Wyn's Chimaera Body Off Thread

[pwd95]

Well, the time has come to take the 450 apart. Was at a crossroads this last couple of weeks.. either sell & get an Esprit Turbo or keep hold & take it apart in the winter. Over the last few days I began to notice a slight knock coming from the engine which yesterday got really bad. So, the decision has been made for me. So after a quite remarkable 151,800 miles it's time to refurb the bugger.

Any links to body bolt positions etc... ?
Chassis coating options... Not keen on Powder Coat, any suggestions on tougher alternatives?

Edited by pwd95 on Friday 29th May 17:53

[pwd95]

kris450 said:

Best of luck and keep us updated with how its going !!

This should help to start with : https://chimrebuild.wordpress.com

Thanks Kris, will have a good read of that later. Feeling quite excited now. Hopefully get some action shots up Sunday.

[pwd95]

ukdj said:

This should help you along .....

http://autogasp.com/documents/TVRChimaeraBodyLiftC...

Brilliant, thanks Paul. Plenty to absorb.

[pwd95]

Thanks chaps, hoping to get it all done before the winter sets in.

All down to time of course.

Bin looking at the Enamel Bake the Lotus Guys have,,,

http://www.spydercars.co.uk/

[pwd95]

pb450 said:

Zinc Metallization. Google it. Basically a thermal spray application of a zinc and aluminium coating applied to steel. The gas flame bonding of the zinc to the grit blasted steel is needed to remove any rust and prepare the steel for proper adhesion of the zinc. This process protects the steel from corrosion for decades longer than paint alone. Many TVR chassis' are now protected this way, including mine. Should out-see me now!

Like the sound of that. Where did you get that done?

[pwd95]

bababoom said:

I,l be down your way next weekend if you need a hand with anything.
About the chassis coating ive never seen or heard of anyone galvanising a chassis.
Ive seen plenty of land rovers with it done over the years.

Edited by bababoom on Friday 29th May 22:27

Has bin done.....

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Not sure I'd risk the hot dip process though.

[pwd95]

So...... after a good inspection of the chassis, it all looks very solid all told. So I've decided to just get the engine refurbed for now.
Got to the point now where it's all stripped down ready for the lift........



I read V8 Racing's guide which was very helpfull.
Only 1 question really... The "Clutch ST plate"..... is this the bolt visible through the bell housing access hole?

Cheers

[pwd95]

Few more pics...



Got the top Bell Housing bolts done with a 9/16 spanner from the top. Very eazy. These were the ones I was most worried about........

[pwd95]

Any advance on the Clutch 'ST Plate' ??
Cheers

[pwd95]

It's ok, just realised what it is.

[pwd95]

FRTiv said:

Hi Wyn - just got your email about the rebuild - fantastic to see what you're doing to her. Hope all goes well with it and can't wait to see how she turns out. Well done!

Fran

Mr Routlidge Sir

Taking this one apart has exposed how well you have taken care of it over the last few years... Even the 100 amp fuse was greased up for protection! Little details like that show how an experienced mechanic who cares about his work can make a big difference to the running of one of these beauties. Very rare these days unfortunately...

I'll be keeping this thread updated as we go along so keep looking in.

[pwd95]

Nearly came out tonight. Going to re adjust my straps tomorrow night & she should pop...

[pwd95]

Pink_Floyd said:

pwd95 said:

Nearly came out tonight. Going to re adjust my straps tomorrow night & she should pop...

Do you still have the gearbox attached ? if so you may find, as I did, that jacking up the rear of the car makes it all come out so much easier.

No gearbox attached, so going to separate them tomorrow night & lift the bugger out.

[pwd95]

It's a boy!!!!!






Fits neatly in the back of Vinnie the Vectra.....



Off to John Eales now for the rebuild.

[pwd95]

J400GED said:

Awesome mate!
Did it come out relatively easily?

Bit of a struggle getting it off the gearbox spline but the rest was much easier than I thought. You've just got to be methodical & box all your bolts & stuff.

[pwd95]

Transmitter Man said:

I hope you're not going for one of his Micky Mouse 380 bhp builds.

Remember, Wedgers are men, not mice.

Phil
420 SEAC

It's going to be fairly standard Phil. Bit of porting & balancing obviously. Just wanted a good quality job .

[pwd95]

Brought the engine back from John today. Fantastic service from John I must say. The engine is fully run in on his bench dyno with power graph. The knocking turned out to be a slipped liner so the block now has a full set of top hat liners, new con rods, 218 cam & fully balanced. Can't wait to 'give her a feel'....

[pwd95]

Thanks chaps. Not doing the body off job at this sitting though. The chassis looks in really good shape at the mo just going to get the mechanicals A1 & do the chassis as & when. Should start a new thread really.

[pwd95]

So, has anyone managed to get the engine back in with the oil filter on??

[pwd95]

So.... don't try & put the engine in with the oil filter on ... it won't go.


Got her in tonight... job's a goodun...










Connect everything up over the weekend & put my ACT pipes on etc. More pics to follow.

Targeting Thursday the 1st for tax reasons...