And so it begins......

[Rustinmotion]

Originally Posted by t4johnny

Thanks for the heads up on those areas.
I have had a good look around and underneath and apart from some surface rust it does not look too bad at all as i expected far worse but i guess the dry storage for that length of time has helped preserve him in a way
Inner wings are fine as are the arches, sills are solid and floor are all good so i got lucky and a sound starting point....thanks again !!

Also check the rear upper spring seats, behind the bump stop plate and the chassis section running across the car just behind the axle, that’s where mine had issues

[t4johnny]

I am pretty sure there will be a few areas that will need some attention.
I am just going to deal with one area of the car at a time as in :

1. Engine
2. Cooling System
3. Gearbox / Propshaft/Rear axle
4. Braking system / Clutch
5. Suspension
6. Electrical

No doubt things will overlap along the way and i will look back at what i have just put here and laugh manically...best laid plans and that

Thanks again for the advice

[Rustinmotion]

Originally Posted by t4johnny

I am pretty sure there will be a few areas that will need some attention.
I am just going to deal with one area of the car at a time as in :

1. Engine
2. Cooling System
3. Gearbox / Propshaft/Rear axle
4. Braking system / Clutch
5. Suspension
6. Electrical

No doubt things will overlap along the way and i will look back at what i have just put here and laugh manically...best laid plans and that

Thanks again for the advice

I’d start with suspension as that will allow you to inspect the chassis in that area, no point building new brakes to have to remove them to fit suspension bushes or weld up rotten chassis, having recently done a suspension rebuild I would recommend start now with the penetrating oil on the rear arms and panhard link they can be rusted solid, had to saw out the 4 bolts holding the axle to the lower arm, even with the bush out mounted in the vice I could not get the bolt to move

[canis]

What a great project! You're gonna have so much fun! Are you going to repaint it or are you going with the "rat look" which seems to be popular these days?

This window deflector though! Not seen one of those in years!

[t4johnny]

Originally Posted by Rustinmotion

I’d start with suspension as that will allow you to inspect the chassis in that area, no point building new brakes to have to remove them to fit suspension bushes or weld up rotten chassis, having recently done a suspension rebuild I would recommend start now with the penetrating oil on the rear arms and panhard link they can be rusted solid, had to saw out the 4 bolts holding the axle to the lower arm, even with the bush out mounted in the vice I could not get the bolt to move

I do intend to remove front calipers completely and inspect them on the bench and make a decision from there, at least a full overhaul...
I have been soaking up various front suspension points, after a severe wire brushing 1st, for the last week or so ..daily.....a chore but an essential one for sure.
After buying a vehicle ,some years back now, that had spent its life along the Scottish coast [ yeah i know} i became well versed in dismantling rusted/ seized bolts, ball joints etc....suspension items so hopefully the pain i suffered back then will stand me in good stead.....hmmmmm

Thanks for the advice, much appreciated !!

[t4johnny]

Originally Posted by canis

What a great project! You're gonna have so much fun! Are you going to repaint it or are you going with the "rat look" which seems to be popular these days?

This window deflector though! Not seen one of those in years!

Hello....yes i will stick with the "Patina" look for a while as there are more important things to be getting on with....

Yes that wind deflector i believe can also be used as a riot shield in the event of a nearby major crowd disturbance....

[t4johnny]

Well....
Not too much progress,work and real life do get in the way....
Carburettor off, exhaust manifold off, dynamo off, water pump, fan assembly and associated pipework off.
Block water drain plug opened up surprisingly easily,fair bit of rust coloured water but not too terrible,we shall see.
Rocker shaft off,pushrods out and kept in order.
Noticed on hand rotation that 7th rocker from front of the engine was not moving at all, several rotations but no movement....thoughts ?
Head bolts all loosened except the bolt at front to left of thermostat housing...can get a thumbnail between bolt head and cylinder head so copious amounts of atf/acetone in play,appears to be seeping in the gap so patience along with a short sharp,not too hard,tap with a drift on head bolt now and then.....

[t4johnny]

Well.....
As expected i hit a few bumps along the way during the engine strip down
Front left headbolt snapped just below block, all others came out just fine.
Despite heat,tapping and some good old fashioned lubrication...oh well..
The cylinder head looks quite badly corroded when looking through the waterways and below the thermostat area so time to view my options.
I do have a complete spare B20 engine, gearbox {non-overdrive unit} and propshaft so possibly looking at the condition of that as an option.

I am not sure if the B20 cylinder head can be fitted to the B18 block as there are conflicting views / alterations to set up that i have looked in to....

[t4johnny]

A few pics of works so far.....

[t4johnny]

The bores seem to be in very good condition, no ridges with just some minor carbon build up at the very top of the travel.....
All turning very smoothly by hand....
Well plenty to be getting on with........