Author Topic: Ongoing builds  (Read 10184 times)

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Offline 4129R

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Re: Ongoing builds
« Reply #45 on: Sunday,January 28, 2018, 09:26:55 AM »
This badly rusted car is 4259R.

I have nearly dismantled the left front suspension now, just the rear lower arm stuck on the fixed 1/2" fixed bolt as the bush has rusted solid. So of the 4 arms, and the coil over shox, 3 arms and both top and bottom inner metal parts of the bushes had corroded on and had to be cut off.
I cut the thread to the correct length in situ with the nut on to make sure the length was correct, and to thread the end as the nut came off.

I heat up the bush until the rubber melts, then pull the arm and the outer part of the bush off, cut the rest of the rubber away, and then grind two sides of the rusted metal part of the inner bush until the metal is fully ground away and the two rusted halves fall away.

I have damaged one of the steering rack clamps, so if anyone knows a source, please let me know, otherwise I will have to get some aluminium block and make up two new clamps which will be a real pain.

This car is proving to be a yellow peril.

Offline BDA

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Re: Ongoing builds
« Reply #46 on: Sunday,January 28, 2018, 10:29:34 AM »
It sounds like you have a tough one on your hands! With all that corrosion, I'm surprised the rest of frame looks as good as you expect.

It may be time for this:  :BEER3:  Good luck!

Offline 4129R

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Re: Ongoing builds
« Reply #47 on: Sunday,January 28, 2018, 11:09:28 AM »
Just bought an aluminium billet on eBay to try to make the steering rack clamps. The 1/4" bolts are so corroded in the cast ally clamps, I will have to cut the clamps up to get them off the chassis to convert to RHD.

I tried drilling the bolts out, but the drill bits would much rather drill through the cast ally clamps, than the steel 1/4" bolts.

Offline rascott

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Re: Ongoing builds
« Reply #48 on: Sunday,January 28, 2018, 01:58:20 PM »
i was faced with a similar problem when i removed the steering rack on my '69s2.
very furry, but the clamps were on studs.
mine eventually came apart, and cleaned up fine.
i think some luck was involved.

Offline GavinT

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Re: Ongoing builds
« Reply #49 on: Sunday,January 28, 2018, 04:33:23 PM »
Are the rack clamps difficult to find?

SJ Sports Cars have them listed at £59.00 a pair.

https://www.sjsportscars.com/parts-and-accessories/SJ046H0015.htm



Offline 4129R

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Re: Ongoing builds
« Reply #50 on: Monday,January 29, 2018, 05:21:52 AM »
Thanks for that. One pair ordered.

That saves me a heap of work.

Luckily I can trash the suspension arms as the car came with heaps as spares.

Offline 4129R

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Re: Ongoing builds
« Reply #51 on: Monday,April 30, 2018, 12:52:17 PM »
4259R. "The Yellow Peril"

I cut off all the rusted parts of the chassis, took the chassis to the local garage to get plates welded on.

The Y where the frame splits around the engine was badly rusted and the bottom front where the closing plate bolts to 3 captive nuts was also badly corroded.

No way could those be welded in situ, so it had to be frame off.

The suspension was a complete mess on all 4 corners, so new bolts everywhere, ( I had to cut the bushes off the bolts) new arms on the front, and new shox all round.

When putting the front hubs back on, I had mixed everything up. It should be noted that the trunions (bottom swivel joints) are handed. Left hand thread for the left side, and surprisingly right hand thread for the right side.

I had to use a 20 tonne press to get the driveshaft UJs out of their housings. The circlips broke when pulling them out which became a challenge.

I bought a hydraulic press which became very useful when pushing the felt seals into the hubs on the inner wheel bearings. That took 2 tonnes of pressure.

New discs, new pads, new brake shoes, new master cylinder, and next new Cunifer brake lines. When finished, this will be a very good "Yellow Sunshine" car.

The rear of the engine bay had some fibreglass damage, but luckily I have spare shell parts, so I just cut out the bits with a battery powered angle grinder for the bodyshop to piece in.

I wondered why 4688R and 4259R came with so many spares. Now I know.

I had assembled one front hub with a GT6 hub by mistake. The GT6 stub axle is bigger, so the wheel bearing would not fit. I learn all the time.

Offline BDA

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Re: Ongoing builds
« Reply #52 on: Monday,April 30, 2018, 01:43:55 PM »
Quote
I learn all the time.

So do I. Being on this forum is an ongoing education!

4259R sounds like a real basket case! It's great that you're reviving it!

Offline Certified Lotus

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Re: Ongoing builds
« Reply #53 on: Tuesday,May 01, 2018, 02:34:20 AM »
4129R, sounds like you have your hands full. Your a braver man than I am forging ahead with cars that have seen much better days. But, if your like me, the personal pride of accomplishment of rebuilding a period sports car back to its glory makes it all worth while. Keep up the great work!

Offline phil

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Re: Ongoing builds
« Reply #54 on: Tuesday,May 01, 2018, 03:23:53 AM »
Where in the UK are you?

That car looks to be in a very similar condition to a lot that have been renovated by members on this forum.

So it is not beyond hope.

Kettering, so just up the M11/A14 from yourself.

The chassis is in very good nick from initial inspection so I’m pleased :)

Thats 2 in Kettering!! Wow

Offline 4129R

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Re: Ongoing builds
« Reply #55 on: Tuesday,May 01, 2018, 08:02:23 AM »
4129R, sounds like you have your hands full. Your a braver man than I am forging ahead with cars that have seen much better days. But, if your like me, the personal pride of accomplishment of rebuilding a period sports car back to its glory makes it all worth while. Keep up the great work!

They get easier to renovate, the more you do.

A complete nut and bolt strip down now is not as scary as it once was.

I seem to know every part of a TCS intimately now.

My wife thinks I am completely mad, but at least she knows where I am. All the seats (10 at the moment) are stored in the sauna, together with all the door cards and other upholstery. It is the driest place in the whole barn. All the garages and car ports are full of everything including engine hoists, engine stands, hydraulic presses, and a tent style garage where everything gets cleaned and painted. 5 are part done and 2 are still in a disgusting state as stored in a field somewhere for 40+ years.   

Offline Gmg31

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Re: Ongoing builds
« Reply #56 on: Tuesday,May 01, 2018, 09:12:21 AM »
Mine has been a full shell off restoration over 2 1/2 years of an Else Europa. It’s now back on the road but is it ever really finished? I still have at least a dozen jobs to do.

Offline BDA

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Re: Ongoing builds
« Reply #57 on: Tuesday,May 01, 2018, 09:41:43 AM »
It sounds like you're a bit like me. The answer is, no, it's never finished.

Offline Certified Lotus

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Re: Ongoing builds
« Reply #58 on: Tuesday,May 01, 2018, 11:42:13 AM »
My wife thinks I’m completely mad because I restore one car after another. If I had 5 lined up she might have me committed.......

Offline LeftAngle

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Re: Ongoing builds
« Reply #59 on: Tuesday,May 01, 2018, 02:15:48 PM »
My car’s not a rebuild in the classic sense.  It’s being redesigned, but it was body off, if that counts 🙃. Hope to have it running by LOG38.
Yes, it's work...   No, I don't mind it.