Capris in Isolation

Even the Capris are having to isolate. Mine don't seem to understand that they have to be 1.5 metres apart.😷😊
Have the best possible Easter!

Capri - Bonnet Catch Adjustment

Being partially isolated due to the pandemic has meant a bit more time to do some maintenance tasks on the Capris. Next on the list was to adjust the bonnet catch on the green Deluxe. The bonnet has a rare habit of popping up when you least expect it. Thankfully, the safety catch works & prevents the bonnet from lifting right up. On a recent run over some country roads, the bonnet popped twice. I have a theory that when the body flexs a little on bends or bumps, the catch releases.
The first thing I did was measure the height of both the bump stops & the bonnet catch with the spring. I then wound back the RHS bump stop a few mm to even it up with the LHS. Next was to see if the rod was entering the bonnet catch correctly. Using some masking tape, it seemed as if this was all good.


Then to lengthen the pin/rod so it would fit more securely into the catch. That's when the difficulty started. The pin/rod would not turn even after the spring locking nut had been released. No matter how hard I tried & with different large screwdrivers, it would not budge. I guess it hadn't been moved for 50 years. OK, out with the RP7 & Inox. Much spraying at different times & still no movement. I ended up leaving it for the day & came back the next day & continued spraying & trying to undo it. Finally, with a spanner clamped onto the screw driver, I got a little movement. Working it back & forward slowly finally cracked it & then it started to undo.
The whole bonnet pin assembly looked like it hadn't been cleaned for many years so it was taken apart & cleaned up.



Then everything back on & with a few adjustments, it all looks good. Let's wait for the final comment after a bit of driving.

Capri - Oil Filer Problems

It was time for an oil change on the green Deluxe. The oil filter was also due for a change & and I did remember that last time the only filter brand that would fit was the Repco ROF-22. I contacted Repco to see if they were still available and was told that a store near me had 3 in stock so off to the store and I bought one for $17.55.
Oil drained & old filter (ROF-22) removed with no dramas. I took the new one out of the carton and it was very different - longer and with a completely different O ring set up. I then started to remember all the problems I had last time & why I just put the old one back on. Put the new on and screwed it up tight, started the car & oil spewed out on the floor from the filter. Not very happy!!


 I decided to go back to Repco to see if the other 2 filters they had in stock were the same. The lady brought one back & it was completely different, very similar to old one I had taken off, so I was very happy about that. At home, looking at the two satisfied me that they were the same so I put the second new one. Started the engine & more oil spewed out everywhere! What is going on? The photos show how similar they are.

 

This car (1970) has the 691M crossflow motor which has a different oil filter set up to the later 711M engine. the earlier car originally had a cartridge type filter but the later screw on types usually fit. A really close examination of the new filter would suggest that the inner circular metal lip is fouling on the inner ridge of the oil pump. It gives the impression that the new filer is on tight but it really has not sealed at all. What to do?
For the moment, I cleaned the old filter as best as I could, screwed it back on, started the car and no leaks at all.
I then checked my white XL (1972  & 711M engine) & it has a Motorcraft AFLE 227 filter which I picked up on eBay a while back. Time to check out all my spare parts bins. here I found an old oil pump (691M) type (I have no idea where it came from) & another new Repco ROF-22 filter. Great! I could really see why these filters were not fitting with an oil pump off the engine.
When I opened the oil filter box, it was the type that was longer & with a wide, flat O ring. On measuring the diameter, one could see that the inner metal lip was catching & not allowing the filter to seal. The lip was turned over slightly. After much dreaming, my theory was that if I could grind the  turned section of the lip off, it should slide over the ridge on the oil pump. So with a small grinding stone on my drill, I worked my way around the lip and ground until it was straight. I tried it on the pump and yes, it tightened all the way up. At last I think this will solve the problem. Here is the filter after being altered.



Now, to see if this one fits & doesn't leak. Screwed it on & it goes all the way up and the rubber seal is right on the oil pump. Tightened it up. Started the engine & thankfully, no oil leaking out. I hope I don't have to do this each time a filter is replaced but it is most that is what will happen.
So, the moral of the story is, as always with old cars - don't throw away old parts until you are sure the new one fits correctly
As far as Repco ROF-22 filters, I have had 3 on the car and they are all different so all oil filters are not necessarily the same.
(click on the photos to enlarge)