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I just stumbled upon a set of VDP **** floor carpets/mats on Ebay and grabbed them. Cost me just a bit over $200.00 for the three. I am not sure if this is a good deal, but if they are in as good a condition as they look in the add, then I will be happy. Can't be too many of these sets left around in decent condition. I bet many of them have found their way into the trash by owners not realizing their future value. Their use will be limited to mostly car shows.
This is how they were advertised:
1978 Jaguar Custom made floor Mats - Brown - Woolly See Pics for Dims & Read
Funny thing is, I know the song and thought the same thing.
My car came with these **** carpets, but the backing on one of the rears and the front passenger needs resewing. Also, the passenger's carpet has seen some use, and I am not sure if it could be cleaned and brought somewhat back to its original "Wooly Bully" state.
Took advantage of some warmer weather and replaced the cam covers with a spare set that I detailed.
I would like to replace the head stud nuts with new cleaner ones. but I have heard the horror stories of snapping head studs, so am leaning towards leaving well enough alone even on a motor with only 24,000 miles. Maybe clean up the ones on the car as much as possible and painting silver to match the head.
One of the power steering hoses sprung a leak. I couldn't identify which one, so I replaced them both with new hoses from Moss Motors. No more power steering leak.
More engine detailing. Hard to see in the picture, but the front radiator core support was getting a bit crusty, so it was removed, and I had it powder coated in a satin black. That also gave me a good opportunity to replace the double-sided tape on the wiring harness clips that had failed over time,
I like to use a product called ACF-50 to protect the engine compartment. This is an anti-corrosion product used a lot in the aviation world. I have found it goes a long way to prevent corrosion/oxidation. I spray a little bit on a paint brush and coat everything in the engine compartment.
I know the ultimate goal is to keep all water and moisture out of the cabin, but if even a small amount does get in the foam under the carpets absorbs it like a sponge and then mild can grow and then you end up with that old car musty smell. My solution, and probably not for everyone, is to replace the open cell foam backed thick rubber mats with closed cell foam that won't absorb moisture. I also knock out the factory plugs and replace them with Mercedes trunk grommets designed to let water out, but not in. Then I put the original floor mats down.
The VDP specific rugs are only used if going to a show given how nice they are. Nice and just a little more than over the top posh.
Today saw some maintenance and some frustration from a past oil change. I added in-line filters, 1/2", Wix part number 33299, where the fuel feed lines come out of the tanks and feed the changeover valve.
A simple oil change turned into a bit of a pain. Whoever changed the oil last used a filter that was much large, longer in length, than the original. So long that there was only about 1/2" at best between the end of the filter and the frame rail. I didn't have enough room to get the "socket" style tool on, not enough room to slip my band style tool on and ended up having to make a trip to the parts store to buy a vice grip style filter wrench. Proper size Wix filter and 8 quarts of Castrol 20W-50 oil later and I am back in business.
Another way of dealing with oil filters like this is to stab straight through the filter body with a large screwdriver.
That will give you leverage to get the filter turning to a point where it can be rotated by hand.
I have had to do this a few times on other cars and trucks where gorillas have put the filter on and I have been unable to get a decent filter wrench to hold
Yes, I have resorted to the screwdriver method in the past as well, but the cost of the vice grip wrench was worth it to prevent as much of a mess. I guess I could have punched a hole in the bottom of the filter and let it drain before removing it.
I know they are out of site, but those rusted exhaust clamps are unsightly. And these are only a matter of a few months old. Time to replace them with some stainless ones.
02-10-2024, 07:36 PM
