New shite arrived/ Contains Princess Weldathon

[danthecapriman]

That is some impressive welding! Very tidy.

 

To change a threads title you have to edit the first post, using the 'edit' button near the 'like this' button.

[Dippy]

Another good days progress with GEOFF the welder who repaired the large hole in the drivers footwell, with repairs to the sills and all the other bits in that corner needing attention.

Instead of getting in his way pretending to help I decided to have a go at one of the rear doors, it took me all day but I managed it in the end it was a lot of faffing about but satisfying to have done it myself.

 

It's really good having a mate do this work as he is willing to teach me as we go and I really enjoy having a small part of the welding done myself.

 

Here's Geoffs new floorpan repairs.

[Urko]

That is a thing of beauty.  My Dad had one - same colour.  His was the 6cyl auto.  I loved the "advanced" illuminated switch panel which was lit up by a single bulb hanging behind the dash.  It plugged into a plastic holder that had fibre optics coming out to light up the switches.  The holder used to fall out quite often so Dad would ask me to "mend" the lights again.

 

Similarly, the nearside headlight would go out every now and then.  The connector would fall off the back, so I'd give the wiring at good tug (ahem) and fit it back on - the loom had been made or installed just a tad too short to reach properly.

 

We had bullied my Dad into getting it - he'd had a great Ford Granada that he really loved - a 73 GXL 3000, but we told him he had to "buy British - ha".  After 9 months the engine seized (I think the oil pump drive sheared off) and he bought a Granada - a 76 3.0 GL.

 

The Princess was quiet, smooth and very roomy though.

[vulgalour]

This is beautiful stuff, I can't believe I missed this thread back in April, what on earth was I doing?  If there's anything you need (other than displacers) for this car do shout, there's a chance I'll have it. I still have much of the brown interior from my car which is the same year as yours, and while it's HL stuff some of it is the same as that in the HLS and all of it is interchangeable.  There's many spares I don't need.  Want bumpers?  I've got bumpers.  Please take some bumpers off me.

[Dippy]

Thanks Vulg, I've got a nos rear bumper and hopefully front is not too bad. Could do with new rubber inserts though.

Interior is near perfect except carpets (easily made) and headlining may need replacing.

 

1 wheel cover is cracked and today I filled fuel tank with water only to find it leaks.

 

Some nice new brake parts turned up today.

[vulgalour]

I could furnish you with a wheel trim, not got the bumper inserts.  I'm going to guess the headlining has stains down the sides, most of them do and it's from the factory glue discolouring, you can get away with just painting the headlining after a thorough clean to eliminate the issue.  Alternatively, if you can get someone to remove front and rear screen it's an easy headlining to remove and remake as it's done the old fashioned way with rods and glue rather than on a formed board.

[Dippy]

Finally got the o/s rear door finished, not quite to Geoff's standard but you've got to learn somewhere.

 

 

[Dippy]

Got a lot done this weekend, cleaning and painting underneath with a rustproff paint prior to underselling it.

 

I like to scrape off all the old under seal even if it is a pain of a job to make sure everything is ok and the new paint sticks well as this will prevent more welding in the future.

 

Even had time to rebuild one of the rear brakes after cleaning and painting the back plate a new rear cylinder and new shoes were fitted, the drum was in great condition with no wear just a small amount of surface rust to clean off after it has stood for many years. I have decided to renew the pipes as I have already removed them it won't take long to make some to to same shape and it's probably quicker than cleaning up the old pipes.

 

 

[Dippy]

I have finally got the floors repairs completed and it has now been seam sealed and had 2 coats of zinc 182 applied, I shall wait a few days then the Schutz can go on before starting to rebuild the underneath with new brake pipes a refurbished fuel tank and a full new exhaust system.

 

It's starting to feel like progress is being made and the horrible job of cleaning underneath is now behind me.

[Dippy]

Had a good weekend having applied the Schutz and repiped the rear brakes.

Also started repairing the fuel tank using a poor kit.

 

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[The Reverend Bluejeans]

Mint.

 

You probably already know, but on the Princess auto the gearbox oil is separate to the engine oil. My old history teacher Mr Rastall had a Special Six automatic back in the late 70's early 80's, didn't realise and ran the gearbox out of oil due to a dripping seal. Borg Warner Bros Model 35....?

[Eddie Honda]

 Borg Warner Bros Model 35....?

 

I think it's BW35 internals in there. Well it was on the B series 1800. Now if only they had the sense to separate the engine/transmission oil on the AP-E and AP-A boxes.

[flat4alfa]

Yes, BW35 in their own casing, running off a chain

 

Excellent* ground clearance as it is not fitted end-on.  Grounded my Wolseley a couple of times.

