Clio Williams 2 Project.
Discussion
I've been after a project for a little while now and as a 30 something man it had to be a car that I wanted when I was younger. I remember when the Clio Williams was launched and wanting one but it was way out of reach. These are now quite thin on the ground and decent ones are hard to come by. This is the first time I've ever done this and while I'll be attempting most of it myself there will be some jobs I'll be leaving to those with a little more know how.
The plan is to try to get this to as close to original as is possible and then keep, most parts are still available and can be sourced quite cheaply.
Well here's the car;
Its covered 114k with service history and a folder of receipts. The bodywork isn't too bad with only a small rust spot on NS rear arch to look at. Both doors also have some rust on them but as I want to get it resprayed I'll be sourcing 2 doors which are rust free. I've already sourced a replacement boot lid as the current one has signs of rust repair done in the past.
It does have a problem with the alternator though as the battery doesn't hold its charge, upon inspection there is a loose connection. As I'm going to get the cambelt and water pump replaced it makes sense to replace the alternator at the same time.
Next few jobs after that will be
Full service
Clean Idle valve
Replace coolant tank
Replace spark plug cover
Replace Rocker Cover and Gasket
Replace leads
Change exhaust back to OEM part
The plan is to try to get this to as close to original as is possible and then keep, most parts are still available and can be sourced quite cheaply.
Well here's the car;
Its covered 114k with service history and a folder of receipts. The bodywork isn't too bad with only a small rust spot on NS rear arch to look at. Both doors also have some rust on them but as I want to get it resprayed I'll be sourcing 2 doors which are rust free. I've already sourced a replacement boot lid as the current one has signs of rust repair done in the past.
It does have a problem with the alternator though as the battery doesn't hold its charge, upon inspection there is a loose connection. As I'm going to get the cambelt and water pump replaced it makes sense to replace the alternator at the same time.
Next few jobs after that will be
Full service
Clean Idle valve
Replace coolant tank
Replace spark plug cover
Replace Rocker Cover and Gasket
Replace leads
Change exhaust back to OEM part
You need to speak to p4cks, or at least do a search for his threads in Readers Cars, as he has done 2x Williams to very high standards.
He'll point you in all the right directions.
Love your choice though, the Williams still remains an itch I need to scratch!
He'll point you in all the right directions.
Love your choice though, the Williams still remains an itch I need to scratch!
Edited by JohnBender on Friday 30th November 15:35
Edited by JohnBender on Friday 30th November 15:36
JohnBender said:
You need to speack to p4acks, or at least do a search for his threads in Readers Cars, as he has done 2x Williams to very high standards.
He'll point you in all the right directions.
Love your choice though, the Williams still remains an itch I need to scratch!
At first, I thought this was p4acks with ANOTHER project He'll point you in all the right directions.
Love your choice though, the Williams still remains an itch I need to scratch!
Nice choice man, one of the few Frenchies I would love to own, looking forward and to updates.
It's been a little while so I thought I'd give a quick update. The project has snowballed slightly, The bodywork isn't in as good a condition as first thought. I knew I would need 2 new doors and a new boot lid due to the rust, it was only once it was up on the ramp that the bent boot floor and state of the rear sub frame was noticed.
It's now with the body shop for them to attend to the above along with new sills and a full re-spray. He's assured me he'll take lots of pictures which I'll post.
The engines currently out and I'm using the added time to strip it right back, I'm undecided as to weather to paint the block or not and wondered what peoples thoughts are?
[url]
|http://thumbsnap.com/akx7XjpL[/url]
Interior is also out including the carpet, next jobs are to steam clean the seats and carpet, and re paint the new door cards I've sourced which aren't cracked like the original ones.
It's now with the body shop for them to attend to the above along with new sills and a full re-spray. He's assured me he'll take lots of pictures which I'll post.
The engines currently out and I'm using the added time to strip it right back, I'm undecided as to weather to paint the block or not and wondered what peoples thoughts are?
