Body off hidden costs?

[Whizz65]

Hello

Looking a Chim project, looking at something that will need a body off etc.

Had a 450 that had a body lift at Willow (Newark) 4 years ago when I sold it.
Nick did a wonderful job.

This time looking at doing it myself, apart from out riggers, main rail repairs, new bushes and all the obvious things what other hidden costs are there? Looking to keep the car for many years so while the body is off I really want to do everything………… within reason! I’ve got the space, fairly able to tackle most things and have access to lots of engineering facilities. So if you’ve done this I’d really like to know what additional un expected costs you incurred along the way. Many thanks

[italian job]

I'm in the process of doing this to my 450 as we speak,my additional costs over and above the items you mentioned have been,water pump,silicone coolant hoses,stainless steel coolant pipes and an aluminium radiator.New wheel bearings,ball joints and track rod ends.CV gaitors,seal kits for callipers,braided brake lines.New clutch friction plate and rear crank seal,not forgetting additional items that have been powdercoated over and above chassis and suspension components.
It soon adds up that's for sure

[Graham]

I originally dropped my chassis out to inspect, blast, repair and paint, and the plan was just to clean up and then throw on the original suspension then sort that later.


The chassis turned out to be the cheap bit as it didnt need repairs just blast, hot zinc and paint.


but I've ended up replacing

wishbones,
all bushes
track rod ends
ball joints
fuel pipes and clips
water pipes and clamps ( act)
all suspension bolts
all body bolts.
pedals ( leven)
engine bay heat shielding
brake pipes
about 1 million tie wraps
pas pipes.
intake elbow


the biggest hidden cost has got to be paint on the body where its been in the garage for 2 years grrr

[Krautchimaera]

+1 for Graham,
done exactly the same including wheel bearing seals, the bearings itself were perfectly ok. New handbrake cable.
Also rebuilt the calipers and had them regalvanised they look like out of the box and together with rebuilt kits about 70GBP for all of them
When the body is back on, I will need a new carpet kit as well and maybe new seat belts cause they are really slow.
will also move smaller Oddyssee batteria to behind passenger seat etc etc.
So will sure fork out some more money

Bernd

[portzi]

I have said this on Trev450 body off rebuild thread. You can't appreciate how bad your chassis is until you can see it all. I feel just repairing the outriggers is false economy, unless your on a tight budget of course. Looking forward to another interesting rebuild thread, keep them coming.

IS IT ME OR ARE THESE REBUILDS BECOMING MORE COMMON ON OUR FABULOUS CARS?

[Trevor450]

I would be changing the clutch while the body was off. I am having the whole assembly replaced as the pressure plate fingers are not in good condition.

My rebuild is here.

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

I think a lot of the cars are getting to an age where the shoddy powder coating is starting to take its toll. Saying that, a friend of mine has just lifted the body on his '93 430 and the chassis is in excellent condition apart from a couple of bits at the rear outrigger corners, but the earlier cars - especially those with the grey powered coat are supposed to be much better.

[Richard 858]

I believe the reason that the early (grey/silver) coated cars are in better nick is that until around 1997/8 the powder coating was subbed out to an outfit that did a decent job, after that (white) TVR took the process in house & didn't !