Well, 1000+ miles since it was all bolted back together, taxed and MOT'd... and all is going pretty well.
For the last couple of days I've been down in the South West with Broady having JMG look the cars over and I am very pleased with both the service, the value and the results. Before heading off I'd changed the oil and coolant at 500 miles to ensure that any detritus lingering in there was thoroughly eradicated. Now running G13 coolant and Mobil 1 I'm enjoying steady temperatures and oil pressure and the car is starting to really feel alive again. Jamie at JMG set the engine up after giving it a New Customer Inspection and it feels really perky! The inspection revealed a short list of things to do, but nothing that I didn't know about, and in some cases I already have the parts ready to fit. It is reassuring to have had his expert eye over the car and this gives me great confidence to keep improving. JMG also checked the belts tension as it was nigh on 1000 miles at that point, still sounds a bit washing-machine like, if the car wasn't the Cream Puff it'd have to be the Spin Cycle.
New Forest Special Stage by
iancleary (taken by Broady_6), on Flickr
So other than it being filthy (I'm counting on a day of cleaning tomorrow - weather permitting) I'm feeling great about the Puff, but must sort that bonnet shut line out...
Filthy after Dorset Dash by
iancleary, on Flickr
One thing I did do today, which is very satisfying is I swapped out the original "lozenge" steering wheel for a three spoke version. I love a three spoke wheel and the 1970s/80s Porsche wheel has appealed since I briefly had a 924 with one fitted. I've been on the hunt for a brown one with a leather rim and for £40 odd I wasn't too hopeful for the condition of the one I had won on eBay, however other than being filthy and requiring a repair on the horn wire it was really cherry, and I'm very pleased with the results of a clean and how it sits with the rest of the cockpit...
930 wheel meets 945 cockpit by
iancleary, on Flickr
I know it's a bit of a subjective thing, and I'll be keeping the four spoke safely to one side as it's in great condition and is original to the car (the original ATS Cookie Cutters are squirrelled away too, for a refurb at some point). I like the personalisation, but that originality can be restored very easily