Bodywork restoration (lots of very good pics)

[MaddMart]

But don't the seat belts have a ball thingy in them ? The inertial of the car under braking means the ball roles forward & locks the seat belt.

<p>Martin<br>
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<!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://www.dolomitesprint.com/" target="top">www.dolomitesprint.com</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--></p><i></i>

[davepoth]

Lookin' good rich. <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :D --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/happy.gif ALT=":D"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END-->

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[redrichie]

Yes, they have a sort of plumb-bob mechanism inside, when an inertial force is applied, it locks the belt ratchet off, which is why they have to be almost exactly at 90 deg to the horizontal before they work.<br>
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It's such a simple mechanism, which is why I am so pi**ed off at myself about them. It's turning into a man-test, and I shall not be defeated <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :D --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/happy.gif ALT=":D"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END-->

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[2F45T4U]

"they have to be almost exactly at 90 deg to the horizontal before they work"<br>
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That'll be Vertical then <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :b --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/tongue.gif ALT=":b"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END-->

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[alun n]

You should do well at Oxford Adam...

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[redrichie]

Did three laps of the local (private) roads earlier. It took me a while to get her started. I had to pump fuel all the way from the tank, because I have replaced the fuel pipe that goes over the propshaft after an "incident" with an angle grinder that got too close....<br>
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Painted the rear screen surround and the sills, undersealed the complete underside, chrome goes back on tomorrow and pictures will follow.<br>
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First time I have driven her since february, and boy, did she feel good. After being relegated to the Renault while the wife uses the VR6, it felt really good to have a car with a bit of ooomph. She didn't need any water or oil before I fired her up, but I shall see what is lying in the drip trays in the morning <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :D --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/happy.gif ALT=":D"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br>
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I ignored the seatbelts today, I had such a good day that I didn't want to spoil it. I'm off to grab a cold beer, then a hot shower to remove the underseal from my hair. Then probably have another cold beer. <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :hat --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/pimp.gif ALT=":hat"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END-->

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[Carsreunited]

Excellent. I remember driving mine around Jigsaws car park for the first time after 18 months. Something you will never forget after all that hard work you have put in.<br>
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[redrichie]

Well, as expected, the vinyl didn't stretch back in place so it now looks like the underside of an elephants scrotum at the rear.<br>
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If I am honest, the car will need a full repaint at some point (probably next year when the money tree bears fruit), so I am thinking of just taking the whole vinyl off, rubbing it down and painting in Satin Black until then, and get a repaint and a new vinyl roof at the same time.<br>
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We'll see how the MOT goes, and I should have time before TDCIR to do this. Can't be too hard, surely?

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[algtj]

Nice one mate, looking forward to seeing the car again. Good work. <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :eek --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/eek.gif ALT=":eek"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :D --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/happy.gif ALT=":D"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END-->

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[MalcGE]

Well done, clearly you have been busy. <br>
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Try a hot air gun 'gently' on the vinyl roof, it might make a difference. <br>
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Unfortunatley, for the Elephants, they've got to put up with it, mind you, if they thought someone was going to give their danglies a blast with a hot air gun they probalbly be glad <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :rollin --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/roll.gif ALT=":rollin"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END-->

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[redrichie]

The Elephants Scrotum.....<br>
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<!--EZCODE IMAGE START--><img src="http://img130.imageshack.us/img130/874/ ... <!--EZCODE IMAGE END--><br>
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and the completed rear screen surround. Note in the middle where the panel warped as it went on. Looks a bit crap because if you view it directly from behind, the chrome vent is at an angle. <br>
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<!--EZCODE IMAGE START--><img src="http://img130.imageshack.us/img130/612/ ... <!--EZCODE IMAGE END--> I'm going to have to play with this to make it look nicer, but that can wait....<br>
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because I have her booked in for an MOT on Tuesday <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :D --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/happy.gif ALT=":D"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br>
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[redrichie]

Just to remind you, here are "before" pictures...<br>
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<!--EZCODE IMAGE START--><img src="http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/4535 ... <!--EZCODE IMAGE END--><br>
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<!--EZCODE IMAGE START--><img src="http://img130.imageshack.us/img130/5589 ... <!--EZCODE IMAGE END-->

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[davepoth]

Bit of an improvement there I'd say. I hope mine looks as nice when it's finished, it's just gone off to welding man number 2.

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[algtj]

Where was the slight warping? Couldn't see it. Getting old now! <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :D --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/happy.gif ALT=":D"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br>
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I haven't the confidence to tackle a job as large as that mate, so forgive me the rose tinted specs!<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :) --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/smile.gif ALT=":)"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br>
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It's one thing chopping a rotton car up for barely salvagable panels, it's another to repair the panels and fit them to your car, my hat is off to you mate. <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :D --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/happy.gif ALT=":D"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END-->

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[redrichie]

Wait until you see it at TDCIR, you'll see the warping...unless I sort it out before then of course....

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