Colt Galant 1600 GL Hardtop [Archive]

Kieran

17-05-2005, 04:27 PM

Hello Peeps,

Well, as I know most of you have been looking at a certain post of mine about a 1974 Galant, followed shortly by tutting, exhaling, and generaly wondering if I've finally lost it!! :embarasse :embarasse

I feel I should whet your appetites somewhat. Marcus (Rally205) seems to 'Get' why I'm so enthused :scholar: , but maybe this will help... Or then again, maybe not! :inquisiti

I've attached a PDF scan of a tombe from the sacred vaults of KieranCorp - It's the original sales brochure for the very model I hope to soon have in the garage here at KieranCorp Towers.... Now, when you're reading through, remember that this is a 30 year old car... So compare with similar cars of the era... Austin Maxi, Allegro, Ford Escort/Cortina, Hillman/Chrysler Avenger, Morris Minor, Volvo 244... To me, the Galant is an interesting alternative... In fact, in many ways, it's like the 8th Gen; other cars my beat it in certain areas, but it's unique and back then, it probably attracted the same number of 'What's THAT?! :inquisiti ' comments back then as the 8G does now.

The attachement is below. I've had to use quite a bit of compression to make it reasonably easy for you narrowband users to download. The end result is a 700k file.

All I need now is a name for the car and the Project..... :book: :thinking:

BraindG

17-05-2005, 04:36 PM

in regards to project name i recon: Project 1974

adam_shaw

17-05-2005, 04:48 PM

My local mitsi dealer has one of those in the showroom. Bright yellow.

Bought it in france for a few hundred euro.

I'll have to get a pic the next time I'm into the lads.

A

ANTHONY

17-05-2005, 04:52 PM

just a thought...................... but have you tryed to contact the guy that got that one on ebay to see if wants to sell it he may only want a few quid over what he paid

Kieran

17-05-2005, 05:25 PM

just a thought...................... but have you tryed to contact the guy that got that one on ebay to see if wants to sell it he may only want a few quid over what he paid

Way ahead of you there Anthony :scholar: - It's already on the way!

See here:

http://www.clubvr4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8397

:thumbsup:

Having had a closer look at the brochure, I have realised that this 30 year old, 1.6 Litre car has a quoted 1/4 mile time that's 0.05secs faster than my old GLS auto could manage!! :inquisiti :embarasse Not that you're ever likely to see it run up the strip! :stop:

wirdy

17-05-2005, 05:29 PM

Looks unremarkable to me Kieran. Like a Datsun :inquisiti

What exactly makes it desirable to you, compared to something of the same era that you could realistically keep maintained and useable? (and be exempt from road tax?)

But as they say....beauty is in the eye of the beholder. /yes

Kieran

17-05-2005, 06:04 PM

Looks unremarkable to me Kieran. Like a Datsun :inquisiti

Hmmm..... I've sat here for about 10 minutes, sparks flying from the keyboard as I tapped a response, but I think this is probably a conversation over a pint at Castle Combe! :scholar:

HJM

17-05-2005, 06:19 PM

Not my cup of tea Kieran - but you go for it and be happy :happy: (drugs from the 70's may help !)

Just promise when it's finished - you're not gonna try and get us :evil2:

I think even Hordak could beat that :rolleyes4

Should also be a laugh if you dress in period costume when driving it (pictures Noel Edmunds in Swap Shop :embarasse )

Heath

ANTHONY

17-05-2005, 06:47 PM

Way ahead of you there Anthony :scholar: - It's already on the way!

