Hold(en) my beer - Monaro, Ute and Commodore content
Discussion
SturdyHSV said:
The adapter includes an 1/8" NPT port so I can run an oil temp gauge which will be nice, I have a dash surround with a 52mm gauge hole in so it'll be relatively subtle, now on a bit of a mission to try and find an analog oil temp gauge that doesn't look too out of place compared to the factory gauges...
It's an Australian car and no modified Aussie car is complete without an Autometer or 9.
seefarr said:
Noted, doesn't look too out of place either, at least it's white on black 
If this was an mwstewart thread obviously I'd get the autometer then get a company to make up a matching gauge print with the right font etc. Which I have considered, inspired by mwstewart's threads
JakeT said:
Still keeping up to date. Building an engine during lockdown is a good use of time.
Have you managed to get anywhere with the sunroof debacle at all?
It's funny you should ask... It was sorted today! Perhaps not an essential trip but they had the sunroof in stock so it was booked in and they fitted it this morning. It didn't blow off on the way home, it presumably won't leak, so all good at last! Have you managed to get anywhere with the sunroof debacle at all?
Krikkit said:
And another still watching with admiration - I don't always comment but always enjoy reading the work.
This kind of build is the perfect anathema for lockdown fever.
Much appreciated, lockdown has totally obliterated any time pressure or sense of missing out with it being in pieces, and I've found that actually really nice, even if I encounter a bit of an "ah fThis kind of build is the perfect anathema for lockdown fever.
k" moment, it's fine, I know there'll be a way around it, and there's plenty of time Unsure whether it deserves its own thread, but I finally sold the GTV, and the good lady needs a first car. Lockdown not a great time to buy, so basically we both just browse ebay etc. and roll the dice.
I found something on car and classic, she liked it, and it turned up today. No doubt overpaid I'm sure (£2,000...) but it's done 47,700 miles, 1 owner, mot history is suspiciously immaculate and clearly elder gentleman owner, so what the hell, E36 316i Compact (the slow 316 with the 1.6) arrived from Cornwall today
Will post some more pics once it's cleaned up. So far, everything works perfectly, the underside is remarkably clean and it drives really nicely, ideal learner / first car right?
Utter base spec, but it's got the most important BMW item... something with the word Business on
Rivnutted in a smattering of the brake line clips, used stainless hardware so hopefully should survive alright.
Reused the holes from the old holders for the 2 on the chassis rail, will add some more going back, also need to pick up some of the hose clips to hold the fuel line
Once everything is in place I'll prime/paint the exposed bits of metal underneath where clips were removed or the waxoyl etc has come off.
(the two random nuts in the way are just what hold the exhaust heat shield on, which I've taken off for access)
Got a bit tired of rolling around under the car so made up the crossover line for the fuel rails, it's now -8AN from tank to rails (which are -8AN too, it's absolute overkill but as I'll be hoping to keep the stock fuel pump if possible and thus pushing it near to its limits, I thought it wouldn't hurt to have as little restriction as possible
I'm unconvinced by the shiny paint on the manifold and by the anodised red of the rails, I may give the rails a coat of paint to black, will have to see.
Reused the holes from the old holders for the 2 on the chassis rail, will add some more going back, also need to pick up some of the hose clips to hold the fuel line
Once everything is in place I'll prime/paint the exposed bits of metal underneath where clips were removed or the waxoyl etc has come off.
(the two random nuts in the way are just what hold the exhaust heat shield on, which I've taken off for access)
Got a bit tired of rolling around under the car so made up the crossover line for the fuel rails, it's now -8AN from tank to rails (which are -8AN too, it's absolute overkill but as I'll be hoping to keep the stock fuel pump if possible and thus pushing it near to its limits, I thought it wouldn't hurt to have as little restriction as possible
I'm unconvinced by the shiny paint on the manifold and by the anodised red of the rails, I may give the rails a coat of paint to black, will have to see.
SturdyHSV said:
JakeT said:
Still keeping up to date. Building an engine during lockdown is a good use of time.
