As Good As New ... well almost ! :: Restoration started

[TVRees]

So here we go.....

This is going to be a long job, I'm sure,
but I want to keep this S2 on the road for the next 26 years.

Anybody need 10kg of Waxoyl flakes, mixed in with some rusty bits ?

Tim

[AJC77]

Good luck with it. I'm having mine done as we speak and have been spending a fair bit of time researching and cross referencing parts.

[magpies]

you could do the 'wide open bonnet' mod while your there

[Kitchski]

I assume you've taken the body off? Don't muck around with wire brushes and stuff, get it blasted thoroughly. A resto is fully stripping the chassis down and starting again IMO.

[TVRees]

Thanks for the feedback.
I am certainly thinking about some kind of bonnet mod, maybe something similar to the one on Jens car, moving the pivot point forward.
Fortunately, the chassis is not in a bad condition, just surface rust really and no holes. The last owner had the car for 13 years and drove about 7000 miles in that time, otherwise it was kept in the garage.
I would love to do a body off, but I'm afraid that if I take that many bits off the car, I'll never remember how to put them back together again ! Especially sad, since I could shot blast the chassis myself in work, as we have a 4m long Sybrandy walk-in shot blasting cabin. Call me a chicken, but I'm only planning a partial lift. Whatever comes off in one piece will be shot blasted though, for sure.
Tim

[TVRees]

So here's an update ...... I've been busy in the last few weeks, even though on some days it was too hot to work in the garage.

>> finished the front end



>> and then decided to go the whole hog and take the body off



>> Raise me up, he said ..... all steel bits look OK, so welding is not absolutely necessary, but I might upgrade a piece or two.



For the next few months it will be more wire brushing and painting.

Any suggestions for some mods, now the bods off ?

Tim

[tel595]

Great work Tim, love the wrap...

[TVRees]

Thanks Terry, regarding the wrap - it's not there for the wife's Christmas present, that would be too early

[glenrobbo]

Yep, nice work Tim.
That's the best choice of chassis colour I have seen to date.

If you haven't already done so, I would certainly recommend the removable cross member mod to allow easy sump removal in the future.
Plus the wide open bonnet mod is worth considering.

Definitely fit new engine mounts whilst you have better access to them.
Check gearbox and diff mounts, and propshaft u/j's.
While you're at it, it would be worthwhile renewing the clutch for peace of mind.

I'm sure others will come up with more ideas to keep you busy.
Keep us updated with your progress.

I love work.

I could watch it all day long........

[TVRees]

Thanks Glen, glad you like the colour !
Your suggestions are very much appreciated and I will look into all of them. I didn't think about renewing the clutch, so that is certainly now on the list.
We've got a "slight" heatwave coming, so I'll not be going anywhere near the garage for the next week or two . Wish I was out there driving !

Edited by TVRees on Saturday 3rd December 14:06

[mk1fan]

Heatwave

Was 50 deg C each day last week, no rest for me.

[TVRees]

50 degC is really very hot, verging on the unbearable I imagine, were you at work or on hols ?

[mk1fan]

Wasn't very humid so actually quite bearable.

Spent most of the time sorting out bits and peices on the outlaws flat. Did get a couple of days out to the beach though.

[TVRees]

Had a few days off over the last few weeks, so got a few things done ....

Gearbox - "outside cleaned and painted"
>


Then I made an "engine holding" frame from some (rusty) scrap metal and took the engine out
>>


>>>


>>>>


>>>>> - got some interest from the locals too !


>>>>>>



AND THEN FINALLY, ready to grit-blast and re-paint the chassis and clean and re-paint the engine.

[magpies]

I'd check out a current thread - Bonnet Hinge Mod thoughts - Tel595's mod looks the simplest and very good

[magpies]

also the handbrake cable is easy to replace while the body is off

[TVRees]

Thanks for the input. Handbrake cable is OK, so this will not need replacing.

I've got a "special" design on the cards for the bonnet mod. Looking at my timeline, this could be early in 2017 , but not in any hurry. However, a full design, with 3D drawings will also be likely

[glenrobbo]

TVRees said:

Thanks for the input.

I've got a "special" design on the cards for the bonnet mod. Looking at my timeline, this could be early in 2017 , but not in any hurry. However, a full design, with 3D drawings will also be likely

That sounds interesting Tim! I shall await further revelations.

Keep up the good work.

[TVRees]

This weekend managed to shot blast 3/4 of the chassis and apply first layer of black 2-part epoxy. I did the front end already 6 months ago, so I decided not to do this again.
I shot blasted the chassis myself. It was hard work, but I think the result is worth the pain in my lower back

Before


Blast Off - Selfie


Blasted Clean


Painted

[Kitchski]

Good to see you shot blasted it before painting. I see so many people who just rub down the chassis and think they've got it all!

Is that Rustbuster?