See here:

http://www.clubvr4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8397

:thumbsup:

Having had a closer look at the brochure, I have realised that this 30 year old, 1.6 Litre car has a quoted 1/4 mile time that's 0.05secs faster than my old GLS auto could manage!! :inquisiti :embarasse Not that you're ever likely to see it run up the strip! :stop:
i missed that 1.................... but well done and good luck with the project :thumbsup:

wirdy

17-05-2005, 06:47 PM

......I think this is probably a conversation over a pint at Castle Combe! :scholar:

I think you've already conceded it's not the choice of a rational person. Are you thinking up some rational reasons or just going to wait until we're so plastered at the IBIS & we'll even say it looks vaguely interesting.....? :rolleyes4 :rolleyes4 /yes /yes :inquisiti :inquisiti

Kieran

17-05-2005, 09:13 PM

I think you've already conceded it's not the choice of a rational person. Are you thinking up some rational reasons or just going to wait until we're so plastered at the IBIS & we'll even say it looks vaguely interesting.....? :rolleyes4 :rolleyes4 /yes /yes :inquisiti :inquisiti

Oh yeah, it ain't rational, Hence my original thread is far from rational!!......

................I hadn't thought of telling you untill you're all blotto!!! /yes

RED

17-05-2005, 09:21 PM

Not that you're ever likely to see it run up the strip! :stop:

I'd better cancel that order for the turbo and nitrous kit then! :sad3:

But I bet it would embarass a few of you on the strip.

Marcus

Kieran

17-05-2005, 09:31 PM

I'd better cancel that order for the turbo and nitrous kit then! :sad3:

But I bet it would embarass a few of you on the strip.

Marcus

With the right toys, easily...... It only weighs 955 kilos!!!

ritch_w

17-05-2005, 09:40 PM

well i would love to do what you are doing Kieran :thumbsup:, I tried to do the same with an old lancer turbo but failed miserably (no room in garage, more rust than a metro, too much welding required and full body & mechanical rebuild both beyond my skills and £££)

on the flip side - doesnt look like a scrapper (which my LT was) - just buy a starion turbo engine, loom and ECU, lower it, fit some allycats or minilights and your sorted withh a cool, quick retro motor!!

dont expect to get many new parts for it - but i'm sure BDA Fabrications can work its magic :thumbsup:

HJM

17-05-2005, 09:54 PM

But I bet it would embarass a few of you on the strip.

Marcus

You are dead right there, on the strip, or anywhere else I was parked next to it :embarasse

J

wirdy

17-05-2005, 11:08 PM

You are dead right there, on the strip, or anywhere else I was parked next to it :embarasse

J

I suppose you could just drive it around at night and avoid brightly lit areas /yes

Kieran

17-05-2005, 11:29 PM

Bah, shaddap you two!! /grr /lol

Paul Beazer

18-05-2005, 05:44 PM

Thought the engine was seized (or was that the one on e-bay?)

Anyhoo, whoever said Kieran was capable of rational thought? Not seen much evidence judging by this thread sofar!

Personally I'd love to restore an original XR4i, but who said I was rational either, gibber gibber...

Im going home to froth at the mouth now... :rolleyes4

wirdy

18-05-2005, 05:56 PM

Personally I'd love to restore an original XR4i, but who said I was rational either, gibber gibber...

Ahhh....at last someone with a bit of taste :thumbsup:

/owned one for 10 years. Baby (& nagging wife) forced sale :bigcry: :bigcry:

There are still a few about, including mine in Aberdeen now. The 3 light shell was unique to the XR4i and underwent extra paint stages compared even to the cossie shells. Take ages to rust, if at all. A very useable V6 classic :thumbsup:

Paul Beazer

19-05-2005, 09:05 PM

Ahhh....at last someone with a bit of taste :thumbsup:

/owned one for 10 years. Baby (& nagging wife) forced sale :bigcry: :bigcry:

There are still a few about, including mine in Aberdeen now. The 3 light shell was unique to the XR4i and underwent extra paint stages compared even to the cossie shells. Take ages to rust, if at all. A very useable V6 classic :thumbsup:
Like minded souls eh? There are still a few round here too, definetly dont rust like C-E reg ones did. Aaah if only.....

Pete M

20-05-2005, 02:48 AM

NO, NO NO....
You don't want one of those....
These are the tasty ones, the 2000 GTO coupes
Did you get any of these in UK?
I thought they were the coolest thing at the time...

Kieran

20-05-2005, 10:06 AM

NO, NO NO....
You don't want one of those....
These are the tasty ones, the 2000 GTO coupes
Did you get any of these in UK?
I thought they were the coolest thing at the time...

