Roadtrip - parts collecting UK

[trondvo]

Good evening,

I am restoring a 62 FHC and plan to drive to the UK early june to collect new and used parts.

The parts I am collecting are quite large and the shipping cost was more or less like the cost of diesel, hotel overnights and the ferry. Would have been less hassle to ship maybe but I fancy a roadtrip - mini vacation. Traveling in a medium size box van to accommodate bonnet parts, either a Citroen Jumpy, VW Transporter or Hi-Ace. 180 length x 140 height cm's are the minimum numbers to store a bonnet centre.

My plan is to visit, SNG in BRIDGNORTH for a pile of parts and same area for used bonnet parts, perhaps Fosseway for a radiator and the wire wheel balancing kit, maybe pop by Martin Robey.

Stock up on some expendables like classic oil and perhaps Evans waterless engine coolant.

I am in need of a complete exhaust system as well, any recommendations to where to buy an what brand? Standard or slightly larger is fine, looking for a silent system, not noisy. Happy with the Double S system in my roadster but opinions are welcome.

Finally, anything "e-type specific" I should visit if I find extra time? Route is attached.

[abowie]

I am in need of a complete exhaust system as well, any recommendations to where to buy an what brand?

I have been very happy with the Bell exhaust systems sold by SNGB. I have 2 of them and have just bought a 3rd for a friend's car.
Stainless steel, excellent fit, good quality and very good price.
The standard system on my coupe is really very quiet. I have the "sports" system on my 3.8 OTS which has straight through silencers and is pleasantly loud.

[trondvo]

Thanks, I will definitely take a look at the Bell system while at SNG Barrat.

Planning to use the FHC for long distances and will get a silent system though.

[Durango2k]

Hamburg -Bremen is full of speed controls....be careful.

Carsten

[Durango2k]

Oh and when you get back from Dover, remember there is NO fuel station in northen france for about 80 km. So, if you're empty, go into calais, theres a hypermarche selling fuel...but do not try to go east...i tried and almost failed, i had to buy some salad oil to go on...

Carsten

[mgcjag]

Hi Trondvo...your route will take u very close to EType UK...the sponsers of this forum and only 5 minutes from SNG u will find CMC...it u contact both im sure they will be only to pleased to show u around.....Steve

[trondvo]

Thanks for the response, it is appreciated.

Scrolling through the classifieds for a good boxed van these days, I sold my Ducato a few years ago but always find it missing, materials, tools, haul bikes etc it is all a hassle nowadays.

The van I really want is the VW Transporter but they are expensive compared to eg Renault Trafic or Peugeot Expert. Am leaning towards the Peugeot Expert at the moment. Seems the engine is a weak point in the Vivaro/Primastar/Trafic vans.

Enough rumblings.... :)

Another matter, I picked up a RHD Mark X some weeks ago and want to convert to LHD. Anyone know of a "saloon forum", a jaguar breaker or someone with a LHD looking for swapping parts? I will be able haul the parts to the UK.

[David Oslo]

Maybe you should put out a post looking for orders from others in Norway, big & bulky stuff, expensive to ship. Then you could get sponsorship for your diesel costs :D

[ralphr1780]

Maybe you should put out a post looking for orders from others in Norway, big & bulky stuff, expensive to ship. Then you could get sponsorship for your diesel costs :D

And even from others in Belgium too!
If you feel like stopping for a beer or two, most welcome.

[trondvo]

Thanks for the suggestions, beer in Belgium would be great but it seem like we will be fully loaded.

We do have a VW LT35 at work but it is huge and we just installed a new cylinder head on it, am a little divided on using that one. It has broken down before and comfort is bad for long trips. Seat position is only good for a couple hours.

Look like it will be the Peugeot Expert, it has a 144 cm loading height which ensures the bonnet centre can go in vertically. Sourcing the classifieds for a good one these days.

[ralphr1780]

As for the bonnet, this one seems a good deal to grab in the Strasbourg area:
http://www.leboncoin.fr/equipement_auto ... tm?ca=17_s
Although it is for a1.5 guessing with some minor work you could get the center part to fit.

[trondvo]

As for the bonnet, this one seems a good deal to grab in the Strasbourg area:
http://www.leboncoin.fr/equipement_auto ... tm?ca=17_s
Although it is for a1.5 guessing with some minor work you could get the center part to fit.

