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Robert Howlett
Prolific User
Username: bobhowlett

Post Number: 134
Registered: 9-2010
Posted on Thursday, 16 April, 2015 - 20:05:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

Well its been 6 years since I took the plunge to buy a RR. The only regret I have is not telling my wife that I bought it ..that's a story in itself ..I was ecstatic when I came home from work and the car was in the carport, sort off nulled the horror of the wife who was the telling the car carrier driver that you have the wrong address. My brother and I thought it would be a good idea to take her for a spin. It boiled 3 minuets up the road on the first test drive and the fuel warning lights came on .I thought I have just wasted 1 years pay on a pile of junk. I have to say it was test driven by my brother in law and my instant response was " what have I done to this guy" But it all turns out that the car wasn't driven for years and everything as ceased up .With the help of Bill and the many friends I have made on this site she has come back from the scrap yard, and many thousands spent, she has become a very reliable trustworthy car to drive many thanks to the contributors to this site for the help over the years

kind regards rob
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richard george yeaman
Prolific User
Username: richyrich

Post Number: 277
Registered: 4-2012
Posted on Thursday, 16 April, 2015 - 20:24:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

Hi Robert I have my Silver Shadow four years in June and like yourself it took a while to get it into a reasonably good driving car. Thanks to the help I received from this forum and Tee One Topics.

Richard.
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Robert Howlett
Prolific User
Username: bobhowlett

Post Number: 135
Registered: 9-2010
Posted on Thursday, 16 April, 2015 - 20:48:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

Hi Richard

Without this this forum I would have junked it and wrote it off as a stupid mistake.> would have broke it down and sold it on Ebay as parts, and that would have ben a mistake, she's great now. I should have done more research at the time I didn't know you can't get your hands and a spanner in the engine bay at the same time

cheer's
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Mark Aldridge
Prolific User
Username: mark_aldridge

Post Number: 204
Registered: 10-2008
Posted on Thursday, 16 April, 2015 - 23:50:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

The first 12 months of hell seems par for the course with RR & B when purchased. I bought my Shadow in 1998, and the first year was laden with problems and breakdowns, and it was my daily driver. Wonderful PR for my business however as it became the topic of conversation and the butt of jokes in the local cattle market. 17 years on, its health is still asked about, even though I ceased using it for business 5 years ago.The Spirit and Mulsanne that followed it as daily drivers, have not created the same affection, but my "concourse " 2010 Landrover Defender is the butt of jokes in particular " does it know what mud is "?
Both the Spirit and Mulsanne had " settling down " periods.
Mark
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bob uk
Unregistered guest
Posted From: 188.29.165.26
Posted on Friday, 17 April, 2015 - 04:34:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

I got my Shadow in May 1989. 26 years.

I drove the Shadow 50 miles before I brought it. The only criticism was the brakes. Blocked master hoses.

I drove the car home from Portsmouth to Bournemouth.
The following day I fitted two new hoses. The hoses were listed for Bedford CF van body to rear axle. This cured the soft pedal.

I ran for 4 years until one of the spheres went flat. I fitted a new pair changed some more hoses and pads, and any scabby metal brake pipes.

The shadow has never been unreliable. All non starts has been battery, I forget to turn lights off.

(Message approved by david_gore)
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Patrick Lockyer.
Grand Master
Username: pat_lockyer

Post Number: 937
Registered: 9-2004
Posted on Saturday, 18 April, 2015 - 03:52:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

Bought my shadow 1 srh17766 one owner in Nov 1982 with cherished no.
sold the reg plate years later for more than the cost of car.

job carried out over the years,
one ballast+ condensor
replace sphere diaphrams
caliper pistons + f/r pads.[still on original handbrake pads
rear brake hoses ten years ago.
n/s o/s suspension bushes.
four front brake hoses + 2 rat trap hoses three weeks ago.
[I think the castor oil in the 363 has a failing with the rubber]
Have now gone over to useing dot 4 with 8% castor now.
one high pressure pump "o" ring
one brake master cylinder.
one thermostat years ago, lead saftey type.
mods to rear suspension cross-member.
rear trunnion gaitors.[detroit pot]
steering mod to the pendulum lever years ago.
other service items when due.
still no water pump replacement [original], long life antifreeze maybe the cause!
If it is not broke dont fix it.
33 years of ownership with a car that returns very little probs and has never FTP.
now that is what I call RR motoring.

car now is classed historic with free rft, post office delt with change not dvla how times change.
Happy days.
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Vladimir Ivanovich Kirillov
Prolific User
Username: soviet

Post Number: 204
Registered: 2-2013
Posted on Saturday, 18 April, 2015 - 07:12:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

I have a photo of Robert's car and with the back door opened it looks like a million dollars. Robert's act of not telling his wife he bought the car was a sign of pure genius but when he used the word "boiled" I immediately thought he was describing his wife's melt down on the first drive.

