Workshop/Project car thread. Maestro bodywork time.

[LightBulbFun]

4 minutes ago, JMotor said:

Altezza update! 

I received an envelope today. 

@LightBulbFun I ken your a number plate/DVLA perv.

See how they've given me a random Norwich (?) area plate. 

So a V55/5, was a piece of piss to fill in. Only took a little longer because I was a dingus and forgot to put in one piece of paperwork. I also wasn't required to have it inspected. 

We're a set of plates and tell the insurance away from being on the road! 

one quick speed run of the last couple pages of this thread later

glad to hear to you managed to get it through an MOT and DVLA registered  

AT is a Hull location code for what thats worth  

 

BTW was the Altezza ever sold in the UK in any official capacity? I notice surprisingly it does have a DVLA Model code, which your normally get for a vehicle if it was sold in period, but I think the Altezza is a JDM thing?

 

[JMotor]

Ahhh. 

Did not know that. So stand corrected on the area. 

3 minutes ago, LightBulbFun said:

BTW was the Altezza ever sold in the UK in any official capacity? I notice surprisingly it does have a DVLA Model code, which your normally get for a vehicle if it was sold in period, but I think the Altezza is a JDM thing?

That's the thing. The XE chassis was sold here. But only as the Lexus IS200/300.

But the Altezza RS200 was JDM only. Unless its a new thing they are doing now? But I just filled the form in and noticed straight away it said Altezza on the V5. Wonder what the other ones that were imported into the UK say? 

My Opel Astra which is an another Import doesn't have anything on the model code. It's also weird too. As the engine size is down as 1600. Which I thought was a no no? 

[LightBulbFun]

4 minutes ago, JMotor said:

Ahhh. 

Did not know that. So stand corrected on the area. 

That's the thing. The XE chassis was sold here. But only as the Lexus IS200/300.

But the Altezza RS200 was JDM only. Unless its a new thing they are doing now? But I just filled the form in and noticed straight away it said Altezza on the V5. Wonder what the other ones that were imported into the UK say? 

My Opel Astra which is an another Import doesn't have anything on the model code. It's also weird too. As the engine size is down as 1600. Which I thought was a no no? 

Yeah the UK registration location codes for Pre 2001 registration marks, are not the same for as they are for Post 2001 marks   but you will have to tell me if Hull is a relevant code for where you live or not since I dont know where you live LOL

(sometimes the DVLA will issue a suitable location related mark, but other times it can be random)

 

checking how many left for the Altezza, shows that a good few where imported in period, and obviously would of back then needed to have gone through proper type approval and with Toyota very much existing in the UK at the time, I guess they did manage to get themselves a proper model code setup for themselves on Ye Olde DVLA computer  

 

 

I dont know my Astra's that well so you will have to clarify as to whats wrong with having a 1600 cc engine size?

as for its Model being blank, there are Opel Astra Model codes, but none without any trim level attatched to them 

its like @Kiltox's Fiat Panda 30, which is just registered as a Fiat, because there is no "Panda 30" code or just "Panda" code, all the codes decode to "Panda 45" or Panda this that or something else  

so thats probably why it got dropped in your case, if your Opel Astra does match any of the decoded names here https://www.howmanyleft.co.uk/browse/opel/opel_astra

then you can probably get the DVLA to sort it out for you  

[JMotor]

8 minutes ago, LightBulbFun said:

Yeah the UK registration location codes for Pre 2001 registration marks, are not the same for as they are for Post 2001 marks   but you will have to tell me if Hull is a relevant code for where you live or not since I dont know where you live LOL

It's actually miles away lol. I'm in the south west of Scotland. 

Only said about the engine size as it said you couldn't have it as 1600, had to be 1598 or somethin like dat. No matter. 

Also not worried about the Model either. Because they'll likely not be one for an Astra 160iE. Having solid metal back in it will be a bigger priority 😂. 

[horriblemercedes]

My imported Mercedes ML had 2700 as an engine size when the correct size was 2693 or something like that 

 

It was also down as a Mercedes, not Mercedes-Benz

[AnnoyingPentium]

@JMotor - at least they didn't have yer Astra written doon as a Belmont.