[Dippy]

I've been plodding along over the last couple of weeks and have now sourced and fitted a complete nos exhaust system and refurbed and fitted the fuel tank and pipes.

Hopefully I will be able to start the car when I get some fuel so it can be moved about easier.

 

My mate the welder came in today and fitted a repair wheelarch panel and made various repairs to the joining panels all very neatly done and will require minimal filler before paint.

 

 

[Dippy]

With the new exhaust fitted and a fully refurbished fuel system back in place I could start the car for the first time in a couple of months.

The engine now runs great with clean fuel and an exhaust system without huge holes in this is the first time I have heard it run properly and I'm happy it runs great.

 

Time now to hook it up to my toolshite for a quick tune up.

 

 

[agw9262]

Now we're talking, no OBD and laptop rubbish need apply!!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Dippy]

It's quite slow going with this car but we had another good day with my mate sorting out all the nasty rust around the windscreen and windscreen pillars. Not a lot to see for a full day's work but it was all fiddly stuff.

 

Whilst he was doing that I started bogging the previous welded areas so they are roughly in shape, probably now got a day or two welding left now.

 

This was a dashboard and crash pad out job so once it's cleaned up and painted I can get the dash back in and clear some space.

 

A before and after shot of the welding

 

[Parky]

That is some of the nearest welding I have seen. Are you aiming for concours as it looks as if that's what you are going to get!

[vulgalour]

Nice to see this still progressing.

[Dippy]

Geoffs welding and fabrication is excellent and this has been his trade for over 40 years now. I do want a solid car with all the rust cut out and dealt with now rather than it coming back later.

 

This will be far from concours though, I am aiming for a reliable daily driver in a very tidy but not perfect condition and have tried to give it the best chance of survival as it will be used all through winter.

 

I just need to get it finished as I really want to drive an auto again and I can also get on with my full on restoration project which has been untouched now for 6 months.

[johngarty]

Great car and top top resto work. Mate had one of these back in the day. I borrowed it a few times and still remember it as the comfy'est car ive ever driven. Like driving in an armchair. 

[purplebargeken]

Lovely, lovely work. Excellent progress

[Dippy]

After another few months of little activity due to a complete change in my work and moving many miles south soon there has been little progress until last week and since then I have had another unsuccessful attempt to seal my leaking fuel tank so am looking for a decent replacement.

 

I have also cleaned and schultzed 2 wheel arches, had all 5 wheels shot blasted and powder coated then fitted with new rubber.

Geoff has returned today and we almost finished the welding with just the bottom of 1 front wing to repair.

 

I have also started prepping the bodywork ready for paint although there is still some way to go here, I am now trying to get as much done if not finish the car before moving as i already have another car to move in bits..

 

So if anybody knows of a fuel tank in good condition for sale please let me know.

[Zantimisfit]

Princess AND a Victor. I'm lost for words...you wonderful wonderful man!

[anonymous user]

How bad is your fuel tank?

I'm having one rebuilt at the moment, it will be costing about £100, they are putting a new bottom on. If you really can't find a decent one it might be worth doing

[Dippy]

The problem is the fuel sender unit fitting area as it is corroded and the locking ring will not seal the sender.

 

I have used Por15 which sealed all but the smallest drip so I drained the tank and had a second go which was successfull for about a week when the small drip reappeared.

 

I could have another go if I can't find a better tank but I have repaired other areas of pin holing and think replacing the tank will be the only long term solution.

 

I did try and buy a new tank before messing with the old one but parts for these cars are hard to find.

 

I could get one made in stainless as Geoff my welding guy has Tig and has made them before but I don't have a good sender unit mount to weld in and this is a pressed part and it would be easier to find a good tank.

[Dippy]

It's really coming together now the main shell has been painted and this weekend I painted the bonnet and boot.

 

My mate came round today and we fitted and aligned them but still have 4 doors to repair and paint.

I went to the trim shop and bought some matching carpet so this will be tomorrow's job, just waiting for the trimmer to fit the new headlining and vinyl roof hopefully this week.

 

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[Wilko220]

Loving this project. Fantastic work.

[Dippy]

Trimmer turned up today and fitted the new headlining but will have to wait till next week for the vinyl roof.

 

I have been busy making new carpets this week and starting to refit the interior which can be finished now that the headlining is in so having fun adding lots of brown bits to the car.

 

[Dippy]

I have now got 2 doors painted and refitted, the trimmer came today and started on the vinyl roof but was short of material to finish the rear quarter panels so I'm still waiting to book the glass fitter for the screens.

 

Lots of other little bits and pieces also finished and I hope to start on the last two doors tomorrow.