Page Seventy-One - Under His Own Power!

 

Another milestone for the Alph – moving under his own power!

Granted, he didn’t move much, just out of the garage, a quick turn around in the driveway and back in the garage.  And there were problems, of course.

I added two videos to the "More Stuff" column on the right, "Alphie Lives!" of Alphie's (almost) first start and "Alphie Under His Own Power" of him putting along after his first self-power movement.  (I couldn't drive and shoot a vid so you get the sitting afterward.)

Bling!  Bumpers and bright work!
(Pics in garage don't do him justice, too many reflections. 
When I have him out in the sunlight, I'll get some better shots.)

Idling:  I had to spend about 20 minutes choking (Alphie and me) in the garage while I diddled with Alphie’s carb and timing to get a decent idle.  I have read that many Sunbeamers have ditched the Solex carbs for Webers, but Alphie is “reasonably original”, so I’ll learn the ways of the Solex.

BTW, there is pitifully, frustratingly little about tuning PAIA Solex carbs on the forums or the web, not sure what that’s about.  If you have some info, please pass it along.  So I’m hunkered over the carb somewhat randomly fiddling with various jets and screws trying to get a feel for which one has what effect.

Alphie is by no means “tuned,” but he is idling decently and starting him isn't as laborious as is was, small victories.

Another Bling shot

The Clutch: “Spongy” is the term I’m using now.  I have bled the master and slave cylinders, but I obviously have air in the system somewhere.

I couldn’t get reverse gear, I think (hope) because the clutch isn’t disengaging enough, so some work there.

You'll note, Alphie is on the ground again.
I left him in the air because it was MUCH easier to work on him
when I didn't have to bend over as much.

Brakes: Alphie has them, but on the open road, his brakes would be life-threatening either via sudden impact, an aneurysm or heart attack (maybe all three).  More bleeding there too.

Booty Bling!

Leaks: There’s a small oil leak somewhere.  I know, it should be obvious, but I think the fan is blowing the oil away from the leak.  I tightened the timing chain cover bolts, but it may be at the oil pump.  I’ll find it.

The heater inlet valve at the firewall is leaking.  I “rebuilt” it myself but clearly the gasket(s) aren’t sealing, so I’ll pony up the buckage for a new one.  And the radiator cap doesn’t fit tight enough, maybe the wrong size.

Other than that, Alphie is fit as a fiddle!

Carpet!

Other Stuff You May Note:

Interior:  I put in the carpeting and interior, at least most of it.  I discovered that I hadn’t ordered the door sill weather stripping, small oversight.

Alphie is sporting one seat now, so I can work the clutch and brakes that sorta work.

Driver accommodations complete with the ashtray and console!

BLING!

Alphie has some jewelry now.  I spelled out S U N B E A M twice, installed the emblems, the boot handle and stainless trim on the grill.  And bumpers!

The rear bumper went on easy-peasy, but the front bumper was a different story.  Since I glued on a snoz from another car, recreated the bumper mounts on the frame tips and added an aftermarket lower grill shelf, I didn’t get all that back to factory specs.

I mean it all looked pretty smashing until I tried to mount the bumper, then I discovered the miscalculations.  The bumper stuck too far out so that I saw a lot of ground between the lower grill shelf and the bumper, and the bumper brackets didn’t clear the lower grill shelf.

I had to cut and shorten the brackets and grind a notch to clear the lower grill shelf.  Fitted it all and checked everything, then re-powder coated the brackets.  Using all three of my arms and one knee, I jostled it all in place and managed to get the bolts started and tightened.

Pro Tip: Before doing the one-person three-armed balancing act to fit the bumper, wrap the bumper ends with towels to keep from scratching the @#%$* out of the paint.  Fortunately, I figured this out before banging up any paint.

Next, I’ll finish the hard top.