Manky's Pop.

[BikerGran]

Nonsense, just make sure you've got a baked bean can, some tin snips and some wire in the car!

[Manky Monkey]

  Not that easy Bobbi. If it's the exhaust, it's the manifold, tucked up under the front of the engine where you can't even see it, let alone fix it. Been making odd noises under load for a few weeks now, (the car, not me). Might be the inlet manifold. I hate modern cars!

[terry t]

this might be a stupid question Andy.
but have you got the oil water petrol some wire terminals and a charged up battery

[Manky Monkey]

Got the old oil still in the motor -I was once told you shouldn't add fresh oil when starting an engine that's been stood for some time. No idea why.
Got more transmission oil to top up the auto gearbox, (we've changed the oil cooler hoses since it last ran).
Plenty of water in the tap outside.
Picking up a couple of gallons of unleaded tomorrow.
Got some jump leads & a few odd lengths of wire, but will look out some terminals to go with it in the morning.
Battery's fully charged.

We've changed the old SU carbs for a single 4 barrel Holley since it last ran, so hoping someone will know how to set it up. 

[Manky Monkey]

It lives!! My God Igor, we've created a Mankster!

I know some readers only browse certain sections of the forum, so I've copied this from the Events section:

We were originally approached by the Surrey Street Rodders, who organise a garage night once a month, to see what's going on in other people's workshops. They asked if we'd like to host the February get-together. Yeah, great -we need a hand to fire the car up so come on over. And things kinda grew from there. We had no idea either the lads from Wyliez Autos or the Guzzlers car club were coming, but were very pleased to see them all.
Many, many thanks to all who turned out on a chilly February evening to come see us. Nobody actually counted, but we reckon between 25 & 30 guys, all crammed into Loony's workshop, drinking coffee, munching donuts & peering at the Pop.
Nice to see our own Terry T & Goforest, plus a contingent from the Surrey Street Rodders & an equal number of our mates from the Basingstoke based Guzzlers rod club, (turns out they've recently taken on a community workshop just over the hill from Loony's place). We middle aged hotrodders were matched by a showing of local younger petrolheads too. We were chuffed to bits with the turn out. Loony's workshop's never seen so much activity. Good job there's plenty of parking room in the yard outside. There's talk of maybe arranging a barbeque there in the Summer.
Stars of the evening were definitely Ian & the crew from Wyliez Autos. They arrived from Reading in Berkshire in their Chevy Suburban truck, pulled a propane heater out of the back & a box of assorted ignition parts & immediately set to work, hooking the Pop up. After some discussion about the firing order & whether it needed a ballast resisitor or not, the shop was soon reverberating to the sound of 3 & a half litres of V8, snorting through the 2 foot long header pipes. Damn that's loud! Think we might be needing a silencer or 2 on that at some point. Sounded great though. Considering it's been sat for the best part of 2 years without even turning over, it fired up & ran suprisingly easily. A tribute to the bullet-proof nature of the big Rover motor, more than our mechanical skills I suspect. I happily admit I'm no engine specialist. I can build a vehicle around a motor, but when it comes to setting it up & fault finding, I stand back & let those that know do their thing. So I was happy to chat & look on from a safe distance while the chaps filled an old scooter tank with petrol, wired the battery up to a temporary starter button & generally performed their mechanical magic.
A couple of minor glitches to sort out-
1 petrol leak from a gasket under the front of the new Holley carb, (I blame Taz for that as she was the one who rebuilt it on the kitchen worktop).
1 water leak from the new aluminium radiator, (I had the bottom outlet repositioned to clear the front axle. The end of the outlet pipe's not quite round, so the rubber hose didn't seal properly on it).
1 oil leak from the new rocker covers, (O.K, my fault for not tightening them down enough).
The electric fuel pump that came with the engine also turned out to be knackered, pouring petrol out, hence the gravity fed plastic bike tank.
Other than that though, not bad at all. We ran the engine 3 times during the evening, sounding smoother each time as things settled in & warmed up. The Wyliez boys were very keen to get it over to their workshop in Reading, where they can put it up on the lift to weld the underside of the chassis, re-bleed the brakes, wire it up & generally fettle it, ready for it's first drive.
So looks like our next task is to finish the exhaust system, then start in on the bodywork.

As is always the way with social gatherings, I didn't get to talk to half the people there last night, so to all of you who came along, a million thanks guys. The enthusiasm & generosity was truly heart warming. I'm sure Mr Lunatic will join me in saying you're all more than welcome to call in any time you're passing.
As predicted, my digital camera was cr*p in the low light conditions, so most of the snaps I took were too blurry to post. So if anyone has some better pics we can use, or footage of the engine running they can post on YouTube, it'd be greatly appreciated.
Thanks again chaps. 

[Manky Monkey]

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[Manky Monkey]

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[Manky Monkey]

At this point the motor was actually running, though without the benefit of film footage, you'll have to imagine the rumpitty, rumpitty noise for now.
Time for a celebratory donut or 6.
Loony & I were the last to leave the workshop after we'd said goodbye to everyone & they'd headed off into the darkness again. A huge leap forward in the birth of this beast. It's very nearly a proper car now.
I'm a happy bunny.

[terry t]

Hi Andy.yes there was a good turn out. and i am glad that i came and helped in a small way to get your POP alive and running again  even though it was only for a short period.and to see the smile yours and  every one face when she bursted into life.

Andy. did The Wylies Boy say your head lights might be a problem on the msva test if so check these out
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230561430258&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

[Manky Monkey]

Hi Terry. Good to see you matey.
Yeah, something about the beam pattern. Mine are actually repro tractor lights. I've been wondering whether I should change them for a while, but was going to get them wired up first & see how they look. Problem is, if I change them I'll probably have to alter the mounts too as they have captive nuts welded into them. Not a huge job to do, but no point if I don't need to.
Ian fron Wyliez Autos is importing American style wiring loom kits for a fraction of the cost of similar kits on Ebay. He thinks they might not work so well with the British switches I have in the Pop & suggested I change them for American switches. I'd rather stick with the layout we have though, even if it means more relays/fuses etc. 

[BikerGran]

How exciting to have it running - must be a real spur to get on with it and get it on the road!

 

[toad]

wooohoooo!!! glad ya got it running. i would have popped over but still not feeling right! on that note anybody fancy having a go at starting my bike? rebuilt overbored topend starter wont turn it over and i can just kick it over and im 17 stone

[thebigdogsix]

Nice one Andy   

[Manky Monkey]

I've got no mechanical skills at all Toady. If you can't start it, I've got no chance!
I'm having a day off from the workshop today, but will be back to tackle the leaks & carry on with the exhausts tomorrow.

[toad]

I've got no mechanical skills at all Toady. If you can't start it, I've got no chance!
I'm having a day off from the workshop today, but will be back to tackle the leaks & carry on with the exhausts tomorrow.

oh it,ll start and run just need a big fat b*****d to jump on the kicker to do the initial fire up its just a bit tight at the mo ;)l