[Jacinto]

Well, I introduced myself a long time ago, but I never presented my pride and joy.

If you don't mind, because this is quite a long project, I will quote some posts on other places.

This 213 has always been in my family.

It was bought back in 1987 by my grandfather, who always kept it on a garage, and just used it in long trips or for "Sunday drives".

But as he got old, he started complaining about the car's heavy steering, and he wanted a small car. (off-topic: he went to the Rover dealer and he actually almost bought a 25, but my grandmother thought it was too big, so they bought a Opel (Vauxhall) Corsa instead 3:). This was in December 2002, and my granddad really liked the car, so he didn't want to sell it.

So, he gave it to my mom, which used it every day, until February 2008, when my brother got his driving license. He drove it until there was an accident with our other car (a Honda Concerto). After that, my mother drove it ever every day again, and she still does.

Enough talking, here are some photos: (from September 2009)

[Jacinto]

My granddad gave this Rover some unique features ;)





This picture is from April this year, after coming from the MoT! (which he failed, because some braking problems). Still, after that, we went again, and everything was ok!



Except for the usual problem: RUST! (here you can see the worst area)



But soon it will be repaired.



Standing next to his "daughter"

[Jacinto]

But since we have it, there has been a problem, which got worse with time: there was an enormous vibration from the front wheels.

Yesterday, I replaced the original 13" wheels with the 14" from the Honda Concerto, and the problem was gone!

The car now has a smoother ride, the steering is lighter and more precise, and there is less noise coming from the tyres!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnMIt4Ev ... r_embedded




Yes, I know, the wheels don't look good. But I intend to replace them with some Lattice 14", from the Rover 416GTi ;)

[Jacinto]

I found some old photos back from the early 90's





This one is from 1994.



These are from 1995 or 1996.

[Jacinto]

This one is rather special.



It is dated from May 1987, and my granparents bought the car in April.

It had something written on the back.



It was sent by them to my older brother, their only grandchild at the time. It says that they sent it to show my brother their new Rover.

And I found yet another thing, when I was cleaning the 213's glove box:



It's the car's receipt. Lovely!

[Jacinto]

This one just turned over 205 000kms! (about 120 000miles, if I'm not mistaken).




What a machine!


I've been away because I had to study, so, here you have some news.

Before Spring Break I decided to wash my Rover, as it was really, really dirty because of the rain.





In this foto you can see some of the scratches made by my mom.



And an usual problem in our Rovers:



Still, I think it looks good for it's age.



And I love it! Can't wait to lay my hands on it.



I also cleaned the interior:









A 50/50:





And then my dad took it to the MoT:



No problems at all.

I've been away, once again, because I had to study.

But now I am back to the business, and I will try to participate a little more in this forum.

I also bring lots of news.

During the last days of May, my 213 overheated 6 times... In 8 days.

First, we thought that it was the radiator and expansion bottle leak, but ir wasn't enough. Then, we saw that the radiator fan cables weren't connected. Still, it overheated once more. Then I realised that de fan wouldn't turn on, even knowing that everything was connected. As my grandgather installed a "direct connection" to the fan, I turned it on permanently. Still, it got really really hot again. This time, it went to the red area, and we has to pull over.

When we (me and my mom) arrived home, and after the engine got cool, I filled it with coolant, and it simply got out from somewhere behind the engine.







Soon, we found that it had an enormous leak in a corroded metalic tube, under the intake manifold.

We went to Honda, and they said that they didn't had that tube. We went to an automotive parts store (I don't know how do you call it there), and they said that they didn't have it, as it wasn't produced anymore.

So, we anticipated something we had on our minds since last year.

We once had an Honda Concerto 1.4 GL (twin carb). It was immaculate, but my brother had an accident with it. We decided that fixing it wasn't a good idea, once it had several structure damage (and so we bought the 400 Tourer).





I had the privelege to be the last one to drive the 213 to the garage where we would change the engine.

And when I parked it, suddenly, a massive oil leak appeared. I guess that the D13 engine was really saying goodbye.





(That big spot on the floor is what I am talking about... It appeared in less than 5 minutes!)



A video to say goodbye to the Honda EV2 engine (and to the rattling exhaust silencer :P):

[youtube]g1RmHzKcKjE[/youtube]

[Jacinto]

So, the swap began.







The D14A1 Honda engine.



Side view of the D14A1



Side view of the D13:



We used all the mounts from de Concerto, and we adapted them into the 213. No welding needed!



This mount was almost 100% compatible, so we used it as our starting point.



We had to join this mount:


We fitted the Concerto's exhaust line and gear linkage (as the 213's was too long):









The final result:









The Concerto's exhaust line needed some work, as it was too long, and the mounts were a little bit behind (we just welded them the other way round).



The old 213 exhaust system.

[Jacinto]

Tight fit!





[youtube]HjWrNoxbUBQ[/youtube]

[youtube]9CZ9P6npU2U[/youtube]

[youtube]mimyy4VGBHo[/youtube]


Then, I replaced the rear speakers (which were dated from... 1987! )

In order to do that, I had to remove the rear seat. Is it supposed to be this way?!




I also replaced the front speakers, and the window elevator was lubricated. Now, it works perfectly! Not bad, for a 24 year old car, with 206k km (around 120k+ miles).







The new stereo was fitted.







It looks much better than the "old" one:





Still, later I will buy an 80's stereo, with green illumination.

[Jacinto]

The new rear silencers:







A cold start:
[youtube]-nCZLbV2lW4[/youtube]

It was needing some valve adjustment, which was made in the next day.









Then, the inspector came! She approved the work. :P

[Jacinto]

Last thursday I recieved 3 MG-Rover Club Portugal members at home.





We went to the S.Martinho do Porto Bay, which is near my home, and took some photos.

My 213 was driven by them.


















Whg drove it told me exactly what I already felt: The car is very very responsive with this engine, but also "softer" and more silent.

The steering is very direct and precise, and so are the brakes.

I can't wait to have my drivers license... But I still have to wait 1 month and a half.