Merit to gsi project

[petrolhead19]

It's been a while since I've been on here.
Anyway bought a big standard 1.4 merit couple of years ago and got to work on it making it a gsi replica.

I started by removed the side strips on the car, I fit rear window surrounds and a gsi spoiler. I decided to wrap the lip of the boot also black which was a hassle as I'd never done anything like that before but managed to do a decent job of it. I found an original gsi grill badge and picked up a full set of gsi interior including a gsi boot carpet, I also got electric windows and central locking which I have still to fit.
I picked up some speed lines for dirt cheap £100 and not in bad condition which annoyed a few people on facebook haha.
I also managed to pick up a gsi dashboard for free again people annoyed on facebook but their loss lol I have still yet to fit this, I tracked down some front door window surrounds which again still yet to fit.
Lowered it on fk coilovers and fitted a sportex straight through system.
Picked up a gsi bumper for £90 had that sprayed with the back one and fitted them and also found a towing eye cover which is being sprayed.

The only thing I need to find now is a gsi engine, if not then I'll have to go redtop, but for now I've got a 1.4 mpi engine in the garage which I'm going to rebuild the head and fit that for now, least it will have a bit more poke. I have everything to fit it I.e head, inlet, loom, ecu etc just need an mpi fuel pump for it to run properly.

Things I still need to do are the engine as above
Fit window surrounds
Fit dash
Cut holes for electric window looms and fit them
Vinyl wrap b pillar
Either find gsi carpet or dye the one in car
Find gsi door tops
I'm sure theres more things just cant think at the minute lol

The car is in the bodyshop at the minute getting some welding and spraying done.

Anyway here are some pictures so far I'll try to keep this updated as much as a i can as i go https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191223/41657c2f183eb8f5f2614ae9b7e4e387.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191223/86b3deeb59e37a7086fc35defc096586.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191223/7937824f3c050d4beb4e1a3674dc8e68.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191223/4faa3df4f85ba88b1636bd356876350e.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191223/c0bf31f14502cfec7dea17182c3701dd.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191223/6f728676ece5699bd2489cca5db209ea.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191223/a1d624fa475b35729824195d4b4e2597.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191223/edaf3ae864ebee3d66fa2d2a376e156c.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191223/41b1478e5f1a4e0a1c5006cf4bd49dc6.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191223/29f0a5f2f90ec87cdfac662f985807d0.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191223/c680976a43194dfd687b424fd4af651f.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191223/c296e6e0d5fe696974f9bff03f539daf.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191223/70f35ddac17af455d85d64642abcc61e.jpg

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[petrolhead19]

Few more pics of lowering and in the bodyshophttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191223/540592a4d8eff865217e0ce4c8415aa3.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191223/c453252cd7731b0c0f37ba1e3034eff6.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191223/e644fcac15761cef0a5154dc5be98286.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191223/fa7a4a76de980179dc450b30426b44e4.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191223/6583d01d80f0f44f577597e251245f2f.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191223/23cb8e3f7c33e65b45e77c29e8675018.jpg

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[kingwick]

Love it

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[Iain]

Great transformation. 1.4 might do, but it deserves the 1.6!

[millworm]

Looks good man

[petrolhead19]

Great transformation. 1.4 might do, but it deserves the 1.6!Yeah I agree mate. Just a pain trying to track down a 1.6 that's the problem lol

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[petrolhead19]

Went to the bodyshop yesterday to see how far he has got with the car.
Should have it back next week [emoji16]
Got a quick pic of one of the arches, looks so clean and smooth, I got him to roll the arches too.

Cant wait to have it back now, then i can fit the gsi dash, front window surrounds, get wheels refurbed, electric windows and central locking and get the B pillar wrapped.
After that next thing to do is engine upgradehttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200105/e9843051d5e847bef1b1f82743f86bf9.jpg

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[Richy12]

Looking good so far, C16se would finish it off

[petrolhead19]

Looking good so far, C16se would finish it offMate I'm trying to find one, like hens teeth lol

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[petrolhead19]

Got the car back from bodyshop and gave her a good wash today.
Not happy with the bumpers I wish I'd got the bodyshop to spray them as the guy I got to do them originally hasn't used plastic primer and the paint is starting to just flake off [emoji35].
So next job is wheels refurb and bumpers sent off for a proper respray. Also need to take the skirts off and give them fresh coat of paint

Just fitted some new speakers in back today too, got some for dash also so I'll do that when I fit the gsi dash possibly this weekend if not next.

Anyway here's some picshttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200110/d362230470c31dbd3b807d5bd7800f65.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200110/764bc6cc1cee5261880f3ba143cc8ea8.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200110/75baf179b998dafbae9a193f4105a52a.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200110/5500dab174b74d4e8a1179f2d0566af4.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200110/15fd05e52fc8bed0d581fa1d605fadc8.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200110/b6e87dfbcd38fa75e8f1cba1b714f209.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200110/c694e04ef5c25977c7395da9e5c732e3.jpg

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[totalnova]

Looks really nice in the pics, just get the bumpers painted when you get a chance, just enjoy the car

[petrolhead19]

Looks really nice in the pics, just get the bumpers painted when you get a chance, just enjoy the carCheers mate, I'm using it as my daily so bumpers will get done when I have some time off work lol.

Another update, got some spare time today so fit the front window surrounds to match up with the back, just need to wrap the B pillars now.
Was going to fit the gsi dash but i ran out of day light, need to fit some strip lights or something in my carport for late night tinkering as my garage is full of motorbikes hahahttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200111/fca4fe36e287331e17c0bd273fec15ef.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200111/4e8f292a8f00b553398996589fb65cc0.jpg

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[Jonesfach]

Nice work

[petrolhead19]

I had the B pillars wrapped today, looks loads better and even more like a gsi now lol.

I have got a gsi dash to go in it, only trouble is the metal frame on the back has been taken off, I'm going to take the frame off my grey dash to put on but before I do I need to know where I can get these kind of rivets from that hold it on? Anyone any ideas?https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200118/55e8139073268f3d67039318ac517a09.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200118/1eca4b778835f45a03ff85e859c89604.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200118/4edbf2bb379efc7396a15345f5ca3a31.jpg

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[petrolhead19]

Just got back from holiday and while I was away I had the car in to have all the underneath stripped back, treated then upol raptor undercoated

Good for another 10 years lol (I wish)
Just need to sort the front wings now as they have a little surface rust on the edge then the car is totally rust free https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200301/907e790ec173d8838affe589132af148.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200301/69e25b03f6025379e83fa1d9e9c4778c.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200301/024977336bc535dc511b24680a199ab9.jpg

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[petrolhead19]

Had some spare time today so I got my GSI dash fitted.
I picked up a GSI dash for free......yes you heard right FREE lol, only problem was it had no metal frame on it so I searched for another normal dash to rip the frame off and ended up getting 2 spare dashes for free.....yes again FREE lol.

Anyway I took the frame off one of the spares which wasnt as quick as i thought, I got some leather rivet crush studs to try make it look as original fitting as possible and got to work fitting the frame to the GSI dash and turned out great.

Anyway I got it fitting into the car, I also fit the centre console with the windows switches on ready for when I fit the electric windows, hopefully do that soon. Also need some black under trays

Also the other day I stopped down an engine I have spare only to find out it's a 1.4spi same as what's in the car already but has a great inlet manifold with loom and everything else from a gte [emoji848] strange, so I've tracked down a c16se engine which I'm going to fit into the car when I pick it up and rebuild it.