Have you managed to get anywhere with the sunroof debacle at all?
It's funny you should ask... It was sorted today! Perhaps not an essential trip but they had the sunroof in stock so it was booked in and they fitted it this morning. It didn't blow off on the way home, it presumably won't leak, so all good at last! Have you managed to get anywhere with the sunroof debacle at all?
Utter base spec, but it's got the most important BMW item... something with the word Business on
Being a BMW does the "m" button make is go faster?
SturdyHSV said:
It's funny you should ask... It was sorted today! Perhaps not an essential trip but they had the sunroof in stock so it was booked in and they fitted it this morning. It didn't blow off on the way home, it presumably won't leak, so all good at last!
Great news! It's just getting to the weather where you might want to use it, too. Jader1973 said:
Glad to hear the sunroof is finally fixed
Being a BMW does the "m" button make is go faster?
I think it just disables the indicators to be honest Being a BMW does the "m" button make is go faster?
JakeT said:
Great news! It's just getting to the weather where you might want to use it, too.
Yep, I really like having a sunroof so assuming we're ever allowed to leave our homes again it'll be great I do need to sort the HVAC though, I have the actuators but haven't gotten around to taking bits of interior out to get to them and try to work out which one of the 5 isn't working etc. The weather just hasn't been trustworthy or pleasant enough that I want to start taking it apart, at least now that it's got a lid on it'll perhaps feel a little more sensible to leave it in bits.
Went to clean the inside of the Ute out (lots of condensation in there and getting spots of mould on the seats etc.) and the driver's side door doesn't latch shut, so that's going to need sorting ASAP... The exterior handle feels like there's no resistance on it, interior one the same, it feels like the internal mechanism is stuck in the open position basically
Tonight's mission is probably to feed through the driver's side rear brake line as that's the shorter / simpler run of the two, I really don't want to feed a whole line through and then find I run out of line right before the end, seeing as I've gone to the effort of redoing them completely, I'm not going to settle for having joins midway along because I ran out of pipe
More oil cooler bits arrived, I can't be the only one that has to immediately get bits out and hand assemble them as soon as they arrive?
Improved Racing oil cooler adapter, only ordered a few days ago, epic delivery, all nicely packaged and so on, nice company.
Mishimoto thermostatic valve, again, solid packaging and looks a nice piece.
Improved Racing oil cooler adapter, only ordered a few days ago, epic delivery, all nicely packaged and so on, nice company.
Mishimoto thermostatic valve, again, solid packaging and looks a nice piece.
Last night I did the passenger side rear brake line, basically unravelled it from the front and poked it through above the subframe, then from under the car bent it behind the charcoal canister as the factory one went, fed through easily enough and could reuse factory clips which was convenient.
Got some pictures this time too
This is looking up, the left clip on the shot below is the clip in the picture above.
Pokes behind charcoal canister sitting in the factory clips
Actually missed a photo here where it runs above the subframe, but then after that it sits in another clip, reused the factory rivot hole for this one
Then runs along under the car, there was a cover here that'll I'll put back on but will install a clip or two inside it, then again reused factory rivet holes for the clips along the chassis rail
Finally runs up into the engine bay as it did before, again, a clip will go in here to support the lines, then runs along the chassis rail to the front.
All in all, a much simpler job than I expected, and that's the hardest line to run, the driver's side is just straight alongside this one, through the gap above the subframe and then into the flexi hose. Sadly need to buy another reel of pipe though as only have about a metre left.
Hmm, as I need to buy more pipe, I can't help but notice that Copper Nickel lines would be a better choice, this copper plated steel stuff has the odd detractor and realistically the lines have been super easy to do, so I may just redo them in the better material. Am I being over the top here?
Got some pictures this time too
This is looking up, the left clip on the shot below is the clip in the picture above.
Pokes behind charcoal canister sitting in the factory clips
Actually missed a photo here where it runs above the subframe, but then after that it sits in another clip, reused the factory rivot hole for this one
Then runs along under the car, there was a cover here that'll I'll put back on but will install a clip or two inside it, then again reused factory rivet holes for the clips along the chassis rail
Finally runs up into the engine bay as it did before, again, a clip will go in here to support the lines, then runs along the chassis rail to the front.
