gm Posted June 30, 2020 Author Share Posted June 30, 2020 yesterdays task was to pair up this lot into something more useful the trick here is to pop them in hot water to soften them up a bit, I had this little pan bubbling away on the cooker all afternoon while each bush had a nice hot bath, they need to be too hot to hold in your hand, around 15 mins a bit of threaded bar and nuts were obtained and we're ready for action apply grease - when you think theres enough grease on, add some more, then a bit more for luck and get them spanners twirling then its time for the centre tube - note this goes in after the bush has been fitted - this vital bit of info was not made clear in the instructions try to fit tube and bush at the same time takes a bit* more effort it seemed to be taking rather a long time so power tools were deployed success ! 22 of these little bastards took all afternoon, everything is covered in grease and I don't think my hands will ever be clean again surely this must be the last of the messy jobs now ? garbaldy, Jim Bell, Shirley Knott and 11 others 14 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gm Posted June 30, 2020 Author Share Posted June 30, 2020 while i was covered in shit, it seemed sensible to replace the rubber boots on the upper ball joints another job that required the use of a hammer and chisel, theres been a few of these recently a 30mm socket and a g-clamp pushed the new (£9.90 each) rubber boot snugly into place note : I had to touch up the omgsupertough chassis paint that I've chipped already Tenmil Socket, CGSB, Tickman and 3 others 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulplom Posted June 30, 2020 Share Posted June 30, 2020 Top fettling. Had the paint fully cured. It doesn't bode well if it has. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garbaldy Posted June 30, 2020 Share Posted June 30, 2020 I was just thinking same ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gm Posted June 30, 2020 Author Share Posted June 30, 2020 3 minutes ago, paulplom said: Top fettling. Had the paint fully cured. It doesn't bode well if it has. not too sure, it's had three coats, the most recent being a few days ago, so I expected better than that not much I can do now other than hope for the best. if I ever do this again, the whole lot will be shipped off for sand blasting and powder coating, unfortunately the budget wouldn't stretch to it this time. I was offered a ready finished set of subframes, fully bushed, I wish I'd taken him up on that offer now. never mind, perhaps I can start assembling something now paulplom and dome 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gm Posted June 30, 2020 Author Share Posted June 30, 2020 More misuse of kitchen appliances today Probably an old wives tale but I'm sure I'd read somewhere something about hot oil being used as a form of corrosion prevention - heating up nuts n bolts then quenching them in oil or bathing them in a hot oil bath ? I'm a bit bored so let's give it a go yes, those are empty tin cans fully synthetic ! 15 minutes at 200oC oh bolloocks ! fizzing away, must be something happening mebbes a bit shinier ? I've stuck the droplink and alignment bolts in for a good soak now dome, Jim Bell and CGSB 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gm Posted June 30, 2020 Author Share Posted June 30, 2020 Top tip - don't use a tuna can, the buggers leak when they get hot ! Shirley Knott, dome and Jim Bell 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gm Posted June 30, 2020 Author Share Posted June 30, 2020 smoke smoke fizz fizz etc Results : inconclusive Although there was a reasonable amount of crap in the bottom of the oil tray stonedagain, Shirley Knott, CreepingJesus and 4 others 5 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulplom Posted June 30, 2020 Share Posted June 30, 2020 I reckon that's a success! The joys of living alone ? CreepingJesus, stonedagain and DVee8 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gm Posted June 30, 2020 Author Share Posted June 30, 2020 very true - the house is a bit fragrant just now ! I’ve buggered off to the garage instead Vince70, Jim Bell, paulplom and 2 others 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CreepingJesus Posted June 30, 2020 Share Posted June 30, 2020 You're better heating them up directly, then quenching them in cold oil. Been doing the same myself with my camping stove, and the oil in a soup tin. Quicker, and much less smoky! Plus, I'm not doing it in the kitchen... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GBJ Posted June 30, 2020 Share Posted June 30, 2020 9 hours ago, gm said: yesterdays task was to pair up this lot into something more useful the trick here is to pop them in hot water to soften them up a bit, I had this little pan bubbling away on the cooker all afternoon while each bush had a nice hot bath, they need to be too hot to hold in your hand, around 15 mins a bit of threaded bar and nuts were obtained and we're ready for action apply grease - when you think theres enough grease on, add some more, then a bit more for luck and get them spanners twirling then its time for the centre tube - note this goes in after the bush has been fitted - this vital bit of info was not made clear in the instructions try to fit tube and bush at the same time takes a bit* more effort it seemed to be taking rather a long time so power tools were deployed success ! 22 of these little bastards took all afternoon, everything is covered in grease and I don't think my hands will ever be clean again surely this must be the last of the messy jobs now ? What sort of grease are you using? I thought that rubber bushes should be fitted with a lubricant that drys out so that the rubber flexes without moving in the housing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gm Posted June 30, 2020 Author Share Posted June 30, 2020 46 minutes ago, GBJ said: What sort of grease are you using? I thought that rubber bushes should be fitted with a lubricant that drys out so that the rubber flexes without moving in the housing? Moly grease, recommended by the bush supplier. Horrible, messy stuff but it seems to work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gm Posted June 30, 2020 Author Share Posted June 30, 2020 1 hour ago, CreepingJesus said: You're better heating them up directly, then quenching them in cold oil. Been doing the same myself with my camping stove, and the oil in a soup tin. Quicker, and much less smoky! Plus, I'm not doing it in the kitchen... Sounds like a good idea, I'll try that next time instead. Good news is that the oven doesn't stink of burned engine oil, just as well as it's pizza for tea tonight CreepingJesus and LightBulbFun 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gm Posted June 30, 2020 Author Share Posted June 30, 2020 So I rearranged the garage and set up a low 'workbench' for this evenings activities and only a few hours later, we have