My SIII LWT was purchased (unseen) a couple of years ago whilst serving overseas. Returning to Canberra mid last year, I finally drove to Adelaide and collected 'Horatio' in September.
What started as a plan to do a few cosmetic repairs has turned into a full restoration and although it has been going on for about 6 months now I thought it about time I started recording my progress and start a thread.
Horatio started life as an FFR but was converted to 12v at some point in the past. He served in Hong Kong and I have no idea when he came to Australia.
I know nothing about cars but am learning. I have never driven him as the brakes and clutch weren't working but I have had the engine running (for about five minutes) and have been reliably informed that the engine sounds quite good. As for the rest of it we will have to wait for me to finish to see what else needs doing.
I've added photos of the progress so far and plan to keep it updated as I progress.
First thing I noticed was the chassis and entire underside was coated in thick tar. This has been removed over many painful months using a blow torch and paint scraper followed by wire brush and petrol.
The rear x-member was rotten so had to be removed and a new one shipped out from the UK. Also completely rotten was the vent panel under the windscreen which had to be replaced with a second hand one sourced from Cyprus. The exhaust also needs replacing.
A number of the body panels had been bent or torn so they will also need replacing. Not being standard however they don't come cheaply so am waiting until I need them for those to be purchased.
My approach to this restoration has been to take something off, clean it, repair it and then put it away ready for putting it back on.
Following seats, tub exhaust etc came the engine and gear box. The gearbox scrubbed up ok (and I am praying that it works ok) but I am very happy with the engine.
The electrics have all been stripped and I have a new wiring loom to put in at some point. The thought of the electrics however disturbs me so I am not looking forward to it.
Both axles and the suspension were removed, stripped, cleaned and reassembled. They were painted in POR-15 (as was the chassis).
One of the fuel tanks was ok but one was very rusted with a number of holes in it. The ok tank was painted with POR-15 while the rusted tank was completely stripped down and then repaired with a POR-15 fuel tank repair kit. This included patching the outside before over painting and lining the inside with a tank sealant. Both fuel sender units were replaced.
The axles and suspension were returned to the chassis but I have replaced the original suspension bushes with polyurethane. This was mainly because I couldn't get the new, genuine ones back in. In retrospect I should have gone the expensive ones straight up and saved myself hours of frustration.
A number of parts in the front axle needed to be replaced including the shrouds.
The chassis was de-tarred, de-rusted, and primed before being painted. During the process a couple of rusted holes were found but not big enough for me to do anything with them other than kill the rust then over paint.
The last work I did on the car was paint the chassis and the next job is to strip the firewall and take the wheels to be sand blasted.
Nice work!
I have a gearbox for a lightweight sitting in my shed (came with mine as the previous owner had fitted a rebuit unit).
Dunno if it's of use to you as I'm in Perth.
I like the look of the lightweights. Are you going to restore it to 24V or keep it as 12V?
Did this one come from Sydney? If it did, I'm the reason that it has a back at all, if I remember correctly the P.O. got it with a civilian rear tub and I convinved him that the tub off another lightweight although damaged should be fitted onto it rather than leaving the poorly fitting civvy one. In fact I'm also the one who swapped it over, although it was never completed.
Ok since the last thread I have had more sand blasting done (including the wheels), sent some stuff off to get galvanised, purchased the paint and primer, replaced the clutch (complete incl cylinder) and refitted the engine and gear box to the chassis. I have also stripped the firewall down and although it isn't ready for painting it is fairly close. I am keen to start painting but as it advises at least 20 degrees for it to dry I will have to wait at least a few months to ensure the temperature reaches the high.
Putting the engine and gear box back in took some manipulating but it makes me feel I have turned the corner and a completed vehicle isn't that far away. I told the wife by end of 2016 so i am feeling confident I won't be in breach of that agreement.
The bloke in the photo is my father-in-law who comes to help when the heavy lifting is required.
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