[url]|http://thumbsnap.com/akx7XjpL[/url]Interior is also out including the carpet, next jobs are to steam clean the seats and carpet, and re paint the new door cards I've sourced which aren't cracked like the original ones.
p4cks said:
Looking like a good start! If you need any help or info just give me a nudge. Been there, done that, got the tshirt. And I'd do it all again!
Thanks, I've already used your threads to source some parts but I'm struggling to find the heat shield for the engine bay. Also am I correct in thinking the floor mats are the same style as what went into the Williams 1?
I'm just in the process of breaking my Williams 3 for parts after just over 3 years of ownership.
Great little cars, and I sometimes wish I'd restored mine rather than take it apart and turn it in to a track car, but as you're discovering, rust can be a big problem on these cars, so it was never really worth it for the one I had.
Might be worth heading over to Clio16valver.co.uk. I think it's a bit more active than ClioWilliams, and there's always people selling parts.
It's always nice to see a mint one, though. They really do look great when they're mint!
Great little cars, and I sometimes wish I'd restored mine rather than take it apart and turn it in to a track car, but as you're discovering, rust can be a big problem on these cars, so it was never really worth it for the one I had.
Might be worth heading over to Clio16valver.co.uk. I think it's a bit more active than ClioWilliams, and there's always people selling parts.
It's always nice to see a mint one, though. They really do look great when they're mint!
Slagathore said:
I'm just in the process of breaking my Williams 3 for parts after just over 3 years of ownership.
Great little cars, and I sometimes wish I'd restored mine rather than take it apart and turn it in to a track car, but as you're discovering, rust can be a big problem on these cars, so it was never really worth it for the one I had.
Might be worth heading over to Clio16valver.co.uk. I think it's a bit more active than ClioWilliams, and there's always people selling parts.
It's always nice to see a mint one, though. They really do look great when they're mint!
Do you have standard wheels available?Great little cars, and I sometimes wish I'd restored mine rather than take it apart and turn it in to a track car, but as you're discovering, rust can be a big problem on these cars, so it was never really worth it for the one I had.
Might be worth heading over to Clio16valver.co.uk. I think it's a bit more active than ClioWilliams, and there's always people selling parts.
It's always nice to see a mint one, though. They really do look great when they're mint!
anyideas said:
p4cks said:
Looking like a good start! If you need any help or info just give me a nudge. Been there, done that, got the tshirt. And I'd do it all again!
Thanks, I've already used your threads to source some parts but I'm struggling to find the heat shield for the engine bay. Also am I correct in thinking the floor mats are the same style as what went into the Williams 1?
Quick update, I had managed to get a 16v shell minus the engine and original wheels. Thankfully both arches, doors and boot floor are rust free. I've spent today removing the interior (leather seats from as RSI) front and rear bumpers, lights and front wings. Plan is to sell these to get some money back. Once the body shop is finished with it I'll remove the suspension from it and dispose of what's left.
Body shop is going to transfer the doors across, fit the new boot I've sourced and start work on the arches, sills and sub frame from Monday. They reckon it will be ready for paint in a few weeks as they are doing it around other jobs.
I've also managed to get the allusive engine bay heat shield, it's not in mint condition but I'm thinking of using it to make a mould to then make a brand new one.
I'll post some pictures up once I've sorted them out.
Body shop is going to transfer the doors across, fit the new boot I've sourced and start work on the arches, sills and sub frame from Monday. They reckon it will be ready for paint in a few weeks as they are doing it around other jobs.
I've also managed to get the allusive engine bay heat shield, it's not in mint condition but I'm thinking of using it to make a mould to then make a brand new one.
I'll post some pictures up once I've sorted them out.
Finally getting somewhere with the engine, gearbox off and cleaned now starting work on the engine itself. The body should be back in a couple of weeks so trying to get this done by then.
![](http://thumbsnap.com/sc/jnX2ecnm.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="http://thumbsnap.com/7rbAdvjX" Target="_blank">[img]http://thumbsnap.com/sc/7rbAdvjX.jpg)
Finally secured the engine bay heat shield
so the list of parts needed is getting smaller but the job list is getting bigger.
Finally secured the engine bay heat shield
so the list of parts needed is getting smaller but the job list is getting bigger.Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff