Fresh Dutch Midas owner

[astonmartine]

Well, next problem.

I bought the fuel tank 08-02-381 for it, but my old sender unit doesn't seem to fit, so I need a new one. But since I don't have a parts catalogue (yet) I'm not sure which one I need. Would anyone here know?

[Hans Efde]

Hi Martine,
Here are the requested pics. The number you mentioned is from a second source supplier and is not mentioned in the IPC. These are the pics from the 84-89 Metro tank.

fueltank01.jpg (237.81 KiB) Viewed 4882 times

fueltank02.jpg (240.84 KiB) Viewed 4882 times

I also checked the picture of the older tank 80-84, but visually the sender unti looks the same.
I can send you the Rover EPC CD, only problem it only works on older XP versions. It won't work on my frequently updated laptop, only on my old computer with a very old XP business edition running.

[astonmartine]

This is great! Now I managed to find the right part on Ebay for much less then I expected.

Thank you very much Hans. You're now my Hero of the Day

[astonmartine]

Smallish update.

IN the last few weeks I've acquired the tank sender unit. However, it turned out that the floater mechanism was turned the wrong way on the one I ordered, so we had to manually adjust it and turn it around.
Also, the neck of the tank I ordered is far too short, so it's being extended by someone I know who's excellent with radiators/tanks/welding.
The exhaust has been manually adjusted to fit around the new tank

Bleeding of the brakes is also planned for the next couple of weeks.

All in all, when it's done I'll probalby have a 100% customized Midas, with all the extra work done

[Hans Efde]

Hi Martine,
I don't understand your remark of the welding of the neck of the tank. On a Midas you connect the tank to the filler cap via a rubber hose. Check the build manual for details, but it's not necessary to extend the neck by welding.

[astonmartine]

Alright, I'm getting fed up with the slow progress. And that's a good thing, because that means that it's time for a big change.
After solving many problems ourselves (mainly work by my boyfriend I have to admit) I'm leaving the last things on the To Do list to someone else.

Ignorant as I am, I wanted a pretty fueltank with a nicely welded filler neck. The only problem was that I needed to make a mold of carton for the welder, because I couldn't get the entire car over to him.
Result: A beautifully crafted fillerneck....in the wrong position
So....off with the neck, and a flexible rubber hose will now do the trick, like Hans suggested.

Also, the rubber hose will be wide enough, so there is no more need for a seperate breather hose. With the flexible neck the tank will be ready for fitting, so the tank sender unit can also be adjusted.
To complete the fuelcycle, an extra fuel filter will be placed near the fuelpump.

The brakes also need bleeding. But since the pipes to the rear brakes have been replaced, there is a LOT of air in those pipes. That's why the bleeding won't be done by hand, but with some special tools.

Replacement of the ball joints is something that I couldn't do myself anyway.

Then the project will be finished by connecting the wires of the heated windscreen, and re-connecting the ones of the heated rear window.
I'm still a bit in doubt where to put the radio. I could put it in the center of the dashboard, leaving no place for the window-airvent-hoses behind it. Or I could place it under the heating-unit, where it is a bit harder to control while driving.

First ride will be to the tire specialist for a new set of tires. The old ones are a bit worn out, and one of the rims might need some work, since the tire on that rim is leaking air.

All in all, it will probably cost me a bit more to have this work carried out by someone else, but I'd really like to get it out on the road this summer

[Hans Efde]

Hi Martine,
Nice that things are progressing. A few remarks though.
- bleeding brakes is a really simple job. One person pushing the pedal and the other opening and closing the bleed valves and within 15 minutes your brakes are solid. Just follow the procedure in the Haynes.
- A fuel tank breather pipe is necessary if you want to be able to fill your tank quickly. Just connect a rubber hose on one of the smaller pipes and guide it up inside the C-pillar and back down. But it could always be done at a later time.
- for replacing ball joints a large socket is needed. If your garage has this size it is probably easier for them to replace (with a pneumatic gun). It's just 10 minutes work.
- It should be possible to install a radio in the standard place with the window vents intact. Perhaps it's possible to slightly alter the vents.
If you need any advise, please don't hesitate to contact me, if necessary via my pm or via hansefde@yahoo.com.
Cheers, Hans

[astonmartine]

Hi Hans, thanks for your reply.

The airvents below the windscreen are different on my Midas. 2 Round-shaped airvents. Looks pretty nice, but they need bigger pipes behind it.

The bleeding of the breaks: This was really costing us a lot of time. Especially since we did it very carefully, cautious not to dstroy the master break-cylinder again. The handyman who is going to carry out this work said that they have a machine for it at his garage anyway, so it's just as easy to do it that way.

Neck of the fueltank is really very wide
Actually, just as wide as on my previous American car, lol. That one also didn't had a breatherpipe.

THis afternoon the Midas was picked up by the handyman and he will finish it in a week. The dream of driving might become reality...

[Hans Efde]

2 Round-shaped airvents.

That explains it, standard are rectangular ones that won't take much space.

cautious not to dstroy the master break-cylinder again.

How is that possible? I suppose there was a problem with it in the first place. Bleeding the brakes is just a matter of foot down on the pedal and the other person opening the bleed valve. When the pedal is pressed down, close the bleed valve and release the pedal. Than do it again until you get a nice stream of brake fluid without bubbles. Check the reservoir every now and then for enough brake fluid so you only suck in fluid and not air. And that's really it. I find the front brakes rather troublesome because of the 2 bleed valves on one caliper, but the rear ones are a walk in the park. Your mechanic will probably use an easy bleed or equivalent. It's a thing that puts air pressure on the fluid reservoir so he can have the brakes bled in one go. But there have been tories on this forum about people using easy bleeds with too much pressure and blowing up their reservoirs! Therefore I like it the old fashioned way.
Anyway good luck with the final hurdles. My brother awakened his Gold coupe after 3 years in storage and it passed the APK last week! It would be nice to have the Dutch Wolfpack together again one day. There must be at least 23 Midasses now in Holland!

[astonmartine]

Ah, so the Midas-virus runs in the family