Outrigger repair, gearbox mount and other stuff
Discussion
Having got my S in Feb, thought I would do some chassis cleaning and painting over winter just to keep on top of things. Problem was when I had a poke about a few weeks ago, I discovered somebody had done a very good job of covering rusty holes with three of these lovely thin plates siliconed on, painted and then the whole chassis slathered in waxoyl 
We'd given it a blinking good poke around before I bought it, but somebody had done an excellent job of hiding it. I had another close look when it was up on the ramp for its MOT in April, but no sign then either. An extra 6 months seems to have deteriorated it to a point where it became more apparent.
So, between an amateur spannerman (me) and a time-served expert apannerman (my old dad) and a handy guide on the tvrgit website (which was only found via this excellent resource - many thanks all round for that
) we got the body partially lifted in about 2.5 hours yesterday:
Much quicker than I expected - it went quite smoothly.
some pictures of rusty bits:
Also, took advantage to change the gearbox mount (picure of the packaging as well for the QH reference numbers for anybody loking for the right one - took a bit of hunting down):
Did a complete fluid change, engine oil, gear oil, diff oil, brake and clutch fluid, too.
Have a diff mount on order as the old one was at least as bad as the gearbox mount.
Outriggers should be replaced over the next couple of weeks or so, then coated with POR15.
Cheers for looking and the excellent resource on here.
We'd given it a blinking good poke around before I bought it, but somebody had done an excellent job of hiding it. I had another close look when it was up on the ramp for its MOT in April, but no sign then either. An extra 6 months seems to have deteriorated it to a point where it became more apparent.So, between an amateur spannerman (me) and a time-served expert apannerman (my old dad) and a handy guide on the tvrgit website (which was only found via this excellent resource - many thanks all round for that
) we got the body partially lifted in about 2.5 hours yesterday:Much quicker than I expected - it went quite smoothly.
some pictures of rusty bits:
Also, took advantage to change the gearbox mount (picure of the packaging as well for the QH reference numbers for anybody loking for the right one - took a bit of hunting down):
Did a complete fluid change, engine oil, gear oil, diff oil, brake and clutch fluid, too.
Have a diff mount on order as the old one was at least as bad as the gearbox mount.
Outriggers should be replaced over the next couple of weeks or so, then coated with POR15.
Cheers for looking and the excellent resource on here.
Good to see you're getting stuck in.
One things I'd say is check the level and angle of the corner chassis mounting plates on the outriggers. They are lower than the center line and mine were angled slightly downwards at the back. I made the mistake of welding them on the center line of the tubes and then had to re-do them because the body sat too high. My outriggers were well gone and covered in so much gunk that I'd not spotted this.
Jed
One things I'd say is check the level and angle of the corner chassis mounting plates on the outriggers. They are lower than the center line and mine were angled slightly downwards at the back. I made the mistake of welding them on the center line of the tubes and then had to re-do them because the body sat too high. My outriggers were well gone and covered in so much gunk that I'd not spotted this.
Jed
Jed-S said:
Good to see you're getting stuck in.
One things I'd say is check the level and angle of the corner chassis mounting plates on the outriggers. They are lower than the center line and mine were angled slightly downwards at the back. I made the mistake of welding them on the center line of the tubes and then had to re-do them because the body sat too high. My outriggers were well gone and covered in so much gunk that I'd not spotted this.
Jed
Good point - mine were exactly the same, they were welded below centre.One things I'd say is check the level and angle of the corner chassis mounting plates on the outriggers. They are lower than the center line and mine were angled slightly downwards at the back. I made the mistake of welding them on the center line of the tubes and then had to re-do them because the body sat too high. My outriggers were well gone and covered in so much gunk that I'd not spotted this.
Jed
Here's how I did mine: http://www.tvrgit.com/bodylift.html
and a photo all too familiar, same as yours:
Good work! 
Always pleasing when what on first impression seems like a mammoth task turns out to be easier than you thought.
Are you planning on doing the welding work yourself too?
Oh! and if you don't mind, where did you get the gearbox mount from and how much?
Andrew's (tvrgit) site is a brilliant reference which I often refer to myself before starting a job on the car as he has usually tackled it first.
Always pleasing when what on first impression seems like a mammoth task turns out to be easier than you thought.Are you planning on doing the welding work yourself too?
Oh! and if you don't mind, where did you get the gearbox mount from and how much?
Andrew's (tvrgit) site is a brilliant reference which I often refer to myself before starting a job on the car as he has usually tackled it first.
TVR-Stu said:
Good work! Always pleasing when what on first impression seems like a mammoth task turns out to be easier than you thought.
Are you planning on doing the welding work yourself too?
Oh! and if you don't mind, where did you get the gearbox mount from and how much?
