Rebuilding a car takes forever. However, I have given myself a deadline of 12 months to keep the enthusiasm going and to ensure I don't have a rebuild that takes years and gets nowhere. Looking at the bodywork now required we are extending the dealing by 6 months…On the road April 2015. Wishful thinking (September 2015). OK, so now it is running we are hoping to have a UK MOT by mid May 2016 - We have entered the TR in the London to Brighton Run for July 2016. That should push things along??
The Time Plan for the build
1st Month July/August 2013 What was actually achieved
The workspace needs organising as it is a mess.
The replacement Chassis needs stripping down and photographing Chassis to be sent for blasting and paint - change of plan here |
Workshop organised
Photographed and documented chassis Decided on own blasting - assembled blasting kit Have built a chassis dolly to move the chassis around the workshop Have spoken to CTM about chassis strengthening kit and made a plan Identified chassis paint treatment Chassis stripped down and read for blasting |
Month 2 August/September 2013Blast chassis
Strengthen chassis Paint chassis Build Car Body Dolly for workshop Erect block and tackle to get the body off the car Dismantle spray both Start full strip down of the TR |
Tried to blast chassis with the Soda Blaster and it is not good enough!
Had chassis blasted at Tegra Blasting, Kent,UK. Chassis strengthening kit has been fitted Chassis has been painted with 121, 2 pack & dinitrol Built a dolly to transport the body around the workshop Block and tackle is up and ready for use Spray booth dismantled and workshop cleaned up again Chassis is now finished and ready to be built up |
Month 3 September/October 2013Continue full strip down of the TR
Deliver rear axel/differential, gearbox to Mike Papworth in Coventry |
The strip down is complete
The Body is off Differential,gearbox,overdrive, rear hubs are with Mike Papworth for rebuild |
Month 4 October/November 2013Strip off the wings to have a good look inside
Remove all badges and weather strips Take the suspension items to powder coat Arrange to get the body to http://www.envirostripukltd.com/ |
The wings and strips have been removed.
Suspension Items are with C.E.S for Duplex Nickel Coating. Parts for powder coating are with Baker coatings Body is ready for stripping but will be sent early February 2014 Suspension bushes and parts arrived from Rimmer Brothers Oil filter, fuel filter and clutch and brake master cylinder frame with C.E.S |
Month 5 November/December 2013Rebuild the suspension
Collect and fit read diff, axels from Mike Papworth Powdercoat parts Duplex Nickel the suspension parts and zinc plate |
Suspension rebuild and chassis build up has started
Mike needs more time and it is Christmas:-) All parts back from Duplex Nickel Plating. Gearbox, diff and axels collected and fitted |
Month 6 December/January 2014Continue to rebuild running gear
Refurbishing the parts as we go Get car body to Envirostrip Get as close to a rolling chassis as possible and get chassis off the dolly Refurbish the petrol tank Revise the budget and re-cost project |
A NEW YEAR STARTS - IN YEAR 1 OF THE PROJECT
Front hub has proved to be an issue - refurbishing spare (3 weeks) Brake lines fitted and unions. Brake hoses fitted Rear brakes built up Hand brake cables fitted Diff and shafts in All suspension finished Anti sway bar fitted and radiator guard Propshaft fitted Transmission fitted |
Month 7 January/February 2014Get car stripped and back for bodywork to start
Finish fitting passenger side hub and brake Try to get a handle on fitting the fuel lines so they land in the right places Month 8 February/March 2014Chassis fixing kit dry fitted
Car has been sent to Envirostrip for paint stripping Month 9 March/April 2014Body to the body shop
Carbs to SU Chrome to CES Source repair panels and make a plan Month 10 April/May 2014NOT A LOT HAS HAPPENED!!!! I managed to find a 2 speed wiper switch at Beaulieu.
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Chassis is off the Chassis Dolly and back on wheels
Fuel Tank has been refurbished, new sender gaskets Exhaust silencers have been fitted, but may be incorrect type? - awaiting info from Moss Europe. Finish fitting exhaust Car is back from Envirostrip.
Engine has gone to Bill Richards Racing for a rebuild Bodywork guys are coming over to see the car on April 14th. Car is now with Peter Allard for the body and paint.