Women don't quite understand cars the way men do. My first wife used to say "you are always working on your car" but I never saw her pay for one repair in 23 years but she did come back in a Holden one day that had all the evidence of a car that had painted a very late model Commodore panel wise to cause me to think she had indeed wrecked somebody's car who was stupid enough to park next her too close in the supermarket. That to her was just normal behaviour.

I have no idea how Bob managed to find out that a Bedford brake hose would fit a Shadow but I do wish he would commence writing a book titled "The Shadow According to Bob" before he starts looking at ceiling dwelling Rhinos at the local hospital again.

The information we get through this forum is like money in the bank which we can withdraw, spend and still see the balance has not changed. In short its priceless and nowhere near the stuffy English snob factory I mistakenly thought at one time it would have to be.

The thing about this forum is its Australian, yet international and I have searched all over the net to find anything like it and still found nothing like it.
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bob uk
Unregistered guest
Posted From: 94.197.120.119
Posted on Saturday, 18 April, 2015 - 04:53:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

Pats car is SRH 17766 and mine 17768.
Pats car hasnt actually had that much work done to it. Over a 33 year period. It shows that these cars are reliable.

My experience mirrors Pats. If I add up the amount spent and zero deprecation the car has not been expensive.

I 100% agree dont fix what isnt broke.

I would add to that, the car works the same as any other car.

(Message approved by david_gore)
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bob uk
Unregistered guest
Posted From: 92.40.249.159
Posted on Sunday, 19 April, 2015 - 03:42:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

Common to all vehicle parts are listed in catalogues giving sizes and drawings.
I know that the thread is 3/8 unf and the lenght by inspection of the original.

So using a Lucus Girling brake hoses appplication catalogue. I went through the drawings and found a hose with the correct threads and with in a 1/4 inch length wise. Once I have a part number I then look up what the hoses is suitable for and in this case Bedford CF van.

Note this is from memory and my memory is not so good these days and I have handled 1000s of hoses.

It well known that Ford front pads fit. From the various pad drawings and dimensions Jag XJ6 front pads with a small amount of filing will fit the rear. Slightly too long and a pin hole needs slotting.

Note. There's a limit to alternative parts. The oil filter for instance must be genuine recommendation, its not worth the risk of engine damage. This has happened. I get my filters from a RR independent.
Silver Lady Services Alma Road Bournemouth. 1.5 miles from home just right for my electric scooter.

(Message approved by david_gore)
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Randy Roberson
Grand Master
Username: wascator

Post Number: 363
Registered: 5-2009
Posted on Tuesday, 21 April, 2015 - 04:32:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

Ha, I bought mine because I wanted to "get under", i.e. see how it works, what it's made of, etc. and I wanted to work on one.
Perhaps the only way to start out and be happy from the beginning...certainly the best way.
Don't regret it either, now I want another.
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David Towers
Experienced User
Username: xtriple

Post Number: 41
Registered: 6-2010
Posted on Wednesday, 20 April, 2016 - 09:37:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

Sorry to revive an old thread but what I hope you guys are saying about a settling in period is correct, my new car has near bankrupted me getting it 'right' so I hope she starts to behave from now on!

Just bought all new relays for her and a new electric aerial, seem to be down to 'snagging' jobs now!
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Patrick Ryan
Frequent User
Username: patrick_r

Post Number: 52
Registered: 4-2016
Posted on Wednesday, 20 April, 2016 - 10:13:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

Good Luck David,
I hope these are the last of your issues.
I know how you feel mate.
Did the car come with any service documents or history?