Andrew's (tvrgit) site is a brilliant reference which I often refer to myself before starting a job on the car as he has usually tackled it first.
Thanks for comments chaps. Always pleasing when what on first impression seems like a mammoth task turns out to be easier than you thought.Are you planning on doing the welding work yourself too?
Oh! and if you don't mind, where did you get the gearbox mount from and how much?
Andrew's (tvrgit) site is a brilliant reference which I often refer to myself before starting a job on the car as he has usually tackled it first.
Got a welder mate to do the welding
Mount was from eBay, see item no. 110920260136
Got the tank and tank cradle both off and stripped today. Tank is in excellent condition really, took the opportunity to tweak the fuel sender to see if I get a more accurate reading at the gauge as well.
Cradle is less good, shouldn't be surprised really but I am incredulous that it is almost purposely designed to fill with water and rust from the inside out. Hence the Swiss cheese effect:
Cradle is less good, shouldn't be surprised really but I am incredulous that it is almost purposely designed to fill with water and rust from the inside out. Hence the Swiss cheese effect:
Hah! That's almost pristine compared with mine:
I am in the middle of replacing mine at the moment - my web site diary at www.tvrgit.com has details.
You're right about the design allowing rust from the inside out though - yesterday I taped up all the bolt holes on my new one and filled (and I mean filled) both legs with melted Waxoyl. Today I warmed up the cradle so that the excess melted and ran out again - at least I know I got good coverage! Should extend its life somewhat!
I am in the middle of replacing mine at the moment - my web site diary at www.tvrgit.com has details.
You're right about the design allowing rust from the inside out though - yesterday I taped up all the bolt holes on my new one and filled (and I mean filled) both legs with melted Waxoyl. Today I warmed up the cradle so that the excess melted and ran out again - at least I know I got good coverage! Should extend its life somewhat!
I cant tell from the photo if this is a 7 or 7.1/2 inch mount but might be of interest for this price to someone...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FORD-SIERRA-COSWORTH-DIF...
and
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/cosworth-rear-diff-mount...
I think this might be the right one...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GRANADA-DIFF-HANGER-/251...
K
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FORD-SIERRA-COSWORTH-DIF...
and
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/cosworth-rear-diff-mount...
I think this might be the right one...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GRANADA-DIFF-HANGER-/251...
K
Edited by ketvrin on Monday 26th November 11:45
Edited by ketvrin on Monday 26th November 11:47
The granada one looks the same but isn't - it's a Sierra one you need. When you see the Granada and Sierra items together you see that the Granada one is exactly the same shape, but bigger.
ETA photo by Philpott on this thread:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=10&...
MIne has the rubber bush split down both sides all the way down - but not (quite) right through, from front to back. Photograph from one side when it's unloaded (ie off the car) shows what seem to be two tiny cracks in the rubber, photo from other side shows no damage at all. But in reality, it's completely shot.
I decided that the ebay items mostly didn't look a lot better than the one I have, so bought a new "competition" poly one - yes it's expensive, but it's easy to change while the tank is out, and I hopefully won't have to do it again for a very long time.
ETA photo by Philpott on this thread:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=10&...
MIne has the rubber bush split down both sides all the way down - but not (quite) right through, from front to back. Photograph from one side when it's unloaded (ie off the car) shows what seem to be two tiny cracks in the rubber, photo from other side shows no damage at all. But in reality, it's completely shot.
I decided that the ebay items mostly didn't look a lot better than the one I have, so bought a new "competition" poly one - yes it's expensive, but it's easy to change while the tank is out, and I hopefully won't have to do it again for a very long time.
Edited by tvrgit on Monday 26th November 13:48
phillpot said:
Are you going for one of the posh (and expensive) after market ones? Thought original Ford ones were no longer available?
Gearbox mount is far easier, common to old Escorts, capris etc.
Posh poly- bushed one (as tvrgit below); the go faster Ford boys seems to think they are worth the cash and I believe (but not totally sure) the Ford ones are not available, as you say. There are some second hand ones on ebay but likely to be nearly as bad as mine and I really don't want to take her to bits again soon !Gearbox mount is far easier, common to old Escorts, capris etc.
ETA my main concern was not the cost per se, but getting permission to incur that cost from my better half1
Managed to drop the body back on the chassis yesterday and drive it home. Still a few jobs to do on the list, but at leats its mobile and at home!
Pics of the lovely new outriggers (3 coats POR15 and 2 coats Hammerite smooth)
ETA pic of painted tank, repaired and painted cradle and stainless tank strap too:
Pics of the lovely new outriggers (3 coats POR15 and 2 coats Hammerite smooth)
ETA pic of painted tank, repaired and painted cradle and stainless tank strap too:
Edited by Eelblady on Wednesday 2nd January 12:35
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