Here's some picshttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200420/48fac49048dc171c1857b69870040603.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200420/029c85502dbff6920074b98e860ee3c7.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200420/d4a6ddc395d2a1e39eb5dcc93bf99439.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200420/a7eed4e6adf5264ffa24357f39472db2.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200420/a76b0a5c46a566d10dc64f9710f32a69.jpg

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[petrolhead19]

Had a few more hours on the car today, got the electric windows fitted. Had to remove the doors so I could drill the holes for the loom to go through, dont it properly though etch primed the holes and painted to protect them.
Also got the gsi door cards on now that I dont need window winders lol
I hooked up the central locking too hut for some reason it doesnt work, I'm guessing the control unit is faulty so I'm in need of one if anyone has one for sale

Heres some picshttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200423/35040e16287e33bd050651c54a29bb77.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200423/e7fa86f87c50ea8efff48ea044499dfa.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200423/0a9ce9c6418ee538a7feb6bf9ab49a2b.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200423/cf88c4518a4138b15afa5108151441c2.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200423/21329eb68b47920384459e7deee83fdc.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200423/75f08f99cdc17ed0e01c6591548208bb.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200423/f987e51adf0d1259285907b3d911ea9c.jpg

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[petrolhead19]

Went to a guy in wales to pick up some little bits like door toppings and black parcel shelf holders.
So got them fitted https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200528/335ffc582c642ea2637c56f600256a20.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200528/e5fd792deb811c908dc33e0aded3c19d.jpg

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[petrolhead19]

I've decided to go down the redtop route as cant find a decent c16se engine so splashed out and got an early dizzy model with coscast head.

Got to work stripping it for a refresh, all new gaskets, cambelt, water pump, pulleys and tensioner.
Also relapped the valves in and give the block a coat of hammerite black.
I sprayed the covers to match the car and dont think it looks too bad for a quick job lol.

Still need a couple of things like single v pulley and belt, clutch kit and thermostat then it's just service parts.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200528/e2364896336903baf4526c5a56649a80.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200528/41be757ccdc6b359116fcb38840e5b20.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200528/899fef52155259c24b7f1c084341553a.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200528/900159e067e62326bb15fde47d72266d.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200528/05c14efed1cedd26ffce740ff05af804.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200528/c9b25f176fc3a25139c945bdaae3569e.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200528/ec9e96655133095cc052d3b3b1a680e2.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200528/bdb3b60e32a39ed36ac760d45c6ec763.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200528/bbb1fa13175ebe4e1dd8ca4c14898f49.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200528/a783f48d402a0d0d84bee3672bbe2b4a.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200528/69f8e182fef4ec1399f1eef8946c474e.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200528/89feb78dc2b11160675e76d3f7fdc181.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200528/227b7c78e099045eea34e85175b5670b.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200528/f0a5671cf3cf6bbed19f4ea19dc56f2c.jpg

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[petrolhead19]

This is the loom that on the engine, I hate wiring so need some help if anyone can.
I dont see any wire for the ecu live, in the first picture this is all I have on the dizzy side of the wiring, looking at the wiring diagram on the forum there should be a wire with a ring terminal for ecu live.

On the ecu side of the loom all I have is the ecu plug, a rom plug which isnt used and the plug in the second picture which I have no idea??
There is no wires on this side of the loom that would wire in behind the dash.

The third picture is the plug on the dizzy side of the loom, is this the plug that has the wiring for the fuel pump and other things? https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200528/9f8f0f4562e8d7b60a874035aed6d628.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200528/f99d85e198400f64d4d70fd57e9b197d.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200528/aaaf3d40fc6967b847981165d4acc821.jpg

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[Nova_Tek]

Nice transformation, great work!

[petrolhead19]

I havent started stripping the nova yet so I took it to a nova meet in Wakefield, its the first time I've seen other novas on the road apart from mine.
Some clean examples there including an absolutely stunning red gsi rep with a c20let in, this thing was immaculate inside, outside and underneath, not 1 speck of oil on it anywherehttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200802/cbad9a101f306bf9c6b3faab872987ae.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200802/4b40ff381984a733373e68bb294dadca.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200802/508e058aff5486240b9c8e6573d5d8d5.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200802/14521d1721ca98ea5c6a90bdc784b885.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200802/f495aff4925659752d33c0b42891acc8.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200802/877c80db06a39efd42a825843dcf204f.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200802/9aea1d52af2c2879c2efae6db6218003.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200802/31c76fe7cc4f2e7b8e7ee84a0be8494a.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200802/bfce3ae633b036cdc4beaad4da8768a7.jpg

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[petrolhead19]

Was going over the nova when I got back from the meet and noticed that the rear arch and front wings i had repaired and sprayed earlier this year have started bubbling, cracking and rusting [emoji35][emoji35]

So ill be taking it back to the bodyshop and telling him he either sorts it properly or ill be taking my money back.

Going to clear out my farage and make some space so I can get the car in and start doing work on it for the redtop https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200802/7a45257b3bb28c2cb74cd5058332af13.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200802/87c50051be5369ee2036b2131cbd729f.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200802/d6fd6c08370a8d196a153752a938f223.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200802/85bce9e36307b206f0cbdde95a677830.jpg

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[torquey]

Looks like a bodge job what they have done pal.

[petrolhead19]

Looks like a bodge job what they have done pal.You're not kidding mate, proper pissed off.
Dont know if i trust them to sort it out

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[torquey]

I would just go and get my money back and find another place to sort the bodge job out otherwise it will come back again.

[petrolhead19]

I would just go and get my money back and find another place to sort the bodge job out otherwise it will come back again.Yeah i will be going and telling him I want money back.
Actually debating just having a full respray at same time as dling the redtop conversion

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[Will F]

Depends how much you paid really - but it doesn't look great!!

[petrolhead19]

Depends how much you paid really - but it doesn't look great!!Paid a grand for arches and wings doing

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[torquey]

That is expensive!!

[petrolhead19]

Yeah so for the price I expected a proper job not a cowboy job like has been done.
Gonna try get down to his unit tomorrow and kick off

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[House]

Sorry to spam with pics this is how mine was repaired.

I'll put money that they've only replaced the outer arch, that seems to be a standard attempt at repairing rear arches, or grinding them back and just using filler.

Don't want to wind you up anymore mate but I'd expect for £1000 for them to have repaired inner and outers as the pics below.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200806/fd744f3ffcd873249f3f47eb25caa9b3.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200806/83dceb11db091e39df60f2fe6632eafb.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200806/f77f30ad9fc2afe486e1c8ec9c9f7d12.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200806/29ef982cf91b234635f0250299978aaf.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200806/b8871e113871fdc3fb2471491ea65fd4.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200806/558b51ebb0035b08d9c0b74b81d388cc.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200806/a9149c34d19dc56c66167e47d75fac75.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200806/b17203f21be8bc560e8bb99be8ba0229.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200806/b3586df2e4662126113b236b8482cbe0.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200806/747ee30915e1873013bb60e0fc9b5667.jpg

[petrolhead19]

Sorry to spam with pics this is how mine was repaired.

I'll put money that they've only replaced the outer arch, that seems to be a standard attempt at repairing rear arches, or grinding them back and just using filler.