All in all, a much simpler job than I expected, and that's the hardest line to run, the driver's side is just straight alongside this one, through the gap above the subframe and then into the flexi hose. Sadly need to buy another reel of pipe though as only have about a metre left.
Hmm, as I need to buy more pipe, I can't help but notice that Copper Nickel lines would be a better choice, this copper plated steel stuff has the odd detractor and realistically the lines have been super easy to do, so I may just redo them in the better material. Am I being over the top here?
Edited by SturdyHSV on Friday 5th March 10:12
Well, with no sensible guidance of what is 'over the top', obviously the new replacement lines will be replaced with proper Kunifer/Cupronickel lines, some nicer stainless fittings have also arrived, I just figured as the lines are so easy to do at this point with everything off the car, I'd regret not doing them, and they should last even better.
The line hasn't turned up, so naturally I got to work making the list even longer... What on earth am I doing now? Well, some years ago I had the battery put in the boot, a long positive cable was run and basically just bolted to the original battery terminal, and then covered in electrical tape... This has always been a bit ungainly, so took it apart and removed the little subsection of loom.
At thus point I got to thinking about the fact that plastic trunking and the red cable running around the strut tower were a but unsightly, and there's a nice box section the cable could run through instead and well now the quarter panel is off and I've made a right mess
The fuse box will be bolted back where it was originally, but instead of sitting in the plastic trunking around the strut tower, the loom will run through the box section. I also needed a way to run the ABS module connector through to the front and as this is part of the same loom, that'll also go through there and pop out at the front. So I made some holes, dremeled the edges smooth (rubber edging is on its way to cover them) and poked the positive cable through as a test run
Good job I'm painting it right?
So, at that point it was time to really bite the bullet and accept that the car is about to tick all the 'project car' boxes I can think of:
No MOT
SORN
On axle stands with no wheels on
No engine or gearbox
No brake or fuel lines
Missing 3 body panels
The main loom is cut
Despite now being really quite deep down the rabbit hole, I feel more confident of getting it all done than before, the fact I spent 90 minutes labelling wires has inspired a sort of relaxed determination that I'll just keep chipping away at it without getting discouraged and thus I will get there eventually, nothing to it but to do it.
The line hasn't turned up, so naturally I got to work making the list even longer... What on earth am I doing now? Well, some years ago I had the battery put in the boot, a long positive cable was run and basically just bolted to the original battery terminal, and then covered in electrical tape... This has always been a bit ungainly, so took it apart and removed the little subsection of loom.
At thus point I got to thinking about the fact that plastic trunking and the red cable running around the strut tower were a but unsightly, and there's a nice box section the cable could run through instead and well now the quarter panel is off and I've made a right mess
The fuse box will be bolted back where it was originally, but instead of sitting in the plastic trunking around the strut tower, the loom will run through the box section. I also needed a way to run the ABS module connector through to the front and as this is part of the same loom, that'll also go through there and pop out at the front. So I made some holes, dremeled the edges smooth (rubber edging is on its way to cover them) and poked the positive cable through as a test run
Good job I'm painting it right?
So, at that point it was time to really bite the bullet and accept that the car is about to tick all the 'project car' boxes I can think of:
No MOT
SORN
On axle stands with no wheels on
No engine or gearbox
No brake or fuel lines
Missing 3 body panels
The main loom is cut
Despite now being really quite deep down the rabbit hole, I feel more confident of getting it all done than before, the fact I spent 90 minutes labelling wires has inspired a sort of relaxed determination that I'll just keep chipping away at it without getting discouraged and thus I will get there eventually, nothing to it but to do it.
