What lies beneath

...the rocker covers?

Today I set about looking under the rocker covers to try and track down a tapping noise.

So far I've managed to get the passenger side cover off (I'll post some pictures later).

I've started on the drivers side but that's quite a bit more involved.

The passenger side looks good - no rocker arms are missing any pads and the engine looks clean and very well cared for despite it's high miles.

I'm hoping the drivers side is the same - which would point towards my failure to identify a blowing exhaust gasket - that would be considerably cheaper than new camshaft, tappets, lifters, rockers etc.

Photos to follow...

V8 OHH

As a birthday/christmas present I've been given the registration number V8 OHH - Brilliant - It suits the TVR perfectly (and it wouldn't look out of place on the rangerover either!)

Winter tasks

I am planning to take the car off of the road for the winter. This is not because I'm precious about it being damaged in the winter, or that I'm scared about driving it on slippery roads but simply because it needs some work and winter is the best time for me to do it from a finance and time perspective. (Road fund license is about to expire so now is a good time!)

I've noticed a constant tapping at idle and when driving - this has been looked at by at least 3 people now and each has even me conflicting advice. I suspect the Camshaft and lifters, but I'd rather it was just an exhaust manifold problem.

According to my research the noise could be any of a number of things.

1. Hydraulic lifter problem
2. Rocker seat(s) missing
3. Exhaust manifold leak
4. High-tension arcing
5. Camshaft/Valve train problems

I've also got a 'knocking' noise coming from the rear whenever I pull alway, again this could be a number of things.

1. Exhaust mounts
2. Diff mounts
3. Loose propshaft bolts
4. Rear ARB drop links
   

Finally there is an minor oil leak - but I suspect it's something inaccessible it could the source.

1. Rear rocker cover gasket failure
2. Head gasket leak
3. Core plug(s) leak
4. Sump plug leak

All these are going to require some time and effort and undoubtedly money to fix.

I'm also looking to:

1. replace rocker covers with some nice refurbished ones
2. Replace anti-roll bar drop links with some of Steve Heaths' replacements
3. Sell my motorbike to fund a respray and parts
4. Sell lots of old electronic (hifi etc) that I don't need
5. Finish tidying up the interior
6. Look at tidying up the hood

Lot and lots to do but very enjoyable.

Broken bonnet mount

I noticed when fitting my alternator that the passenger side bonnet mounting was broken. I have been wondering why it was rubbing so badly.

I purchased a pot of P40 Isofix and re-fibreglassed the mount back into place.

It's a two person job getting the bonnet off. Pretty simple as it's held in place by 4 allen bolts.

Here she is with her bonnet off.


I took the time to paint the exhaust manifolds with Very High temperature matt black paint whilst I had good access. A few more inaccessible bits to do - but need to get under the car for those. (note shinny new alternator and poly vee belt)

Agggh - Charging Light On

This is a scary light on a Chimaera.

My engine is a V8 serpentine which means it has a single 'poly-vee' belt that runs ancillary components. In my case:

• PAS Pump
• Water pump
• Alternator

The scary thing about this light when it's lit is that it might mean that the water (which gets bloody hot) might not be circulating quickly enough.

I pulled straight over and popped the bonnet. Belt intact and looks ok (a bit old) but ok.
Restarted car and it was fine....strange.

Went home and thought about it - possible alternator - possible 'poly-vee belt'

Decided I'd get the alternator out and replace it.
Also replace the poly-vee belt - I couldn't get hold of a 1850mm poly-belt so had to settle for 1855mm. (I bought 2 - one as a spare)

New alternator arrive and it had a strange cover - I managed to modify it so that it looked OE and fitted correctly.

Fitted belt and alternator. Started up and light flickered and went out..... superb.
Left it for a bit - thinking all was fixed, came back and restarted and OH NO light back on!

P*ssed off and tired I posted to the Pistonheads TVR forum - from the suggestions it turns out it might be the 100A fuse.


Looked underneath the car at the 100A fuse and viola - look what I found.

Cleaned up terminals and fitted a new fuse - perfect!

Door cards part II

Carpet arrived around 10am - exactly as described.

Looks good

I went straight out to the garage to set about re-trimming the doors.

Door card removal is a complete swine, will be replacing holding nuts with M8 Wingnuts.....

Here is a shot of them half way through - the top part is a cut piece of carpet ready for gluing, the bottom is the door card it's going onto.


Will upload some images when I've got them back into the car.

Door cards part I

Decided today that I don't like the magnolia leather door cards and prefer the carpeted type that I had on my previous Chimaera.

So I have ordered some Blenheim midnight blue Nylon backed carpet from Coverdale Carpets.
I ordered 1.5mx1m which should be enough to do both door cards and leave some spare if I screw it up.

I popped down to B&Q and bought some evostick spray impact adhesive.

Carpet should arrive tomorrow!