yes, folks, reassembly has commenced ! that is one complete* rear subframe, all built and torqued up lets see it from another angle and because I'm pretty pleased with myself, one more (not really complete at all, the arb's need to go on, not to mention brakes and shock absorbers but I haven't even ordered them yet so that'll have to do for now) LightBulbFun, Sir Snipes, djim and 12 others 15 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gm Posted July 1, 2020 Author Share Posted July 1, 2020 Another hour or two in garage gm this evening resulted in front subframe coming together - it's so nice to be working on something that isn't all rusty and minging but, lets have a closer look stupid modern castle nut is too wee that's not even tightened and the split pin is doing feck all. I still have the old ones so it's into the vinegar they go and we shall continue this in a day or two. I also nipped out and picked up a set of steelies, I'm thinking a dark gunmetal grey sort of colour and proper fancy track tyres should look pretty smart yes, that's a great idea, spend a wad of cash on tyres to roll around the garage getting filthy for months on end dome, Tickman, LightBulbFun and 4 others 5 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
320touring Posted July 1, 2020 Share Posted July 1, 2020 Do you rate those nankang ns2? The 335 could do with grown up rubber (and fixing!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gm Posted July 1, 2020 Author Share Posted July 1, 2020 I do indeed, that’s what was on the mazda when you drove it at knockers in the rain. On a dry track, they are stonking good tyres. So much grip and stopping power I destroyed a brand new set of brake pads in not much over an hour Tickman and 320touring 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
320touring Posted July 1, 2020 Share Posted July 1, 2020 3 minutes ago, gm said: I do indeed, that’s what was on the mazda when you drove it at knockers in the rain. On a dry track, they are stonking good tyres. So much grip and stopping power I destroyed a brand new set of brake pads in not much over an hour Ah right - was controllable even for a fool like me:) gm 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gm Posted July 2, 2020 Author Share Posted July 2, 2020 today started with a bit of painting then I turned my attention to the front subframe - the old castle nuts had been relaxing overnight in the Sarsons, a quick wire wheel and oil quench and they were ready to fit. then it was time for the steering rack no need to be tripping over that in the kitchen anymore hubs were temporarily bolted on and I had a go at the tracking a bit pointless, but it will be interesting to see how far out it is when I'm finished. I'm starting to run out of space now CreepingJesus, CGSB, LightBulbFun and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gm Posted July 2, 2020 Author Share Posted July 2, 2020 so we have a front assembly a rear assembly and an engine all ready to put back together. and I start back at work tomorrow I'm fairly satisfied with where I am with the project - I didn't want to be in a position where the kit is ready for collection and I've got parts all over the place - there's still a few smaller jobs to sort out, such as the brakes and maybe a look at the wiring but whenever i get the call, proper construction can commence ! Carlosfandango, Craig the Princess, paulplom and 7 others 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gm Posted July 11, 2020 Author Share Posted July 11, 2020 so after a week back at work and not even going into the garage, I was keen to get going this morning. todays plan was to re-unite the front subframe and engine, perhaps even get the wheels on. job one - a quick coat of sooper dooper chassis paint on the engine mount carriers but wait a minute, let's have a closer look at the engine mounts themselves Arsebiscuits ! I could have had them ordered last week and delivered by now. The other side is not quite as bad but no point in just changing one. not much else to do today, might as well go for a hoon in the non fucked mx5 Tickman, CreepingJesus, Jim Bell and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gm Posted July 11, 2020 Author Share Posted July 11, 2020 I went out and bought an exhaust instead - if the mx5 doesn’t sell as is, I’ll return it to standard and drop the price. If it does sell, this can go on the kit for the iva test. got some odd looks on the way home Tickman, mat_the_cat, stonedagain and 2 others 3 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Laurence Posted July 11, 2020 Share Posted July 11, 2020 It’s still for sale?! MX5s as solid as yours are so hard to come by I thought it would be gone by now. out of interest, how much would you be after for it returned to standard? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gm Posted July 11, 2020 Author Share Posted July 11, 2020 Depends how standard you want it ? Shame to take all the good stuff off but if that’s what it takes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Laurence Posted July 11, 2020 Share Posted July 11, 2020 I was just asking out of curiosity really. I really like mk1s, but not only would it be a shame to undo all the hard work you’ve put into it, I wouldn’t have the space unless you happened to want a mk2 ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gm Posted July 11, 2020 Author Share Posted July 11, 2020 Space is what I need, I'm ready to start assembling stuff in the garage but don't want the poor mx to have to live outside. There's someone coming tomorrow for a look, will see what happens LightBulbFun, Tickman and paulplom 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gm Posted July 14, 2020 Author Share Posted July 14, 2020 I've come to a decision regarding the current mx5 - I'm going to spend tomorrow returning it to standard then drop the price accordingly. There's plenty of good parts which will sell easily and I can transfer the suspension onto the kit which will save a few quids until I can splurge on fancy coilovers. I had originally planned to fit budget coilies but apparently they are crap parts coming off : noisey exhaust decat roll bar bucket seats shocks and springs front splitter strut brace custom air intake crystal headlights 320mm steering wheel wheels and tyres (if I can find a cheap set locally) it's going to ruin the car (edit) and that Torsen diff if I can finding something to replace it loserone 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulplom Posted July 14, 2020 Share Posted July 14, 2020 Did anyine ever turn up to view or was it your typical time wasters?Are you flogging the roll bar? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gm Posted July 14, 2020 Author Share Posted July 14, 2020 Had plenty of enquiries, several viewers but no buyers roll bar will be available paulplom 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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