[ROVERNET - UK] New Member - Just Starting Out - Tech Probs for Registration

[WVDHDC at aol.com]

I'm a new member to the group and  recently the new owner of a 1969 2000TC LHD with approximately 75000 miles.  The car has been checked by one mechanic familiar with British and one mechnanic/former Rover dealer and both say it's in exceptional mechanical and physical shape.  Needless to say, I'm looking forward to having it on the road.

I'm in the process of getting it registered as an antique in Washington, DC (yes, this city-state has its own licensing department!) but unfortunately the jurisdiction requires city-administered emissions/brake testing prior to registration.  Despite the best efforts of my mechanic, I've failed both and are looking for suggestions:

1- "Acceptable" emissions level is 1250 ppm HC (idle).  The car initially clocked 2681.41 and after carb adjustment 1293.00.  Mechanic says he thinks the initial high reading was due to metering rod/valve misfunction (choke was not adjusting when pushed in after startup).  He showed me how to remove the air filter and manually push the carb adjusters down to close the choke after the car warmed up, but that didn't work today -- any thoughts?

2- The rear brakes are also failing me.  After failing the initial test, the mechanic bled the rear brakes, found a blockage in the right rear line and cleared it.  Results were nearly the same for the first and second test - rear balance 128% on left, 65% on right;  and measurment of 485 lbf brake force on left rear,  248 lbf brake force on right.  Discs aren't rusty, brakes relatively new.  Previous owner told me that the right rear had locked unexpectedly at some point, but not sure what they did to correct it  My mechanic says the next step is to replace the rear rubber brake hoses (maybe someone used wrong brake fluid in the past??).  Any thoughts on this?

I've much enjoyed reading the archives and hope I can have this p6 legally on the road soon.

Brian Alcorn
Washington, DC