doesn't have the arm on it, so will need to swap that over from my one... which means a BIG spanner/pipe wrench to undo the old nut.

I'm going to go and measure it up, but I think the biggest I have spanner-wise is 32mm, which I have a feeling is going to be a bit too small...

Hi Sloth,

Yes - I did get your PM - and have replied. :)

Wow... so maybe a record for P38's running on LPG too.... current count is 4 - 5 if no10chris makes it and we can get his sorted... 2 on single point and 2 on multipoint...

If you redo the pipework, then go one size smaller on the hose than the ends.... I have 6mm fittings, and replaced hose with 6mm, and then had some leaks - same with pressure side from vap - 12mm fittings and 12mm pipe and had issues... 6mm fittings, with 5mm pipe, and 12mm fittings with 11mm pipe, and happy days :)

And typically as I posted that, the doorbell just rang and the steering box has arrived :)

I'll still be there for between 10 and 10:30 in the morning as I need to get LPG, and a splash of petrol for the green one to make sure it has enough to move it about!

What LPG system does it have? Single or Multipoint?

If it's multipoint and has a small white connector for the LPG ECU diagnostics, then chances are it's one of the AEB ECU varients that I have a cable for and either have/can get the software for - so I could hook it up for you and see if there are any errors showing. I'm fairly sure between us all we would be able to figure it out!

Are you on LPG on your new one Sloth?

Also - for those coming tomorrow... Orangebean and I were up at the workshop today and dropped off our tools and various bits. Wheel arch liner and wheel is back on the Green P38, and I started her up to make sure she was happy (and thus moveable tomorrow) and all good on that front.
The disco should be being moved in the morning - we may have to help a bit with shifting it outside, but as long as my mate is there and getting it out, then I'll be happy!

Time tomorrow - I am going to aim to get there for between 10am and 10:30am. I have a couple of bits to do in the morning, and also my refurb steering box didn't show up today like it was supposed to, so I'm going to try and see if there is tracking info and look into it tonight, but if I'm about first thing in the morning, then I'll be hopeful that it arrives before I have to leave home!

So, we shall see you all in the morning - as and when you arrive! we will need to try and get a group picture and maybe go for a world record for the number of P38's in one place... haha..

Marty

I'll give them a shout when I'm back tomorrow and see what they say...

The parts catalogue online shows them as being 14mm and 16mm which I presume is ID so as long as they do something like that, it should be fine.

Worst case, I'll just reuse and hope for the best!

Sorry, just seen this...

Yes, I have hydraulic crimpers... from memory they are already up at the workshop too... Haven't used them in awhile, but did the job the last time I used them!

Right... put in my order for parts... yikes...

Ordered recon steering box, ATF, Engine Oil, Diff oil, Dot 4... realised I forgot to order oil filter... bollocks!! But can get one locally before the weekend.

I've already got new PS pump that's been sitting about for awhile. Can't get new sealing washers easily.. they appear to be obsolete in a lot of cases, so fingers crossed my original ones are OK!

I just need to clean up the reservoir on my replacement modulator and refit it back to the block (thinking about leaving it soaking in parts washer fluid for a day to try and clean the filter screen) and then I should be set.

I'll have all my normal tools, Nanocom, etc. Big compressor in the workshop, but there is only one air line outlet and one air line at the moment, so bit limited on using that. If someone has extra air line and splitter then great.. I think it's about 150L tank, so it's not a small unit and can handle multiple tools at once.

I've got a 3T trolley jack, and some axle stands (some are in use but can get a couple back easily and once the disco is move there will be a couple of big ones free too). There are a couple of wheel ramps too which are my mates, but should be fine to use.

Can't think of anything else at the moment...I'm about to go do a day of corporate work... yay... not.. but it will help pay for the bits I've just ordered!!!

Sloth wrote:

I was thinking of coming up for the Saturday, but as I've got nothing better to do I'll come back up on the Sunday too - bit further than I remember but that's no biggy, might be able to scrape both days in one tank of LPG :) Depending on the amount of bits I bring up it might make it a bit easier anyway! Always worried about putting holes in the leather. I do have a working drivers side blower if you've not got one Marty.

My breaker will be going the week after (sans engine, will have two if you still want one at some point Marty) - I have picked it pretty clean of bits I'm keeping as spares (or already used...), but if there is any odd bits that anyone wants that I don't already know about, let me know. I do have a set of clear rear lights and indicators from it going cheap. Relatively new GEMS radiator - I think it is Britpart, probably did 1500-2000 miles on the car before I gave up with it. If anyone wants it, I'll bring it, of no use to me now! I have a single exhaust rear brake hose from the chassis to the axle, unused, I won't need that either.

EAS blocks sound good! Do you want me to get ATF or was that factored in your 10L? I can get filter etc. If there is time, it would be handy to change my rocker cover gaskets, but I have the week after that weekend off so it can wait.

I have a 35 litre Waeco fridge/freezer that lives in the back of my RR and another little 14 litre box I can bung in, so I can bring a fair bit of food with me too.

