Another Merak on Ebay

conaero

conaero

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what is the LHM system? Also, I saw one the other day and it had a Citreon dash in it, I was told that all pre 75 Meraks had this, is this true?
 
lozcb

lozcb

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Thats not the Top Gear Clarkson one is it he gave it a horrible time



regards loz
 
ENZ525

ENZ525

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Don't think it is the top gear one, unless the pate has changed...that was JOK229N or JOK299N...the e bay one seems to be 'R' plated.

Regards,

Enzo.
 
conaero

conaero

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ahh, good old Google: Liquide Hydraulique Minéral its a type of hydraulic fluid for Citreon cars, so assume this Merak has some sort of hydraulic system controlling the suspension, lights, windows and god knows what else....seems like one to avoid.
 
BigFoot

BigFoot

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Agreed, much better to get a 1977 (I think that's the date when they dropped the Citroen hydraulics) or later model.
 
lozcb

lozcb

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ENZ525 said:
Don't think it is the top gear one, unless the pate has changed...that was JOK229N or JOK299N...the e bay one seems to be 'R' plated.

Regards,

Enzo.
Click to expand...

God you got a bloody good memory Enzo , remind me never to borrow a fiver from you:redface: or did you google it , just so happens it was the first episode on Dave this morning,what a tit again Clarkson was thought he had bought the Merak SS 255bhp turned out after reading the service history someone had just stuck on the SS badge and his was actually 190 bhp After he had abused it half way round the country , on the rolling road it only pushed out 85 bhp no wonder the Stig in the Astra diesel beat all three lambo merak and fezza around the track


regards loz
 
ENZ525

ENZ525

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lozcb said:
God you got a bloody good memory Enzo , remind me never to borrow a fiver from you:redface: or did you google it , just so happens it was the first episode on Dave this morning,what a tit again Clarkson was thought he had bought the Merak SS 255bhp turned out after reading the service history someone had just stuck on the SS badge and his was actually 190 bhp After he had abused it half way round the country , on the rolling road it only pushed out 85 bhp no wonder the Stig in the Astra diesel beat all three lambo merak and fezza around the track


regards loz
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Don't have that good a memory Loz,
Pure coincidence that I was on the phone with my son whilst TG was on Dave...
and even then, a second after I put the phone down I couldn't remember if he said 229 or 299 !!

Regards,

Enzo.
 
lozcb

lozcb

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Great news in the fact that your sons watching TG even on Dave, you have trained a future petrolhead Sound :luvit:



regards loz
 
Khamsin433

Khamsin433

Junior Member
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414
Lhm

Yep, you got the LHM correct.

All Khamsins, Boras, Meraks and late Indys had some items that ran off this system. Good system when in fine fettle, but as with all things if left, age kicks in and you get a load of leaks as it runs at 2500 psi.

The early Meraks had brakes, headlights and maybe clutch that were LHM controlled. Can't remember if anything else was run off the system. Later SS versions dropped the LHM system and therefore are less complex and more traditional in terms of engineering.

Late Indy's had LHM brakes

Khamsins have the Steering, brakes, clutch, seat, headlights all running off the LHM.

Boras had LHM brakes, pedal box, headlights. Not sure if clutch was LHM.

All items for the system can be rebuilt so shouldn't frighten anyone off (I've had some fun on my Khamsin that's still on going). I think with the Merak's (as with all 70's Italian cars) it's the rust that needs to be watched for, as I think that can be the biggest cost unless you are of know an ace metal worker.

Oh the Euro spares pictures of the Top Gear wreck are old as I don't think it's in that state anymore. But if at the time an engine could have been found I think the body looked good.

Bal
 
N

nfm

Member
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856
The Citroen hydraulics were amazing when working well, at least on my old BX 16v GTI anyway. You could brake incredibly late and the car would not move around, or dip, at all. Mind you once it burst its waters you were well and truly stranded!
 
ENZ525

ENZ525

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lozcb said:
Great news in the fact that your sons watching TG even on Dave, you have trained a future petrolhead Sound :luvit:



regards loz
Click to expand...

We have both spent the last 2 weekends working on his 'new' 1989 mini 30...he can't drive it yet as he is only 16, but absolutely loves it!
Shame I can't get him to come to Silverstone, never mind.
Regards,
Enzo.
 
lozcb

lozcb

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If he is anything like my two lads when they were 16 , that car will be whizzing back and forth down your driveway , whilst your merrily working away hehe they often used to say to me , Dad your always saying what the eye doesn't see the heart doesn't grieve so what the problem, i do miss those times now they have grown up, was even more of an excuse to act 30 years youngers


regards loz
 
Khamsin433

Khamsin433

Junior Member
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414
Lhm

nfm said:
The Citroen hydraulics were amazing when working well, at least on my old BX 16v GTI anyway. You could brake incredibly late and the car would not move around, or dip, at all. Mind you once it burst its waters you were well and truly stranded!
Click to expand...

Yep I agree, but they do have fail safes in that the accumulators should allow you to stop the car from speed. That's assuming you have had them regularly serviced, unlike those on my car that haven't been touched in 20 years. That's the next job my car is going in for.

As stated by Andy Heywood of McGrath's and many others, there are numerous Citroens out there that used LHM systems so the few Maseratis with such items should not be a issue. Besides they become part of the character of these cars, such as the 2 turns lock to lock or the assisted clutch on the Khamsin not needing Arnie's left leg to depress it as on some other V8's of the period.

And in my opinion these three the Bora, Merak and Khamsin, the last 3 before the De Tomasso take over, in looks alone are worth the trouble. But then again isn't that part of the reason we buy these Italian pieces of art?

Bal
 
N

nfm

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856
Agree the Khamsin is a work of art, v impressed by the one I saw in the flesh late last year.

Cheers
 
Khamsin433

Khamsin433

Junior Member
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414
Anyone got the pictures of the egine from the guy? I did and it's not pretty.

The motor is still apart and the head with the failed valve has had metal added by welding around the valve chamber. Never gonna be good.

Really needs another head and complete rebuild using solid valves, not gonna be cheap so in many ways it's like the top gear car reasonable body but in need of a replacement motor. Plus side is that it's not an early car as it has the revised dash (same as the Bora), but is pre SS age so will have LHM.

Only good for anyone who has the items in "stock", shame really, hope someone puts it back together rather than becoming a breaker.

Bal
 
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