Today I did this.....

[Sprintinbits]

Well not on my own.....

The job I didn't want to do......

In order to change both the chassis rails to nice new club ones.

The exhaust was in the way of the N/S which could have been patched but might as well put a new'un in








Bit tight getting it under. Had to take the rear Dashpot off to clear the front panel

My mate trying to get the bumper off with a wood saw (It didn't work )

[Mad Mart]

Someone's had a busy day!

So what else are you going to do Colin whilst you have all the running gear out? Check/replace clutch, renew bushes, clean & paint all the bits you've taken off.

[DavePoth]

I was sort of surprised you left the springs in, the manual suggests leaving them on the subframe instead of the car IIRC, although with hindsight that was probably a much amuch better idea than wrestling with them. Not a fun job on your own.

[DoloWIGHTY]

Crickey!

Nice to see you managed to get an engine crane in the same colour as the car - that's what I call coordinated!

[Sprintinbits]

Mart, the tasks so far are.

Welding... 2x Chassis rails and little bit under Brake Master Cylinder.

Polybushes all round
Strip and clean subframe then get the POR15 gear on it
Dismantle rack, check, clean, soft polybush mounts (possibly put a Toledo rack in)
Clean engine bay thoroghly (without fairy liquid )
Clean the engine itself thoroughly.
Sort out replacement wiring if needed for lights etc.
Reconn the starter (bitch to change when back in the car?)
New steering gaitors, TRE's, Ball joints.
Heat wrap the exhaust manifold and downpipe possibly

Might -no MUST- split the box away and check the clutch/bearing out

Dave, didn't read the book as me and my welding man just unbolted what we thought was right
We didnt jack it up high enough first off so had to use the crane to get a bit more lift by using the subframe mount points as an anchor Live and learn eh?

[Sprintinbits]

Alan, I didn't realise that until you mentioned it!

I could take a piece of the crane to the paint shop to match it up. That'd be easier than hacking a wing or unbolting a door

[tinweevil]

Starter motor can be done on the car in 30 minutes if you have a 3/8" drive socket and long extension. Can't remember which of the set it takes 15", 18" or 24". Without those it's a beeeatch of a job.

[Purplebargeken]

Thats a lovely dolly steel wheel lurking in the background. Looks somewhat familiar

Well done that man (men).

[xvivalve]

Put the subframe back on, you'll need to use it to align the new chassis legs as the first point of reference.

It will help to cut a small triangle out of the inside side of the chassis leg to get the front/back alignment...you'll see which bit as soon as you offer them up. Weld it back in after. The latest batch were supposed to have this bit missing in fabrication, but the message failed to register!

[Sprintinbits]

Julian, Yeah, don't want to risk the changing of the starter motor later on so best to do it now whilst an easy swap out. I have a spare which is off for a recon so it's nice n easy

Ken. Not two days ago that wheel was in another garden I think

Alun, Nice one, I thought I read about the triangle cut out piece somewhere else. Yes, the subframe is going to be used as the template as suggested and we are doing one rail at a time to make sure it's as accurate as possible.

This isn't the job I ever wanted to do but sh!t happens and I'm not gonna give up on it.

Car still has original cills on it in good nick

[Nathan Mwk 627G]

Just think though colin once its done you will have a bloody good car.........i didnt really want todo the inner-outerwing on mine, specally after re-building the engine but like you say sh1t happends, im just looking on it as
1/ it will last a long time once its done
2/ i know its been done to the best of my abilities, and
3/ its been done properly (I.E all the rot has been taken out before its been plated/rebuilt!!)

Keep going mate, take loads of photos of the work and in a few months you will be out on the road enjoyng all the hard work thats gone into it!!

There is light at the end of the tunnel....

Nathan

[Sprintinbits]

Cheers Nathan, points 1-3 were all things that I was thinking of when we were tacking the new rails into place today.

Found a few more little silly holes which will be an easy repair, I'm learning what is easy to fix and what is a pain. Took a few piccies but will post them up later when I get a chance.

[David6214]

I can testify that wahat has been done so far is a nice job!

and if you ever need axle storage, colin is your man.....nice cup of tea too