Body off restoration

[Rich912]

Cheers for the advice, I fitted polyflex bushes and they clearly agree with you as they provide washers for bushes you mentioned.

[Caseyj]

Rich,
Could you tell me the sizes of the two steering shafts, they connect the steering column to the steering rack. I need to by both for my T350 project.

[Walford]

Caseyj said:

Rich,
Could you tell me the sizes of the two steering shafts, they connect the steering column to the steering rack. I need to by both for my T350 project.

Has the car got a GM Vectra or a Ford key,, may not be the same column as a Tuscan,

[Rich912]

I can measure the bottom one at the weekend but the top one is still fitted and I don't think I can access it to measure it, I will have a look though.

[Rich912]

Engine valve clearances done, engine, gearbox and prop back in. Starting to look more like a car. The cam cover still needs a good polish.

[portzi]

I love watching and seeing the body off topics progress, excellent work.

[wongthecorrupter]

Will it be ready for the summer

[DJR 7]

The detail you've put in to the prop etc is great, surprised you've not spent some time on the engine block and ancillaries.
It'll look stunning when it's done.
D

[Rich912]

I reckon it should be done for Easter if everything goes well. I might have to give the timing chain cover and a few of the other bits a clean now you've made me feel bad about putting a dirty engine in.

[DJR 7]

Rich you have no reason to feel bad, I under took a project myself and I know now it's complete
that I'd have done a couple of things differently, I also put the engine back without detailing/rebuilding it.
3months later it was out again!
You're doing such a detailed job I think you may regret not spending some time detailing the lump whilst you can.

D

[Walford]

I was never happy enough with my engine, to put it back in

[Rich912]

Your right and I will do the engine but that will be the next stage. It would be easier to do it now but I'm a bit restricted for time as I only get to work on it some weekends and need it back on the road soon.

[Rich912]

Fitted some heat shield to help protect the chassis and put the thermal blanket back on. Almost seems a shame to cover it all up.







I had a day off work on Monday so with two engine lifts a trolley jack and 4 axle stands I managed to lift and then lower the body back on. It all went pretty smoothly and took about 3 hours. Now starts the task of connecting everything up.

Edited by Rich912 on Wednesday 25th February 18:44

[Rich912]

Well it's all back together and after sorting out a dodgy lambda sensor it passed its MOT first time. I also had a fault with the instrument pod and door opening circuit and chased this down to a bad earth. That's all sorted now and after a faultless 200 mile journey down to work it's now just had its first proper clean and polish.

Edited by Rich912 on Thursday 23 April 21:15

Edited by Rich912 on Thursday 23 April 21:16

[topcat1]

Congratulations, it must be nice knowing that everything is fresh underneath, I'd love to have my chassis stripped and re-coated but I've been working on so many full-on projects over the last few years I can't face it yet! I'm forcing myself to enjoy it and try to finish other projects before getting stuck in with the Tuscan.

[Rich912]

It took me just over a year and now I'm starting to catch up on all the jobs I didn't do for that year. It good to know the chassis isn't getting any worse now.

[Sagi Badger]

Looks really good. Was a shame to put the heat shield and body back on!!

I have my engine apart at the mo, I can't leave it alone... thinking you may have the same mind set.

J

[Rich912]

I don't think you ever really finish, there's lots I still want to do.

[Raffaele]

good morning, I noticed that the bodywork seen from the back of my tuscan is not exactly in line with the frame, it is 4/5 millimeters off therefore it should be married by 2/3 millimeters it is "normal" it can be centered easily with the bolts that the couple to the frame