Total novice to mechanics

[BigD26]

Ok sorry for this late reply,

Brakes are fine, all wheels moved round when it was winched up on a flat bed when we moved her to he new home.

Vacuum pipes are a little old and crusty, so would need a change I guess, however I cant find in the Haynes book on what pipe and size im looking for so im stuck on that bit for now.

Have not tried the compression yet as I don't have a compression checker I can use, I have however ordered one... http://www.amazon.co.uk/Silverline-5985 ... n+Test+Kit" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
its a silverline one but its the best I could do for now. so im waiting for that to arrive. im hoping it will have instructions as I have no idea on how to use one rofl

Also im figuring on doing a service, probably best as its been standing for so long with out running. Now I have looked on Euro car parts for the service parts I need, I looked there as they are 20 miles away from me and easy to get to.
Now searching for the right spark plugs I found a few but im not sure if this part number is what im needing W7AC says its a Bosch and then theres a NGK B6HS, what ones do I get?
Now other than the air filter and oil filter, spark plugs and oil is there anything else im going to need? Haynes mentioned a oil strainer gasket, never heard of one of them, is that an item I can clean up and reuse? Also what type of oil am I to be using in this age of engine?
I know I sound thick and I should know about this as I used to do servicing on cars but the last time I did one was back in 2001 then I changed jobs to work on computers and they don't need oily bits.

[kevtherev]

Vacuum pipe connection is available at any motor factor
Its standard stuff
Clean the strainer
Use bosch plugs
Oil type is in the wiki...along with other information you will need

[BigD26]

Ok went to the van today to start with the servicing and do some testing.

First I removed all spark plugs and fitted the compression tester, followed all instructions and the dial didn't move.. so I think Im not doing something right.

I did however notice that 1 out of 4 spark plugs had oil over the reactor, if you was looking at the engine it would be the one on the left closest to the rear. picture below shows the condition of all the plugs upon removal.



So I replaced the plugs with the new set I had been given at the motor factors and noticed a difference. the ones that was in the van are long reach and I had been sold short reach. I had no choice but to give the new ones ago, they fit with no problems.. I changed the dizzy cap and checked the leads. all seem to be fine. Also fitted the air filter. Does it really matter if they are long or short reach plugs?
Didn't have the time to change the oil of its filter as I had kids running about me wanting there lunch. so that's my next job.

Anyway thought I would give the car a start and see if there was any difference, all I can say its a lot quieter than it was with no banging. While it was running I looked about the engine and found cold air blowing onto my hand around the left side of the engine around the area the sparkplugs are fitted, not sure if this is normal or not.
Also I gave it a small drive around the yard, and she drove great no loss of revs at all... well apart from the time I was playing guess the gear we are in, and I found I was in third gear, but it did look like I was in first. ROFL So im happy it seems to be driving fine...

So jobs to do are now, find out why one cylinder spark plug has oil on it, and find out why there is are blowing on the left side by the park plugs. and the oil change.

[CovKid]

Air blowing around sparkplugs is because rubber grommets that slide down ignition leads are probably missing - important since they help reduce escape of cooling air which keeps barrels cool.

It'll run on short reach but more reliable combustion obtained with long reach. Keep your eye on that oily cylinder and DO get those compression readings as you'll get a much better idea of the state of the engine - particularly on the oily one. May just be that its fuel rich on that cylinder through poor spark before.

New leads (no need for fancy ones - GSF basic ones fine) and plugs seem like a good move thats for sure. Check the timing too - and tappets.