Edited by SturdyHSV on Monday 8th March 09:01
I'm a big Monaro fan so I'm very much enjoying reading your posts, and admire your confidence in undertaking such a big project. I've currently got the suspension apart on my 205 and I'm concerned about whether I'll get it all back together in a sensible timeframe - if I went to your level of stripdown it would forever be in bits 
CarlosV8 said:
I'm a big Monaro fan so I'm very much enjoying reading your posts, and admire your confidence in undertaking such a big project. I've currently got the suspension apart on my 205 and I'm concerned about whether I'll get it all back together in a sensible timeframe - if I went to your level of stripdown it would forever be in bits
Cheers You had a Monaro didn't you, feel like I recognise the username?About 5 years or so ago I was quite depressed and as a reflection of that, the Monaro sat unused for about 18 months and prior to that had only sporadically moved as I'd stopped seeing friends etc. Bits of algae growing on the window rubbers, filthy, bird s
t, MOT long since expired etc. and it felt like a bit of a mountain I'd never be able to climb.Eventually began to come out of the rut thanks to some other changes in my life, and long story short didn't really need to do much to the Monaro other than replace the battery and actually get it MOTed (just needed a track rod end as it turned out, replaced them both, naturally
). Anyway, getting the car back on the road after such a long time helped put in to context that whatever issues there are with the car (or me!), even if it means it's off the road for years, they'll be overcome eventually and as such they're not worth stressing about.
I'd say I'm going in to this not with confidence as such, but with the acceptance that whatever happens it won't be insurmountable (assuming I don't manage to set it on fire
)I was always a bit scared of suspension, but now having done a few bits, I'm quite happy that I could put it back together, it's normally getting the bloody bits apart that's the issue, the joy of UK usage!
Awesome read matey, glad to see use of multiple V8's in the UK and the detail in that engine build is something to be proud of. You can bet a lot of people offering engine building as a service (and charging plenty for it!) wont have checked or done things to such a level.
We did a euro trip a couple of years back and one of the lads had a monaro, it had a full exhaust / manifolds done by AAS up in Newcastle and sounded sublime. I enjoyed being a passenger in it for some of the journey, especially into Switzerland who don't seem to like cars any more than a necessary transport device when the car you're in sounds like thunder the guys ('n' gals) at border control were very nice though after theyd done all their checks!
Will look forward to the engine start video!
We did a euro trip a couple of years back and one of the lads had a monaro, it had a full exhaust / manifolds done by AAS up in Newcastle and sounded sublime. I enjoyed being a passenger in it for some of the journey, especially into Switzerland who don't seem to like cars any more than a necessary transport device when the car you're in sounds like thunder
the guys ('n' gals) at border control were very nice though after theyd done all their checks!Will look forward to the engine start video!
Sounds like a pretty sensible attitude to me! Impressed with what you've done so far, it's gonna be one hell of a car once buttoned back up.
I had a blue CV8 about 9 years ago, and I think I'm right in saying I purchased an LS2 engine cover from you! My aim is to get into a VXR8 at some point as I do miss that V8 burble (the CV8 was my 4th V8 and I haven't had one since).
I had a blue CV8 about 9 years ago, and I think I'm right in saying I purchased an LS2 engine cover from you! My aim is to get into a VXR8 at some point as I do miss that V8 burble (the CV8 was my 4th V8 and I haven't had one since).
scottos said:
Awesome read matey, glad to see use of multiple V8's in the UK and the detail in that engine build is something to be proud of. You can bet a lot of people offering engine building as a service (and charging plenty for it!) wont have checked or done things to such a level.
We did a euro trip a couple of years back and one of the lads had a monaro, it had a full exhaust / manifolds done by AAS up in Newcastle and sounded sublime. I enjoyed being a passenger in it for some of the journey, especially into Switzerland who don't seem to like cars any more than a necessary transport device when the car you're in sounds like thunder the guys ('n' gals) at border control were very nice though after theyd done all their checks!
Will look forward to the engine start video!