We did. BUT.... Don't forget - the car I've bought is one of only 123 imported that year, so what are the chances of finding a GTO for sale?!?! :inquisiti

Big Ian

24-05-2005, 12:50 PM

here's another Galant for you to save :happy:
(it might go cheap as it's spelt wrong :rolleyes4 ?)
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=18230&item=4551140635&rd=1

ritch_w

24-05-2005, 02:26 PM

here's another Galant for you to save :happy:
(it might go cheap as it's spelt wrong :rolleyes4 ?)
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=18230&item=4551140635&rd=1

my old man had one of them!! great big motor - only prob is (and same as the Sigma) all the suspension etc is electronically controlled - so when it packs in its £Ks to fix :(

Kieran

24-05-2005, 05:41 PM

Sat outside Red and Rally205's bodyshop in Rugby is a very, very old Galant!! :thumbsup:

And it is in surprisingly good condition for it's age and the fact that it's a 70's Japmobile. Also, I spoke to Marcus, and the engine *ISN'T* siezed... it still turns over, though the head gasket is clearly shot.

I'll post some pictures when I get home - Curtesy of 'Red Digital Photo Services' inc. :happy:

Thanks again Jane & Marcus! I owe you one! /yes

Big Ian

24-05-2005, 07:14 PM

:thumbsup: a bit of good new's then, about the engine /yes

:thumbsup: GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR PROJECT MATE :thumbsup:

Kieran

24-05-2005, 11:00 PM

As promised, here's a few pictures. Taken by Red earlier today.

I know I'm thinking ahead here, but I think it helps to have a vision of what you want to achieve.... And I'm thinking that the yellow needs to make way for a nice deep gloss black, silver pinstriping in place of the black.... Should really make the chrome accents stand out lovely....

And maybe the best idea, if the current block is scrap, will be to bring the mechanicals up to date but keep with the far eastern theme.... Mmmm..... Can't you tell I've been digging out my old 'Classic Ford' mags to remind myself how the old-skool Mk1 'Scorts did it.... Nothing too wild, but something to allow this old-timer to party on with the rest of us.... Hmm..... Oh yes,I see great things ahead for this car....Oh yes.....

Anyway, lest I get totally absorbed in the visions forming in my head, here are the pictures for your perusal. Bear in mind that this car is older than me, and is a 70s Jap car.... I think it's incredibly well preserved, all things considered!

Kieran

24-05-2005, 11:16 PM

And here are some more, showing the corrosion damage encountered so far. Pretty typical - I am worried about the amount of grot showing through around the windscreens - could be an 'Interesting' job with no pattern parts - I feel that subscription to 'Practical Classics' being re-visited! Thank god I saved their tutorials on fabricating repair sections when new parts aren't available!!

Note the tax disc - Expired in December 2004, so it's been used up untill fairly recently.

Kieran

24-05-2005, 11:29 PM

And the last few... The Vynil roof, and only mild to moderately crusty wheel arches - Loads better than my old Escort! :rolleyes4

KiwiTT

25-05-2005, 12:35 AM

Are you sure this project is cheaper to run than a real VR-4. There is still Project VX as well.

Kieran

25-05-2005, 08:44 AM

Are you sure this project is cheaper to run than a real VR-4. There is still Project VX as well.

Oh, for heaven's sake!!! :speechles You clearly don't get it yet!

And what the hell is all this about a 'Real' VR-4 and comparing the running costs?! /grr There are other cars beyond the bl00dy VR-4 you know! There's no point trying to compare these two! That's like comparing the 240Z against the 300ZX Twin Turbo. They're from two totally different eras - Drawing comparrisons about which one is superior to the other is a petulant argument against both cars!!!

Hang on.... I think I need a different approach here - Let me put it this way!

I don't give a monkey's about the practicalities. Restoring *any* old car is impractical really, and unless you spend £££s, they'll never stack up against a modern car. The fun comes from keeping a car's 'blood line' intact. As an example, the old Datsun 240Zs were getting a lot of attention at Japfest. Ok, that was a more popular model in the 1st place, but how many of them are left?

