| RESTO PAGE |
| Hi and welcome to my new COV resto page.This page has been set up to show you all my progress with the engine bay restoration that i am to start when the MOT runs out on the 15th.I am looking to get it to show standards, so that i can lift the bonnet at shows and feel proud, and also because it makes servicing the car nicer.I will be replacing the Plenum chamber, fitting RS strut top reinforcements,having the engine bay resprayed in two pack paint, fitting a 1300GT engine, type 9 5 speed, chassis leg repair, and detailing everything in the engine bay. Progress as it happens..... |
| 17/09/02:New plenum chamber panel arrived today from Ex-pressed panels.Cost �86.95 which is pretty exspensive, but then it does look tasty ;-) |
| 15/09/02: Escy now off the road-used all the petrol up first though ;-) |
| 18/09/02: Well, resto began today.Took some before pictures which can be seen below.Started to strip the engine bay down to the point whereby the engine and box are ready to be lifted out.Will have the engine crane on Sunday, so will hopefully lift it out and start on the Plenum then. |
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| 20/09/02:Had a poke about with the chassis legs today to see what state they were in.I was expecting them to need repair as they did look rusty in quite a few places towards the front.However, after a bit of work with the screwdriver and wire brush, they came up really well, to which i celebrated with a beer;-) They're totally solid, so after a bit of underseal and Waxoyl, i can totally forget about them!!!Hoorah!!! |
| 22/09/02: Well, took the engine and gearbox out this morning, spilling gearbox oil everywhere.....Pleased to find no more rust, so im happy as a bunny now.Next job is to replace the Plenum(havnt had time today, heavens opened) and then the RS strut top reinforcements, that ive yet to order...Hopefully a couple of piccies soon of the gaping hole..... |
| 29:09:02 Hi again.Today i have been up to alot.First of all, had a quick attempt at getting the underseal off of the inner wings, and once again, i was overjoyed to find no rust, and the fact that the strut tops are totally original, with the O/S still containing its stamped chassis number!!The underseal flaked off easily with a wallpaper scraper.Havnt finished this yet, but have done enough for now as the rest is under the master cylinder e.t.c. The second job that i did today was to remove the Plenum Chamber. Using a spot weld drill bit(this makes the job so much easier and quicker than a regular drill bit)i drilled all the spot welds out, being careful not to destort the under windscreen gutter panel.The panel did come out easier than i thought it would, so again, i celebrated with a beer;-). The panel underneath(normally hidden from view) was a little rotten, but not as much as i expected it to be, so the next job is to but weld in a new section before fitting the new plenum.I offered up the new plenum to check its fit and was pleased to find that it fits well. More very soon of hopefully a completed plenum section, which will allow me to move onto fitting the RS strut tops, and rubbing the engine bay down to bare metal. One last note-there was a plate that had been pop rivetted on next to the plenum, which when removed, revealed a hole that had been cut by a previous owner.Im not sure what it was used for, but i will need to butt weld in a little plate, and also fill up the little holes around it with weld. Bye for now.... |
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| 08/10/02: Well, progress is being made(slowly), but it is positive, plates have been made for the area under the plenum, not bodge over plates, but nice butt welded ones:-) Just want them welding in now, which weather permitting, will happen tomorrow. Heater has been taken out so that it doesnt melt during welding, and also so that i can get good access to paint the repairs from behind.Thats all for today:-) |
| 12/10/02: PROGRESS!!! It feels good to say the following..."All the welding under the Plenum is now completed, as well as the holes at the side of it" Yes everyone, it is finished, which just leaves the Plenum itself to be fitted, which dare i say it, is a easier job compared with the previous welding. All rust/rot has been removed, and nice butt-welded sections added. The hole that i uncovered under the pop-rivetted plate has had a section butt-welded in, and the holes welded up. Tomorrow's aim is to get the Plenum on and all welds seam sealed.And yes, when this part is done, i will celebrate with a beer ;-) Piccies as well, will be here 2moro. |