Hi all,
Bit of a hiatus on the updates sorry...but have been busy now that spring and summer is with us.
Since my last update which was the installation of the engine and gear box...things have slowly progressed.
Installation of the radiator and bits;
Radiator Installed.jpg
Completed the Carburetor rebuild;
Carbi.jpg
and.....you can't help but tick it over.....took a bit of head scratching and eventually a new coil....and wow, what a beautiful thing! Idles like a happy cat purring.
Running Engine.jpg
I mentioned earlier that I was procrastinating about the gearbox...when it was up on chocks I worked through the gears and there was a terrible noise in 4th....and thanks to the info on this forum surmised a crook bearing....so out it came and several week later a new kit was installed. Not as difficult a job as I feared....had a mate with a bearing puller which was gold....
Gearbox.jpg
Gearbox installed back onto the car and eagle eyed will notice the Fairey Overdrive is now installed..
gearbox overdrive.jpg
I may have taken it for a few sneaky drives around the block at this stage......getting the brakes bled was the biggest issue.....ended up power bleeding them with 120psi and half a bottle of fluid per corner after several months of persisting with the normal manual method.:-)
So....onto some more body work....(the abbreviated version) I am using a 2 pack paint and have ended up getting a full face mask that covers my whole face and eyes....
Some panels were stripped, others panel beaten and filled....primed and painted. I also invested in some decent air driven sanding tools....a good learning experience and happy with most of the job. I had several paint places ask if this was a "concourse" renovation.....I'm happy with a neat protective coating with some retained....character!
Body Work.jpg
Tub installed.jpg
painted door.jpg
seat box installed.jpg
There was an earlier debate about the galvanizing....as there are no galvanizing services in the ACT, I ended up up taking the advice here and used the Australian made zinc coating....I spoke with the manufacturer and ensured I only applied this on hot days. I've then finished this off with a 2 pack clear coat from Supercheap....very happy with finish in the end and the contrast with the green looks good ( to me anyway).
doors on.jpg
Tub and Doors.jpg
You may note the new blind rivets..... bought a kit that was supplied with a matching punch that encouraged me to use a hammer and dolly.....managed to convert the punch to an air hammer driven fitting....much easier:-)
My procrastinating extended to the wiring harness....don't have any pics but....the harness worked... it was just old and dirty....I found the local electrical shop sold a webbing tape.....so I spent a night unraveling and re-taping the whole harness and it works a treat. During the installation I discovered a few runs that were decayed, particular the main 12V+ takeoff, but all sorted.
I still have a little tidying up to compete the electrics but now have brake lights, indicators, instrument lights and head lights...high and low....I did replaced the headlight bowls...as much as I liked the originals, the reflective backing was to far gone.
So, I still have the floor panels, sills and a few other bits to complete but coming on well. A few more sneaky drives around the block and some engine tuning and it nearly accelerates up hills. I'm a bit concerned with the noise of the overdrive....this may need a bearing kit also, but I'll need to do a longer run to test this.....might need to work on the wheel alignment and even out the turning circle also.
steering wheel and indicator.jpg
very happy with the indicator stalk, after a dismantle and refurbish, even the little light inside works!
to date.jpg
Still to come;
Prep and paint the sills, floor panels and gearbox cover.
Install the door rubbers
New tyres and paint the rims
prep and pain the door windows and install the new sills
Things I need
I have a hard top but I' like a canvas top - so need to buy some hoops and canvas...saving for that
I bought the vehicle with a bull bar but I think Id prefer a normal bumper
Another year an I think I'll be finished.....what will I do then:-)
Col.
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