Big Ian

25-05-2005, 12:57 PM

don't like the look of what might be (or might not be)..under the roof covering? :rolleyes4 might make a nice looking convertable :rolleyes4 and like you said, round the window (frame) can be a job an a half to replace :inquisiti but not impossable, i'm sure any classic restorer can help with shaping new bodypart's for you.

but that said, it aint a basket case :happy: ive saw a lot worse still on the road /yes ...!what am i saying :inquisiti "ive put worse on the road"
get it running and stick it in for an mot.....then take it from there :thumbsup:
GOOD LUCK :happy:

KiwiTT

25-05-2005, 11:26 PM

There are other cars beyond the bl00dy VR-4 you know! Not many :D

I just thought your goal was to get a VR-4, not an archivist, hence my post.

If you goal is the preserve a little bit of history, than so be it. Enjoy. We need people like that as well.

Kieran

25-05-2005, 11:43 PM

I just thought your goal was to get a VR-4, not an archivist, hence my post.

If you goal is the preserve a little bit of history, than so be it. Enjoy. We need people like that as well.

DOH.... Ah the joys of text-based communication! :joker:

I have many goals. One of themi IS to get a VR-4 (or turn Hordak into a VR-4 basher so that I can erase a few smug grins :evil2: :evil2: :evil2: )

One of my other goals is to successfully restore a fairly innocuous old car, for enjoyment and also to show that the 'old-school' can still cut it in today's traffic-infested concrete jungles. I've failed on this goal once, but I already know that this one's different. :thumbsup:

And, it also contributes towards another goal, which is giving Club VR-4 another area to branch out into. You see, the stories, skills and such that will come out of this little project will surely be of guidance for those of us who are sporting VR-4s in 10+ years time....

KiwiTT

25-05-2005, 11:59 PM

this little project will surely be of guidance for those of us who are sporting VR-4s in 10+ years time....

Cool. I will refer to the restoration pages then. I for one will have my VR-4 then.

Pete M

26-05-2005, 12:05 AM

I think you'll find those paint bubbles are the tip of the iceberg. Once you start getting the paint off, the metal will be paper thin and perforated for about a foot in every direction. There will be nothing to attach repair sections to, as all the box sections will crumble to red dust.
I've had a late '70s Galant myself in the past, saw the above, and we don't even have salt on our roads.

Brunty

26-05-2005, 08:21 PM

Sat outside Red and Rally205's bodyshop in Rugby is a very, very old Galant!! :thumbsup:

I was at the bodyshop today and saw your Galant - you've got quite a bit of work ahead of you! - but no doubt you'll have plenty of fun along the way. I'll look forward to the updates. Enjoy

Kieran

29-05-2005, 03:15 PM

Well, I've already had a little victory with my new pap-pap :happy:

I popped into this place today (handily, it's about 5 mins away from KieranCorp towers! :smug: :smug: ) - Parts for older cars (http://www.carparts-direct.co.uk/parts_for_older_cars.html)

I was looking for a head gasket for the little 4G32 that's lurking in the engine bay of the GL. Within about 5 minutes, Martin had located the car and had got a price for me.... £31 - For the complete head set!!! Cool!! :thumbsup: :thumbsup: It seems that this engine was used, with a 0.1mm bore difference, in the Hyundai Pony and the Hyundai Stellar, so bits are still available.

The set will be here Tues/Weds!! :2thumbsup

RED

29-05-2005, 05:38 PM

Better try and get the car up to you next weekend then so you can start tinkering /yes

Kieran

29-05-2005, 05:58 PM

Better try and get the car up to you next weekend then so you can start tinkering /yes

Cool - Has Marcus had a nosey around the engine bay any more? is it just a busted head gasket, or?................ :inquisiti

ANTHONY

29-05-2005, 06:15 PM

just follow your dream and if it takes years what the heck. it will be even older then and even more rare :thumbsup:

Kieran

25-06-2005, 08:33 PM

Sat in the KieranCorp Towers Garage, having relegated Hordak to the driveway, is a very, very old Galant! :drummer:

Thanks again to Marcus and Jane for sorting out transportation :thumbsup: I owe you guys one!

