Freelander 1 Freelander EV

Alibro said:

so waiting for it to arrive but I also need a sensor to turn off the pump when the vacuum reaches the correct level.

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You could use the low vacuum warning sensor from a Nissan Terrano. It puts the dash light on when the vacuum drops below a preset threshold, but I imagine it could drive a relay to power the vacuum pump in the same way.

Just a thought.
There must be a vacuum switch to control the VAG pump you ordered.

Nodge68 said:

You could use the low vacuum warning sensor from a Nissan Terrano. It puts the dash light on when the vacuum drops below a preset threshold, but I imagine it could drive a relay to power the vacuum pump in the same way.

Just a thought.
There must be a vacuum switch to control the VAG pump you ordered.

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I'm hoping the one I ordered is the right one for this pump

Alibro said:

I'm hoping the one I ordered is the right one for this pump

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As long as it controls the vacuum to around 21 inHG, then it'll be fine.

Nodge68 said:

I love a bit of CarPervert himself, Johnny Smith. He's doing well for himself, since he left Fully Charged.

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You have to love anyone prepared to Resto-mod an Allegro with a supercharged 2.5 litre KV6!

I don't think that MGB project will really fly - at £80k+ it is far too expensive. And I don't like the detailing they've done on the MGB. If it is an MGB, keep it looking like an MGB (aka Frontline). It's a bit naff IMO. But if you had an MGB and wanted to covert it to EV, then this project - if they were prepared to sell the conversion parts - could work quite well I think...

rob_bell said:

You have to love anyone prepared to Resto-mod an Allegro with a supercharged 2.5 litre KV6!

I don't think that MGB project will really fly - at £80k+ it is far too expensive. And I don't like the detailing they've done on the MGB. If it is an MGB, keep it looking like an MGB (aka Frontline). It's a bit naff IMO. But if you had an MGB and wanted to covert it to EV, then this project - if they were prepared to sell the conversion parts - could work quite well I think...

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He's brave making a silly power Allegro, although it looks like a Honda C27A engine to me.

Johnny also has a soft spot for the Hillman Avenger, as I do, in fact I have one in my garage, which I've been meaning to finish (start really) restoring since it's I took it off the road in 1991.
Once the Fl2 is running correctly, I plan on making a start on the Avenger.

£80k for an MGB is silly money, but this seems to be the theme with electrified classics. Why doesn't anyone actually do one that's at an affordable price?
I'm looking forward to seeing Ali get his FL1 EV up and running, and for a fraction of the price of other conversions too.

You're absolutely right Nodge - it is a Honda 2.7! It was liberated from a Rover 800, so that's my excuse for my senior moment.

I agree - these electrification projects are just far too expensive. I suspect Ali's project is a more sensible way forward, if you are mechanically (and electrically!) minded.

rob_bell said:

You're absolutely right Nodge - it is a Honda 2.7! It was liberated from a Rover 800, so that's my excuse for my senior moment

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The Honda C27A was a really reliable engine, but the KV6 was more powerful, lighter, and more efficient. Oh and sounds better IMO too.

rob_bell said:

I agree - these electrification projects are just far too expensive. I suspect Ali's project is a more sensible way forward, if you are mechanically (and electrically!) minded.

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Unfortunately electrifying a classic car is seen as a luxury item, so these companies are charging a premium for the work. They're using exotic and expensive components to justify the cost, which seems OTT to me.
I'm all for going the Ali EV route, using scrapyard components and ingenuity to make a working EV for a fraction of the price.

Once I'm able, I'll be doing the same thing myself.

I had a Rover 75 with the 2.0 litre KV6. Not quick, but it sounded gorgeous!!!

Always wanted to put one in an F (others have done this) - would make a terrific tourer!

Yes, 100% agree - once there are more junked EVs, the "Ali" approach will be the one to take!

rob_bell said:

I had a Rover 75 with the 2.0 litre KV6. Not quick, but it sounded gorgeous!!!

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My favourite vehicle I've ever owned was my MG ZS180, which I bought new in 2002. I had the optional X Power performance kit fitted, which made a good sounding engine sound great.
I still miss that car, but unfortunately it's not about any more.

rob_bell said:

Always wanted to put one in an F (others have done this) - would make a terrific tourer!

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I actually did all the measurements and calculations to fit a KV6 to my F, although I never did get round to it.

Enough reminiscing about the good old days you pair of decrepit auld farts, the future is here and for better or worse the future is electric.
Back on topic today the postman delivered some goodies and I collected the alloy to make my adapter plate.

This is the GM power steering pump.

And this is the Audi vacuum pump.


They're both very dirty as to be expected but hopefully will work. As normal with me it will probably be weeks or months before I get them installed so any warranty will be long gone but they're not too expensive so I'll take the risk.
I've also ordered vacuum sensor and a small board designed to control the vacuum pump hysteresis so that the pump turns off and on as required.

Excellent stuff Ali. I'm going to spend some time on the coupler over the weekend too, and post some pictures, once there's something interesting to show.

Nodge68 said:

Excellent stuff Ali. I'm going to spend some time on the coupler over the weekend too, and post some pictures, once there's something interesting to show.

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Sweet!
I'm hoping to get the adapter plate cut out roughly this weekend but I'll probably discover I need more tools.
Last week I ordered these


I knew they were imperial when I ordered them but at the time I couldn't find any metric at a sensible price and just hoped they would do the job.
After trying them I decided to look again for metric and found these.
https://www.arceurotrade.co.uk/Catalogue/Measurement/Punches-Scribes/Transfer-Punch-Sets
They seem to be a better fit.

I need to get a set of transfer punches Ali. A set has been on my wish list for years, but there's always something else that comes along which takes priority.

Nodge68 said:

I need to get a set of transfer punches Ali. A set has been on my wish list for years, but there's always something else that comes along which takes priority.

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When you really need them buy them. That's how I get all my tools and there are still loads of things in my wish list.

Nodge68 said:

I need to get a set of transfer punches Ali. A set has been on my wish list for years, but there's always something else that comes along which takes priority.

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You've got a lathe - why don't you make a set?

Jayridium said:

You've got a lathe - why don't you make a set?

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Then he'd have to harden 'em ....

Heat it and quench it...

Jayridium said:

Heat it and quench it...

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But that would make it brittle, best to do it in an oven and leave for three or so hours and cool slowly ...

Jayridium said:

You've got a lathe - why don't you make a set?

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It's not worth it, as they'd need to be made of tool steel. Tool steel then needs careful heating and cooling, for it to be hard enough to use as a punch, but not so hard it shatters when hit. Tool steel blanks would also cost more than buying the punches to start with.

Jayridium said:

Heat it and quench it...

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Heat and quench only works for steel that is already a hard grade, O1 or D3 for instance. These steels are very hard, but supplied in an annealed state for machining. Once machined, they then require careful heating and quenching, to bring them up to full hardness.

You can't make mild steel harder, simply by heat n quench, as it'll only return to its original hardness.

I started the adapter plate today.
I first made it in cardboard, then transferred it to the alloy with about 5mm added all the way round just in case.



I used the circular saw for the first few big cuts but I think I killed the blade so had to resort to the grinder and jigsaw.
It's a pity as the Circular saw was doing a great job while it lasted.


The garage was a mess when I finished and I'll not be cutting on the bench again.