Thread: Rebuilding Sid

3/8 BSP..... and you can buy them at super cheap auto.

Different to the manual which says BSF and the old head I’ve got.

Originally Posted by Cadas

3/8 BSP..... and you can buy them at super cheap auto.

Different to the manual which says BSF and the old head I’ve got.

Just out of interest how did you workout the plug size without taking in the whole head.....

Cheers Paul

Micrometer across opening gave me 15.5mm, which gave me a couple of options on an imperial thread chart

Then.

Kids plasticine modelling clay on a lollipop stick to take impression of the threads

And then a thread gauge.

Only works on big threads though....

Work is interfering with Sid time again so progress slow.

I’ve been learning to metal bash aluminium which is great fun. Shrinking ally using heat and compressed air is a bit like magic, you heat it, it expands, you blast with air and you see it move before your eyes.

One wing is nearly done, I’ll post some pics later.

In between work, managed to finish the gauges.



They had seen better days.


All got the same treatment, sand blasted, new studs welded on and painted. I got new seals from eBay ( painfully expensive) but they were correct and fitted perfectly.

And voila!



Refurbished switch as well. I have few more bits to fit, the spare Landy had the original accessory sockets and a full set of lights and I think an original switch for top right, just need to tidy them all up.

Other end of Sid this weekend. Finally found somewhere to media blast the body panels, they have most of the front end in their workshop so I get to play with the back end.

Also took Sid for a chug up and down the drive.

So, tailgate... it’s the only one I have and it’s seen better days.



I still think Sid was a breakdown truck at some point and tires going in and out the back caused some damage.

That and the bloke who had an unhealthy relationship with a rivet gun.



The rest of this is not for those of a nervous disposition


Capping came off easily enough, rather battered.

The top and bottom section are held on with a mixture of rivets and spot welds.



The bottom rail is toast, as it’s only a couple of folds I’ll make up a new one.

The main panel is only a simple
Box, I’m trying to decide whether to make a new box, or try bashing out the old one, it is Swiss cheese but am getting very good at tig welding holes ( rivet guy!) Replacing it means taking the ends off and the braces so about the same amount of work. I think I’ll send it all for media blast and decide after. Some of the tears in the ally look like they will be tricky to weld.

The rest of the day was spent straightening bits. Top rail and capping came up a treat, although the capping takes some bashing, panel beating with a 3lb lump hammer.




Rubbing strips also done, these and all the trim bits will be getting hot dipped Galv

More tailgate work, have to get a shift on now as I’m picking up body panels from the blaster soon.


Fabricated a new bottom rail


The old one was beyond repair, I’ve m base the new one up in 1.6mm to give it a bit more strength


Fits nicely, shame about the state of the main panel

First set of panels back,
Definitely worth doing, I can now see every defect which I couldn’t before. Finish is ok, they used a very light garnet so the panels are quite smooth.

Took the next lot in but with today’s news in south Australia I’ve no idea when I’ll get then back.

Prezzies came in the post today as well.


New loom from Bruce Sharma, looks to be a nice bit of work, and colour matched to Sid!!!!

I think I spent longer getting stuff ready to do in lock down than it actually lasted. Better that than the other though.

Tail gate saga continues. After deciding the tailgate looked rather shabby against my shiny new repair panel there was only one way to go.


Part way through forming the main panel.

Again I’ve done it out of 1.6mm (because that’s all I’ve got) so it will be rather stronger than the original, but jeez.... those folds raised a sweat.


Mocked up with all the frame pieces. Since this photo I’ve cleaned the rails up and straightened them, I’m now going around TIG welding the bits of damage, most of which fortunately is hidden and was stress cracking in the corners.

Should get this nearly done this weekend, next tricky job is transferring the reinforcement that supports the hinge bolts.

And working out which holes are rivets and which are spot welds.