My Stag, looks good doesn't it - don't be fooled, beauty is only skin deep.
I bought my Stag as a roadworthy car from a specialist dealer in Thorney Cambridgeshire. That was a mistake, if you're ever tempted to buy a car from there - don't. If you ever drive past the place, spit at it for me. Why? Read on.
After a very few miles use the engine overheated, a common problem with early Stags, caused by blocked passageways, warped heads and inadequate water pumps among other problems. I eventually found out that the water pump drive had not been lubricated due to blocked oilways and it had worn down the drive gears until they would not actually drive the pump, causing the failure in this case.
I renewed the pump and jackshaft, no easy task but these too failed. On dropping the sump I found it, and the oil filter, clogged with metal shavings and debris. neither the oil nor the filter had been changed by the garage. At least one would expect them to have given the car a basic service. I should then have insisted on the garage taking responsibility and compensating me but they denied any responsibility despite the car having only done a few miles before the breakdown. I did contact Trading Standards, but they, while giving good advice were not very forthcoming in practical help. As I was going through a period of depression at the time I was not my normal assertive self so I didn't pursue the matter, much to my eternal regret. Even though I was legally in the right and the garage were liable as it was a trade transaction. See Here for your rights, this applieas to second hand goods as well. my car was certainly not of 'satisfacory quality' or 'fit for purpose'. If you go through this, please remember your statutory rights and don't do as I did and give up. Pursue the bastards.
I then decided to buy a new motor from Rimmer brothers and collected this from their premises. However, my car had been resprayed from Russet (read shitty) Brown to a nice metallic dark red called 'Indian Red', a Volkswagen colour. But the underbonnet had just been roughly handpainted matt black - where the painter could reach - nice! So I decided to do the job properly while the engine was out.
That was six years ago and I've not even got the engine bay resprayed yet! I became disillusioned and disheartened, due in no small part to my illness. Depression can be an incredibly debilitating condition. The rest of this blog will try to map the trials and tribulations, holdups and procrastinations since then. I will write this in order to try and stimulate myself to complete the task and get the project underway again. I would love to see the car on the road again and get the engine from out of my garage where it is obstructing access. ( It is thoroughly shrink wrapped in tough plastic) I have more timeon my hands, Especially now I am retired. Come back for more - including technical and practical details, I hope.