Don't want to wind you up anymore mate but I'd expect for £1000 for them to have repaired inner and outers as the pics below.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200806/fd744f3ffcd873249f3f47eb25caa9b3.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200806/83dceb11db091e39df60f2fe6632eafb.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200806/f77f30ad9fc2afe486e1c8ec9c9f7d12.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200806/29ef982cf91b234635f0250299978aaf.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200806/b8871e113871fdc3fb2471491ea65fd4.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200806/558b51ebb0035b08d9c0b74b81d388cc.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200806/a9149c34d19dc56c66167e47d75fac75.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200806/b17203f21be8bc560e8bb99be8ba0229.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200806/b3586df2e4662126113b236b8482cbe0.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200806/747ee30915e1873013bb60e0fc9b5667.jpgYeah mate thats how I was expecting it to be done specially paying so much

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[torquey]

When did you get it done pal?

[petrolhead19]

It was done in January mate, so not that long ago

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[torquey]

No defo not long ago.

[petrolhead19]

I'd expect it to have something showing after driving it for a year in all weather, but not after 5-6 months driving it in only sun [emoji2357]

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[petrolhead19]

Been to see him tomd him he wither soets it properly or gives me my money back.
Needless to say he has agreed to sort it, so that puts my engine conversion back caise need to wait to take car to him to sort it


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[torquey]

Least he is sorting it. I did mine on my drive 3 years ago and my arches are still mint and it's out in all weather .

[petrolhead19]

Well once he has done it again I will be avoiding his place like tha plague.
I'll wait until it needs a full respray and put it in with my mate that actually does the job properly, just means I'll have to pay good money.

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[torquey]

Dont blame you pal nowt worse having to put people's f#$k up right.

[petrolhead19]

My mate had his nova in with him for welding and full repspray and even his is fucked. Bumpers are peeling and it has rust coming through already........his has been in his garage since while he builds it up lol so how has rust started coming through when its not even been used? [emoji1787]


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[torquey]

Poor workmanship pal.

[Nova_Tek]

Some lovely Nova's there, and that sucks about the bubbling.

Think some bodyshops think they can get away with ripping people off just because they'll pay to have their pride and joy sorted. Hope they sort it properly this time round.

Also one fo the reasons I'm going over my Nova with a very fine tooth comb to seal up any areas that are likely to attract rust (which is probably all of it lol). It's been off the road for 10 years so being thoroughly dry it'd be stupid of my not to get it protected OCD style.

[petrolhead19]

Well I got the xar back once again and its still a shit job, I seriously give up. If the guy wasn't oldish I'd of took my money back out of his face but I'm just going to cut my losses and move on.
Basically he hasn't removed side skirt before spraying the rear quarter he just taped around it, he also didn't mask off the window surround properly so got paint on that, the front wing looks like he has ran a bead of pu sealer along the lip [emoji35]

Heres some pictures

Anyone looking for bodywork doing in the North West avoid Tibs in Great Harwood, absolute wankhttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200912/c5a89c7fd050f990596a75143fcd07a0.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200912/9c0070042b347ff08f00393e4457380f.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200912/8ae46b355b513853ee642ad9aad40cdc.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200912/4cbe2d43b472379cd9ee6b399036c2bc.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200912/e98192485f93bb47b0e8fee39978e682.jpg

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[petrolhead19]

Anyway bodywork out the way I'm gonna get my mate to sort the whole car out properly in a few years with a full repsray too.

I had an hour free today so stripped some of the front end off ready to start the conversion, going to need a bit more work than I first thought but oh well.
Going to need a front panel, small plate welding near passenger turret, drivers chassis leg (can i plate this or need a full chassis leg?) And a new passenger wing.

Going to get some more bits off tomorrow when I have timehttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200912/916e38df11cf28c086cbbefc475f4c5f.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200912/68b8e689aea4d155e7c4bbd28b9cf8ba.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200912/b50815a1a03164c9631e3f8c7437f6fc.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200912/b9cbbe99b3cb37861a18db7369b5287d.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200912/3ee14e23964b36ba4c5fc4b64cd9ec9a.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200912/0b8ed88105615e4a8cd6f8f63f71fd44.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200912/c1c1495ee8b778d3c258cc59b93c8e7c.jpg

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[Iain]

That arch paint is pretty awful, especially masking off a skirt.

I like your dog.

[torquey]

Looks no better pal carnt believe he thinks it looks good enough to hand back. No pride in his work mate like you say move on and get it all painted when your ready.

[petrolhead19]

One of my mates knows him and said he use to be really good, clearly not anymore. Anyway fuck it ill have it sorted at a later date.

For now I need to get a front panel, wing and figure out what I'm gonna do with the chassis leg

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[petrolhead19]

Another thing I found, when he originally sprayed the wings the first time he had the side skirts off and took off the clip for the skirts...........he didnt fit it back on properly with rivets like id done previous and this is his attempt at sticking it back on [emoji2357]

Your can also see he didnt take the skirt off second time spraying it he just masked around it

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200912/d4568c15f3f8275a33a150e0bacc24c4.jpg

[torquey]

Takes seconds to remove the skirts. Dont understand it pal!

[petrolhead19]

Got a couple of hours done today, everything is disconnected and loom is moved out of the way (tucked behind firewall), manifold is off and I've removed hubs and driveshafts.
Engine is ready to come out now so I'll do that during the week one night after work.

In laws are buying me a mig welder so gonna get some practice in cause its been a long time since I've done any kind of welding haha.

Couple of pics for youhttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200913/d1ef5f19bfca0c3f561bcf3598e4ddff.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200913/3d98cc31fd9a760a471621f953059008.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200913/4a09e10a47c095af554fdb39e0eef2b4.jpg

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[Jonesfach]

One of my mates knows him and said he use to be really good, clearly not anymore. Anyway fuck it ill have it sorted at a later date.

For now I need to get a front panel, wing and figure out what I'm gonna do with the chassis leg

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It's pretty poor to say the least. Hope it wasn't too expensive.

[petrolhead19]

It's pretty poor to say the least. Hope it wasn't too expensive.Cost me a grand for it all doing, ive lost out really.
Could of put that money into the engine conversion, but the arches did really need doing so they should last a couple of years until I get the whole car done properly at my mates bodyshop

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[petrolhead19]

Got the engine out today.
Get the rest of bits out the bay this weekend then once I have my new welder ill start stripping back all the seam sealer for stitch welding.

Any tip? Or am I best just going at it with a wire wheel?https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200916/2e764c60a5fd8116f68c34f813ef4913.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200916/45a213aa640902eaf5ea3fd9df09c653.jpg

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[Nova_Tek]

Good progress.

Still sucks a bit about the bodyshop quality, I sometimes wonder how such people can stay in business and continue to make money :wtf:

[petrolhead19]

Good progress.

Still sucks a bit about the bodyshop quality, I sometimes wonder how such people can stay in business and continue to make money :wtf:Yeah it sucks mate but these things happen, unfortunately this time it was me lol. Wont happen again though thats for sure.
Its going in with my mate next time, only reason I didnt put it in with him in the first place was doqn to cost, but ill save up and pay for a proper job.