The bumpers and overriders are ready for chrome The Radiator is ready for polish The windscreen is stripped The Steering column has been dismantled Dummy chassis has been put together A few very minor jobs!
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Month 11 May/June 2014The workshop has had a tidy up and the chrome parts and hood frame have been sorted ready for refurbishment
Month 12 June/July 2014Nothing much has happened other than sorting a few parts
Month 13 July/August 2014Lost my engine rebuild due to illness
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Focus has been on the workshop awaiting the body to return
Been checking parts availability and sources
On the hunt for a new engine rebuilder. Have put out a cry for help on the TR forum.
Have found an engine builder of note. Plan is to get the engine to him by early november.
The body work has started and plan has been hatched as to the approach.
More parts went to the charmers and metal finishers, Radiator, Bumpers & Overriders, Side lights, Radiator, Various other parts. Chassis and extra bolts have been dropped of with the body guys. The project is gong well. Stef from Kuala Lumpur has sent the strengthening reference pictures.
Got down to CCK - The engine builders and have dropped off the engine. CCK are well in to the engine build now. The chrome will come back this month. We have also touched base with the coach trimmers to go through the specs for the interior. The bodywork progresses well.
A NEW YEAR STARTS - IN YEAR 2 OF THE PROJECT
The engine was collected from CCK Historic Work started on restoration of ancillaries Bodywork going well. Door gaps sorted Workshop had a makeover. Electricians booked for 8th February
Doors being extended to hold out rain Continues - Will fit Powerlite Alternator Manifold and hubs arrived. Manifold to Camcoat. Body work taking shape The bodywork is taking longer
Manifolds are on the engine and a few ancillaries Some parts have had to go for metal finishing Have still not bought the electronic ignition. Chassis back in the work shop
Horns, Wiper motor, Boot stay restored. Decided on the '123' electron ignition. Engine back on the chassis and mated to the gearbox
Started on replacing the front hubs New wheels sorted with American Classic white Walls All hubs sorted - problem with aftermarket stub axels. Use good old ones.
Dynamo/alternator on after fitting issues. Exhaust pipe fabricated and fitted Door glass has been sent out Powder coated dash frame is back. started refit of tunnels and vents. Crabs and heat-shields fitted Added bars to chassis Dash frame started to be put back together
Glass polishing project failed need to source new door glass Body Tub now back in October
Dash fitting continues SU filters sourced and fitted Body tub well on the way now Sourced replacemnt panel for body floor Acquired the dash top to match vinyl. Dash crash pads to go for trimming Dash airvents finished Trimming on the dash is great
Bought loads of bits and bobs taking advantage of the discounts offered by suppliers. Workshop rearranged Body Tub is back and moving around the workshop in its dolly
Work shop is laid out but more room needed Continue to refurb parts on a one by one basis. Horns Heater Some window parts Wiper boxes Done an audit of parts required Many parts arrived but vital ones missing A NEW YEAR STARTS - THIS IS YEAR 3 OF THE PROJECT
I am writing this on January 1st 2016. It has been very busy down the shed/workshop. Every spare hour and minute has been dedicated to try and break the back of the rebuild. What is incredible is the amount of snags you come across. Nothing in life is meant to be easy!!!! So what we have we done so far....?
1:The body returned - we have noted some issues with the paint that need sorting. 2:The body is on the chassis. We are not so happy with the fit so we are looking at how the door shut lines and panels fit. 3:The engine bay has been populated with all of the ancillaries and cables. 4:We have found a problem with the steering column. Need to source a part. 5: Problem with the thread on the tach drive - needs recutting if we can find a tap? 6: The dash seems to be fitting not so well - need to get to the bottom of it. 7: 123 ignition system is not a natural fit and needs looking at. Hood frame is back from powder coat
Trim is on order from 'Skinners' Brand new seat belts are being made by Quick Fit SBS The trimming is being handled by M&K in Aylesford, Kent. Car not back from paint yet Taking Trim to M&K 30th April - TR is back from paint
Radiator orders but not here until June Radiator arrived and now fitted Trim all finished All chrome fitted Security Transponder fitted Hood frame fitted Doors rebuilt Car has been to Dyno for set up Radio fitted MOT tested and passed Moss rubber has arrived
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