[LightBulbFun]

22 minutes ago, JMotor said:

It's actually miles away lol. I'm in the south west of Scotland. 

Only said about the engine size as it said you couldn't have it as 1600, had to be 1598 or somethin like dat. No matter. 

Also not worried about the Model either. Because they'll likely not be one for an Astra 160iE. Having solid metal back in it will be a bigger priority 😂. 

ahh nah! you can put any number down for engine size! heres an Electric vehicle with a 10L "Engine" LOL

 

obviously they want you to be specific about it if you can, but you get the odd person who is lazy and just chucks a whole number in there!

 

AC where prolific for doing that with their Model 70's! always registered as 500 cc

when it should read 493cc, as Invacar correctly did!

 

anyways back to JDM Yo! before I get shouted at again...

[JMotor]

Couple of things happened this week. 

The Altezza got some number plates fitted. 

Then I took it for it's first run.

Nervous as all hell, which was for nothing. As it goes very well. Comfortable to be in and with a big plus of the engine and drivetrain being in rude health. No odd noises from the suspension either. 

Clutch release bearing is howling though. So that'll be sorted, I have found these have a dual mass flywheel and there is no ill effects from fitting a solid (and lighter) flywheel. So I'll change the lot while I'm in there.

Overall I'm chuffed to bits with it.

[JMotor]

Started on the Nexia. 

Usual small hole grew bigger. 

Then started making patches. 

Welding started. 

It's patchwork quilt. Figured it was better than rot, so that'll do me. 

Outer arch to go on then build an inner one to suit. 

[JMotor]

MoAr weldin' on the PontDaeHallPel LeNexKadTra. 

Spent ages getting the arch gap right. Until I saw the drivers side. Yeah... Daewoo didn't even care! 😂 

So good enough is fine with me! 

Tomorrow will be more of the same. Ended up buying an inner arch. Which as per pattern panels, doesn't fucking fit... 

*Sigh*

But I'll adopt the "Make The C*nt Fit" method for that. 

[JMotor]

Actual progress made today. 

Inner and outer are on. Starting to smooth out the welds. Wee bit of bodywork to do. Better than rusty shite before. 

Had to bugger about as I had trimmed the inner repair panel too short. But it's on. 

[JMotor]

Made a start on making that wheel arch look good at 50 yards. 

Please don't laugh too hard. As I'd feel bad if there was an injury caused upon viewing this quality. 

Joking over. First layer is the ole P40 just to seal over where I had welded and shape up the arch. Looks crap, but that'll be knocked down. Then once it's closer, skim of bog to finalise it. 

Inside of the tub is done. 

The fresh areas have been sealed with tiger seal. Not been mean with the stuff either. Makes a great coating as its tough as hell. Smoothed it off by brushing it over with thinners. Makes for neater finish. Then a coat of stone chip. 

Good enough for me. 

[JMotor]

Nexia wheel arch. After a wee rub back. 

Good enough. Slapped some red oxide on for now. Good test for the brand I use. When the weather warms up a tad. I promise* I will finish it off. 

It's back doing daily duties again. As the brakes on the Altezza aren't the best. Front discs are warped. New stuff ordered. Just have to wait for the delivery. 

In the meantime. Was thinking about that windscreen scuttle on the Corsa. Wonder how bad it is. 

OK. Not great at all. 

Well keep cutting until you find solid metal. 

Nice. That's a fair chunk out. 

Yep, reckon it's been like that for years.

So not as sad about windscreen cracking. As I'd of been annoyed if I found it later on after I got the car back together. 

I'll start chopping up the clean section I cut from the donor Corsa I broke earlier this year. Save me a heap of fab work and it'll be not that bad to weld in. 

[JMotor]

Just got back from the unit now. 

So while I neck a beer. Here is what I accomplished on the Corsa. 

First. I hacked up the donor section. Then separated the two skins that make it up. The lower piece was let in first. 

Then quick lick of Bonda primer. 

Prepped the outer skin and welded it on. 

That actually looks not too bad.... I think!? 

Wasn't that bad to replace this. As it's mostly straightforward when you have the panels. Helps when you're not scratting about the floor too, ended up enjoying doing this for a change. 

[JMotor]

Holy moly!

More welding done! 