Yep I used to have headers / cats from AAS, lovely work, sold those on to be replaced by the shiny 1 7/8" long tubes.We did a euro trip a couple of years back and one of the lads had a monaro, it had a full exhaust / manifolds done by AAS up in Newcastle and sounded sublime. I enjoyed being a passenger in it for some of the journey, especially into Switzerland who don't seem to like cars any more than a necessary transport device when the car you're in sounds like thunder
the guys ('n' gals) at border control were very nice though after theyd done all their checks!Will look forward to the engine start video!
I'm currently on page 2 of 7 of your 2002 thread (I have the posts per page on maximum) and very cool to see someone doing similar work, glad to see yours did get sorted
I shall be papping myself for the first start up, once I've got this loom sorted I'm going to test the fuel line etc. holds pressure, figure it's worth doing this before I paint in case it has some leaks
and may be dropping the engine in to get an idea of line placement etc., I'm sure seeing that thing in the engine bay will give me a lot of motivation to get it finished sooner rather than later CarlosV8 said:
Sounds like a pretty sensible attitude to me! Impressed with what you've done so far, it's gonna be one hell of a car once buttoned back up.
I had a blue CV8 about 9 years ago, and I think I'm right in saying I purchased an LS2 engine cover from you! My aim is to get into a VXR8 at some point as I do miss that V8 burble (the CV8 was my 4th V8 and I haven't had one since).
Ahhh that's the one, yes you did! I had a blue CV8 about 9 years ago, and I think I'm right in saying I purchased an LS2 engine cover from you! My aim is to get into a VXR8 at some point as I do miss that V8 burble (the CV8 was my 4th V8 and I haven't had one since).
The VXR8s are getting to be really good value over here, it's nice now how much more common a cam swap is on them, everyone loves the chop chop
So I tested where the loom was going to run and generally verified things would probably work...
I spent so long smoothing out this hole with the dremel, it looks like a flowed cylinder head port no sharp edges or corners basically, even though the loom will be sheathed I didn't want to worry about it wearing through in future
Loads of insulating tape and then the plastic sheath just to ensure it won't rub through anything (right? Seems pretty alright to me?)
I then verified the opening under the fuse box would fit the loom, obviously a bit awkward to shove all the labels in there (and didn't want the coming off
) but was able to bolt it back down to the wing so I'm happy that it'll work.
I also cut and filed down the plastic edges of the fuse box cover where it no longer kicks out at 90* to meet the trunking around the strut tower, just to keep it looking as tidy as possible.
Getting better with the spot weld drilling too, did 6 of the awkward bds without going through the wheel arch metal
New brake line turned up in far more reassuring packaging, so I shall be ripping out the new brake lines to fit new brake lines at some point soon, because I'm mental.
Need to order a lot of various colours of wire, mostly seems to be a mix of 14awg, 10awg, 7awg and 4awg, I'm hoping to avoid buying 10 metre reels of the stuff
I spent so long smoothing out this hole with the dremel, it looks like a flowed cylinder head port
no sharp edges or corners basically, even though the loom will be sheathed I didn't want to worry about it wearing through in futureLoads of insulating tape and then the plastic sheath just to ensure it won't rub through anything (right? Seems pretty alright to me?)
I then verified the opening under the fuse box would fit the loom, obviously a bit awkward to shove all the labels in there (and didn't want the coming off
) but was able to bolt it back down to the wing so I'm happy that it'll work. I also cut and filed down the plastic edges of the fuse box cover where it no longer kicks out at 90* to meet the trunking around the strut tower, just to keep it looking as tidy as possible.
Getting better with the spot weld drilling too, did 6 of the awkward b
ds without going through the wheel arch metal New brake line turned up in far more reassuring packaging, so I shall be ripping out the new brake lines to fit new brake lines at some point soon, because I'm mental.
Need to order a lot of various colours of wire, mostly seems to be a mix of 14awg, 10awg, 7awg and 4awg, I'm hoping to avoid buying 10 metre reels of the stuff
Started some wiring last night, extending the wires that will go from the ABS module plug to the fuse box, then next up will be those that go from the ABS module plug to the main loom.
