Fastmower's Mk3

[fastmower]

Hi all,

Thought I'd start a thread in here as the MK3 is prepared to go back on the road.

Couple of little problems to sort out first though.

Number one is the propshaft. Came to put it back in the unit the other night and it felt and sounded like it had jumped out of gear. Put it in gear again and it went back inside okay - but come next morning and time to put it outside again, and nothing moving. had a quick look underneath and the front half of the prop isn't turning the back!

Dropped the centre support bearing and discovered that the female splined bit on the rear section is goosed - virtually no grooves left at all. Surprisingly, the male part looks reasonably ok? Also noticed that the U shaped washer that goes behind the bolt that fixes the two parts together had been replaced with a big penny washer that had been hammered over at the edges - and it was half out and loose enough to undo with fingers

Done a bit more looking at it this morning, and there's no master spline on the front section either. Ended up taking a trip to the local transmission place (http://www.driveline-hydraulic.co.uk - very helpful and friendly chaps) and they reckoned it could have been two non matching halves that had been crammed together - but it's shagged at any rate!. So might have to shell out for a new one, which they can do for £189 plus VAT. That's for the whole prop - two halves and the centre support bearing.

Haven't had chance to test the starter solenoid yet, but not much point starting it if I can't move it anyway! I'm assuming that the small wire on the starter motor is fed from this solenoid and that something in it is not making contact. It clicks as it should, and the starter motor is getting it's "big" current as it starts the engine when the small spade connector on it is touched with a wire from the battery positive.

Had a look at a few online places, and it seems that £68 for the full system is a pretty good price. Local mechanic cant get it for that at trade from his regular supplier!

There's a drivers seat fixed in the back of the van so I'm going to stick that in the front, as there's only a base there at the moment.

Will keep you posted as I get on with it.

Cheers all,

Andy

[AlanN]

Dont forget that all important camera along the way
You say it clicks from the key and if you put live to the terminal, it kicks in to life ok, check the earth to the soleniod base and if that fails a new ones are pretty cheap, Im presuming its like this one
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CAPRI-CORTINA-ESC ... dZViewItem
Although I think you will get something from your local spares shop without all that postage
Tell us more about your van, petrol, swb etc.
never mind, its on the bottom of your tag
Alan

[fastmower]

Cheers Alan,

Guy88 is going to sort me out with one (solenoid) if it proves to be faulty.

Pity about this propshaft - and not many scrapyards round here - especially with vans in, so may have to bite the bullet and cough for a new one - but as I got the van free, gratis and for nowt, I can't really complain!

There are some pics in the "Mk3 has landed" thread in the members gallery if you've not seen them.

More soon no doubt!

Andy

[AlanN]

Ah yes, I remember that thread, looks like a real minter, well jealous Sorry to hear about the theft, barst**ds

[AlanN]

Whats been happening then