Id sure like to see the pics of Roberts car.
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David Towers
Experienced User
Username: xtriple

Post Number: 42
Registered: 6-2010
Posted on Thursday, 21 April, 2016 - 00:57:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

Yes.... it did, but quite a bit missing over the last few years! I bought her from a RR and B specialist dealer who lied through his teeth about everything. But, I paid for the car without looking at it (it's a very rare late 'R') and it was delivered to me so I had little option but to 'suck it up cupcake!'
Before this 'hiatus' from servicing, it was owned by the original purchaser from new until 2008 and it was serviced yearly at the main dealers. It had done very few miles in the intervening period and I suppose, the owner thought servicing wasn't needed when it was only doing a few hundred miles per year.
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Robert Noel Reddington
Grand Master
Username: bob_uk

Post Number: 979
Registered: 5-2015
Posted on Thursday, 21 April, 2016 - 06:03:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

Dave me young mucker,

you are a mere boy.

i brought my car in May 1989 and my wife chose the Shadow colour wise, Peacock Blue.Since then due to the difficulty of matching the said colour the car is now London Taxi cab Black or carriage black.

carriage means furneral cars. £10 a litre clearcoat also £10 a litre after and the car shines like snot on a gorilla's lip.

this does devalue the car but just respray car in caribean blue. which will cost £50 to 100.


Jan Forrest beats me by 7 years.

I have sent a hit man to take him out,******************* to dinner.
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Patrick Ryan
Frequent User
Username: patrick_r

Post Number: 55
Registered: 4-2016
Posted on Thursday, 21 April, 2016 - 07:43:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

Dave,
How long does it appear the "non servicing" happened? It must have been a good few years.
As I (and I know many others) it's only inactivity that destroys these systems.
I know it sounds silly but I have a monthly reminder set in my phone with a check list of everything to operate & check. The car is driven nearly every week, but sometimes we forget to operate everything especially the seats, as they generally when set, do not get moved.

Robert,
Your right, gorilla not does have a wonderful sheen to it
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David Towers
Experienced User
Username: xtriple

Post Number: 44
Registered: 6-2010
Posted on Thursday, 21 April, 2016 - 09:02:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

2009 - 2015 when I got it. It had obviously been stood for a while as the brakes were all over the place and it had moss growing in hidden areas!

But, I 'think' I have covered most requirements of her servicing now (brakes, steering, suspension, engine, gearbox, electrics, seat ecu's etc) and as I am finding it difficult to put her away and use the cheaper car, she is still being used as a daily driver.

One thing in her favour: she has the sweetest engine I have heard in any RR product! I am touching wood madly of course, but the engine sounds so very smooth and quiet, much more so than my previous car.

I must start using the seat adjustments as I think that's the only thing I rarely use - the windows get a severe workout as the dogs both require an open window so they may scan and peruse the world as they glide by! :-)
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Patrick Ryan
Frequent User
Username: patrick_r

Post Number: 61
Registered: 4-2016
Posted on Thursday, 21 April, 2016 - 09:51:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

Thanks for the update there David.
It does sound like you do have it well sorted now.
I'm glad your engine is sweet. Is it the original engine as fitted from new?
Mine has its ups and down days LOL But mostly pretty quiet, but will get a slight rocky idle from time to time.
High octane fuel (98 here in Oz) lessens this greatly.
I know my car is probably running a bit rich, but the throttle response is so quick and powerful, It deters me from doing anything to it.
He drinks fuel like a drunken sailor, but again its the price we pay for that glorious low end torque.
The last gripe I have sometimes is the pretty harsh clunk in reverse (and to a lesser degree drive) from time to time. I have reduced idle speed but this does not seem to make it better. Funny thing though, is at fast idle with the choke on or partly on, it slips in beautifully, go figure!
This is a little embarrassing with passengers in the back.
My windows get a good work out as well.
I also give the HVAC a good workout and love the sounds various servos and motors make while doing so.
We have been posting pics of our cars on the Silver Shadow page, would you post one on there for us to see? Would love to see the dogs enjoying their "wafting" ride while leaving puppy art (nose art) all over the place LOL
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David Towers
Experienced User
Username: xtriple

Post Number: 46
Registered: 6-2010
Posted on Thursday, 21 April, 2016 - 20:02:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

I have posted a very boring pic of the dogs sat in the back of the old car. To be honest, I spent so long working out how to resize the pic, I forgot about the content! It is a long time since I last resized a picture and it taxed the few brain cells quite a bit!
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Patrick Ryan
Frequent User
Username: patrick_r

Post Number: 75
Registered: 4-2016
Posted on Thursday, 21 April, 2016 - 21:20:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

That's ok David,
I enjoyed the pic of the dogs mate.

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