Bodywork restoration (lots of very good pics)

[algtj]

How did the mot go?

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[Carsreunited]

Needed new di-lithium crystals to help with the warping I think............<br>
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[redrichie]

Booked in for Tuesday, am spending the weekend cutting and polishing, and doing all the nice things like setting the stations on my stereo, putting on a new coachline on the OS rear wing...<br>
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I'm still missing a black handbrake gaiter (Rimmers are out of stock and Quillers wanted £20....<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :rollin --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/roll.gif ALT=":rollin"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> ), plus I could do with a rear view mirror mount, mine has cracked and everytime I adjust it, it falls out....If anyone has these items in their sheds/attics/garages and will be going to TDCIR, I'll gladly reimburse you. I found the gearstick surround at the bottom of a box (stands to reason, was the first bit to come off).<br>
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Incidentally, I was reading an old copy of Practical Classics, and it mentioned a tool for putting the inserts into rubber screen surrounds. This was a pain in the arse to do by hand, and was wondering if anyone had tried this tool?

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[redrichie]

Yes, thats right, the Red Raver failed its MOT today.<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :x --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/sick.gif ALT=":x"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> On two things. Headlamp alignment and "Play in the front wheel bearings". <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :lol --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/laugh.gif ALT=":lol"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br>
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So, I got the car back, have nipped up the bearings and realigned the headlamp. Taking it for a quick reinspection on my way to work tomorrow. If only all fail notices were that simple. I'll correctly set the bearings after I have the ticket grasped firmly in my pinky, wasn't going to argue with my MOT man about such little things.<br>
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Just my luck as well, today the DOT inspector decided to play a snap visit to the garage. Apparently they can descend on MOT centres without any notice, and ask to inspect any cars that have been/are being MOT'd that day. Well, out of the choices of a Mondeo, a Golf and a Renault Clio, all under six years old, and a 25 year old Dolomite, which one do you think he wanted to run his tape measure over? Thats right, my Dolly. <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :eek --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/eek.gif ALT=":eek"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> . My MOT man told me that there had been some discussion over the sills. Apparently, all welded repairs must be fully seam welded. Dave (my man) countered with "Yeh, but thats not a repair, thats a replacement, and thats how the outersills were put on at the factory". The DOT guy rubbed his chin and reluctantly agreed with him. <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :smokin --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/smokin.gif ALT=":smokin"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br>
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As you can imagine I am as happy as a pig in the proverbial, will be more happy this time tomorrow when the ticket is in my mitt and I'm fully road legal.<br>
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Going to head to the pub tonight and have a celebratory few jars.

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[MalcGE]

Shame, perhaps if DOT man wasn't around, your garage would have tweaked you adjusters and tightened your hub nuts for you.<br>
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On one of my recent MOT's (not Dolomite) my man didn't even mention h'lamp adjsutment....whilst talking to me he casually dropped the screwdriver on the adjusters and tweaked accordingly, didn't even break sentance. Many years ago, MOT man had NSF wheel of my Sprint and nipped up the hub nut withour even a second thought.

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[alun n]

Hurrah!<br>
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...but I think you were lucky, whilst far superior to the factory cill <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START ;) --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/wink.gif ALT=";)"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> the one you fitted was not the full replacement panel and therefore strictly speaking IS a repair, not a replacement and therefore should have been seam welded...

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[Jon Tilson]

anybody who just nips a wheel bearing up wants some education...<br>
This is NOT how to do it...these are taper rollers and need a correct end float to be set with a dial guage and<br>
no felt seal.... and no caliper either. The setting should then be marked with a punch on the castelated nut, the felt seal put back and the nut reset to the correct position. Then stick the brakes back on.<br>
I just whip the pads out but thats the least you need to do when tightening one up.<br>
How many moaners do you hear a few weeks later...after the MoT men have nipped them up!<br>
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Jonners

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[redrichie]

I have one mile to drive to the garage, one mile back, and then I will be setting the bearings with the correct end-float.<br>
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Fair point Jon, however I certainly was not going to argue with my MOT man whilst the inspector from the DOT was floating about in the background.<br>
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I'm just happy that my first ever "restoration" is back on the road. See ya'll at TDCIR.<br>
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Anyone know any good painters in Yorkshire???<br>
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[redrichie]

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

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[Carsreunited]

Just like to say well done Richie. An inspiration to us duffers!<br>
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[redrichie]

already been on the phone with my brother about the RS1600i Cabriolet "project" that has been in his garage for seven years. I'm moving back up to yorkshire in November, we're going to get busy with it this winter...

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