Saying that a grand is still a lot to pay out for that shit job lol

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[scottmasterton]

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81eji6r7S6L._AC_SL1500_.jpg
Set of these will get the job done :thumb:

[petrolhead19]

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81eji6r7S6L._AC_SL1500_.jpg
Set of these will get the job done :thumb:Nice one, ill pick some up

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[petrolhead19]

Quick one, do I need this canister behind the passenger wing or can I get rid?
Guessing its for the petrol fumes recirculating or something along them lineshttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200917/63dc590294150ad30c464e60bb6eaaae.jpg

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[total_vauxhall]

Bin it its just added weight and rubbish

[petrolhead19]

Cool ill rip it out then, less shit to connect up lol.


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[petrolhead19]

Had a quick hour taking more bits out the engine bay.
Managed to get the brake servo off with only breaking 1 brake line lol, considering they are still the original lines I dont think that's too bad.
I threw the padding as not going to put it back on.

Also noticed the battery tray that the guy at the bodyshop apparently "fixed".....he hasn't, all he has done is cut the battery tray up i gave him to weld in and wedled a piece in and not even cut out the old rotten piece
So looks like I'm going to have to buy another new battery tray and do it myself ffs, all the welding and painting under the engine bay im doing myself. Got my new welder coming next week.

Next thing I need to take out the dash and strip the firewall inside ready for stitch welding so I dont set anything in fire lolhttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200918/be2da48442847e308312d230a0939cea.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200918/8866d0e04ae618b4b5e204b607d0780b.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200918/3ff4632b0456fa41abf265c57058bca6.jpg

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[petrolhead19]

Looking closer at this battery "repair" he has done. He hasnt even welded the piece in that he cut off the new battery tray.......looks like he has just put it in place and sealed it in with sikaflex or similar then just sprayed it, I just can't.........like wtf? Lol

Suppose it makes it easier for me to remove the "repair" and do it properly

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[torquey]

Proper bodger pal it seems!

[Nova_Tek]

Master bodge... Maybe his name was Bodger the badger! :eek:

[petrolhead19]

My welder came yesterday so been setting it up and getting so e practice in on some scrap metal.

Dont think i done too bad for someone thats never welded before lolhttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200920/e9bd9c3801e012c7ed552e6526d51a29.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200920/4fa8496d85d9f40736e6449ce90e544d.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200920/186934a3e8693fb205f6f26dfa82ac14.jpg

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[totalnova]

Just be warned, bodywork is a lot more delicate, spot welding in small bursts and letting it cool are essential.
Start on some of the out of sight stuff first.

[petrolhead19]

Just be warned, bodywork is a lot more delicate, spot welding in small bursts and letting it cool are essential.
Start on some of the out of sight stuff first.I will mainly just be doing under the bonnet and in 1" bursts, but alternate sides to let it cool down to stop distortion.

I wont be touching outside bodywork for a long time until I'm confident enough.
The battery tray ill have to spot weld and alternate

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[petrolhead19]

Got my calipers and hubs built up while I had some spare time today.
Looking fresh with brand new discs and pads, so they are ready to go on the car.

Need to hurry up and get dash out the car so I can start stitch welding the bay.
Also need to track down a front panel and someone cutting up a shell cause I need a length of the chassis leghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200926/e4ea946cc3a5e290e9c6dbd144c8ae7e.jpg

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[petrolhead19]

Quick question
Because I need to replace the front panel am I best stitch welding the bay first then when I've took front panel off fit the c20xe in as will make it easier?

Or will it knock it out of line?
Or should I wait until done the front panel and go in with engine from underneath?

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[petrolhead19]

Got some good progress on the car today.
Got the dash, seats and carpet out, took off the sound deadening and moved the wiring so now the inside is free from any welding disasters lol.
Took off the steering rack so now have enough room to start taking off the seam sealer in the bay ready for stitch welding
Made a start on removing the front panel too, pain in the arse, got the top half off just the bottom half now.
Left it for now before the missus starts to moan ive spent too much time outside lol, gave any bare metal a spray of etch primer

I also have the strut strengthening plates to go on and check out the inside of the car where battery tray is.......thats supposedly been fixed lol, he has spot welded it on the inside and just seam sealed it on the outside hahahttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201004/1ab3851ceabe7f3983105041f693b8c1.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201004/d527d6a9d802f9ccf683a1caad32923e.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201004/5e0ed2befbec7f71927c7fb02cbbed48.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201004/a6820afbd990bfc5b5f0edb28cc901f4.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201004/59955b073e6425456b507be4a7fcc7de.jpg

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[torquey]

Good progress pal getting there.

[petrolhead19]

Yeah mate slowly, once I have the lower part of the front panel off ill go in the the wire wheels and get all the seam sealer off, once the stitch welding is all done and I've sprayed the bay ill wack the engine in the weld the new front panel on.
Then its just putting everything in and sorting all the wiring out etc

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[torquey]

Is it a xe that's going in?

[petrolhead19]

Yeah mate an xe

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[torquey]

Gonna say what you doing about the chassis leg boxing it or heating it and knocking it in for the alternator clearance?

[petrolhead19]

I'm not too sure yet to be honest.
Depends if in confident enough with my welding to box it in lol

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[torquey]

What you could do is cut some slits in it bash it in and weld it back up.

[petrolhead19]

Yeah thats an idea.
To be honest ill probably end up boxing it, do it properly

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[torquey]

Yeh when I did mine I cut and boxed it still hit slightly on hard acceleration so elongated the holes on the alternator bracket to move it over a little sorted it.

[petrolhead19]

Fair enough mate
My last one had just been bashed in and didn't foul but its the pikey way of doing it lmao

Seen a few different ways of boxing in so il decide once I've done the stitch welding

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[torquey]

Yeh pal no worries .

[petrolhead19]

Regarding the wiring side
Is it going to be easier cutting the plugs off the ecu side (on the nova loom) and unwrap the loom in bay and pull each wire through and see what I have left and go from there?

I'm confused on the wiring side
I dont want to have loads of wiring clogging the bay if its not being used though

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[petrolhead19]

Got quite a bit done on Sunday
I finally got a decent regulator for my mig gas bottle so thought id just start doing a bit of welding which turned into doing all the stitch welding in the bay lol.

I got the lower part of the front panel removed, going to need to make and weld 2 plates up that sit under the chassis leg and meet the front panel.

I stopped back all the seam sealer and got to welding, to say I've never welded before my welds came out pretty decent, ive still attacked them with the flap disc though as I dont want any welds showing, ill run some seam sealer over them all the smooth out all the edges.

Still got the wheelhouse braces to take off and replace and need to buy a new front panel yet, also need to do a small patch behind passenger strut.

I'm going to weld the strut strengthening plates on this weekend, drill some holes around the plates and plug weld them then flap disc them smooth.

I finished off with some zinc primer then some etch primer around where I've welded and any bar metal to keep rot from taking hold while I do all the other bits, once I've done the front panel and the small patch I can prime the bay and spray it.

Heres some picshttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201013/a8c0eec3eb85b00a4e5517c989b82a7a.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201013/ff5e725a647ad62cdd6487d8e458d5c6.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201013/557c8689b656c8f11c7c04c9dcad96ff.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201013/38d65cb9543224048957c34bcceb1e0f.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201013/f0621be34243e51c10cb99f09a4ee88a.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201013/16690d9391ea0c3dd7b5987f1ea0fc93.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201013/5db3f5ed2ac8e134fe235611f3be645b.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201013/9608872ddb9855263057c18f8db14ec1.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201013/31058e6c7d820e5a03d2b7ca09ea9c68.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201013/928eb5799f8459bd2632e22c9cccc7f2.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201013/0b9ad7ee76339b324bc0d6201d21ada0.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201013/ab229fb58be0d5e0ca671b00b7136d31.jpg

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[torquey]

Looking good pal.

