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Post by 205GRD on May 29, 2013 21:20:52 GMT
classicmfb - The main specialist for the 304 is Darius Bunch, he is located in Hertfordshire. But the guys on here are pretty useful too. As you've joined the club, Aaron the 304 registrar is pretty knowledgeable on the cars too - he has two of them and has done several bits with them.
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Post by classicmfb on Aug 20, 2013 16:42:45 GMT
Thank you 205GRD. I've taken so long to post again as I've been having transmission problems with the car which, despite the installation of a new clutch, master cylinder and slave cylinder, don't seem to be capable of being solved.
Common sense suggests I should cut my loses before my wallet has to go on life support but I'd like to speak to Darius Bunch about the issue before 'throwing in the towel' just in case he's seen it before and can sort it out. Trouble is I can't find a phone number for him - can anybody help with a number or email address please as I'm really not the Facebook type.
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Post by Dave45 on Aug 20, 2013 20:34:07 GMT
Here you go according to google... 01923 255358
What's the transmission doing out of interest? And are you getting the same fault after fitting a new clutch? Just thinking of any silly mistakes like fitting the clutch plate in the wrong way round etc. Also early type clutches are adjustable on the clutch fork.
One of my 304s used to baulk into gear similar to a knackered synchro. I diagnosed it as oil on the clutch plate causing drag and not disengaging it properly. I did a minor burn out slipping the clutch. It must've burnt the oil off as it sorted it out a treat!
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Post by classicmfb on Aug 20, 2013 21:35:43 GMT
Thank you Dave45. I think that number may be out of date, but then again it might simply be that there's a temporary fault on the line. As for the car, it's a long story:
It all started when, as you may recall, I broke a plug in the head. I had no luck extracting the remnant and no proper facilities for dismantling the engine, so I entrusted the job to a local classic car specialist. The head didn't want to leave the block and the effort to remove it caused one or more of the liners to be disturbed - no problem thought I, I'll take the opportunity to have a set of new pistons and liners installed. So the engine had to come out, at which point it was discovered that the clutch was heavily worn. OK, while the engine's on the bench, I'll have a new clutch set too.
The engine went back in and ran nicely but the clutch hydraulics were now taking in air, so I bought new master and slave cylinders. But even with everything renewed, the clutch (which didn't have a problem before this saga began!) can seemingly only be set up to drag or to slip, but not to do neither and the new clutch plate was described by the men who fitted it as being the same thickness as the old worn out one. It's as if the new slave cylinder was meant for use with a thicker clutch, but all the parts were bought from Dean Hunter who of course knows his Peugeots inside out and have been fitted by 'old school' mechanics who work on classic cars every day.
So the situation is that everything's been changed but nobody knows why the clutch won't work properly, so the car remains undriveable, as it has been since shortly after I bought it. I'm not in a position to throw money at the car indefinitely, so I shall have to say 'GAME OVER' at some point. Mr Bunch will probably be the last roll of the die...
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Post by Dave45 on Aug 22, 2013 19:18:55 GMT
Do you have a haynes manual? Have a look in there at the clutch section. There are about 12 different types of clutch listed fro the 304. The main difference is whether it is 190mm or 200mm diameter. It may be the wrong type or also possible to put the clutch plate in the way round.
An alternative is to have your old unit re-lined. Costs about £50ish but you know it will definitely fit. The clutch can also be done with the engine in place and shouldn't be too tricky to do if it has recently been split.
Don't give up hope yet, or if you do, let me know. I may be interested!
Also, if you have the old slave cylinder, compare it to the new one fitted. I think there are two, possibly three different choices.
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Post by classicmfb on Oct 11, 2013 22:21:48 GMT
Thank you Dave45
Over the last two months the clutch problem has been resolved (a third slave cylinder did the trick), the car has gained an MOT and is useable now, albeit in need of new engine mounts. The end of the journey is at last in sight.
To celebrate, I thought I'd treat the car to a new spare tyre but was surprised to be told by the fitter that an inner tube is needed for original 304 wheels - something to do with the presence (or was it the absence?) of an 'inner flange'. The Bridgestones I had fitted to the other four (factory)wheels shortly after I acquired the car haven't got tubes and I bought them from the very same tyre depot! I was under the impression putting tubes in tyres designed to run without them isn't wise, so now I'm quite confused; do 304ers in the know use inner tubes?
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Post by Dave45 on Oct 12, 2013 15:36:55 GMT
Nah! Also, instead of the original 145 r14 tyres, use 165/70 r14's. They're more readily available, cheaper and give the same profile so as not to throw your speedo out. I bought some 165/70 R14 Michelin energy tyres for about £45 each and fit without a tube. It will say on the tyre sidewall if they are designed for tubes or not.
Excellent news on the clutch front!!!
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