Newbie - Restoration Project 1st Post and Photo
Discussion
mattgtd said:
Sardonicus said:
That's nothing to do with it being a later car (powder coat quality etc) that's just neglect and salt water corrosion 
which is good for the OP'er if he got it cheap enough 
if this has been on the road recently with a current MOT then 
that's been like that for ages 
that's a new chassis for sure needed 
hope the mechanical's and the general condition are OK otherwise the costs are going through the roof DIY or otherwise 
Totally agree, mine is a 98 S and the chassis has been thoroughly coated in black schultz, which seems to have completely done it's job and wherever you scrape a bit off it is pure white underneath. which is good for the OP'er if he got it cheap enough if this has been on the road recently with a current MOT then that's been like that for ages that's a new chassis for sure needed hope the mechanical's and the general condition are OK otherwise the costs are going through the roof DIY or otherwise Edited by Sardonicus on Wednesday 26th November 12:09
As said above it is all down to how each individual car has been treated / stored and generally looked after.
ProjectChimaera said:
Hi Phazed, will the body come off past the manifolds then? Looks awfully tight? Would save a few more grazed knuckles trying to get the bolts out, been on it most of the afternoon! Thanks for the heads up.
Phased is correct. May take the heat shielding off the body but you will be replacing that anyway. Maybe a little bit of grease to help ease the old girl off !!!!As promised some pics from todays endeavours. Thanks to everyone for the encouragement and comments so far.
Basically, rear anti roll bar off, exhaust off, rear diff sensor disconnected, fuel pump wiring disconnected, reverse switch and handbrake switch disconnected. Handbrake unbolted from chassis, starter removed and all but one of the exhaust manifold bolts removed from the offside(one sheared and one simply refuses to budge at the moment). If Phazed can confirm body will come off without manifold removal then i wont bother withe the rest.Makes sense i guess, i can't imaging the factory putting the manifolds on after fitting body to chassis? Onwards and upwards!
Basically, rear anti roll bar off, exhaust off, rear diff sensor disconnected, fuel pump wiring disconnected, reverse switch and handbrake switch disconnected. Handbrake unbolted from chassis, starter removed and all but one of the exhaust manifold bolts removed from the offside(one sheared and one simply refuses to budge at the moment). If Phazed can confirm body will come off without manifold removal then i wont bother withe the rest.Makes sense i guess, i can't imaging the factory putting the manifolds on after fitting body to chassis? Onwards and upwards!
phazed said:
Now I'm under pressure!
I'm sure I've read before that you can leave them on.
I'm sure someone(s) will be along to shoot me down!
I'm sure I've read before that you can leave them on.
I'm sure someone(s) will be along to shoot me down!
......Only joking.................Don;t know for sure, but its easier if you remove as many ancillaries as possible.Its been 4 years or more since i did mine, but i removed the manifolds, and left the engine, gearbox etc in situ.
I'm in the camp of removing the manifolds first. If people have managed it with them on then fair play, but I just can't see how its possible.
The body (at the bottom) just about clears the chassis, but still rubs. Seeing as the manifolds are wider than the chassis I really don't see how the body will fit over them (as per the below).
Best of luck with getting it back on the road
The body (at the bottom) just about clears the chassis, but still rubs. Seeing as the manifolds are wider than the chassis I really don't see how the body will fit over them (as per the below).
Best of luck with getting it back on the road
phazed said:
Now I'm under pressure!
I'm sure I've read before that you can leave them on.
I'm sure someone(s) will be along to shoot me down!
I have witnessed it when the body has been lifted off with the manifolds on but its mighty tight and removes heat reflection off car. And you will be lucky if all your manifold bolts come out easy,judging by the state of the rest of the car.!! Just smear some grease on this area. Obviously put them back on after body is in place. I'm sure I've read before that you can leave them on.
I'm sure someone(s) will be along to shoot me down!
Don't know much of the history I'm afraid . Looks like it started life in Nottingham and later servicing was in Manchester. I bought it about a year ago and stored it indoors whilst I worked up the enthusiasm.The last tax disc was 2009 so it could well have been off the road since then. I must look up the VOSA mot history and see if that sheds any light. I can only guess that it failed an MOT and was then left out in all weathers since. Having got it in the air I'm quite surprised that's the main chassis looks in much better nick than the suspension arms. I have little doubt that it will need some repairs but nothing I've seen looks irretrievable at the moment.At least I was under no illusions when I bought it as a non running sorry looking beast that deserves a second chance.
ProjectChimaera said:
Don't know much of the history I'm afraid . Looks like it started life in Nottingham and later servicing was in Manchester. I bought it about a year ago and stored it indoors whilst I worked up the enthusiasm.The last tax disc was 2009 so it could well have been off the road since then. I must look up the VOSA mot history and see if that sheds any light. I can only guess that it failed an MOT and was then left out in all weathers since. Having got it in the air I'm quite surprised that's the main chassis looks in much better nick than the suspension arms. I have little doubt that it will need some repairs but nothing I've seen looks irretrievable at the moment.At least I was under no illusions when I bought it as a non running sorry looking beast that deserves a second chance.
