My not so new Mk1! Updated 20/04/2014

Hi all, I've not long taken my first Mk1 ( Goly The Golf ) off the road for a full resto and last night I decided to buy another one. This is Ruby, a 1983 1.1 Formel E. She is a bitt tatty but the plan is to get her running and use as a daily whilst Goly is having major surgery. Whats do you think guys and gals?

How she looked when I picked her up.

 

How she looked when I got her home.

Another project!!!

You guys must be mad. I'm stressed enough with one.

Looks like she needs saving mate. Good luck with the project

Crazy person !!

But can't beat breathing life back into the mk1's :-)

Looks better on your picture, was this on ebay?

Cheers

Matt

Yes mate. It was only a mile away from my house so I had to get her. Just put a front bumper on her from my other Mk1 and from what I've looked at so far she seems quite solid. I'm hoping I've got a good one!

Here she is with her new face :-)

 

Another one saved, nice 1!!! seen it on ebay as well.

 
       

Hi all, a quick update. So far I have had a look at a bit of wiring! All dash was stripped out when I collected her. I have managed to find a faulty starter motor. Changed this and I have confirmed the engine turns over by hand. I took the rocker cover off and the cam was bone dry so I lubricated it and now she turns over with a twist of the key :-) Next task, I have no spark! I've checked the coil, leads, cap and rotor arm but that's as far as I've got so far. I will be checking all voltages to my coil and having a look at the points in the near future. Wish me luck because if I can get her running this will be my daily driver!!! :-) I wish I could have made the AGM this year but maybe I will have at least one Golf running before next years AGM. 

Hi all, I have been looking at Ruby whenever I get a spare hour between decorating and I have managed to get a spark  Don't ask me how but I checked the coil, the distributor cap, leads and all of the connections and they all seemed fine, I fitted new plugs and a rotor arm (was missing when I got the car) but still I had no spark. Finally I had a fiddle with the points and although they looked ok I figured that they were faulty so fitted a new set. A spark appeared but only for the first turn of the engine and then disappeared again. After scratching my head for a few days I checked the timing and consulted Mr Haynes I realised I made a rather embarrassing mistake! When fitting my HT leads I put them in the correct order but I thought No.1 cylinder was the distributor side of the engine cf_emoticons__BangHead: (I have previously only worked on French cars!) once they were re-fitted, starting at the correct side of the engine, I put a cap full of fuel in the carb and, hay presto, she fired up and runs  I'm well happy with the car so far.
Next on the list is the carb and fuel system, the carb needs a new flange because it is split, I have purchased one of these and some new fuel hose, I had the tank sender out and inside the tank looks bloody marvellous so within the next week or so I should be able to have the engine ticking over and revving nicely.
I am extremely surprised at how well this little project is going, my plan is to get her running and through an MOT so I can drive a nice daily car, instead of my 6n Polo! Looking at the bodywork, it's in surprisingly good condition and I hope I won't have any issues with the MOT. I know that I will be needing a windscreen though if anyone has one. Anything considered, as cheap as possible and as close to Derby as possible.
Thanks for reading. Cheers, Britney ( Real name Paul but friends call me Britney! )

Dare I ask how you ended up with the nickname Britney?    

Good luck with the MOT mate.

Cheers Smudger, just sourcing a windscreen at the minute then onto the brakes and exhaust. Wife said to me yesterday that I better be putting some coilovers on it because it looks pants that high :-D 
Britney is an on going nickname from when I was 20, I was a trainee mechanic and I made 2 rather large mistakes and Britney Spears had just released the song Oops I did it again!!!! Haha! Its a bit more original than Paul! Even my dad is called Paul so Britney has stuck with me for a fair few years now.

         

Just another small update! I have been doing a few bits and bobs on Ruby just lately and I have been happy with my results.
There have been a few issues that were making me scratch my head! These all contributed to poor running issues.
So I don't bore you with all the details I will list what I found:
Would not start without pouring fuel into the carb, found blocked inlet on carburettor, unblocked inlet.
Would not Idle due to carburettor flange split, new fitted and still no good
Seemed to be getting back pressure through carb, found blocked exhaust back box, removed back box and checked.
Now she runs, the idle speed is a bit high but my local garage has a Krypton tuner that can set the carb up nicely I have changed oil and filter, fitted new plugs, points, condensor and leads.
I think the gearbox might be coming out soon for a new clutch but I also need to look at the brakes and the wiring and I must not forget about Goly, she needs to be stripped to a bare shell before Xmas if I can. Looks like I'm going to be busy.
Bye for now.
Britney.

Today I have spent an hour and half taking out the gearbox so I can inspect the clutch! I was wondering why it was so stiff to press until I pulled it out and found it all broken up and the plate was down to the metal rivets






I think I will be popping to GSF tomorrow and picking up a new one, I might treat her to a new thermostat too

Blimey that's seen better days! lol

Haha! Your not wrong!
 Well the new clutch is in! I lubricated the cable and it is now nice and smooth! 
On order is a back box, some lower arm bushes and a fan/temp switch for the rad. 
Then onto the brakes and wiring! 
All good Mk1 fun 

Sounds like good progress to me  

Hello again, Just another small update! So far this week I have fitted a new exhaust back box, drained the cooling system, fitted a new rad fan switch and I have taken out the thermostat!!!
The reason the thermostat is out is due to my local parts suppliers giving me the wrong part so when I took the old one off I realised it was not the right one, I wanted to get the car running and I tried to put the old one back in (the correct way around as the previous owners must have had one fitted at some point and they put it in the wrong way around! Muppets!) but, when I tightened up the housing, it cracked! cf_emoticons__BangHead: Oh well, another trip to my local parts people tomorrow. The clutch is fitted and working well so I am very happy at the minute. I know this thread is not very exciting and there is not too many piccies to look at but I enjoy letting you all know how I'm getting on. Lets hope I can get the car up and running soon as I miss driving a Mk1 !!!

Happy new year to all!  
Well I think the festive season has been good to me and given me the motivation to crack on with one of my projects! This week I have been searching for bits and bobs for Ruby. I have removed one of the wishbones ready for new bushes, got new pads and discs, flexi hoses, I have ordered a new thermostat housing and a windscreen seal, tomorrow I will be picking up an air box from a member of this very forum (thanks Early-1800) and I am having chats with foxyjay to sort out a time I can collect a windscreen. Once this lot is done I will crack on with the rear brakes! I'm not looking forward to sorting the interior out! The wiring is terrible and I can't seem to find the correct wiring diagram! Oh the joys of Mk1 ownership  
I need to get this car on the road as soon as possible because I want to start a proper restoration on Goly, she has been off the road for over a year now and I still haven't started it!
Well that will do for this update so goodbye for now and wish me luck!    

Glad you're stuck back in to it now - keep us updated