It's a sweet little motor :smug: /yes

Kieran

30-07-2005, 06:53 PM

Right, well it's been a month or two since my little Coupe touched down. In all that time, between decorating and attending to my Wife and my Legnum, I have managed to spend a few hours locked in my garage. :happy:

Unfortunately, I haven't got any photos, but today I managed to free the engine off, though I'm not out of the woods yet.

When the car arrived, I knew that the engine was siezed and that the head gasket was blown. Marcus however showed me that the engine *would* turn, albeit only about 20 degrees.

I've managed to work out why.... When it got to the point where the engine stuck, I notice, having removed the rocker box cover, that the cam chain was tensioning up, but not actually turning the cam. I have since (with a haynes manual, many thousand swear words and a hammer - old car repair styleeee!!) managed to get the rocker assembly off of the car and confirmed my initial suspicion that one of the cam bearings has overheated and siezed... probably as a result of an oil way being blocked by crud and mayonnaise from the headgasket failure.

Fortunnately, it's only one of them, and whilst the bearings don't have shells that can be changed, the damage is fairly minor... The cam's not badly scored and the knackered bearing (for now, just to try it out) can be milled out to remove the damage.

However, there is still some way to go before this engine is likely to run under it's own power.... Standing around hasn't helped it much, and it's very 'stiff'... but I can now (with the aid of a socket on the bottom pulley) get the engine turning by hand, and the starter motor will still try and do it too, although it's currently quicker to turn it by hand.

For now, the bores are being soaked with some thin oil to free 'em up a bit, and tomorrow I shall be squirting my oil gun around the bottom end of the motor to help the main bearings a bit. Then, provided that has the effect I want, it will be time to bolt-up the sump again, fill it up and take it from there.

But, and this is the most important bit.....

It may not be alive right now.... But it's not dead either!! :2thumbsup

BraindG

30-07-2005, 06:57 PM

Nice, will be a great day when its up and running again. Atleast its not as bad as it could have been though. I was having images of you hving to buy a replacememt engine... fingers crossed Kieran.

ritch_w

30-07-2005, 07:05 PM

good onya mate you'll get there :thumbsup:

you can always fling a Starion turbo lump at it if you get bored /Steeringw :thumbsup: /yes :2thumbsup ....ran out of smilies!!!

RED

01-08-2005, 09:31 AM

Glad to hear that you are in the thick of things already /yes Get your camera out then lets have a looksey :afro:

Kieran

01-09-2005, 12:09 AM

More good news, though it's been a SOMEWHAT(!!!) frustrating month. I've had very little time to work on my little Pap-Pap, however I have at last (tonight in fact!) got one step closer....

Okay, so when I last left you, the engine would now turn, but was stiff and a bit reluctant. Well, soaking the bores in oil, and a lot of hand turning (socket on the crank pulley bolt) has freeed everything off quite nicely. The valves seem very stiff, and certainly with the rocker assembly in place, I'm not strong enough to make the engine turn and open the valves -Though from what I know about the tension of valve springs, this is probably about right?? (Anyone who can confirm/deny this, I would appreciate it).

Anyhow. With the rocker arm off, I can spin the engine by hand using a cranked lever quite happily - Fast enough to get oil spurting out of the camshaft feeds anyway, and there's no major resistance encountered or any unusual noises, though with the plugs in, the head gasket hisses and wheezes quite badly - definetly need to replace that, but I want to see if I can fire the engine before I go tearing it down; my reasoning being that I don't want to start pulling the block/head apart if it's a futile atempt.

The problem has been that as soon as I try to crank the engine using the starter, very little happens. The starter engages, but turns the engine incredibly slowly, before giving up and stopping. After opening up the book of Haynes (yes, there IS one for this car, and it's the old-style 'Proper' manual, not the new dumbass 'Service and repair' efforts), I followed the advice - New battery (one that came with the car was knackered), then cleaned up the terminals and earth points. Still no joy. Then, after another attempt, I noticed that the negative battery terminal was warm...... :inquisiti /Hmmm Uh-oh.... that means it's been drawing a LOT of current.... Sounds like the starter is just bad! So tonight, I decided it was time to whip out the starter motor.