Is this your first TVR? Also, is this a keeper for you? Guessing it is as these aren't money spinning projects, in fact quite the opposite... If your answer to the first two questions is yes then you sir, are a hero 
Keep the updates and piccies coming, and the very best of luck with it, this forum (as you no doubt know) is the very best resource you could ever wish for if you need advice, technical info, help of any sort, and general morale boosting encouragement
Chilli
ETA: I see you're in Suffolk... I'm just up the road in Norfolk
Edited by ChilliWhizz on Wednesday 26th November 20:59
Hi Chilli, I've joined the Norfolk and Suffolk TVR club, are you involved in that's? The answer to both questions is yes, always wanted a proper sports car and couldn't resist that V8 burble!
Plan is to pretty much bring it back to standard form, that in itself is going to cost a few pennies I suspect. Really enjoyed making a start and it's nice to work on something 'old school' without lots of extra electrical bits.I will be a lot happier when I can get those blinking manifolds off, after that it should be reasonably ok, save no doubt for a few more rusted bolts.
Just looked up the Mot history and I was totally wrong in my assumptions, last test expired 30/4/2013. Got to laugh one of the advisories was " N/S and O/S inner sills slightly corroded but not effecting chassis" They must have been temporarily partially sighted!
Plan is to pretty much bring it back to standard form, that in itself is going to cost a few pennies I suspect. Really enjoyed making a start and it's nice to work on something 'old school' without lots of extra electrical bits.I will be a lot happier when I can get those blinking manifolds off, after that it should be reasonably ok, save no doubt for a few more rusted bolts.
Just looked up the Mot history and I was totally wrong in my assumptions, last test expired 30/4/2013. Got to laugh one of the advisories was " N/S and O/S inner sills slightly corroded but not effecting chassis" They must have been temporarily partially sighted!
ProjectChimaera said:
Hi Chilli, I've joined the Norfolk and Suffolk TVR club, are you involved in that's? The answer to both questions is yes, always wanted a proper sports car and couldn't resist that V8 burble!
Plan is to pretty much bring it back to standard form, that in itself is going to cost a few pennies I suspect. Really enjoyed making a start and it's nice to work on something 'old school' without lots of extra electrical bits.I will be a lot happier when I can get those blinking manifolds off, after that it should be reasonably ok, save no doubt for a few more rusted bolts.
Just looked up the Mot history and I was totally wrong in my assumptions, last test expired 30/4/2013. Got to laugh one of the advisories was " N/S and O/S inner sills slightly corroded but not effecting chassis" They must have been temporarily partially sighted!
Just goes to show an MOT is sometimes not worth the paper its printed on!!. Oh and welcome to the TVRCC. Plan is to pretty much bring it back to standard form, that in itself is going to cost a few pennies I suspect. Really enjoyed making a start and it's nice to work on something 'old school' without lots of extra electrical bits.I will be a lot happier when I can get those blinking manifolds off, after that it should be reasonably ok, save no doubt for a few more rusted bolts.
Just looked up the Mot history and I was totally wrong in my assumptions, last test expired 30/4/2013. Got to laugh one of the advisories was " N/S and O/S inner sills slightly corroded but not effecting chassis" They must have been temporarily partially sighted!
If you have sheared one of the exhaust bolts off you'll be taking the head off presumably to have the remaining part of the bolt within the head spark eroded or drilled out presumably? That being the case why don't you just take both heads off the block leaving the manifolds still attached to the heads? Just an idea…...
Mr Supercharged, yes that's definitely an option. The bolt sheared off right at the head so I hope there is enough left for 'stud' type removal. I reckon that if you can at least get one manifold off then it might give a little wriggle room for the body to clear and then I can get at them for a better job? Anybody lifted the body with just one manifold off? If not i may just pull the whole engine out.
either take the manifolds off or remove the heads makes life a lot easier should you find you need a new chassis which looks quite possible i have a spare i am also in norfolk at brundall so not to far away i did what you are starting out on a couple of years ago plus a few upgrades doing my wedge at present
john
john
My local MOT tester will pass that if you buy him a tin of those lovely miniature chocolate bars he so enjoys!
I do admire a man who likes a challenge, but you sir must be a gluten for punishment. How did it actually get that bad - I mean it would have failed it's MOT years before this level of rot got established.
I hope you bought it for a price that factors in new wish bones, out riggers and bushes etc. If that's the case and you are obviously prepared for the hard graft ahead then get your coat on and head for the garage and put her back on the road. Enjoy.
I do admire a man who likes a challenge, but you sir must be a gluten for punishment. How did it actually get that bad - I mean it would have failed it's MOT years before this level of rot got established.
I hope you bought it for a price that factors in new wish bones, out riggers and bushes etc. If that's the case and you are obviously prepared for the hard graft ahead then get your coat on and head for the garage and put her back on the road. Enjoy.
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