If anyone is familiar with Corsa B's. You'll know the early Pre-97 cars were prone to cracked B pillars. Mine was cracked on both sides. 

Pondered on how to fix it. I might of went a tad overboard? 

Wasn't worried if I had taken any strength out of the shell. As it's just an outer skin. 

Then same donor Corsa I took cuts from was a Post-97 car. These cars were fitted with reinforcement plates to stop this issue. 

Ground the cracks out of the plate. Save any issues with fit. I fixed them and attached the plate. You'll see how they fit in the next post. 

[JMotor]

GM just used two spot welds and black PU mastic to attach them. So cleaned everything up, tiger seal on the same areas and tacked up the holes. 

Dab of primer applied. Then flipped over and welded the cracks up. Made sure to tack into the plate too. Light clean up after that. 

Hot snottered the area back in. Once the welds are knocked down it'll look just fine. 

I'll repeat this on the passenger side soon.

Glad I did it this way. As some have gone through the inside to get to this area. That's at least three layers of metal to chop through. Seemed daft to do that. This way means I can fix it on the bench. 

[Split_Pin]

Super work man. I've seen lots over the years about this but, as ever with Corsa pages, nobody had a clue or was willing to share anything. Nice one for actually showing what you did.

[JMotor]

40 minutes ago, Split_Pin said:

Super work man. I've seen lots over the years about this but, as ever with Corsa pages, nobody had a clue or was willing to share anything. Nice one for actually showing what you did.

Thank you, genuinely. As I like sharing my work as it may help someone out in the future. 

I've learned a fair bit from other people on this forum. So do not mind returning that favour back if I can. 

I also get exactly what you mean about the Corsa pages. Found them less than helpful at times and that's being polite too. Most just fanny about or be just fannies! 

Because these shitboxes are going to be harder to get soon like Novas. Then they'll greet when they are paying daft money for them. 

 

[JMotor]

Well I said to myself. 

"Feeling good at the moment, cars are progressing nicely" 

You know actual progress. Then spot an F20 gearbox for sale local. Excellent! 

Was at a good price too. Aye, I'll hae that! Awa doon to fetch it. 

Started chatting to the fella. Turns out he was having a clear out and would I be interested in what he had sat...

Now own another Nova.

MK1 Merit on an F reg. This time with a V5. Last white one didn't and wasn't able to get one either. 

Shell is pretty good considering it's age. Needs some welding, standard Nova really. With a good stash of spares and I have a 1600 8v that would be right at home in it. 

For now it'll be thrown in a corner. Badly want to tear into it, better not though as there is other cars need done first! 

[JMotor]

Oh boy. 

Well this happened.

Nae moving pics or anything to say on getting it back. 

Other than it was soggy as fuck the night and the collection day was brought forward massively to tonight. 

Anyway. I've got it. Happy as owt. It's actually more soild than I thought for a shonky Spanish shopping trolley. 

I have put the Corsa up for sale on here. Only reason, because I'd been after another Nova for years. I wasn't passing this up. Because they are only getting more expensive I've found now. 

This weekend I'll clear a proper space for it. Because it can wait for now. 

[Matty]

Always wanted, never had. They just look right, straight out of the box.

[JMotor]

14 hours ago, Matty said:

Always wanted, never had. They just look right, straight out of the box.

They do. 

The 80's did produce some tidy looking superminis.

[JMotor]

Several things happened. 

First was already on the news Fred. 

Daewoo, good for another year. Actually impressive its given me two advisory free passes. 

So to celebrate. It sprang a leak in the radiator. 

I just need to order one. Been checking and topping up the coolant. Got a weeping rocker cover gasket to replace too. Again, will be done. 

Have found some Nova six dials. Yay! 

Less gooder... 

The printed ribbon/circuit on the back is not good at all. Like it's had it. Which is also properly NLA. Cannot find one at all. Might see if I can cobble something up. Got a good lead on a lad who might have dials AND a much better Mk2 SRi blue interior. I had planned something else. But I already have the same interior and it'll be easier to make one good interior out of two. 

Lastly. I'm trying to tidy up my workshop space. Amazing at how much crap you accumulate over the years. 

 

[JMotor]

Trying to get a rad for Nexia. 

