Nelly the £300 MX5! Bangerific?!
Discussion
well I've managed to fit some time in around work this week so how she's currently sitting:
I've removed both front wings and the bumper as you can see, plenty of broken bolts unfortunately so I've got a rivnut set on the way over so I can quickly deal with those...
But whilst the wings are off I've wire brushed all the surface rust and kurust over the top, I ran out of time today to lay the stonechip over that but had a quick black on the n/s front edge.. think it'll look good. This stuff is from a local pain supplier called JCA Coatings, their own brand stuff and cheap enough. I've got some 3M cavity wax to get spraying with as well when I can get her up in the air.
Eitherway progress is going well! We're expect sunny weather over the weekend, so I'll probably tackle the windscreen frame and see if I can get the front end re-built for next weekend.
Any suggestions on what I should tackle next?!
Well it would appear that I'm getting a move on!
I managed to remove the windscreen today, paint some parts and wash/prep my bumper and new wing for the weekends bodywork efforts... hazzar!
I was quite appauled tbh with the sealant layed around the windscreen, the n/s was stuck with huge amounts of excess all hidden behind trims etc but the top and the drivers side of the screen had sealant that didn't fill the void between it and the frame and the drivers side sealant was barely stuck to the screen at all! Take a look at the pictures to see what you think... next is doors off and prep the screen frame!
O and I managed to de-tango my front lights as well!
Have a productive weekend everyone....
Dan
I've removed both front wings and the bumper as you can see, plenty of broken bolts unfortunately so I've got a rivnut set on the way over so I can quickly deal with those...
But whilst the wings are off I've wire brushed all the surface rust and kurust over the top, I ran out of time today to lay the stonechip over that but had a quick black on the n/s front edge.. think it'll look good. This stuff is from a local pain supplier called JCA Coatings, their own brand stuff and cheap enough. I've got some 3M cavity wax to get spraying with as well when I can get her up in the air.
Eitherway progress is going well! We're expect sunny weather over the weekend, so I'll probably tackle the windscreen frame and see if I can get the front end re-built for next weekend.
Any suggestions on what I should tackle next?!
Well it would appear that I'm getting a move on!
I managed to remove the windscreen today, paint some parts and wash/prep my bumper and new wing for the weekends bodywork efforts... hazzar!
I was quite appauled tbh with the sealant layed around the windscreen, the n/s was stuck with huge amounts of excess all hidden behind trims etc but the top and the drivers side of the screen had sealant that didn't fill the void between it and the frame and the drivers side sealant was barely stuck to the screen at all! Take a look at the pictures to see what you think... next is doors off and prep the screen frame!
O and I managed to de-tango my front lights as well!
Have a productive weekend everyone....
Dan
well today I spent some more time on the car, removed the doors to gain better access to things and removed all the surface rust from around the screen with a wire brush followed by a flap wheel where there was a little bit more hardened progress. I then Kurust'd the areas and any bare metal before a quick blast with etch primer, a skim of putty and a wet sand back down to smooth with some 240 grit wet and dry. Then a wipe down the applicable IPA and a couple of coats of acid 8 etch primer to finish things off for this evening.
Whilst that was all drying I spent some time filling the holes in the front bumper including a guide coat and some wet sanding to see any lows/highs.
I also got a lick of paint on the spare rocker cover etc... more to come!
Whilst that was all drying I spent some time filling the holes in the front bumper including a guide coat and some wet sanding to see any lows/highs.
I also got a lick of paint on the spare rocker cover etc... more to come!
well today I got some more time to spend with Nelly, was meant to be spent having the windscreen fitted but got let down... AGAIN! hopefully will get it done soon, the weather has been amazing and I really want to get out onto the road!!
So here is how she stands at the end of today, after removing 2 alarms and an immobiliser (auto electrician by trade so kind of like a busman's holiday today!)
the removed systems!
gotta love the tow hook!
so I'm held up now by the windscreen really... I might take the drivers seat out tomorrow if I get a moment and fitting the roll bar properly and give the carpet a clean... it's damp, smelly and covered in monkey nut shells at the minute so definitely needs a going over!
Dan
So here is how she stands at the end of today, after removing 2 alarms and an immobiliser (auto electrician by trade so kind of like a busman's holiday today!)
the removed systems!
gotta love the tow hook!
so I'm held up now by the windscreen really... I might take the drivers seat out tomorrow if I get a moment and fitting the roll bar properly and give the carpet a clean... it's damp, smelly and covered in monkey nut shells at the minute so definitely needs a going over!
Dan
so today I started to clean up the interior a bit, it was looking drab and seeing it like that really made me loose heart with the project
started with some autosmart stuff, a scrubbing brush and the VAX on the carpet passenger side first... here goes!
an idea of how bad the carpet was before!!
a nice 50/50
I then went at all the interior plastics with a bucket of soapy water and a nail brush, followed by a rinse off on the patio :thumb-up:
Then I finished the carpet!
Then off onto the seats, which were horrid!
Drivers before:
Drivers seat after against dirty passenger seat
Passenger before:
Passenger after:
Also cut the carpet around the door bars and got the plastics around the screen frame back on
The mess I made during the work
and nelly looking longingly at the road...
started with some autosmart stuff, a scrubbing brush and the VAX on the carpet passenger side first... here goes!
an idea of how bad the carpet was before!!
a nice 50/50
I then went at all the interior plastics with a bucket of soapy water and a nail brush, followed by a rinse off on the patio :thumb-up:
Then I finished the carpet!
