Yes, setting the tyre pressures correctly made a significant improvement to ride and handling. Pretty good in fact.
The first jobs were to fit a new boot seal to minimise fumes ingress (so far so good) and fit a lower temperature wet thermostat - 75C instead of 84C - to provide a wider gap between the thermostat opening and the fan cutting in, which happens around 86C. I fitted a new pressure cap too and that seems fine.
Cleaned fuse connections and that got the fog lamps working.
Took the car over to Lakeside so that Max could check it over. No major issues, a few things to keep an eye on (eg, one rear wheel bearing has a bit of play, the fuel filler cap isn't sealing properly, engine mounts need to be replaced soon). The clutch cover plate is missing too.
A few other things on my list for a winter service; replace coolant, brake and clutch fluid, replace the plastic fuel pipes with braided items, my paranoia there......
We disconnected and reconnected the wiper motor, and that magically achieved wiper parking!
N/S headlight main beam isn't working - the bulb is fine, must be a dodgy bullet connector.
But basically the 43 year-old car is sound and very usable, which is great news.
The clutch is very heavy for Pauline to use. Not sure if that can be improved. Possibly by replacement (engine out......so £££s) but no guarantee even then.
Several instrument lights not working but not a big deal - and as Max says, disturbing the wiring behind the dash to try to replace them is risky....
And (heavy rain today) some water is getting in to the driver's side footwell. Not much but another one for the list.
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