Tried a couple of Evilbay sellers. Out of stock or February delivery. Shit!

Then phoned local factors. Yep! One can get me a rad. Not badly priced either. until they gave me the delivery date, which is the end of this month. 

Shite!

Ordered it anyway as it was the same as price and waiting time. It can sit until then, not chucking rad weld in it, hate the stuff! 

No worries! Got the Toyota to run... 

Ahhh! Forgot there's play in a bottom ball joint!

Have to get some ordered! Ebay! £50 delivered. Phew!

[JMotor]

Short(ish) update on cars.

Toyota was easy enough to replace the bottom ball joints. So replaced both at them same time. Discs and pads all round were changed as well. No more wobble when braking at any speed now. Been using again while the Nexia is sat.

Daewoo will hopefully see the road this week as the new rad turned up yesterday. While the coolant is drained out, I'll fit a NOS Daewoo thermostat too. Find OEM is best for that sort of thing, had aftermarket ones fail quickly or just don't work at all. These 1.5 16v's need little to no excuse to blow the head gasket.

[JMotor]

Sorry for the crap pictures. Lights in the unit are currently fooked due to electrical issues. 

Had an issue with the car loosing water. Checked to see what the issue was. Finally found the rad was leaking from a bottom corner. 

So ordered a new one. As expected, this wasn't straight forward. Not because they are hard to get. Just the time waiting for getting these parts. Dingbro coming through for me with one in, didn't have too long of a wait in the end. Price wasn't horrible either. 

Nissens made. Not bad quality at all. Recommended brand for the 306 GTI-6 crowd in fact.

Set about changing this out. Easy job and Daewoo had added a drain tap into the rad which was a surprise....

To find after, I dumped a bit of coolant on the floor! Dang it!!

Another important job I wanted to do while the cooling system was drained. Was replacing the thermostat. 

Was interesting to see the 'stat housing is in two parts that you had to separate. Such a strange set up! Had to scrounge a new seal for the stat. Because it was the original one as fitted by the lads in Korea. Luckily a pal had thermostat kit for a  Ford Escort with a suitable (well close enough to work!) seal in it. Little smear of RTV just as a little insurance. 

Once all built up and filled up with water (for now). Ran it up and was greeted with a nice hot heater and the cooling fan kicked in as it should. 

Next task is to start finishing more jobs on the Corsa. I want to stonechip the underneath so I can get the fuel pipes clipped back in. Which means I have it running and driving again. Less of a pain in the ass to move! 

 

[JMotor]

Another "Nae Picture" update. 

Sorry. But I need oan today. 

Have made a little progress on the Corsa today. 

Have started scrubbing down the scaldy inner arch tubs. Rust killer acid, Bonda red oxide primer, then seam sealed and soon to be either gravitex or raptor'd... 

Which ever is cheaper in spray tins.

*sigh*

Bought four friggin bottles. But it'll be easier and quicker using aerosols. 

Might give the hubs and associated shite a scrub and paint too. 

Nearly forgot! Had a visit from @AnnoyingPentium today in all. Much banter had. Though I must apologise as I was wanting to crack on. Had an unexpected bout of enthusiasm today for some weird reason. 

 

[AnnoyingPentium]

16 minutes ago, JMotor said:

Nearly forgot! Had a visit from @AnnoyingPentium today in all. Much banter had. Though I must apologise as I was wanting to crack on. Had an unexpected bout of enthusiasm today for some weird reason. 

Was good seeing yous all again. Also glad to have been able to help*.

*I cable-tied a calliper out the way.

[JMotor]

Takes Daewoo to work yesterday. 

Starts making a clanging noise on way home. 

Yep. That be the source of that then. 

Hanger band bracket thingy has rotted and broken. Nae fence wire to hand. So have got a new bracket coming. 

Scunnered, as it reminds me I've got a few niggly jobs to fix on it. But I cannie be arsed tae dae them 😂. 

[JMotor]

Sounds daft. 

But I was very happy with this on the Corsa. 

Couple of areas to touch up. But that's the rails and front inner arches now coated in Gravitex. Used PU18 instead of Tiger seal for the seams. Works well and cheaper too. Four tubes for £20 delivered iirc. 

Once this is all dry. I can start putting parts back on.