Tantalising Road Trip

[Jono]

After thirteen, somewhat tortuous months, I finally attempted and completed the longest ever journey in my Beta. Sittingbourne to Seaford! Under load the engine was running worryingly hot. My eye fliting back and forth to the temp guage, that's dead central in ones eyeline. Grazing the red section, then edging just down into white as I decreased speed. I was returning from Iain Swan's workshop after he'd resolved some breathing issues with my newly fabricated tank. Safely back in Sussex, I find after pressure tests, a hair-line fracture in the top water rail to the head. I'd had the top rail modified to accept the in-head thermostat. Am not entirely surprised, just another little set-back. Two flexible 'elbow' hoses are on order, plus a solid aluminium section to link. A sort of 'cut and shut' fix. BUT, what a joy do have that 80 mile trip, and approximately 300 miles since the new head gasket too. The more miles I rattle through, the more I can push through the snags. No more trips on low loaders. My speedo is in KM's and I was brushing 100. The car handles and rides so well, and at last I'm getting confident with it and it's capabilities now I'm ironing out the issues. Jono. One day I'll manage photos, but I have no smartphone, and am very low tech. Jono

[WestonE]

Well done! The description makes me want to go for a drive.

Eric 

[peteracs]

Nice one Jono. There is no substitute for actually driving the car to find out the problems.

Peter

[squiglyzigly]

Hi Jono,
I share your excitement wholeheartedly.
Even though I’ve been working on other peoples cars and restoring my own on and off for circa 30 years, I still get that buzz taking a beta out for the first time or after a lay up.

It’s a unique feeling.

Ian


My sister moved to Seaford this year so keep an eye out for my Berlina on the occasional weekend visit.

[Nigel]

Damn, I still haven't seen your car Jono!
Hopefully we'll do that meet up sometime soon.

It may be a couple of weeks though, as i've got the interior stripped right now!

I'm glad it's running better and I can also relate to that first proper drive!

Best regards, Nigel