My God.... Remove 2 cables, undo a couple of bolts near the back of the engine and that was it - the starter was out!! :rolleyes4 :rolleyes4 :thumbsup: I had removed it in less that 20 minutes! Imagine that on a VR-4! I'd still be removing bits to get at it!! :rolleyes4 :embarasse

With the starter motor free, I reconnected the solenoid cables and bolted the housing to the main earth cable. Then, I tried it. It spun very slowly and ground to a halt after about 3 seconds... Accompanied by that 'Burnt-out' smell and a few wisps of smoke. Hmm! /Hmmm That'll be dead then! /yes To confirm this, I dismantled it, and yes indeed - the field coil wires had melted and the armature looked decidedly crispy too! To my surprise, the commutator and brushes seemed fine however.

So there we have it - the engine spins freely, and I have (I think) got to the bottom of why the car is so reluctant to start! :smug:

Stay tuned for the next thrilling episode of 'Yellow car, Red nutcase" :leer:

enigma

01-09-2005, 06:24 AM

Try bump starting it..........

BraindG

01-09-2005, 07:52 AM

Stay tuned for the next thrilling episode of 'Yellow car, Red nutcase" :leer:

/Hyper

Sounds like youve been having fun there Kieran. Have you found out whether you can buy a new starter? or something that will bolt on from another car?

Kieran

01-09-2005, 08:05 AM

/Hyper

Sounds like youve been having fun there Kieran. Have you found out whether you can buy a new starter? or something that will bolt on from another car?

Well, there's a starter motor on ebay at the moment that should fit... it's only £30 delivered so I may give that a shot. As for other cars, the engine and 'box in my car were later used in the Hyundai Stellar, so I can always rob bits off one of them I I need to. :thumbsup:

BraindG

01-09-2005, 08:07 AM

30 quid isn't bad... atleast that way your a step, or should i say turn closer...

Wouter

01-09-2005, 12:15 PM

Nice one Kieran!! :thumbsup:

Keep up the good work!!

Kieran

03-09-2005, 03:18 PM

With the engine progressing nicely, and a small interlude whilst I await the arrival of the starter and some other bits and bobs, I decided to turn my attention to the bodywork - In particular, those bits with are unlikely to impress the MOT tester!!

Now, ss some of you may have seen from the early photos, the car is essentially very, very solid indeed, though the engine bay and the fronts of the chassis rails have been plated to get them through the MOT in the past. Also, as Ian spotted earlier, the vinyl roof looks very suspect around the windscreen. So, satisfied that the engine bay didn't need any immediate attention, I decided last night investigate the vinyl roof.

CRUNCH CRUNCH CRUNCH :embarasse :embarasse

Oh crumbs! That does NOT sound good!! and a couple of cuts into the vinyl to inspect revealed the full horrors.... That said, it could be a lot worse! But it is pretty grim!

Here's some photos. Note that I've taken the windscreen out - The rubber was in very poor condition in several places (almost certainly what caused the onset of the grot) and so rather than prise the rubber and risk shattering the windscreen, I took the stanley knife to it!! :rolleyes4 Not the recommended method, but I was able to extract the glass without damage, and also save a complete section of rubber for matching up a spare. And fortunately for me, it's available from HERE (http://www.classiccar-trim.com/phdi/p1.nsf/supppages/eastkent?opendocument&part=8) (Click) - Pattern 1181.

I'll leave you with the sight that greeted me once the windscreen was out and I'd removed the loose rust. You may find these images disturbing! :embarasse
However, I am all tooled up and ready to fire up my new MIG (Project VX claimed my last one!) in avengance!! :thumbsup:

ANTHONY

03-09-2005, 03:20 PM

can you not channel those exrta air intakes to the air filter

enigma

03-09-2005, 03:54 PM

Have you considered a convrtible? :evil2:

Big Ian

03-09-2005, 04:10 PM

D.J

03-09-2005, 06:00 PM

One way of getting the kerb weight down on the car.