Didn't take any pictures, but good god it's dull
Having to join the old wire to the new length, then label the end of the new length. I really don't enjoy wiring stuff, I don't really feel confident in the job I do with it, and realistically it'll all have to be wired together before a proper ignition on test, and even then, it doesn't have an engine in currently, so I expect some moaning from the lack of sensors regardless...
Dawned on me shortly before falling asleep that I can at least continuity / resistance check the new wire back to the pin in the ABS module plug to give myself some reassurance that it will probably work... Bloody electrickery.
May just redo the brakelines or something this evening to give myself something a little more mechanical to do, I find that stuff much more reassuring / enjoyable. Stainless / rubber P-clips turned up for the fuel line too so may secure that properly where it runs along with the brake lines, also some waxoyl has arrived so I can treat the bits of underside where I've removed clips or bits that have been scratched / chipped off underneath, as with most of the jobs at the moment it's all just easier to do it now while I'm in there...
Oh also, some JB weld to fill in the little random holes I've made whilst learning the right amount of drilling to do to remove spot welds Depending on how well it works, there's a little bulge / bolt hole in the passenger side wheelarch which was where the airbox was mounted that I may try removing and then filling with some JB weld and grinding smooth to blend it in, would just be a nice little touch I feel (that only I'd notice )
Didn't take any pictures, but good god it's dull
Having to join the old wire to the new length, then label the end of the new length. I really don't enjoy wiring stuff, I don't really feel confident in the job I do with it, and realistically it'll all have to be wired together before a proper ignition on test, and even then, it doesn't have an engine in currently, so I expect some moaning from the lack of sensors regardless...
Dawned on me shortly before falling asleep that I can at least continuity / resistance check the new wire back to the pin in the ABS module plug to give myself some reassurance that it will probably work... Bloody electrickery.
May just redo the brakelines or something this evening to give myself something a little more mechanical to do, I find that stuff much more reassuring / enjoyable. Stainless / rubber P-clips turned up for the fuel line too so may secure that properly where it runs along with the brake lines, also some waxoyl has arrived so I can treat the bits of underside where I've removed clips or bits that have been scratched / chipped off underneath, as with most of the jobs at the moment it's all just easier to do it now while I'm in there...
Oh also, some JB weld to fill in the little random holes I've made whilst learning the right amount of drilling to do to remove spot welds
Depending on how well it works, there's a little bulge / bolt hole in the passenger side wheelarch which was where the airbox was mounted that I may try removing and then filling with some JB weld and grinding smooth to blend it in, would just be a nice little touch I feel (that only I'd notice )Well that was a long delay, the perceived misery of wiring totally squashed enthusiasm for the last week, but finally mustered the wherewithal to get on with it again last night.
Turned out alright really, finished the extended ABS connector loom, wrapped it up, taped a baggie over the loose ends to keep them clean / together and poked them through the various holes.
Don't get me wrong, I still have to then join the extended ends back to the loom / fuse box and do the same for the other 55 wires so to even say I'm a tenth of the way would likely be a bit eager, but it feels like I've broken the back of it somehow, have the energy back to get back in there over the weekend
Such progress
Yeah I had sort of assumed "a bit of engine bay tidying" would creep in, but the brake / fuel lines was unexpected, and the extent of the tidy has grown somewhat
Turned out alright really, finished the extended ABS connector loom, wrapped it up, taped a baggie over the loose ends to keep them clean / together and poked them through the various holes.
Don't get me wrong, I still have to then join the extended ends back to the loom / fuse box and do the same for the other 55 wires so to even say I'm a tenth of the way would likely be a bit eager, but it feels like I've broken the back of it somehow, have the energy back to get back in there over the weekend
Such progress
fastbikes76 said:
Love the build creep going on. Lots of ‘while I’m at it’ going on which is my biggest problem when playing with the cars !
Keep at it bud, it all pays off in the end
Much appreciated Keep at it bud, it all pays off in the end
Yeah I had sort of assumed "a bit of engine bay tidying" would creep in, but the brake / fuel lines was unexpected, and the extent of the tidy has grown somewhat
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff