[Spridgets] One job leads to another

[Weslake1330]

Hi List,

This is a long story of one job leads to another.

In the summer I found the throttle was sticking slightly at low revs on my
Sprite.  In fact the problem had existed for several months and initially I
thought the clutch was slipping on gear changes.  The old throttle cable
was so rubbish I wondered why I hadn't replaced long ago.  Then I
remembered that using the Janspeed linkage meant the barrel end of the
cable had to be painstakingly filed to a smaller size because I hadn't
found an inner that would work.  Still not much of an excuse.

So I ordered a couple of cables from ebay and one wasn't going to work and
the other was a painstakingly file to fit cable.  At this point I decided
that the Janspeed linkage had more wear in it than I really wanted.  I
couldn't find a used Janspeed linkage and not for the first time Janspeed
told me the linkage was no longer available new and likewise parts.  I'll
continue the search for another Janspeed linkage, and until I have one
won't strip down and consider the re-bushing of my only spare.

However, my spare linkage was pressed into service being deemed to have
less free play than the one on the car at that time.  Yes, I did also look
at new linkages of various types but didn't particularly like the like of
what I saw and as usual money was tight (the story of my life?).  I did
replace the screws with new ones I bought in stainless steel or did I do
that when I swapped out the cold start device cover?

So, some time later the linkage had been swapped and a new inner and outer
throttle cable fitted and adjusted, and adjusted, and adjusted and test
driven and re-adjusted.

At some point I realised I hadn't re-locked the jet inspection cover.  They
don't have a hole in the ear for lock-wiring from the factory and neither
does the Janspeed linkage.  It was relatively early in my DCOE ownership
that I lost a jet inspection cover and I guess after one of those early jet
swaps (idles from memory) I guess I simply didn't pinch it up tight
enough.  It was probably a decade later before I 'discovered' lock wiring
and now lock wire a lot of stuff.  I even have ARP s/s bolts EDM (
Electrical Discharge Machining) drilled for lock wiring (not cheap).

In a rare moment of genius (I am getting older) I decided instead of
drilling the linkage I could drill the corner of the Jet filter cover.  A
tricky job and I'm guessing the reason I may not have done this previously
was because it pre-dated my having a little jig tool I have that easily
facilitates that.  As I believe I've said before, when posting a photo of
the jig in use, it was a gift from Chuck (so thanks again Chuck).  Ideally
I could have used a new jet filter cover but they are £10 + postage each
and so I didn't bother.  The hole drilled ok (new Makita cordless drill is
a dream to use (Christmas present to myself, in the sale, with multiple
funding sources to make it happen) albeit not perfectly centered on the
bolt corner (I was in a rush!).

The jet inspection cover itself looked to tatty to use again so I ordered a
new one (and one reason why I didn't have £10 spare for a filter cover).
It arrived today complete with a gasket, yes, complete with a gasket.  I
fitted it, nipped it up tight and then marked with a pencil which ear to
drill for the neatest alignment to the jet filter cover (forgot to mention
I did mark the jet filter cover before I'd drilled it for the best
alignment).  Removed the cover with the gasket, yes complete with the
gasket.  Got the drill out, put a bit in it and hesitated.  The drill would
skid about or maybe even snap unless I dot-punched the cover ear, so I
carefully dot punched the cover ear.  The Makita drill was once more a
dream to use but I do need to sharpen the bit before using it again.
Lovely job, just needs to be re-fitted now.

But, WAIT, where is the gasket.

In a cold, near freezing garage I begin the long search for the gasket but
it could not be found.  Order 2 new gaskets on ebay £3.70.  Then remove the
gasket from the new DCOE in my wardrobe (yes my new spare DCOE lives in the
clothes wardrobe in my bedroom) and use that.

The alignment is not quite the same.

Still on the second attempt the two covers were successfully wired together
to what I'd call an average standard.  After cutting the twisted section
and bending it over (to prevent cuts and bloodshed on a sharp twisted wire
stub) it now looks slightly less than average but ok for now, ok until I
stop noticing it.

So here ends the story of one job leads to another.

Regards


Daniel
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