604 STi The story unfolds.

[Luxobarges_Are_Us]

Excellent stuff it is. Wish I had somewhere to park it.

[Pete-M]

Why I thank you.

 

I think it looks pretty damn good considering how much of it had been a gourmet meal for tin worm. Seeing it complete and structurally solid again has made me happy. There are still a few bits of bodywork that need tidying, but the priority was to get it presentable and useable rather than to make it some sort of show queen.

 

Rack gaiters, oil change, refit rubbing strips and mudflaps, underseal everywhere, grease whatever needs greasing, quick valet and I think it'll be on the road for 1st April. No point in taxing it this late in the month.

[Pete-M]

More fettling today.

 

Since the starter motor was replaced there has been an irritating exhaust blow so I ended up in the grubbiest pit in the garage trying to cure it. Luckily it's not the fannymould gasket, it's where the downpipes join to the centre boxes. Just to annoy me, the whole system is mental on 604s. Simple enough in concept, even if you take into account the insane tailpipes. it's just two down pipes, two middle boxes, two back boxes and a balance pipe.

 

Except the down pipes are pretty long and end under the front seats where they join the middle boxes. The middle boxes are attached to a weird triangular bracket at the rear which isn't very adjustable so I need to move the middle boxes forward about 8-10mm to get a proper seal. The downpipes don't move, they're not flexipipes. They are where they are and that's that. Cue a lot of swearing followed by a reasonable amount of success.

 

Also tightened the fan belt. That's daft as well. Alternator pivots on a long bolt at the bottom which is in the perfect place to be the exact wrong one. Need to be under the car to undo the bugger as the nut is at the back tucked above the rear edge of the sump and about 2" from the engine crossmember so a spanner is useless, and you need a deep 17mm slim walled socket and wobbly headed 3/8th ratchet to undo it. Other end of the bolt is accessible with a socket or spanner (but socket is easier) Top one is easy, 13mm with reasonable access to both sides. Just to add to the absurdity, there's almost nowhere to lever the alternator to get the belt tension right.

 

The oil filter is reasonably accessible. I didn't try my luck going near the distributor cap. I'm pretty sure the entire car was built around that. "Henri, 'ere eet is, le cap dizzy. Now, bury eet so no-one ever can changé it. Make it so travelling hoardes of master technicians stare in amusement at 'ow you got it zer".

[RobT]

And 'they' say moderns are difficult to work on Top work Pete, exhaust blows irritate me too. The new back box to intermediate join on my Montego STILL has a slight blow, I'll be hammering a smaller exhaust over it this weekend.

 

Looks superb in the pics.

[dieselnutjob]

the dizzy cap is easy on the carby one, just as well with the twin points malarky

[Pete-M]

On mine it's somewhere under between the injection system and bulkhead. Mainly beneath the injection system. I only know this because the plug leads all go in that direction....

 

[wackywacerwill]

Looks more than a bit tight does that /\ /\ /\

 

This has to be one of THE cars of autoshite. The styling and number plate are a winning combination and no mistake.

[Pete-M]

Autoshite now has two MOT'd 604s. Managed to give it an oil change and quick fettle as well.

 

Mission accomplished. Many thanks to Kromer, Dave and Gray of Auto-Fusion UK for their welding perseverance, Big'n'Little Ians, Phil DNJ for letting me drive his manual one and finding this one for me, to Jon Watanabe for his ace photography and for being more excited about it than me on the marathon collection mission and for use of the infamous Autoshite test track and shite storage facility. Of course, the Autoshite collective's encouragement right through the insanity and torment of rescuing this old barge from the hands of doom were invaluable, so a huge thank you to everyone.

 

I'll tax it in the morning. Any gatherings next weekend, it needs a run out.

 

As an added bonus, there's a good chance it's the only road legal RHD STI in the UK. I know there are a few in Southern Ireland.

 

I'm quite pleased really.

[Skizzer]

Bloody well done Pete.

[eddyramrod]

+1, I hope I at least get to see it one day.

[M'coli]

Fantastic stuff, Pete, I'm glad to hear it's passed.

[Volksy]

Thats fantasic news, so chuffed for you, just wish I was in a better financial position so I could buy it from you!

[Mr_Bo11ox]

Great work Pete M! Buy yourself a couple of extra beers next time you're in Czech and send me a paypal invoice for them (max payable under this offer is £1 BTW)

[Pete-M]

Worryingly, this is now road legal - as from Midnight...

[rml2345]

Bloody good show Pete and a hearty congratulations on getting the thing sorted and on the road.

It looks gorgeous...

[dieselnutjob]

congrats

I want to drive it

[Pete-M]

congrats

I want to drive it

 

So.... what's on this month? Around the Midlands?

[trigger]

Well done Pete!, That's great news about the ticket!

[KruJoe]

Super news Pete, well done for sticking at it. Hopefully you can enjoy it for a while.

[Pete-M]

I'm afraid it'll be on eBay from Sunday evening. I'm properly gutted but I need the space. I'll just have to use it until it sells.

[cms206]

I can confirm that the 604 is bloody lovely and very French, particularly in haphazard instrumentation, random anonymous switch placement and comfiness of seats.

 

If I had the cash I'd have it off you as well. Absolutely stunning.

[rml2345]

I can confirm that the 604 is bloody lovely and very French, particularly in haphazard instrumentation, random anonymous switch placement and comfiness of seats.

 

If I had the cash I'd have it off you as well. Absolutely stunning.

 

WHS!

[RobT]

That's a great achievement, well done squire!

[Pete-M]

Just if anyone's interested, Le 604 is still 'ere and I'm gonna list it on eBay shortly.

 

It's been fun, but to be honest I really don't need it. I'll have the Jag back soon and I'm enjoying the Subaru so the Pug is being unfairly ignored and I don't want to do that to it.

 

So, if anyone is interested gimme a call. My number is 07731 744088. Ta.

[Pete-M]

Just if anyone's interested, Le 604 is still 'ere and I'm gonna list it on eBay shortly.

 

It's been fun, but to be honest I really don't need it. I'll have the Jag back soon and I'm enjoying the Subaru so the Pug is being unfairly ignored and I don't want to do that to it.

 

So, if anyone is interested gimme a call. My number is 07731 744088. Ta.

[dieselnutjob]

Did you know that the front lights on the 604 are identical to the VW Scirocco mk2 but the 604 had them first.

 

 

True or BS ?

[dieselnutjob]

Did you know that the front lights on the 604 are identical to the VW Scirocco mk2 but the 604 had them first.

 

 

True or BS ?

[dieselnutjob]

and look at this diplomatic beauty

[dieselnutjob]

and look at this diplomatic beauty

[Magnificent Rustbucket]

and look at this diplomatic beauty

 

 

Such a handsome car in black! That's a late one as well - does it have earlier SL wheels though?

 

 

Good luck with the sale, Pete.