[Iain]

Tidy welding. Any chance of the chassis legs moving without the crossmember in, you got some measurements?

[petrolhead19]

Tidy welding. Any chance of the chassis legs moving without the crossmember in, you got some measurements?No I didn't get any measurements mate, I figured that once I have the front panel if its slightly out then the front panel will bring it in once clamped up ready for welding

Really I should of welded a bar in but hey ho, uts done now.
Gonna get the front panel ordered ASAP and get it on

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[petrolhead19]

Another few hours on the car today.
Managed to get the patch behind the strut sorted, cut out the old metal, walked some jurist on it while I did other things then plated it up, what an absolute bastard to get to with the welder and grinder. Anyway I managed best I could gave it a coat of etch primer and seam sealed the welds which will be sanded smooth once dried.

Also got the strut strengthening plates on, im only adding these for looks, just puddle welded them on, smoothed the welds with flap disc and etch primed.

Cut out the rotten bit of battery tray and plated that up, the metal here is so thin it was hard not to blow holes even with the settings on welder right down, I got it done anyway, flap disc on the welds and some seam sealer which again ill smooth out when dried.

Then I seam sealed all the stitch welds, ill smooth all this aswell once dried and sanding all the bay ready to prime and paint.

My front panel should be here during the week so I'll get that spot welded on next weekend then I can get the bay primed and sprayed

Heres some pictureshttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201018/fbb1d173eaefeaa914fc3b3fa46ce611.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201018/69fddaf3b4efa40ac0dc04391c6b88cf.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201018/3581a44a7004ec2c84fb106618180dee.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201018/b6b8e36bee410e6ba44b99e9cfe5da0c.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201018/a270d471dc24b0318ac9d09783bc02c6.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201018/b348d6a2c00e105fcb004f4e26ea3d25.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201018/1b40cd0ca81640e3cc1df617e285255b.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201018/145b9ea6a3f16bb7c6d7f22321fbc5b4.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201018/f0ae2bde1d6acdcd7a961371b7627f3a.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201018/fee4d515cdcbb5fb10b087906b9e2c94.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201018/2243e1879f44c4ec1cc630a3a6c4e928.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201018/df90fcf5c5afe773c932a872fec6f441.jpg

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[petrolhead19]

Got the front panel today so quickly test fitted, needs some adjusting and trimming so ill get on with that on Sunday.

Heres some picshttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201019/e95a7033b68223e0959204cce6c54027.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201019/eae81449aec2b9e6c398b3f3742c1cb1.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201019/900910d9c3bdcf6a85c00983b071905c.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201019/48c00919f5680f024ae07a56bdeb7467.jpg

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[petrolhead19]

My passenger side wheelhouse brace flitch panel came today.
Brand spanking new, thought to be last one.
I need a drivers side but doubt I'll find a brand new one https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201020/85f4e914e8672d7f53ddef5ef5302ae0.jpg

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[Iain]

Nice find on the panel!

[petrolhead19]

Came from Greece mate, he said its last one in the world and he doesnt know if he is going to be able to get any more from GM
But he's going to keep me posted as I need drivers side

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[Nova_Tek]

Great work mate and amazing find on that panel!

[petrolhead19]

Cheers mate.
I've managed to find the drivers side panel in South Africa so just waiting for that to come

Gonna have a bash at getting this front panel lined up tomorrow and welded on

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[Nova_Tek]

you could put them up on eBay and sell them for crazy money lol or swap it for some ivory hens teeth!

[petrolhead19]

Lmfao probably could do yeah, the guy said that its the last drivers side one that GM has in Europe [emoji1787]

So I have the 2 very last panels.
If only I knew someone that could take a mould and recreate then lol

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[Nova_Tek]

I'd probably find out and see what it costs to do that. There will come a point where someone's Nova's will rust(!) lol

[petrolhead19]

Nova.....rust? No never happen mate [emoji102] haha

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[petrolhead19]

Well guys the front panel isn't being fitted, its shocking quality.
The headlights holes aren't right and all the spot welds are breaking apart and cracking, there's ripples in the metal too.
The quality is just poor, so ill be asking for a refund.

So looks like I'll be hunting down a GM panel instead at least then it will actually be righthttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201025/9102f01dca9243513da94b765e1ca86f.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201025/d8b987b03e6e1987ebe43f41587853e4.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201025/6901195c6672610936782876122e2e7c.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201025/e4203989d8c05bab7812d593ffc7cbc5.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201025/dfb5f2bf89cb53edd0d0406cbefaa9c8.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201025/122cf6f118ef37573fc266897e1cde3e.jpg

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[petrolhead19]

Also took the passenger flitch panel off and got to the point of debating throwing the towel in and selling everything.
The inner wing has gone so needs replacing.
I've had to put my tools away and leave it until I can be arsed going back to it. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201025/add3aab9dec8664056a2fc1ffc28dbb4.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201025/c54de31c98f75bee33fc8e368eda71fc.jpg

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[torquey]

I've been there pal ready to sell it all off. It gets you down when you find more things wrong and the quality of repro panels are shocking. Best thing to do is leave it and go back to it in a few days or weeks and get your drive back to continue.

[petrolhead19]

Yeah its shit mate. I left it and will go back to it this weekend. Drill out the spot welds for the piece and go from there.
Hopefully its easy enough to do

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[petrolhead19]

Just received the packaging pictures of the drivers flitch panel, should be with me in the next week......front end is gonna be like new by time ive finished https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201029/32095731e7fd7801c01595becdecbf62.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201029/0fdfd18710d7ebd78395c8b099422c83.jpg

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[torquey]

Nice find pal if only we could get everything gm nova parts!

[petrolhead19]

I know mate I was lucky to find these, this ones coming from South Africa.
Apparently there are no more flitch panels left at any of the GM warehouses in Europe, I have the last of them haha

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[torquey]

You could get some one to make some copies up and sell them Haha

[petrolhead19]

I dont know anyone that would be able to.
They're pressed steel so would probably need to make a mould for the press, im not sure how it works lll

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[Rickyb]

Just read this full thread, some good work gone into it, keep at it and keep posting,
I think I met you a couple of years ago im sure you bought some 60/40 brackets off me.

[petrolhead19]

Cheers mate. Yeah I did buy some from Blackpool, guessing that's you lol.
I've got them in but not welded them in yet. The guy that did the arches I asked him to weld them in and he has sikaflexed them instead ffs. So another job for me to do haha

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[petrolhead19]

Did a bit of fabrication today, never done anything like this before i was just learning as I went along and winging it lol
I think it turned out damn good to be honest, my welds are getting alot better too I almost had some dimes stacking lol.
Anyway I've done the passenger inner wing and flitch panel.
Waiting for the drivers side one to turn up so I can sort that side outhttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201101/ac1dd61ba9b35f8824361335acac36c6.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201101/65f7d4dfc0a7c22b5603d7f325277384.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201101/4d00af95799b80a51a8bc411c8a4dec1.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201101/acd9be1f1425753f684156b6977ef340.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201101/47135d6d7830211df710d6d294673c34.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201101/577c1c00a86e9fd199cd1a663a82e1dd.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201101/c3ecdb9389fe68dfcf6ab26730e8c7a9.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201101/725381da668d8d98d3fd64984a03626d.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201101/26fd8d67b3d04b43a7f5f72e650519b8.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201101/2466cf6fbe6b5a051677e7ea874669c7.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201101/c48a8501199d8d11e4a26aa4e5b76763.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201101/1357c47d6be7fbd4e8656e1bdc89f56d.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201101/5fe930d3c5c8243484387e282058af16.jpg

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[torquey]

Looking good pal nice welds too.