Wow, that seem to be a very good deal.

Guess I have most parts sorted out, the reference to "Sourcing the classifieds for a good one these days" related to buying a Peugeot Expert.. :)

Already have the bonnet centre waiting from one of the members here and the right wings as well.

My car must have had an accident on the right side of car, most likely it went in the ditch or a wall of some kind. Right front fender, lots of bondo and some brazing. Right sill, mangled, just above the right rear arch another impact. The door is fine, the inner sill is fine and the frames seem to be fine when cross measuring.

[JagWaugh]

Trondvo,

Woolies trim is a good stop if you can fit it in... interior upholstery, headliner, windlace, channel by the yard, as well as clips and all that kind of stuff.

As to converting the MarkX... Barely worth the bother unless you can find someone doing the opposite converion: The steering box, drop arm and Idler are handed, as are the pedallerie so you can't just flip the bits. IIRC the forged main beam has the holes for either configuration, on the saloon weldment crossmembers you have to modify the crossmember to be able to fit the steering box -check the beam first before you start collecting parts.

Robey is worth a visit - if you call ahead and ask nice they will even organize a plant tour.

While there....Frost/Halfords for Cunifer line, in brake, vacuum and fuel sizes, plus an assortment of fittings, and a flaring tool, imperial size brake, vacuum, heater, and fuel rubber hose, a set of thread chasers, NF/NC taps and dies, assortment boxes of NC/NF hardware, grease zerks, Copper/fibre sealling washers... I live in a metric world, so without a good supply of imperial bits I would otherwise end up delaying a job for the want of a 5/16 NF Nylock, or a tap or such. I have most hardware in Stainless as well as plated.

Andrew

[tonyabacus]

Trondvo
You will also be going close to the Jaguar museum and the Heritage museum at Gaydon, about 2km off the M40 motorway. Both worth a stop off whilst so close.

[trondvo]

Thanks everyone, I will bring my computer and plan and decide on the "sights" while in UK, finally found and bought the transportation and have to go straight to Birmingham at first. Paperworks tomorrow, a quick oil change and on the road. :)

[David Oslo]

Trond, just remember to drive on the wrong side of the road once reaching the land with imperial speedlimits :D

[Gfhug]

Trond, just remember to drive on the wrong side of the road once reaching the land with imperial speedlimits :D

Honestly, it's you who drive on the wrong side of the road

[trondvo]

Trond, just remember to drive on the wrong side of the road once reaching the land with imperial speedlimits :D

Honestly, it's you who drive on the wrong side of the road

Ever since I sold my J2 my steering wheels tell me I am on right side of the road... (oops, forgot the mark X 8) )

[Heuer]

Remember there are no on the spot traffic fines over here and no reciprocal agreement's to provide owner registration details. It will all change in 2017 so make the most of it - drive safe, drive fast but maybe not in that van of yours

If you encounter any problems put up a post and help will not be far away.

[trondvo]

Ended up with a VW 2.5 Transporter T5, it has a larger loading area han the Peugeots I was first interested in, suppose I have to fill it to justify the cost of the trip :)

Plan was to leave today but I could not get away, paperwork on the van and I had to quick service the van as well. Tomorrow morning we are heading south.

Have a few questions, might as well give it a try!

1) Any suggestions to a dealer with Motorcycle Batteries on my route M20-25-40 Dover to Birmigham? Both my Ducati's need a new battery, the GBP 60-ish Gel batteris I bought 2 years ago are both dead. I want Yuasa, they last 5 years or more.

2) The FHC's (1964 Mark X) head is in now packed in my van and I hope to find a shop with fast turnover on valve guide, seat grind and possibly surfacing. I have a lead in Coventry and will call them tomorrow, if they do not have the time any suggestions to machine shops that know their XK heads are welcome!

3) Seem to be quite a few ferry companies from Dunkirk or Calais, is it really needed to book in advance or could I just pop up and worst case wait a little to get on a ferry? Any recommendations to ferry company?


Lots of questions, but I will bring my laptop and the GPS so I should be able to do some research when checking it at the first hotel stop, somewhere between London and Birmigham I think.