Time to start

[Storer]

Ok, the workshop is now complete so it's time to start the strip down.

So what's planned?

Gearbox rebuild including different ratios
Bodywork repairs and respray
Fit lowered floor (no helmet room!!!!)
Refresh chassis and wishbones
Some new cooling pipework
New windscreen, side windows and light covers
Plumb in aircon and heater again
New dashboard
Refresh interior
New wheels and tyres

There are bound to be other things I find but that list is long enough for now.

A few extra hp will have to wait a few months.

Paul

[dal2litrefrogeye]

so thats tomorrow sorted , what you up to sunday No seriously have you got a time scale in mind ish ?

[Storer]

Hi Darren

The respray will take 6 or 7 weeks but it really depends on how busy I get with other things.

I am self employed and we are expanding at the moment but I still get days when I can fit a few hours on the car in. I bit the bullet and paid a contractor to do some concreting for me and I have taken on a handyman to do the boring weekly maintenance jobs too. This should give me more time to play.

Paul

[Gulf LS3]

I seem to remember the radiator wanted some attention?

If you take the body off it may be possible to tidy up the wiring further. It will be nice to see the old girl refreshed, do you think you will be going to Stoneleigh?

[Storer]

Hi Kyle

I replaced the radiator a while back along with most of the suspension components.

There are lots of bits I want to refurbish/replace/tidy up.

I would love to think it will be ready for Stoneleigh but it will depend on many things not least my business commitments.


Paul

[Storer]

Managed to get both clams off and stripped along with the door windows and mirrors off.

Gearbox and engine tomorrow - I hope.

Paul

[Gulf LS3]

are you planning on retro fitting standard ultima chassis engine mounts or keeping it as is?

[Storer]

Gulf LS3 said:

are you planning on retro fitting standard ultima chassis engine mounts or keeping it as is?

I hadn't got that far yet but the engine mounts do need replacing.

Paul

[Storer]

So some of my issues are getting answers to them.

Passenger-side drive shaft bolts slack again.
Engine mount engine bolts missing on one side and rubber fractured on the other so not much holding the engine in!!!!!
There is obviously an issue here that needs to be resolved as Rob had problems with the shaft bolts. I will replace the shafts with upgraded one's but now I will have to investigate the engine mounts too as you suggested Kyle.

Anybody had any problems with the factory mounts for an LS engine?

Do the uprated drive-shafts spit grease around the engine compartment?

I am a little surprised at how few bolts or nuts have any locking mechanism - either spring washers, lock tabs, nylock nuts or studlock. This is something I will rectify during the rebuild.


Paul

[Gulf LS3]

Storer said:

So some of my issues are getting answers to them.

Passenger-side drive shaft bolts slack again.
Engine mount engine bolts missing on one side and rubber fractured on the other so not much holding the engine in!!!!!
There is obviously an issue here that needs to be resolved as Rob had problems with the shaft bolts. I will replace the shafts with upgraded one's but now I will have to investigate the engine mounts too as you suggested Kyle.

Anybody had any problems with the factory mounts for an LS engine?

Do the uprated drive-shafts spit grease around the engine compartment?

I am a little surprised at how few bolts or nuts have any locking mechanism - either spring washers, lock tabs, nylock nuts or studlock. This is something I will rectify during the rebuild.


Paul

the big problem with your install is that so much in the engine bay had been cut away or changed with the car having firstly a twin turbo V6 Ford then a LT5, so fitting a LS was not easy to be honest, you do not have standard Ls mounts fitted so all other Ultima instals are different.

the rubber mounts were from a landrover and LS ones in Corvettes etc are a lot bigger but as youve said i think it would be a good idea to rebuild the standard Ultima tripod chassis mounts.

the driveshafts want throwing in the bin as i believe there are too many shear forces being put through them, i do not think you will have problems with standard full length Ultima ones, yours have Granada inners and outers and have been nothing but a trouble since fitting.

[Storer]

Due to other things coming up during the day that shortened the amount of time out in the workshop, I will hopefully complete the the gearbox and engine removal tomorrow night.

I am going to have to talk to the factory about getting quite a few bits but will wait until I have a more complete list!!!!

Paul