Jackdaw 49

2nd October 2007 Tuesday
Cleaned out the yard yesterday so I can get to Jackdaw again, its amazing where all the rubbish comes from and Jackdaw ended up looking like a tip with bits and pieces piled up all over it. This morning I went round the recycling centre and threw the lot out.
Before I started on anything else I thought I would try to start up the van as it’s been stood since I picked it up from Andy’s.
At first it was sluggish and would not fire so I sprayed a bit of damp start in the carb and it fired up with a big bang but it soon conked out. There was no fuel left in the tank. While I was out getting petrol I thought I would see if I could pick up a scrap silencer from one of the exhaust centres to try and temporarily quieten things down a little but with no luck the bins had just been emptied so our Michael is keeping a look out at his place.
Late afternoon I got back with a gallon and finally got it going

3rd October 2007 Wednesday
Had to go to a funeral today for a friend from the magic circle so nothing with Jackdaw. But just a note when I came home I noticed a strong smell of petrol in the yard so there must be a leak somewhere. Mike brought me a piece of exhaust home with just a middle box so I will see if it works tomorrow.

4rd October 2007 Thursday
Plans out the window again because my father has been taken into hospital for tests.

5th October 2007 Friday
Finally had chance to fit the new master brake cylinder today, it’s only been 3 months, what do you want?
I fitted it to the van and primed it and it squirted brake fluid everywhere so I connected the pipes and pumped the pedal and fluid came from the nipples so I got Marilyn to pump (the brakes) and I bled the system and bingo! Mari shouted that there was pressure at the pedal it would not go all the way down. I thought, by jingo I’ve cracked it. But! The front wheels were locked solid. I pushed and pulled and eventually got the passenger side wheel to move a bit and then Mari pressed the brake again and it worked on and off with a bit of binding but it went round and stopped with the brake pressed. The driver’s side was stuck fast. With the help of a hammer and lump of wood I managed to free it so I stripped out the brake pads had a bit of a clean round and put it back together but still no joy. When I pressed the brake pedal the wheel jammed solid again and I could not turn the road wheel by hand. Using the wood and hammer method I freed it again. This time I thought I would use the weight of the van. There is only about 4 feet of space back and forth but I tried it and the brakes seem to be working but they are still sticking. (This is the first time the van moved and stopped under it’s own steam). I suspect the front callipers are chuffed but I have been on the web and a few suggestions seem to indicate the flexi hoses could be knackered casing the cylinders to remain under pressure. Luckily I have 2 new ones so I will try replacing them after my hols next week before I look for new callipers.
Nearly forgot I fixed the petrol leak but because the van is up on the trailer and I am such a fat B***** I can not get under the van to put on the exhaust pipe. It was fine when the engine was out I climbed in the hole but now everything is in the way. I could do with a pit or the trailer out of the way so I can jack up Jackdaw better.