Kieran

03-09-2005, 06:31 PM

vinyl roof's "gotta luv em!"...........not
can any of the hole's be plated from behind? and what was the condition of the rear pillars, another option .....do you know of any other's that you could cut the roof off of (if better than your')

when i worked in the garage, we use to fill most hole's with lead but it's costly and a long job but well worth the end result then again if you are replace'n the viynl then who's gonna see it?

have you stripped the carpet out yet? i'd say your better stripping as much as possable and asses all the work needed, make sure it's worth all the time and effort /yes

No, none of the holes can be plated from behind, so that's out the window. As you rightly point out, the Vinyl roof will be going back on, so to be honest, I'm not worried if my repairs look untidy. As long as the rust is cut back to bare metal, and fresh plates are welded in with good, solid welds, I'm not overly fussed.

As for the carpet, it's been up and it's not bad at all. No horrors jumped out anywyay! The rear pillars are fine, and it's only the roof skin that's crumbled. The bracing that runs along the top of the car is fine, as are the two longitudinal braces in the roof (though the nearside one has been caught on one corner).

Anyhow, I've got to grips with my new MIG and already chopped and plated one of the A Pillars. There's a picture below. Yes, my welds look terrible - they always do. I can weld with good strength and penetration, but they always look sh1te!! :embarasse

I've got the bit between my teeth now!! :smartass2: :Mr-T: :afro:

Dream Weaver

03-09-2005, 07:03 PM

with good strength and penetration

Alright for some ! /yes /yes /yes /yes /yes /yes /yes /yes

ritch_w

04-09-2005, 09:16 AM

Kieran, if i wore a hat, i'd take it off to you!!! :chugchug:

excellent work - keep it up!!! :thumbsup:

Kieran

05-09-2005, 11:47 PM

Well, new parts are on their way - Fortunately, a lot of this little car's DNA can be found in various 1980s Hyundais, so parts availability and prices aren't too bad. They should be here tomorrow or Weds :thumbsup: :smug:

Meantime, I've been MIGing with avengance! Have at ye, evil rust!! /pan

This plate needs tidying and finishing off (ran out of freakin' gas!!), but I'm getting there!! /yes

Kieran

07-09-2005, 12:14 AM

One fresh bottle of Machine Mart's finest CO2 and I'm off again!! :evil2:

As before, this is to get the plates in place. I need to finish this one off tomorrow. I can then go back and make it all profiled and good looking later. Like at the weekend, when I can use an angle grinder at a time of day that won't upset the neighbours!! :embarasse

Kieran

03-05-2006, 12:18 AM

Time for an update then I guess!:speechles Since those last pictures, and the disaster that was the engine diagnosis, tools were downed and left for a bit. Plus, the house needed the attention!!

Anyway, now that's out of the way, Alex is getting used to not seeing much of me again!

No pictures - Mainly because I haven't seen my digital camera in about 2 months! :oops:

Anyhow. As you know, I've got a donor car now (Goldie).

So - as of this Monday, the state of play was as follows:

- Following the purchase of a Clarke 1-Tonne crane and load leveller, The engine and gearbox have now been removed from Pap-Pap. Having had the gearbo sump plate off, and noted how fresh the oil looked when I drained it, I will reuse the gearbox and Keep Goldie's as a spare. Witb the engine now out of the way, I can clean up the engine bay, and deal with the ghastly looking MOT plates at the bottom of the strut towers.

The Roof & A-pillar repairs on the driver's side are complete, save for some final levelling of the primer. Then a topcoat will go on. I am still intending to re-fit the vinyl roof. To that end, Ebay landed me with some lovely automotive Vinyl to use. Crackajack!:2thumbsup

I have unpicked the offside front wing. What a mess! Goldie's wings are in MUCH better shape (the wheel arch spray guards sill had the original part nimber stickers on the back!!), so I'll use them. Which also means Marcus, that you will eventually get a coupe for respraying!!

The offside inner wing is also in a state. Some 18G steel will be ordered to stitch the remains back together.

Bit firmly between teeth once again!:evilgrin: