Riley Elf restoration dilemma.......
Discussion
GingerWizard said:
guru_1071 said:
looks good, and credit to you for been man enough to 'wallet up' to save this beast!
+1 massive respect.Gwiz
I very much doubt it'll be worth what its cost, but it'll be unique and designed exactly as I wanted it as its basically my dream car from 20 years ago and a little treat for myself as I approach the big 40....
The only problem is that the quirky car collection seems to be growing
Latest visit to the workshop today to drop off more new parts and take some more pictures to share, the only problem today was finding out that the wiring loom I'd purchased wasn't quite right since I've binned plans to stick with the 1000cc engine in favour of a bargain 50k mile 1275 metro unit - new loom on order and another unexpected budget increase.....
The guys also swear blind that there's 2 dings in the passenger door they aren't happy with (I can just feel one, the other as far as I'm concerned is non existant!) Anyway the door is coming off again for another coat. The car hasn't been mopped yet and whilst boot, bonnet and doors were hung for the photos the final alignments will take place once the cars back on the floor.
Anyway - enjoy (I did!)
I love the billet engine steady, not cheap but a nice addition and matches the handbrake quadrants, rear subframe trunnions and rad that I also went to town on.
The guys also swear blind that there's 2 dings in the passenger door they aren't happy with (I can just feel one, the other as far as I'm concerned is non existant!) Anyway the door is coming off again for another coat. The car hasn't been mopped yet and whilst boot, bonnet and doors were hung for the photos the final alignments will take place once the cars back on the floor.
Anyway - enjoy (I did!)
I love the billet engine steady, not cheap but a nice addition and matches the handbrake quadrants, rear subframe trunnions and rad that I also went to town on.
Well its been 3 months since my last confession and almost as long since I visited the workshop with a combination of seasonal weather and work commitments meaning I've never been in the vicinity when the guys have been there. Progress seems to have slowed up somewhat but in fairness we've had Christmas and we're into the fiddly stuff now and refitting never seems to be as satisfying a spectator sport as respraying or fitting a new floor!
Wiring problems have sucked up loads of time and consequently budget so I've had to agree to take the car back without the interior (the wallet only has moths left in it!) which I'm going to have to fit myself. On the whole I'm not too unhappy about that as whilst I'm pleased with the quality of "major work" done I'd really like to say that I at least did some of it - hope I don't let the side down!
Sadly work have closed my Photobucket loophole so I hope you can see these!
So roof refitting and she'll be returning home to Essex for finishing touches, an exhaust back box and an interior - ETA is apparantly 2 weeks!
Wiring problems have sucked up loads of time and consequently budget so I've had to agree to take the car back without the interior (the wallet only has moths left in it!) which I'm going to have to fit myself. On the whole I'm not too unhappy about that as whilst I'm pleased with the quality of "major work" done I'd really like to say that I at least did some of it - hope I don't let the side down!
Sadly work have closed my Photobucket loophole so I hope you can see these!
So roof refitting and she'll be returning home to Essex for finishing touches, an exhaust back box and an interior - ETA is apparantly 2 weeks!
Gutted.... Managed a whole 15 miles towards the MOT station before the water pump packed up, sadly it would appear the temperature guage was giving a false reading as it never went above "N" so the first I knew of it was when the rad / car dumped what little coolant was left into the cabin as steam, by that time I was on a dual carraigeway with no hard shoulder so made the decision to carry on 3 Miles to the next Jct rather than get rammed up the bum by an half asleep driver.
Result overheated, head gasket went across 1,2 & 3 and the head is now banana shaped.
Moral of the story - when spending a bundle on doing the job properly, don't overlook crucial parts that look and appear to be in good condition for the sake of £20.....
Engine now in bits, head off to get skimmed on Monday and top end rebuild ensues complete with new water pump! Total cost approx £200 when you take into account new oil, filters etc....
On the upside its an opportunity to lower the rad which is fouling the bonnet slightly and rattling like a bag of nails on tickover!
Lesson learnt - result no MOT
Result overheated, head gasket went across 1,2 & 3 and the head is now banana shaped.
Moral of the story - when spending a bundle on doing the job properly, don't overlook crucial parts that look and appear to be in good condition for the sake of £20.....
Engine now in bits, head off to get skimmed on Monday and top end rebuild ensues complete with new water pump! Total cost approx £200 when you take into account new oil, filters etc....
On the upside its an opportunity to lower the rad which is fouling the bonnet slightly and rattling like a bag of nails on tickover!
Lesson learnt - result no MOT
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