[petrolhead19]

Cheers mate I'm well proud of it. To think I was ready for giving up last week lol

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[Iain]

Impressive if that's your first attempt at making repair panels. I'd be well chuffed if I'd done that!

[petrolhead19]

Honestly never done anything like that before lol, dont even have a metal bender so just used side of my workbench some vice grips and a hammer lol

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[Iain]

I've never had a bender too, hammer and vice works for most things. Recently bought a little vice mounted 5" or so bender for little brackets and such which is quite nice.

[petrolhead19]

Yeah been meaning to invest in a vice that I can bolt to my bench.
Might get one during the week, make it easier to bend metal rather than using edge of my bench haha

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[petrolhead19]

Drivers side flitch panel turned up today, time to attack that side on Sunday and ill need to do the inner wing as that's gone like the passenger side. So more fabrication on Sunday I thinkhttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201102/6f39ede5ade526a3a905ebd17e467153.jpg

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[petrolhead19]

Oh I've also ordered GM front panel today from COPE in Holland so hopefully have that soon

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[C16xe]

Fairplay to you that's very impressive for a 1st timer!

[petrolhead19]

I messed up a little........
Guess what dick head didnt cover his car before grinding so ended up with grinding dust all over his car that then turned to millions of rust spots all over.........yeah that dick head would be me lmao.

So set about clay barring and machine polishing the car, luckily it all came off after a few hours of going at it. Lesson learnt, I'll be covering the car next time I do any grinding or welding.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201107/429fa9e4e846174e42e748e962022554.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201107/e40fd67cc3019d64a267fb2d7db652ec.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201107/f15b08c84821fb899b986bbd63596a45.jpg

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[petrolhead19]

Got the drivers side inner wing and flitch panel done today, not as many pics of the process but it was same as passenger side I posted.

Also my GM front panel turned up today so I did a quick test fit and make sure it all lines up and its bang on, well happy with it. Just shows its worth spending the extra money for the proper parts.
I'll get that welded on next weekend then I can start smoothing all the engine bay ready for spraying.
I'm going for smooth seams so using a little filler to do ithttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201108/78a8234922afd87f8c58d86e7415cfbd.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201108/8bccef0aff23aa08f089200e7d19e163.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201108/20b7a6c3c2346802748ae0e9af1b9dcf.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201108/c349a6542dccdefcb9a4a91329bf6f91.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201108/90c1b4419fc6884b5c7f929f8cd0dbd1.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201108/c5534c1d6e35da817e482ddf562896dc.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201108/2f62227cdcfbf9410eb0e9611dbc1082.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201108/eed6e45632ab3ea0cbaa52f291d8c862.jpg

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[torquey]

Looking good pal defo worth getting gm stuff if possible worth the extra money all day long.

[millworm]

Looking good mate, always worth the extra money for genuine panels

[petrolhead19]

Got the front panel welded on today.
Also did the chassis leg mod
I just have 2 plates to do on the bottom of the chassis leg where it meets the front panel then thats all the welding done.
I can now starts tidying up the bay and smoothing it then spray.
Just need to bend the clutch hole down
I ground down the welds on the front panel and put some zinc primer on until I primer the whole thing.
Group down the welds on the chassis leg mod then seam sealed across which will be smoothed out when dried

I'll crack on next weekend https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201114/9569ab018c52139f4cf4a2aa39a3715f.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201114/2ab875c42f1ca02734d0de5981ef4dff.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201114/819ef359693baaa1d0fd4b40a908f09a.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201114/9257ac2083e035d9d854e0a1384d121d.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201114/6bad66e98abef375be3649aca0ae0abc.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201114/79b55a120cb308050f9862d41c9c5057.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201114/d1a8344a22944308b757f7f03c6bd2d2.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201114/3c08d1b410ccdb667861ffb9964f4601.jpg

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[Iain]

I liked it up to the point you applied the seam sealer. Why not mask either edge and use a brush for a factory look?

[petrolhead19]

Dont worry it will all be smoothed out lol
Looks messy at the minute but have faith haha
I was rushing to be fair as I had to be somewhere so quickly wacked it on

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[torquey]

Good work pal. Cracking on now are you smoothing the bay completely?

[petrolhead19]

Yeah thats the plan mate, smooth the seams out.
Want it looking as smooth as I can get it really

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[torquey]

Use the black fibrofill pal its flexible so wont crack followed by a light skim of filler.

[petrolhead19]

Cheers ill check it out mate.


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[petrolhead19]

Had a quick hour after work cleaning the bay up and sanding it down ready for primer.
Also bent down the clutch hole, its as far down and right as it will possibly go without breaking it so I hope its enough lol

Need to pick up some primer and a bit more paint as I only have 1/4 litre and I'm more than likely gonna need more to do the whole bay and front panel.
Starting to look like an engine bay now after a wipe down haha.

I'll be painting the brake servo mount black with the other cover too so I'll just mask them off when I paint.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201117/e13cfc4a855ead28f1aecf148bf9b9dd.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201117/aa574bcb361b4660994dbf6b33d7e178.jpg

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[petrolhead19]

Got a couple of hours done today.
I've made my carport into a temp spray booth and to keep the weather off the car, I just need some kind of heater to heat up the carport otherwise I'm not gonna be able to spray with it being cold out.

Anyway I've walked some gravitex on inner arches and inside the suspension strut where I've done the plates.

Smoothed off the seams around the strut and chassis legs and even managed to get a coat of primer on, needs another coat or 2 though hut ill do that next week then flat it down ready for spraying.

After I primed I forgot I hadn't cut a slot in the firewall for the harness to go through.......DOH
So quickly chopped a piece out, I have some rubber edging from work so there's no sharp edges.
I still need to cut the hole into the car, could someone help with where abouts it needs cutting.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201122/21d30a0af3d1a5592221203bee5ceeef.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201122/9c2a36e5520e0da910a505b0d25605c6.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201122/4acec66e834a4b77f3b460719de0fe97.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201122/19909504fa6b3016873d8045cfa98572.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201122/fe2c55f59d03ca371f7fa6de77d9fed0.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201122/f53bcb1396bb0e410a77f63d092f221a.jpg

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[torquey]

Looking good pal did you use 2k primer or cellulose? As for the hole I did mine near where the aerial goes through the bulkhead just watch the fuse box when drilling through lol.

[Iain]

Lovely job. Surprised you're not removing those 2 bits from the bulkhead, only a few bolts?!

[petrolhead19]

I've always used 2k when spraying so just went with what I know lol.

I havent taken off the steering column so the left plate won't come off without removing that anyway, I can get away with just taping them up so not worried about it.
I'll clean them up afterwards and give them a link of hammerstein to make them look fresh

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[petrolhead19]

I made my carport into a make shift spray booth and got some heaters in there to bring the panels up to temp for spraying.
Managed to get a couple coats on but I didnt buy enough paint to begin with........DOH
So need another 1/4ltr, ill get it during the week and do another couple of coats one night in the week as I cant do anything on it next weekend I'm too busy.

