I think it's probably more to do with the ancient ht leads and the very wet weather. How susceptible is 123 ignition to water? Hopefully a really thorough service on an engine that's not as tired and it'll be all good. It's such a nice looking car now I'd really like it to drive as well as it looks.

Fit a yellow coil from uncle Roy

Can't say I've ever had a problem with water+123. I've often been flat out on a motorway in torrential rain and happily overtaking lorries, the car has been absolutely perfect every time.

Hi Russ

Can't see any pics on this thread 'cept for the big titted bird. I must have the Display ami checkbox unchecked and the display tits one checked on my IE settings.

Anyhoop - sounds like it needs a through service and possibly you have an alignment issue with the bonnet catch.

I do have a Citroen Drum brake allignment tool if you want to sort out the front drummage.

Laters

Ami Matt

The coils fine, its just long overdue a service as matt said. Its battery has been marginal since ive had it and its never got a chance to charge properly as every journey it's done has been with the headlamps and wipers on. If it doesn't fire straight away it just flattens the battery trying. I guess I'm taking the piss expecting it to be useable in the mechanical state it's in. When I'm back off me holidays next week I'll service it and put the battery on charge. It still needs a bit of welding and tidying up, so maybe a weekends work will see it fully finished. If any body wants a secondhand 123 this ones going begging. Apparently there was a second one in the spares but I can't find it. If it turns up thatll be up for grabs too.

Hello All...only just seen this thread otherwise I would have joined in a few pages back. The work Russ has done is great, though I'm surprised the over riders have gone as I remember Russ commenting on their niceness in the past.

Tell me about the holes along the bottom of the new frontice piece? interesting.

The metal plate on the A post was my botch-o-rama, sorry Russ! I did say the A post was fucked though. Impressed how well the rear wing comes up, I applied the Bilt Hamber Hydrate 80 in 3 coats before the filler, so it should last a fair while.

Hate the instrument panel though, but that's not my business!!

When it comes to the performance, you have to remember I had nothing to compare it with - first and only Citroen you see. I knew the combustion wasn't great, though it improved when Andy AKS set the tappets a year ago. Yeah, smokes like fuck. Once I got the knowledge, I got it up to 120 no problem though and whilst it was a bit lumpy until it got warm (hand on heart) it never conked out in the 3 and half years of me running it everyday - actually it did twice, both times was a dirty idle jet in hot weather. 8mm and some carb-cleaner and back on track. So I'm sorry and surprised to hear you've had problems Russ.

Front brakes, well they were done in October 2009 and not touched since - simply because I was happy that they stopped it square and in time. I wouldn't have mentioned any names but there you go...it wasn't actually Gary who carried out the work (or so I was told) and he did collect the car in with that price - still fucking dear if you ask me....but you didn't..so....

Bare in mind this car sailed through it's MOT for 3 years on the trot with a Citroen garage who didn't know me from Adam and have a Bristol reputation as one of few specialists in this neck of the woods.

Charge - yeah, never the best. That said, it started every morning - even in that super cold winter last year.

(you may be wondering why I'm getting all defensive - and actually I'm not really - but now I'm on the forum, I might as well go on about it.)

Anyway - I own and get all gushy about a 1970 Volvo 144 now, I tell yer - you'd fucking hate it!!!

Naturally the handling isn't as cheeky as the Ami, or the fuel comsumption but I'm glad I made the (at the time, very difficult) decision to swap a skinny French tart for a buxom Swede!! and they are just as easy to work on, plus the parts are alot easier to come by without having to buy from France (a headache, unless you pretend you're not English, in my humble opinion) the Dutch love old Volvos as much as old Citroens, and we all know how keen the Dutch are to help (a wink and a nod to Tom Duckpower there)

I'd love to chip in with more on this thread and I will, but it's bye for now. Bye.

P.S - Spanners, you really do - 6's are so much more stylish than 8's

Russ - I'm surprised by that, though I'm not defending the graphite bearing, they are shite. Have to say though I found the gears easy-peasy. A bit of a crunch sometimes going into 1st, but I didn't think it had a syncro on 1st.

Don't forget this box was 'pembroed' only 7000 miles ago....bare that in mind before ditching. I also put a new Valeo clutch on it 12 months ago.

setting for the shift light?????? what is that? i thought i knew everything about this car??? what on earth is the setting for the shift light?

okay, Will - it's not yours anymore.....the buxom swede, remember the buxom swede

Volvo 144s are lovely, good choice. I speak as another forum member who's defected from an Ami 6, in my case to a Series 2a Land Rover. Which is not lovely. Although I must admit, I do quite like it.

Hey Mr. Thief...yeah, I've always wanted an old Volvo. Originally after an Amazon but a good one is 7 or 8 grand - way beyond me at the moment, the 144 is a very good compromise. Ultimately I'd like a 1800ES (the saint's car with a quirky glass hatchback)

Land Rovers are inherently cool - but I'm guessing fuel is as issue, as with mine...can you convert to LPG?