Project Peterborough
Discussion
I already knew there was a slight gearbox oil leak. Most Pandas do from time to time. This one I tracked back to small tear in the driver side inner CV boot. Again this is a common occurance and not an issue as they're only £12 or so each and while I have the engine out a straightforward task.
Hmmmmm.... Straight forward?
It took fifty minutes to undo the two upright bolts. One with a 19mm socket and the other with an 18mm that I had to hammer on and chisel off due to rust. The bottom ball joint had no rubber seal on it at all so the whole assembly is now out. The two 13mm bolts for the track control arms took 13mm, 1/2 inch, 12mm and 7/16th to get off. I'm thinking of getting a plasma cutter because I couldn't get a grinder in there. I took the whole assembly apart and this...
...was all that's left of the brake dust shield/backing plate.
Oh and the leak. It was a slight one considering the tear in the CV boot was about two inches long. Bodged with black silicone of course.
The chap who I bought this car from is organising a classic car show next Mayday weekend. I was going to take the Fantasia but now I'm so annoyed with how the 4x4 has been treated I'm going to put everything right, take it to the show and shove it up his nose instead!
Hmmmmm.... Straight forward?
It took fifty minutes to undo the two upright bolts. One with a 19mm socket and the other with an 18mm that I had to hammer on and chisel off due to rust. The bottom ball joint had no rubber seal on it at all so the whole assembly is now out. The two 13mm bolts for the track control arms took 13mm, 1/2 inch, 12mm and 7/16th to get off. I'm thinking of getting a plasma cutter because I couldn't get a grinder in there. I took the whole assembly apart and this...
...was all that's left of the brake dust shield/backing plate.
Oh and the leak. It was a slight one considering the tear in the CV boot was about two inches long. Bodged with black silicone of course.
The chap who I bought this car from is organising a classic car show next Mayday weekend. I was going to take the Fantasia but now I'm so annoyed with how the 4x4 has been treated I'm going to put everything right, take it to the show and shove it up his nose instead!
The CV boot arrived in the post today so I need to put the front assembly back together, drop the engine in, repair the cv, take the front assembly apart, refit the driveshaft.
Should be fairly tight in the two and a half hours of daylight left. I'm going to pace it and get the engine in today at least.
Should be fairly tight in the two and a half hours of daylight left. I'm going to pace it and get the engine in today at least.
So I knew I was limited with time today as it's Uncle Robs Taxi service to football practice Thursday.
I reassembled the front hub as planned...
...and here's a top tip for anyone doing CV Boots in the future.
Leave it in hot water for a few minutes so it pops over the oil seal easier.
The outer CV looks as shocking as the rest of my shed. I really must buy something to put those Punto GT brakes on.
Finished, tidied, showered, changed and ready...
...be told soccer practice has been canceled.
I could have the bloody engine half in now!
Still some of the fiddly stuff is don and dusted so I have less to swear about later.
I reassembled the front hub as planned...
...and here's a top tip for anyone doing CV Boots in the future.
Leave it in hot water for a few minutes so it pops over the oil seal easier.
The outer CV looks as shocking as the rest of my shed. I really must buy something to put those Punto GT brakes on.
Finished, tidied, showered, changed and ready...
...be told soccer practice has been canceled.
I could have the bloody engine half in now! Still some of the fiddly stuff is don and dusted so I have less to swear about later.
It's fair to say I've felt a bit shafted by this car and the level of bodges so far. At least today I can feel the project is properly shafted.
It's so much easier to get to the 10mm CV bolts from the top without the carb' and starter motor in the way.
Still no paint because the payday fairies visit this Friday and I plan to paint the whole lot when I jack the suspension up.
One of the many joys of Pandaing is the number of like minded individuals who appreciate these little cars. FrankenFiat II comprises of a Punto 60 1242cc block with 886 Punto 75 cam', Uno inlet manifold, AP Racing clutch, VW Golf 1.4 8V carb' and a black box distributor I paid £50 for last year (for Guff II but the mice and men have been at it again).
I've just sold the carb' and cam' from the filler block 999 FIRE 4x4 for £50 so in the end it'll be a free upgrade.
It's so much easier to get to the 10mm CV bolts from the top without the carb' and starter motor in the way.
Still no paint because the payday fairies visit this Friday and I plan to paint the whole lot when I jack the suspension up.
One of the many joys of Pandaing is the number of like minded individuals who appreciate these little cars. FrankenFiat II comprises of a Punto 60 1242cc block with 886 Punto 75 cam', Uno inlet manifold, AP Racing clutch, VW Golf 1.4 8V carb' and a black box distributor I paid £50 for last year (for Guff II but the mice and men have been at it again).
I've just sold the carb' and cam' from the filler block 999 FIRE 4x4 for £50 so in the end it'll be a free upgrade.
My nephew wanted to help so instead of doing the exhaust as planned (that would involve too much swearing for little ears) I did a couple of fiddly jobs instead.
The Punto starter motor from my Fantasia is in place. I'll recondition the 4x4 motor before fitting it to the Fantasia. The Punto motor was a temporary repair and I promised the car an original item would be found. And I showed my nephew how to use a socket in a tight space.
"There are no shortcuts to knowledge but you can learn experience from others".
My dad showed me the rubber band socket trick when I decided to fit an LCB to my first Mini and now I've passed it on.
The Punto starter motor from my Fantasia is in place. I'll recondition the 4x4 motor before fitting it to the Fantasia. The Punto motor was a temporary repair and I promised the car an original item would be found. And I showed my nephew how to use a socket in a tight space.
"There are no shortcuts to knowledge but you can learn experience from others".
My dad showed me the rubber band socket trick when I decided to fit an LCB to my first Mini and now I've passed it on.
Conian said:
No, but I think youre fettling life style rules out white ones at least
Also Norfolk mud would be troublesome to wash out. I was thinking easy wipe clean surface but the seat is only just big enough for me let alone anyone more buxom. Would look odd against the green paint anyway. Liquid Knight said:
And I showed my nephew how to use a socket in a tight space.
"There are no shortcuts to knowledge but you can learn experience from others".
My dad showed me the rubber band socket trick when I decided to fit an LCB to my first Mini and now I've passed it on.
How does that work then?"There are no shortcuts to knowledge but you can learn experience from others".
My dad showed me the rubber band socket trick when I decided to fit an LCB to my first Mini and now I've passed it on.
WinstonWolf said:
But why "Project Peterborough"?
Flying Toilet said:
Probably need something secure and reinforced to come out that dump alive.
Peterborough is the whiplash fraud capital of the UK at the moment. At the start of the thread I mentioned I was offered a job in the God forsaken Hell hole and needed something tough enough to survive commuting there and back every day. 
If you're wondering why I need a snorkel it's just in case someone leaves a gym door open and I have to wade through the tsunami of bull poo that would result.
Thank you for joining the thread.
Today.
I had a bit of an issue with the exhaust. Due to the 1242 block being slightly taller.
The down pipe is close to the block. Barely a couple of millimeters space.
Sadly where the down pipe meets the centre section the flange made contact with the gear linkage.
Marked up, cut off...
...welded together, ground flat and flapped tidy so I could...
...weld on a strap to re-enforce the join and ensure a decent lap weld would make it air tight.
Now free and clear of the sector linkage and graduated downward slightly to clear the prop'shaft better.
A couple of other jobs that needed doing.
Found a new home for the fuel pump, plumbed it all in and I'll wire it up tomorrow.
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