Then off onto the seats, which were horrid!
Drivers before:
Drivers seat after against dirty passenger seat
Passenger before:
Passenger after:
Also cut the carpet around the door bars and got the plastics around the screen frame back on
The mess I made during the work
and nelly looking longingly at the road...
well this weekend was hectic, but it feels like I've managed to get a lot done!
so first off the painted cage went in - the paint isn't perfect but it's certainly good enough for me for now! I've still got the bolt the rear legs down properly but we're getting there!
then I fitted up the scuttle panel trim and repainted wiper arms with some Bosch Aerowipers
then I changed the shift boots and the turret oil - I refilled and drained it again twice until all I got was clear oil
And in trying to remove the rear wheels to remove the arch liners to bolt down the rear legs of the Carbing bar I managed to break my snap-on breaker bar... those wheel nuts were tight!
And here she is at the end of the day..
Just got to bolt the rear legs down over the coming week and then she's really on the home straight!
I also go over to M@rtin's to collect a new boot with ducktail spoiler and a brilliant black n/s front wing, so I don't have to worry about painting up the green one!
So all in all I'm chuffed to bits, the car is coming along nicely and I'm keen to get her MOT'd before the week is out!
so first off the painted cage went in - the paint isn't perfect but it's certainly good enough for me for now! I've still got the bolt the rear legs down properly but we're getting there!
then I fitted up the scuttle panel trim and repainted wiper arms with some Bosch Aerowipers
then I changed the shift boots and the turret oil - I refilled and drained it again twice until all I got was clear oil
And in trying to remove the rear wheels to remove the arch liners to bolt down the rear legs of the Carbing bar I managed to break my snap-on breaker bar... those wheel nuts were tight!
And here she is at the end of the day..
Just got to bolt the rear legs down over the coming week and then she's really on the home straight!
I also go over to M@rtin's to collect a new boot with ducktail spoiler and a brilliant black n/s front wing, so I don't have to worry about painting up the green one!
So all in all I'm chuffed to bits, the car is coming along nicely and I'm keen to get her MOT'd before the week is out!
well pictures as promised!
The brake conversion, old disc against new! Just a little bit of extra material there!
and the new setup fitted with the painted callipers/carriers
front
back
and finished, after a quick wash after passing her MOT... gonna polish her up and sort out a new hood, then she really will be restored to a usable condition!
I can't wait till Monday when I can get her on the road though!!!
Many thanks, see you all on the road soon
Dan
:goodjob:
The brake conversion, old disc against new! Just a little bit of extra material there!
and the new setup fitted with the painted callipers/carriers
front
back
and finished, after a quick wash after passing her MOT... gonna polish her up and sort out a new hood, then she really will be restored to a usable condition!
I can't wait till Monday when I can get her on the road though!!!
Many thanks, see you all on the road soon
Dan
:goodjob:
well my list of things grows and grows as ever, but I got it out over the weekend and can confirm that the torsen LSD fitted to this model as standard is in working order!
It's solid enough underneath although both subframes have reasonable amounts of surface rust coming through so at some point I'll have them out to paint them, fit my polybushed wishbones, coil overs and up-rated anti-roll bars. Then the sills have been repaired at some point, but they appear to be for MOT purpose rather than proper repairs, so I'm looking at getting them sorted properly in the winter by a recognised MX5 repairer locally.
But the immediate list of plans is:
new wheels - lighter, not curbed, better tyres!
new coolant hoses - silicons available from AK Automotive cheaply
exhaust
subframes/suspension
megasquirt & itb's
so it then all comes down to the sills! but all the modifications I'm making are able to be bolted on/off and onto another mx5 at any point so I'm happy to spend a little money on theses bits. All whilst this is happening I'm going to be driving it ALOT.. already done 300miles since saturday lunch!
Dan
It's solid enough underneath although both subframes have reasonable amounts of surface rust coming through so at some point I'll have them out to paint them, fit my polybushed wishbones, coil overs and up-rated anti-roll bars. Then the sills have been repaired at some point, but they appear to be for MOT purpose rather than proper repairs, so I'm looking at getting them sorted properly in the winter by a recognised MX5 repairer locally.
But the immediate list of plans is:
new wheels - lighter, not curbed, better tyres!
new coolant hoses - silicons available from AK Automotive cheaply
exhaust
subframes/suspension
megasquirt & itb's
so it then all comes down to the sills! but all the modifications I'm making are able to be bolted on/off and onto another mx5 at any point so I'm happy to spend a little money on theses bits. All whilst this is happening I'm going to be driving it ALOT.. already done 300miles since saturday lunch!
Dan
yeh, the engine was changed during all that snow we had. unfortunately I didn't really do much thinking prior to that so it was carried out in -2degrees in the snow on a gravel drive... it is not to be repeated!
Got a new numberplate being made up by a client who does vinyl for a living so will sort out that radiator blocker I've got now! all in time for a bit of summer thrashing hopefully!
Dan
Got a new numberplate being made up by a client who does vinyl for a living so will sort out that radiator blocker I've got now! all in time for a bit of summer thrashing hopefully!
Dan
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