Here we go - Restoration begins!

[Wedg1e]

Oz2 said:

So what about these?

Cheers
Adam

HOW much!? I'd want to be pretty certain that the originals are actually unserviceable; where they are located keeps them away from road cr*p and stray oil and grease. Mine are 27 years old and the car's done 120K miles but they're still sound enough. If the diff was leaping around under there you'd soon know about it.

[matt-man]

I got replacement bushes from david gerald...the bottom ones are now polybush (everything is)...the top hanger ones on mine were ok but when I took them out they were a bit cracked so I swapped them.

Checked the reciept and they were 58 sheets for the rear pair and 25 for the lower pair...

[Oz2]

Hi all,
I'm doing a bit of research here and it seems I can get them from super pro looks very similar to super flex and I've been told they are all manufactured here in Australia, in Brisbane
Who'd of thunk it?
I'll see how the prices compare
Adam.

[matt-man]

Well it's been a while since I've posted...few reasons but mainly I had o have a small op a few weeks back so wasn't allowed to go near th garage...

All better now so spent a few hours out there and tonight....it ran!!!

Somehow there is a leak on the power steering pipe which I need to. Look into and bleed the clutch and brakes so it will move but I'm over the moon! Big step!

[mrzigazaga]

Looking well lush…Have you cut the swan neck down where the silicone gets squashed by the bonnet when closing?..Or just pulled it up further over the pipe...Cheers…Ziga

[matt-man]

Hey zig-I've just pulled it up the sleeve...thought that way I could see when the bonnet goes on if it will squish ok. I think it will be ok.

[superwedge]

get some paint on them petrol tanks ?

[matt-man]

Hey all,

Sorry it's been so long since I last posted but its been a bit slow to be honest!

She went to longlife for the exhaust and then after that went straight to the garage I have been using for years for them to give it a thorough look over and check before the MOT

Brake master cylinder was leaking (only a few years old but I didn't seal it off so rubbers perished) so a shiny new one installed! Afetr that she sailed through the MOT this morning with absolutely no advisories.

After a terrible morning Of rain and wind,as I arrived to collect her the sun came out so roof down and a 25 mile journey back home with glorious sunshine!!

Quick stop of vpower...



The new exhaust is...er..loud! Idle and town driving is very similar to before but when you open the taps up,it makes a hell of a noise!!

Here she is back home! Need. To wash the road gunge off...



I absolutely over the moon

[mrzigazaga]

Wow...Well done that man..Looking..Swwweeeetttt...Did you have the rocker covers powder coated and if so was the detailing on the fins done before or after...Cheers...Ziga

[chapperssx]

Hi Matt fantastic work bud I bet it feels like a new car, how about a little video of the old girl in action !!

[beacon]

Hi Matt,

Well done fella, you have done an amzing job and the car looks the " Dogs " so to speak. Very impressed.

[carob]

Looking sweet Matt, well done.

Rob

[matt-man]

Cheers guys! I'm buzzing about it right now and really keen to get back to work! Got a few bits to do on top now but fingers crossed should be going in for pain in Feb...

It drove incredibly!the whole car is polybushed and I have to say on first impression I am very pleased although I drove home really carefully as the roads are filthy...

Very strange driving a car after that work and it feeling like driving it again for the first time... Especially as I have had it 8 years and done over 30,000 miles!!

Zig-i hand painted the engine parts...

[superwedge]

don;t go out in that st rain again,all your hard work will be xuck up,these are not rain cars at all,

[matt-man]

No, not going out again! Had to Collect it hence driving yesterday but no way! Don't want to do this job again!!

[adam quantrill]

Took your time didn't you??? ;^)

Nice to see it finished and on the road - don't worry about the rain though - I use mine rain wind or shine.

[matt-man]

just a little update. ..been taking the time to do bit of tidying so began on the boot.

I was amazed to find the electric aerial box was made of card...not only that but the original aerial box!

Carpet reglued and ready for the next 25 years...



ive always wondered about the boot release catch cable so checked it out..it was on the final strand!



I have always meant to fix the lights in the boot but never got round to it...I was amazed to find they are always on when the headlights are switched one?! I put 5w bulbs in as I dont want them getting too hot.

Also, I took a look at the exhaust...its quite small! Maybe thats why its a little louder

Edited by matt-man on Sunday 5th January 15:34

Edited by matt-man on Sunday 5th January 15:35

Edited by matt-man on Sunday 5th January 15:38

[Wedg1e]

The boot lights being on permanently with the sidelights is normal; I reconfigured mine (using the spare control wire for the electric aerial as a new feed) so that they work off the alarm switch.

[superwedge]

all that wet under side, push the car out side let dry off,

[mrzigazaga]

superwedge said:

all that wet under side, push the car out side let dry off,

just get a very fluffy cat....Simples...