Renault 6TL "Crapaud"

[Skizzer]

I've been away and only just caught up with this - fanbloodytastic.  Can't wait to follow the progress and see it at Shitefest Cymru.

[MrDuke]

Just to put a slight dampener on things, the service record suggests that it's been round the clock (hopefully only once). There's a note from October 78 when it had new piston rings, bearings and clutch at 45,000m. That's probably better going than a new Renault, though.

[purplebargeken]

Bloody marvellous save, both of you need a good slap on the back and a decent bacon sarnie.

 

I will look at this with keen interest. Superb. I would also get all of the trim out, dry it and clean it, then store in the loft until needed. That will keep it nice and warm and dry.

 

Get a small/narrow wire brush for your drill and give the gutters a going over. Plenty of rust killer and then red oxide the buggers. It will protect what you have left. Then attack the bent bits so that maximum dryness is achieved and then sort out the cosmetics.

 

I can't bloody wait.

[wuvvum]

That does look remarkably sound considering.  Probably better than mine in a lot of areas in fact.

 

I actually took mine for a blat round the block today - first time it's been out in about six months.  I'd forgotten how much fun it is to drive.  I think you're going to enjoy this once you get it back on the road.

[Squire_Dawson]

The gear lever is fantastic, as are the old stickers in the rear window (be sure to keep them!)

 

POR-15 is what you want for the rusty bits now. Fantastic stuff and I don't use anything else now for rust treatment.

[DVee8]

Massive Kudos to you and Mr Duke for saving this lovely little car.

I like the thought  of Mr D being the caretaker sort of  a Quentin Tarantino character.

[Talbotman]

Terrific to see this being saved! Pinged Hill by the way is still a Renault dealership.It resorted to the family name Gravells some years ago and is one of the longest serving Renault dealerships in the Uk.Although it now also includes the Kia and Izuzu franchises.It might be worth contacting them to see if they.might have a purchase information on record. Their very proud of their heritage.

[Mog]

Congrats on the lack of rust.

[vulgalour]

I did not know that, I shall definitely be chasing that up to see what, if anything, can be learned.  I doubt they'd be terribly interested in it as it stands but maybe once its roadworthy again they will at least let me take some pictures at the dealership.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

Hey nice work, that looks a lot more solid than what you could have reasonably expected. I too would be trying to do something about the roof first of all. Have you got keys for it?

[MrDuke]

Yep, the keys came with it, and the ignition barrel / steering lock seems to function well enough.

[HillmanImp]

Without wanting to temp fate, that does look pretty good. I was thinking WTF are they doing when i first read DWs thread but it looks remarkably solid. GLWGIBOTR

[Split_Pin]

Fantastic, I love the look of these, especially the sloping tailgate which is slightly out of proportion with the rest of the cars dimensions.

 

Looks like you have a good plan and in light of the work you have done on previous cars I'm certain you'll follow this thorugh to the road.

[Vin]

This is a great save. I really love these, glad to see it will get the TLC it deserves.

 

Absolutely love the dealer sticker. The Welsh provenance can be further seen in the Swansea 'EP' registration number.

[derskine]

That's just smashing

[Digbydog]

I used to have one. It was hand paintedbin a pale shade of dulux blue. The clytch had been replaced by a Renault "specialist" and the brake pipe that went across rhe front cross member had been lengthened so it didn't have to be removed for future clutch replacement. I loved it and it didnt ever let me down. I swapped it for a Mini. The guy who took it on used it for a 60 mile commute until the rear suspension parted company with the body shell due to corrosion. The drivers side rear passenger door had to be held shut with a self tapping screw. OAH441P, where are you niw?

[Junkman]

Just get it running and drive it down to the next SODMOT station.

Then use it for the daily school run if you want the shrieklings to shut up and be quiet all the way.

[Station]

It looks good - but that roof guttering is going to be a PITA if it's really badly corroded? Hope it's all good underneath. The only true test is having a poke around with a screwdriver once it's in your possession.

And the best weather to restore a car outside! 

 

Ratdat, that floorpan looks ace!

[Squire_Dawson]

I will strongly advise against poking anything with a screwdriver. More heartache than could ever be envisaged will promptly ensue.

[Sudsprint]

Great save of such a charismatic old girl.

[Vin]

I will strongly advise against poking anything with a screwdriver. More heartache than could ever be envisaged will promptly ensue.

 

So True. I remember witnessing the screwdriver technique on a 50p size hole in a Triumph TR7. By the time he'd finished he needed a new bodyshell...                   

[Volksy]

Mine and Mr H.Imps Fulvia, was along similar lines.

 

'Two 50p sized holes in the floor'..........

 

Sills, Floors, inner sills, subframe, subframe mounts......................................

[MrDuke]

Don't worry, I shall just be caressing the metal gently with a rubber mallet. What Vulga does to it afterwards is his problem

 

I've begun excavating the floor, and early signs are good - driver's footwell (which had the biggest pond) feels solid under my stamping size 10s, although it'll take a while to scrape all the soggy gunk away from the metal and look properly.

[oman5]

Fantastic. I think its laudable that you've taken this on. much respect! 

[vulgalour]

MrDuke has been busy on the island of a billion raindrops and found opportunity to inspect the 6 a little further.  Head off and water in all the bores.

 

Oil too.

 

That means I have yet another car with OMGHGF looking at that which is no great surprise.  The liners look okay, there's no evidence of water rusting things away for the past 20 years while the car has been stood.  I'm no expert, but I'd say that looks like it can be sorted with care.  MrDuke tells me that one of the head bolts was far tighter than the rest for some reason, possibly a very short-sighted attempt to cure the problem in the past.  In the meantime, the car is not going to be moved at all so those liners don't end up getting out of position before the head goes back on.

 

Carb was removed and looks okay if a little grubby.  You can just see the alternator to the right of the image.  A good clean before putting it back on the car will hopefully suffice.

 

 

The head on the bench.  Again, doesn't look too horrible.  What oil is there doesn't appear to have big crusty or metallic deposits.

 

 

Rather than waiting 500 miles for the head gasket to blow, it can be repaired before the car is pressed into service instead.

[Squire_Dawson]

Ahh that's a bummer. Hopefully there's not too much rust in the liners and they sit true.

[stuboy]

good luck with it!!!!

[nigel bickle]

Looks about right too me, for its time off road & the type of storage. Honest.

 

Are you planning on pulling the pistons out to free the rings, hone bore etc, or just free it off carefully and hope for the best? Smoky first 500 -then see how you go, like?

[Ratdat]

I think I have the special tool for holding down the liners in the block amongst all my gear here if it's of any help.

[Rusty_Rocket]

That water in the cylinders is a recent occurrence IMO.

The bores usually turn 1970s BL ORANGE after a few days of water contamination, was the cooling system/ head drained properly before it was lifted?  Dry it out out thoroughly, fill each cylinder with diesel and let it sit and work away at the stuck rings (gnnnnaawwwrrr maaatron)