But at last its got some paint on, didnt think I was gonna be able to get to this stage before Christmas lolhttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201129/75ad09411b2feaaaca9f17c16283241d.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201129/8dc8e0df300bd766cf24843b9d37cdf4.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201129/3b5cc3014716c8dc70ef1ef45e48e5c3.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201129/d8943ff11d9763be1b2384fdfda7999c.jpg

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[petrolhead19]

Got the rest of the engine bay painted tonight
Leave it to cure for a couple weeks, won't be able to do anything now until next weekend anyway as I get married on Monday so got alot to sort out this weekend lol
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201201/e96e934624368f2588a645a4d53a3b13.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201201/2c0e2cbb2c6fdc7a2003c58fb16a6d67.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201201/695ceac346e4ded6edf1f08f8754af8e.jpg

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[torquey]

Looking fresh pal nice work.

[totalnova]

Looking good and congratulations on the wedding.

[petrolhead19]

Thanks guys.

Next thing is to clean up the steering rack and give it a lick of hammerite along with the brake servo.

Still a little confused as to what to do with the car loom.
I read on a post that if the car is an spi with the engine and car loom in 1 then just cut the ecu plugs off and pull the wires through and will leave me with the wires I need to connect to the new engine loom???

Anyone help lol

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[totalnova]

I run a Dta ecu in my car, which is also an spi, I pulled the loom from the car and removed the loom tape, cut off the ecu plug and basically removed everything that wasn't needed, left me with wires for a few things like the lights, horn, starter motor and oil pressure.

[totalnova]

What engine and ecu will you be running?

[petrolhead19]

I'm going to be running an early astra gte xe, so doesn't have the 3 plugs near the ecu it has the 1 plug in the bay instead. Ill dig out a picture of what I mean

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[petrolhead19]

This is what I have instead of the 3 plugs https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201203/706ada0b66b65a2062e676e11fa8d382.jpg

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[H15 NVA]

Early 20XE are the easiest to wire up.

Red - battery/perm live
Blue - fuel pump
Black/yellow - switched/ignition live
Green - Rev counter
Brown/blue - ecu dash light
Blue(red trace) - speed sensor for digi dash
Brown/yellow - ecu diagnostic (the one you can earth to flash error codes

Only really need the first 3 to get it to run.

I ran my switched live to a switched live in the back of the fuse box


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[petrolhead19]

But what I im confused with is where will I find them wires on the car loom?
I'm not clued up when it comes to wiring, I do have a distinction in electronics on motorbikes so not completely clueless I can do wiring just confused on this bit lol

I have the spi loom so engine and car loom are in 1, from what I've read and been told I need to cut the ecu plug then pull all the wires out and will be left with what I need, but will the wires I need to wire the xe up be in this or behind the clocks area?

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[Iain]

The ecu will have most if not all. Which is why people are referring to the old ecu.

It's just a case of finding the right wire and connecting it up to that plug. Mix of knowledge, Haynes and multimeter.

[H15 NVA]

Perm live run to the battery or starter.
Switched just find one that?s only 12v when ignition is on, like wipers.
Fuel pump, just run a new wire as you?ll need a new pump Id guess.
Rev counter depends if you?ve got a Rev gauge


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[petrolhead19]

Ok making a little more sense now, I need to sort out the cars ecu plug and pull all the wires out then might have a better idea.

Yeah ill be getting a different pump, I do have an external one which came with the engine but I was just going to get an internal mpi pump instead make it easier than fitting an external would it not?


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[petrolhead19]

Oh I'm also putting digital dash in so yeah ill have rev counter

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[petrolhead19]

I made a start on putting bits back in and have a bash at the wiring.
I cut the 2 plugs for the car ecu and pulled all the wires through and I'm now left with
4 x lives
2 x ignition lives
1 x Green
1 x brown/blue

1 problem is the plug for fuel pump relay was removed from loom as it was some of the wires that I cut from the ecu plugs, do I have to rewire this back into the wires that are left over?
I'm confused now lol

At least the engine bay is starting to look like an engine bay lolhttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201220/0fcf140110c4aa9566934ad47bb4ec88.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201220/8c1919e848482dde63131ff7cfb930dc.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201220/22e2392c2ebfb619f8636db815d02a12.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201220/469b493451690aee2a151dbe76659a33.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201220/805b1200d6d42939f406fc13c45393e1.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201220/83799904000b998faae5c2990ec7d2e1.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201220/68a9111d707eec48f4f91a4cba316fc7.jpg

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[petrolhead19]

Never mind my mistake the engine loom has fuel pump relay on hahahahahttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201220/cf593d72dc43e6b3891e685a92164304.jpg

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[Nova_Tek]

"If you want something done properly, do it yourself" as they say.

Good job on the paint. Looking fresh!

[petrolhead19]

Cheers mate.
Yeah I prefer doing things myself, at least then I know it's done how it should be or at least how I think it should be lol

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[Nova_Tek]

Deffo... mind at ease and all that.

[petrolhead19]

Bit more done today.
Changed the mileage on digi clocks to match the cars mileage and fit some blue bulbs.
Cleaned the tag and sprayed it then riveted both tags to slam panel.
Fit the loom back to firewall inside car, fit the heater matrix, put the clutch cable in, ran the wires into car for the digi dash.
Dash board is ready to be fitted now so can get the inside looking like a car again.
I'll do a bit more on Tuesday when I've got the new fuel pump for it.

My brake lines should be here next week so soon as I put them on I can start getting the engine in the bay, just want to paint the mounts first and need to get the spacers for rear mounthttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201227/118856de2d604f19f2a252cd57673ca4.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201227/468e8d04bb77ee11d342fd7d38b3a7a6.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201227/1606608ce0a23dd6801a7c8b2208921d.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201227/85435991d45d774577ab5b18b3754212.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201227/442079a09dc439cce1cc6d4e898d644d.jpg

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[petrolhead19]

Also while I was cleaning the gearbox up I noticed the arm has been bodge welded lol.
Will the arm from my f10 fit the f20? https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201227/bb2de7f4f5d45ceb44bc2d778f842e20.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201227/6bc4c576d43d45789c362de8fe5423fd.jpg

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[H15 NVA]

Remember to cut down the matrix pipe


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[petrolhead19]

Yeah the matrix pipes are on the list to do lol

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[petrolhead19]

I've done the brake lines, cut heater matrix pipe, cleaned up and painted engine mounts, fit mpi fuel pump and turned the linkage round.
So got the engine sitting in the bay today, next weekend I'll tidy things up and do the wiring, I still need to get a radiator and some hoses

It's all coming together pretty quick nowhttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210103/73055901fa9cb66f256b7ae7622b8924.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210103/f2b0b362f79c32c3dd7cfa519e91a94e.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210103/f0d895aa40b68dba4672c0526ea9644f.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210103/ae9f76bebad883bfae7e0180a37d53e6.jpg

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[torquey]

Looking well in there now pal.

[Nova_Tek]

Nice one bud!

How much did you cut the matrix pipes down by and was that just enough or more than enough?

Looking good all fitted.

[petrolhead19]

Nice one lads, it's coming together nicely now.

