Renault 11 Turbo Phase 2 Restoration

[Brigsy]

Plugs always foul up on a c1j if the engine is run a few times and not fully up to temp. Need to be driven to clean the plugs.

 

[Big Steve - Raider]

Bloody rear calliper is still leaking, even after getting Bigg Red to rebuild them…. Again..!


Two new callipers ordered and to be fitted asap..

 

[Duncan Grier]

Hopefully all good with new ones on route @Big Steve - Raider

 

[Big Steve - Raider]

The car got spotted at Retro Rides Gathering last month, and got tagged into a post on Instagram. Think what this chap wrote was fantastic:

 

[Big Steve - Raider]

New spark plugs arrived on Saturday, so I gapped them down to 0.6mm and then installed them into the engine.

Started the car and she was then running really well again, so as the weather was bright and dry, I decided to nip out for a quick run.

First stop petrol:


Then I took it for a drive and gave it a proper Italian Tune Up

And for the first time in years since I rebuilt it, I felt the same love for it from back in the day… and it’s still probably only boosting up with about 10psi!!!

Feeling really positive about it, I then returned home and heard a suspicious noise under the bonnet… when I investigated, I found that the bolt holding the long Alternator to the block had started backing out phew, that’s ok!

But…


hang on…


what’s going on with that spark plug…


It’s bloody loose!??


OH BALLS… The Spark plug thread In Cylinder #2 has gone… (was a little unsure of it when I installed the plugs…) but now it’s totally gone..

So repair kit ordered:

25 Piece Spark Plug Thread Repair Kit M14 x 1.25 with Metal Case 5055282034170 | eBay

Tap - M14 X 1.25. Step-tap - M14 X1.25 : M15.8 X 1.25. Spark Plug Thread Repair Kit 25pc. Insert Drive - Id - 3/8". Includes set of plug inserts.

www.ebay.co.uk

And prayers for a good result starts tonight…

 

[Duncan Grier]

Is sometimes just the way, 2 steps forward 1 back @Big Steve - Raider - looks great and no doubt cylinder 2 be back to 110% and back to firing all cylinders

 

[Big Steve - Raider]

Is sometimes just the way, 2 steps forward 1 back @Big Steve - Raider - looks great and no doubt cylinder 2 be back to 110% and back to firing all cylinders

Yeah you can say that again mate, this car is fighting me every bloody step of the way…

 

[Steve Swan]

Are these actual inserts rather than helicoil types?? Helicoil is fine on bolts that don't need to be disturbed regularly. Full insert better on a plug thread and easier to fit.

 

[Big Steve - Raider]

Are these actual inserts rather than helicoil types?? Helicoil is fine on bolts that don't need to be disturbed regularly. Full insert better on a plug thread and easier to fit.

Yeah these are full inserts, I hate Helicoils, what a shower they are…

 

[Steve Swan]

They can be a bit fiddly. esp the really fine pitches..

 

[gordini stu]

Bloody hell mate. That’s not so good

Loc tite. Them in , I used to centre dot the edge to stop them coming out
You probably no all this
Had a snap on kit back in the day they were the best you could get at the time

 

[Big Steve - Raider]

Just can’t handle the mis-aligned bump strip on the Nearside rear quarter, following a re-alignment of the door…

So no other choice, than to remove it:



And re-fit it:

Then adding a new bit of pinstripe to the insert:

MUCH BETTER!!!!

 

[Big Steve - Raider]

Got my parcel shelf back from the trimmers this afternoon, looking a lot better now the bow has been removed, and it’s been recovered in a slightly darker shade of grey to better match the anthracite seat material:

 

[Duncan Grier]

Much better imo

 

[Chris Smith]

Looks very nice…. Wasn’t tempted to go retro and make a stealth shelf?

 

[Big Steve - Raider]

Looks very nice…. Wasn’t tempted to go retro and make a stealth shelf?

Not this time mate, already got the hidden 10inch sub in the N/S Quarter. Sound system already sounds tha nuts in this car!!

 

[Chris Smith]

Not this time mate, already got the hidden 10inch sub in the N/S Quarter. Sound system already sounds tha nuts in this car!!

How’s that retro head unit?

 

[Big Steve - Raider]

How’s that retro head unit?

Not really used it.. But when has a fiddle with it, seems good.

 

[Big Steve - Raider]

BREATHE

STAY CALM

COUNT TO 10

Ok, let’s continue…

And prayers for a good result starts tonight…

Spark plug repair kit arrived ok:

Took a brave pill, and got stuck into it last night:

Plenty of Heavy Grease used on the stepped tap, to try & collect the swarf from dropping into the cylinder:

Seems to have worked a treat!
Then the new insert loaded onto the tool:

And then tried to wind it all the way in… struggled to get it started, but when I did, it was stiff as Tried to back it off and then re-install and then “CRACK” the insert broke:

Thankfully it had already deposited 3 or 4 threads into the head so there’s enough meat to screw the spark plug back in, but not perfect…

Installed a spark plug, and looks like I’ve got away with it.

Managed to take the car over to my local dent-man today, for him to remove the dent caused by the Gazebo of Win falling into the boot after the National Day this year.. he’s made a GREAT job and you don’t know the car was damaged now.

Thing is, in the 5 minute drive there & back I’ve now got a PROPER clunking going on from a wheel somewhere that sounds like one of the 4 is about to drop off…

So….

BREATHE

STAY CALM

COUNT TO 10

 

[tca576]

bloody hell you've been having a nightmare with this!