Project Chim Refurb log

[ProjectChimaera]

A few pics from the nearly naked chassis and a pile of parts for refurb and paint.
Could I have a few recomendations on paint manufacturers for items like hubs, diff and the like please? Ideally something that I can both brush and spray which will stand up to the normal environments of dirt/heat etc.Also any pics of colours that complement the white chassis and suspension arms to help me decide?
Ordered a huge pile of bits today, upper and lower arms, bushes, drop links etc. will be like xmas when they turn up!
Cheers Adi

[LongBaz]

From that picture it looks a real mess

[ProjectChimaera]

Sure is Longbaz, there is light at the end of tunnel though. Replacement chassis being refurbed and soon to be built with lots of new bits. Hopefully!

[ClassiChimi]

Great, I'll be reading this with joy, nothing like a good re build thread.

[sheel]

My favourite is Rustoleum really tough not brittle and chippy available in plenty of colours in brush and airesol ,only thing with it is in brush format takes a fair while to dry and in spray format you need to apply a second coat fair quickly after the first or it can pickle
Have used it on my hubs etc to good effect and years ago used it on a 7 esque tubular chassis.....stones would hit the paint but it only bruised it and never chipped it off
Rich

[ProjectChimaera]

Thanks Rich will research product.

[paulathome]

Hi Adi,
Looking at your chassis it is much worse than mine especially the wishbones.
Having recently done my own body off referb, I would look very closely at the top chassis tubes
where the rear mounting point is for the front wish bones on both sides. The powder coating takes a proper beating with the heat from the exhaust manifolds.
After strip down I went round the chassis hitting it with a pointed hammer looking for rust.
To me it was just the out riggers that needed replacement but when Richard Thorpe sand blasted the chassis the top chassis tube was in a very dangerous condition especially as it's the mounting
for the suspension, so have a really good look.
Just my pennies worth, and good luck with the rebuild.

Regards,
Paul.

[vaurien]

You planing to exchange the chassis or why you cut out the square tube with the vin no?!

This cut you made also wrong because it would be better to cut it out by both ends. On this
way it is not to see that you replace this tube on "new" chassis if you welded it nice.





by standard steel chassis is hot dip galvanizing one good choise ( stainless steel the best)
later KTL after powder coation and final pu stone chips protection.

Edited by vaurien on Sunday 24th July 14:39

Regards

Gregor

Edited by vaurien on Sunday 24th July 15:05

[ProjectChimaera]

Thanks Paulathome, my chassis has had it! Tapped loads of holes and very thin in places so not worth the effort. I have another excellent one being refurbed a little after some excellent help on here locating one. I'm replacing all of the arms too as they are very poor.

[ProjectChimaera]

Thanks Gregor, the welding on the new chassis will be very nice!

[ProjectChimaera]

A bit more done today, gearbox,diff and various bits degreased ready for further action.
Inlet manifold and heads removed, camshaft and followers look in decent nick. Suspect that the engine has had some previous work, head gaskets/inlet manifold were composite material. Normal for 98 or were they tin type?
Bores are in good condition, no lips or scores and only a little movement.
Will have the sump off (leaking anyway)tomorrow and crack off a main and big end and if they look ok will leave alone I think.The water pump feels a bit rough so will replace it whilst I'm there.

[ClassiChimi]

This is very commendable as other people might have considered scrapping this car,,
Thank the stars for blokes like you fella.

It is mainly bearing and rubber gator degradation etc that has to be overcome on these builds,
Hubs etc should be good so just replace bearings and joints etc which is all very cheap

The stark contrast of what this car was a week ago and what it will be,,, should be in every resto magazine in 'The World'


What's the interior of the car like, Damp I'd imagine

[ProjectChimaera]

Thanks classic, it's certainly a labour of love this one! Interior apart from carpets and some seat rebuilding is recoverable I think, but I darent even give it serious thought until I've got a decent rolling chassis again.
Decided to replace big end and main bearing shells after inspecting today, not awful but seems to make sense having come this far. Camshaft is ok.
I've got new ball joints and rear driveshaft gaiters as they are rubbish. Both rear wheel bearings to replace but fronts are ok.
All new calipers and brake discs. Chassis will be brilliant, hope I can get the rest of it to a decent standard!

[ClassiChimi]

this is clearly not the first car you've breathed some life into so I hope you enjoy it.

I'm sure you'll be on here scratching up the odd part or other so onwards and upwards.

[ProjectChimaera]

First heap of bits off to the bliasters and powder coaters today.
Top work from Engineer1949 who dropped off my nicely fettled replacement chassis today, pics to follow.A little bit to do and it's off to be blasted and finished too.

[ClassiChimi]

Should look mighty nice when done.

[ProjectChimaera]

Chassis repaired, off to be blasted and finished on Monday! Repairs courtesy Engineer1949, nice job!

[ProjectChimaera]

[ProjectChimaera]

One precat removed, one to go. Stubborn little blighters aren't they!!!

A few pics above of bits being prepped and painted whilst I await the chassis return from the refinished.

Engine back together with new shells, water pump, thermostat, head and valley gaskets.

It's getting a little more satisfying now as I move closer to putting some bits back together.

[CHIMV8]

ProjectChimaera said:

One precat removed, one to go. Stubborn little blighters aren't they!!!

A few pics above of bits being prepped and painted whilst I await the chassis return from the refinished.

Engine back together with new shells, water pump, thermostat, head and valley gaskets.

It's getting a little more satisfying now as I move closer to putting some bits back together.

What equipment did you use,people have used all sorts