steve_earwig

More crusty rustiness..

 
Jacking point coming off.

 
Whilst jacking point was off a rust patch in side of chassis rail was cut out, which then gave access to the cage nuts and bolts holding on the front anti roll bar. Here being persuaded to undo!

That's the front end sorted, with replacement driver's wing offered up. This is a used but genuine one, I never use pattern wings as they just don't fit.
 
Next job strip out seats and carpets ready for sill replacement, and attend to some holes in rear floor pan.

These early cars didn't have front plastic wheel arch liners, so the rot tends to be quite comprehensive. Compare with the LE which did have them, and consequently is all solid around the front end.
 
Better stop chopping back before the drive line falls out...
 

 

 
Main chassis rail rotten at end on nearside, and inner wings both sides, easy repair though with everything being so accessible now.
 

 
Repairs done on nearside and new cross member offered up
 

 

That's this side flatted and buffed.
 
Front wing yet to be fitted properly as jacking point still needs finishing this side.
 
Glass to be refitted. 

Upper part of wing now finished, ready for rear quarter window to be refitted.
 
I will now leave the paint for about a month to fully harden, before T-Cutting again and applying wax, I use traditional Turtle Wax paste, there's nothing to beat it in my opinion.

Now this is where the fun starts...
 
Get out the T-Cut and get polishing - always use a new piece of cloth for applying and polishing off.

Allow the surface to dry off for inspection, any remaining areas of peel can be attended to as above.

Now that the paint has had a couple of days to dry - but not become too hard, it's time to flat it out. This takes out the orange peel and the odd fly that decided to embed itself in the wet paint...
 
Method is 1000 grit paper used wet with a rubbing block - a little detergent is added to stop clogging.     

I think it will take 4 years !
 
The engine bay needs doing, the front end and bonnet, the roof.
 
Also the other side needs one door, one door skin, the front wing repairing, a new inner wheel tub and a new rear quarter panel, plus a repair to the sill, before it can be prepped to paint.
 
The underneath also needs the opposite side of rear crossmember repairing, Then the boot interior panels needs finishing and painting. Tailgate needs tidying up.
 
It needs a full new interior using impossible to find material, that was paper thin to begin with. Headlining, parcel shelf.
 
Also a full brake overhaul, new OSF hub, wheel refurb and 4 tyres.
 
And all the white emulsion underneath needs sorting out, it also needs a replacement rearcross  beam, and both rear arms...
 
Anyway more progress made!
 
FRIDAY
 

 

 
 

 

 

 
Currently the paint is drying. It may be ready to flat out tomorrow and then polish

Tuesday. Filling, sanding, sneezing {infinite loop}
 

 
Wednesday.  Filling, sanding, sneezing {infinite loop}
 

 
Thursday. Time for some etch primer
 

 

 
Then primer filler
 

 

 

 
mmm
 

 
Now for some mauve!
 

 
I name this photograph 500ing the door shuts:
 

Restarted some Alpine action today...
 
Will this side be painted by Easter?  
 
The preparation begins!

vlcsnap-2016-03-13-12h32m06s760 by E Honda, on Flickr

More importantly, chips.

So far so good.. oil level has remained constant so that's seemingly got it fixed. Now the gearbox has developed a leak, most likely the gaiter boot as that was most recently disturbed.
 
Power steering seems to be an improvement because after a high speed run to go get pizza it's stopped squeaking at low RPM so the belt doesn't seem to be getting contaminated with oil any more.
 
We'll see tomorrow. Master cylinder arrived also. Weather this weekend promising to be foul.
 
 
--Phil

psst 1981 less than 100kkm spare tyre is original and useless obv.

I think I found the leak from the power steering.. a crappy crimp joint. Got it tightened up... shall see if it persists marking its' territory.
 
Got the cabin fan fixed, put a bunch of relays in.
 
Fitted air horn also. It's got a proper "1960's Rome" squeak to it
 
 
--Phil