So, the plan was to do the clutch on the DAF. This is, obviously a simple job…
1) Remove the bonnet, bumper and grille
2) Detach all electrics (including the solenoid on the carb, the coil, the ….)
3) Remove the air filter
4) Remove the exhaust and heat exchangers
5) Slip out the engine and clutch
6) Change the clutch
7) Put the whole darn lot back together.
Theoretically a weekend should have been enough. Hell, with enough light and it being warm enough it should have been done in a day. Unfortunately, mid way through day two (siezed bolts, the fact it was freezing yesterday) this bolt intervened:
It is actually impossible to reach with ordinary spanners, a 3/4" wrench or a 1/2" wrench (even with a UJ inserted into the mix). I’m contemplating a set of S-shaped spanners but I’m not sure I can even get it off with them. I’m suspecting that the answer is: Angle grind off old exhaust (which I suspect may have been badly welded), Replace. Put on new exhaust with S-spanners. Unfortunately this doesn’t fit into the plan of having the car running tomorrow, or uh, any day this week.
It’s very annoying to have been defeated by a single nut. Once that’s off the engine can come out and we can attempt to change the clutch shoes, but until it’s done we’re stuck with a DAF on ramps with a tarp over the front on our drive. Not really what we had in mind.
On the plus side, we had a very, very nice dinner yesterday at Wagamamas in Windsor. And then came home and had a very nice evening at home :)
Also on the plus points, the minor’s oil leak is now sorted, theoretically, and the heater while not pumping out heat is significantly warmer.