I think we should be good on ATF... I'm planning on getting 5L (RAVE says PAS System takes 1.7L) and I know I still have some in a 20L drum up at the workshop, but can't remember exactly how much (I think I've done 1 autobox fluid change and a couple of transfer case changes from it), so there should be enough to fill your autobox aswell as RAVE says the system is 9.7L but I think you only get about half of that out from the box as the rest is in the cooler, lines, and TC. If you want to bring some then that's fine too.

I can't remember what parts I asked for to be honest... would you mind dropping me an email with what you had aside for me? It's been so long! I might be interested in the GEMS radiator, as I will probably be replacing the one on my Restoration P38s and one of them is GEMS.

Rocker cover gaskets... if you have them with you, then we can try and get them done - I think there should be time on the Sunday if you come back for round 2...

Morat... I'll have a look at the other thread with the EAS bits, though I'm sure someone will probably beat me to it aswell!!

Your other half is right... blokes, RR's, tools... what food? oh sh*t, is that the time! etc... If everyone is up for it, then maybe we do some BBQ food at the close of play on Saturday...

I know I've got a couple of heater blowers in the workshop from old P38's that we've scrapped - I'm pretty sure there is a driver's one there - but you can take a look on the weekend and if you want one, then we can work it all out... Likewise - belt buckle, I think I'm likely to have one kicking about - the grey covers are the same on all of them, regardless of trim colour. I might even have one from the other side or something silly like that, which can have the cover pinched off it... that is if Sloth doesn't have a complete unit kicking about...

Enjoy fitting the new microswitches.... I'm getting to the point where I'm sick of looking at door latches... last count was about 30 of them in bits in the garage... and I'm only half way through cleaning/degreasing all the parts, before I can then even start rebuilding them, yet alone fitting new microswitches!

Worst case, reset the fault, manually pump up the system so it's riding on air, and then pull the ECU connector or delay timer relay - it will then have air in the springs, but not control the valves to let it out... then we can look at it when you get here :)

A couple of bits of wire in the ECU connector will also just give an EAS MANUAL message on the dash, rather than all the beeps and hard fault messages...

Right.....

I've dropped a PM to Sloth, Morat, and No10Chris with the workshop details.... Orangebean, I emailed them to you earlier today... and GilbertD - you've been there before, so just let me know if you need them again, otherwise I'll take it that you know roughly where to go!!

Grrrrr from Landyzone is going to pop by on Sunday to say hello, as his other plans have cancelled - but other than that, I think I've had contact with everyone in some form or another now.

My mate is coming up on the morning of the 2nd to move the Disco shell out of the workshop, so I am sure we will be able to give a bit of a hand if necessary - that will give us one workshop bay. The Green P38 that we are 'working' on is in the other half, so going to try and get up there on Friday afternoon and get the wheel arch liner and wheel back on, so that is driveable and it can then be moved outside to give us both workshop bays.

I think a worthwhile plan will be to get mine in one side Saturday morning, as I've got a fair bit to try and get through - but with the aim of completing that on Saturday. I live a fair way from the workshop (OK, not as far as some who are attending! But about twice as far as the accommodation that some have booked!) so if mine can be done/finished Saturday then I can drive home/back on Sunday. I'm also happy to help out with lifts to/from accommodation as it's 'on the way' if we then have a couple of vehicles in there overnight being worked on.

Saturday, in the second bay I think it is worth getting Orangebean's one in so we can get the accumulator stripped out so he can work on the BMR kit on the bench. I know there are some other bits of interior he's hoping to change and steering column and brake service.

Sloth, I will bring my EAS calibration blocks - and we can give them a go, even though they are 20mm not 30mm diameter, so might be a bit of messing about, but happy to try them out. I can't remember if you are staying up or just coming up for one day? Once mine is done, then I think we put yours in the workshop and get stuck into the autobox fluid/filter change. If you are staying over, then we can always get it draining on Saturday, and then do the filter/refill first thing Sunday?

Morat - We can find a time I am sure to look at the ABS/EAS bits that you are wanting to check out. I'm thinking maybe Sunday for that - though might get a chance to hook it up to diagnostics and get an idea of what's happening on Saturday!

I think Grrr wants me to have a look at swapping a power/logic board over in his BECM, but that should be easy enough to do outside the workshop.

GilbertD, was there anything on yours that you are wanting to look at? Also you mentioned to me on text about possibly bringing your BBQ? Is that still happening? - if so what do you think about us all bringing a bit of food/drink and then having an informal BBQ on Saturday evening before we disband for the night? I know that on Sunday that we will probably be aiming to finish up mid-afternoon so everyone can get home before it's too late in the evening!

I'm not sure if I'm missed anything out or not - let me know if I have...
My shopping list for this week...
Recon Steering Box
10L ATF (can't remember exactly how much I have left and I'm sure I will use it!
10L 10w/40 engine oil
Oil Filter
5L EP80/90 gear oil
5L DOT 4 brake fluid
New PS system washers for the lines to the pump/box

Is there anything else that people want me to get as part of the order so it's all there ready?

Looking forward to next weekend....

Marty

But leather wipes clean....