Operation Orange - 1980 Sprint restoration

[SprintMWU773V]

Box arrived at the office today with my new loom in it. Definately going to need to do some homework and figure out how best to approach it but it does look good!



Just waiting on the remanufactured bulkhead pad then should be good to crack on.

[Mad Mart]

The loom is pretty straight forward to install Mark. Get the bulkhead pad on first & then start on the loom, that's the way I do it. It's fairly easy to follow where each connection needs to go.

[grifterkid]

Oh my word...!!! Good luck with the automotive spaghetti sir...

[stevew]

Where'd you get the bulkhead pad from Mark, and was it expensive?
I've just been quoted £210 plus the dreaded for a sprint loom from Autosparks, how does that compare?
Steve

[stevew]

Just seen you paid £400 inc mods, so that price seems right, I didn't notice it was from the same place!
My loom looks like it's had a hard life!

[SprintMWU773V]

The bulkhead pad is being made by Aldridge Trimming in Wolverhampton. Not quite the original material but should look good. On my loom price don't foget I've had all sections pls the modification cost. If you went standard then it'd be about £360 delivered.

[Jon Tilson]

The main loom goes in best from the engine bay side.....iirc, but check the big dash loom connector goes through the big hole first...

Jonners

[Carledo]

The main loom goes in best from the engine bay side.....iirc, but check the big dash loom connector goes through the big hole first...

Jonners

Not in my book it doesn't! Though Marks new loom with its big headlamp relay box MIGHT make me change my mind!

Steve

[SprintMWU773V]

A case of two steps forward one step back today. I'd ordered a re-manufactured bulkhead pad using an original one as a template both for me and a few other members. I went to pick them up today, they looked spot on with a superb cut out that's way better than I could do.

Here they are next to the original one (new one is at the top)



Unfortunately they were made using a different foam than I ordered. I'd specified a closed cell foam as per the sample I was sent but they were made up using more of an open cell. There is nothing wrong with the cutouts and actually they are really good pads but I think a closed cell might be less inclined to absorb any moisture and might be easier to affix to the bulkhead as it's less likely to absorb the adhesive.

Fortunately they have agreed to re-make them all in the closed cell foam but I have kept hold of the open cell foam ones just in case, they may well be sold. So whilst it's disappointing not to get the right pad today (and disappointing for others who ordered one) they will be spot on when made in the correct foam and best of all the sample has been digitised which means that anyone wanting one in the future will have no problems ordering one and having it made up. It may even become part of the range.

[Jon Tilson]

I could well be up for one of those....what is the deal?

Jonners

[SprintMWU773V]

They worked out at £60 delivered, though because I ordered a number I got a discount, but I only offered them to members (nothing personal). I'll actually end up with 6 in total as I'll have the two incorrect ones as well. However it's no secret where I got them from so you'll be able to get one easily or wait for me to list one or other of the wrong ones on Ebay.

[Robert 352]

Mark

I would like to make a couple of comments about bulkhead pads but at the risk of hijacking this thread, which is focussed on this really interesting rebuild I have made a couple of comments on the other thread “Interest in bulkhead pad” over in the members area.

Robert

[SprintMWU773V]

I decided that I had a few bits that needed plating. I wasn't happy with my NOS door catches or the rear door stiffeners which looked a bit tatty. With a platers just down the road I thought i'd give them a go.

Before


After


Door stiffeners were blasted and then clear zinc passivated. Originally they were sort of galvanised but this finish is more shiny

Before



After


I wasn't happy with my door check straps either. These never got painted in Orange for some reason and they looked a bit crappy. They all got SPL'd and ended up e-coated. I actually don't like them painted as the paint comes off so for the moment I they too are clear passivated just like many modern cars. I might paint them, not sure.

Before


After

[Andrew65]

Wish your bulkhead pads were around a year or so ago would have saved me a couple of days.

Made mine from a sheet of bulkhead soundproofing material from Aldridge Trimming. Paper template in background.

Quite an enjoyable job to be honest. Sun shining, beer or two and great end result. Got through a good few scalpel blades though.

Pix show the pads about 80% finished.

[SprintMWU773V]

I meant to post this the other week, a little coverage of my project in our local paper. Knowing the motors editor is helpful sometimes! Shame it has a silly picture of me in it too though.





Hopefully it might bring a few more local cars out of the woodwork to and join the club.