Ranger Cub Page 7

April 2024

After a recent run, I noticed that both top arms had a seal split, I ordered up two sets and removed both top arms and replaced the seals. At the same time, I removed the "original" style Hi-Lo units. There is nothing wrong with the units, except on the Cub its impossible to access the hole on the subframe tower, to allow them to be adjusted. They were replace with the newer style that can be adjusted with a spanner at the arm instead.

Split seals

Old Hi-Lo

New Adjuster

When I was looking at the car, I've always noticed that the rear is a little too high in my opinion. I knew the rear was fitted with a 12" wheel, I suspect from a Metro. I swapped back to a 10" alloy wheel, however a steel one is on order and will be refurbished when it arrives.

Twelve inch wheel

Ten inch wheel

Also while up in Alford for the "Perk & Ride" event, I noticed that the coolant temperture was raised. So on the first clear day, I took the Cub for a run. The temp was higher than normal, but never got beyond 3/4 on the gauge. But I removed the radiator, flushed it through, and replaced the water pump with a higher capacity/flow version. However I plan to change the head gasket as a precaution.

Radiator

pumps

I put an order in to Mini Spares for a head and manifold gasket, a really quick delivery saw then arrive on the Saturday morning.
As nothing was planned it was into the garage to install them. The radiator was drained, and then the top,bottom and bypass hoses were removed at the block ends, then the thermostat housing and radiator bracket. Then it was a case of loosing the exhaust bracket down at the sump allowing a little movement. The nuts were removed, from the manifold and it pushed backwards off the studs, who thought it as a good idea to position two of the nuts inbetween the exhaust and inlet runners, where its almost impossible to reach! Then it was rocker cover off, this was filled with quite a bit of Mayonnaise confirming my suspicions. The head bolts loosened and the rocker arms removed. This allowed the head to be lifted out of the engine bay.
The biggest job was cleaning the old gasket off the head, and cleaning the block up. With the copper head gasket its important that everything is spotless. Once I was happy with it, the gasket was fitted, copper side up. Then everything was replaced and torqued up as I went. Finally the cooling system was refilled, with just water at the moment and the engine ran up to temperture. I will remove the rocker cover again and check the torque once it has cooled.

Gaskets	One pulled manifold stud	Mayonnaise
One head stud pulled	Guess what ! One of the rocker studs came out as well	Keeping organised
Dirty block	Head	Piston
	Copper side up