Being used all year round come rain or shine I was aware that the chassis/floor was in need of some care and attention that i could no access as part of annual nut and bolt checks, re application of 2 pack epoxy.
A full rebuild being avoided till now as do not want the car to be off the road too long, i love having it available at the drop of a hat, taking part in the various club activites during the year, breckie runs as well as off grid shows like stoneleigh and the Bromley pageant.
So since limping home from another great road trip with a sick engine ( i think it actually broke an oil ring on RR a few days before the off ) having used in excess of 10 litres of oil in 8 days an engine change was at very least what was going to happen, aded to that the seized WW motor that occured on the Monday and having to sufffer Ace Venturra driving for the ''1 or 2'' five minutes showers we encoutnered, the motor being BURRIED under the scuttle for the duration of it life and me being 10 years older, far less nimble and flexiable than i was, the scuttle would have to come off for that one, this requiring the removal of the complete interior.
The add on's in the wiring since meeting SKCC have added to my dislike of the loom due to lack of space around the fuse box area and in need of complete rewiring.
The body and paint work having suffered copious amount of damage also needs attantion.
So the last couple of weeks, weekends, evening have been spent removing all items from the car, chucking them in boxes awaiting sorting and reconditioning. This involved loads of contorting myself into nooke and cranniess, swearing, grinding, dremmeling, swearing, degreasing of my body parts and swearing again as well as aches and pains the following days.
So what will i do as past of the rebuild.
Engine, Pinto/Zetec/something else, carbs or injections, umm had a chat with matt, offered advise and even a old Zetec block for sizing.
but i do have 2 good to go Pintos and no need to switch exhaust sdes and repair bonnet
Exhaust collector and box need replacing
Heater, GONE never to grace my bulkhead again, never used it and just right to place my new wiring fuse box and relays.
Screen, umm probably stay and not sure i could handle the raw appeal of an aero
Colour, now i love the present two tone and blues, but might fancy some thing different, but not sure what ?
So this is how she looks at present.
- Present garage view
- Drivers floor delaminating
- rear panel behind pass seat
- chassis rail
- base of roll rbar
- Oil mess from latest engine
- Gearbox tunnel will never rust
I am really looking forward to getting the junk and jet washer out to clean the remaining grease that has not found it way onto me over the past two week off, followerd by the wire brush and grinder.
I did consider getting another kit car to use for the duration of the rebuild, this has not come about, but to be fair this would mean too much time maintianing and driving that rather than concentrating on Eleanor.
I will how ever be asking to get involved in Breckie runs, passenger rides from time to time to keep me sain when the cabin fever kicks in
Budget for the works, Zero as usual, or what i can slide away, mortage is coming to an end so there a few more ££s avaialbe each month.
Time scale as short as possible, engine choice may be influences by that, but realistically end of the year i suppose
the Green car i hope to use for at least the North Wield event if needed.
Your comments/suggestions/ideas will be welcome
Rich.