I cut the matrix pipe by 16mm and its left more than enough room, ill get a picture next Sunday of the clearance

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[Nova_Tek]

Nice one lads, it's coming together nicely now.

I cut the matrix pipe by 16mm and its left more than enough room, ill get a picture next Sunday of the clearance

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Nice one

[petrolhead19]

Had the day off so got a couple bits done.
Finished the wiring and tidied it up, fit the coil pack also put the washer and coolant bottles in although I could do with new ones as these are manky.
I put the sfi box on just to make sure it fits, had to push back the scuttle a little but all is good.

Got a few things I still need to buy yet
Radiator and fan
Coolant hoses
Cv joint
Rubber boot for sfi box
Some kind of air filter
Spark plugs
Oil and filter
Ht lead from coilpack to dizzy

Think that's about it.

Here's a couple pics and also a pic of the matrix pipe clearancehttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210106/f4c4aa43a2281eb78ffb1c85d71a786c.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210106/42ab44926e948d949850ba9fcadcce04.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210106/7ff0332ac5ec1ecb947f773ccbbe91cd.jpg

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[torquey]

Getting there now pal. New Header tanks are hard to come by now I just left mine in strong tfr in a bucket of boiling water for a bit and come out well. Also try putting some rice inside and shake it for 10 mins it breaks down the brown crap inside.

[petrolhead19]

I'm gonna try putting them through the dish washer first see what that does haha

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[Nova_Tek]

My OCD won't allow me to have dirty stuff in the engine bay. When it came down to the washer bottle and coolant tank I gave them a rough internal clean with a suitable bendy brush and then put them in the dishwasher. Aside from the really hard to reach areas of the washer bottle the rest came out really well.

Thanks for the pic of the matrix pipe!

[torquey]

Snap I clean and paint everything to a inch of its life. Carnt have any dirty looking parts in the bay.

[petrolhead19]

I mean I do have a couple dirty bits but I'm making my way through them, I just want to concentrate on getting it up and running lol.

I ordered a radiator last night, just need hoses now

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[petrolhead19]

Now the missus is back at work after maternity leave I have Friday afternoon to myself cause I finish at 2 so got some bits done yesterday haha.

My radiator came so got that on but there isn't much room for the standard fan so I've ordered a slimline fan and going to put it on the front and revers the polarity so it blows air through instead of sucking air through.
I put the manifold on loose to check fitment and its tight haha.
Cleaned up the inside of the bonnet because it was manky and fit my coilovers but they don't leave any room for a sturt brace, so I'm going to run without one and just fit the ARB with the spacer blocks instead.

I put the washer and coolant bottles through the dishwasher too after spraying some fallout remover in and putting some nuts in and shaking them like fuck, they cleaned up nice after the nuts, ill see what they're like when they come out the dishwasher

Tomorrow I'm gonna get the inside of the car put back together and wire in the digidashhttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210109/afdd2ccc6dab3f860972bd94ec07d6df.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210109/211e4b48a49a09b9d9b080ea45bba8d9.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210109/91fb80347460b5bc77ccb18ee81d87cb.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210109/ac22747dcf78073c34eeeaec262aca7b.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210109/3d9b0094edcca19a4f607873b6b8470b.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210109/1237410219d9301f3ce628b401056422.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210109/56c7166183f70ba81b4893d14b9f7414.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210109/6a87ab2afdeb01c97100f5cef7e07cad.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210109/b27d4b4220e30b8b178dbca2578285db.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210109/5604e2ad14656d041925efc76d0f10f4.jpg

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[Iain]

Keep an eye on temps, that looks like the smaller 1L radiator opposed to the normal 1.2-1.6 size one. I much prefer the fan on the back to allow air to hit the front too - there should be room to the side of the manifold for a fan.

You can also modify the radiator mounts to tilt the radiator forwards to give lots more manifold clearance.

[petrolhead19]

Yeah I ordered it and said it was for upto 1.4 then when it came I noticed it was smaller than my other one, I might get a cool running thermostat too

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[Iain]

The TX all-alloy ones aren't too bad if you do need an upgrade. They do a proper slimline fan bracket too.

[petrolhead19]

I've ordered a slimline fan should be here during the week.
If my temps aren't right once it's built I'll just have to buy a bigger rad, but for now I'll go with this and see how it performs as I've already paid out for it and can't send it back lol

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[torquey]

Looking good pal have you thought about a alloy rad I had mine years kept my c20let nova cool and now lives on in my e16se. Mine was from tx autosport paid around ?140 years ago that was.

[petrolhead19]

Yeah I have looked at alloy rads but the price of them I cant justify right now, I still have to pay out for coolant hoses and ancillary hoses yet which isn't cheap lol.

If this rad doesn't perform properly I'll save up for a aluminium rad

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[torquey]

Yeh it gets expensive quickly. Iam finding that building a c20ne turbo hahah.

[petrolhead19]

This car stands me at around 10.5k lol and I still haven't finished.
Hopefully in years to come I'll make that money back if I ever sell it and the price of merits go up hahaha

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[torquey]

They are never finished haha I've carnt even think how much I have in my cars over the years.

[petrolhead19]

They're a labour of love lol.
I still got to pay out for
Coolant hoses
Ancillary hoses
Breather hoses
Cv joint
Sfi box connector
Full exhaust
Wheel refurb
New tyres
Materials to respray side skirts

Might of missed a few bits, so about another grand to pay out yet lol

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[torquey]

Are you going samco hoses or standard?

[petrolhead19]

I've been looking at the Roose or js conversion hoses on ebay.

Just been out to fit my much cleaner coolant and washer bottles after putting them through the dish washer a few times lol

Before and after, looks loads betterhttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210109/28a0f75231c5366b9e952f0f75005687.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210109/af6a473f6964212dd020ce4c2949fe23.jpg

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[torquey]

Looks loads better pal. Roose are good hoses.

[petrolhead19]

Yeah Roose look good, bit more expensive than the js ones.
Just gonna have to see what money I have left when I get paid on Friday, Christmas crippled me lol

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[torquey]

Yep know the feeling pal. January = skint. Pic of how the header tank came out after soaking in tfr in my old nova. And in my current nova its needs doing again when I flush it and put new coolant in.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210109/3d782f287b884501f90df08f5960ba9d.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210109/3415bc5c19bf8b73ea5de5acc4fa73bf.jpg

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[petrolhead19]

That looks good mate, was it a tint of brown like mine is before you did it in tfr?

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[Nova_Tek]

Awesome stuff as per usual, no hanging around!!

As it's been mentioned, that does look like a 1.2/1.3 radiator which used to be on my 1.2 carb (core isn't full height). Hopefully temps will stay within normal ranges.

[torquey]

Yeh pal I used autoglym clean all full strength when I was valeting awesome stuff.

[petrolhead19]

Awesome stuff as per usual, no hanging around!!

As it's been mentioned, that does look like a 1.2/1.3 radiator which used to be on my 1.2 carb (core isn't full height). Hopefully temps will stay within normal ranges.Cheers bud, it's all coming together now only thing stopping me finish it quicker is money haha.
Hopefully hit my deadline of April.


Halford have 5l of carplan super tfr for ?14 might go get some tomorrow and put it all in a bucket with that for a few hours

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[torquey]

Give it a go pal see what happens.

[petrolhead19]

I'll grab some in morning and post up results.
I need to drop the petrol tank tomorrow too because the plug for fuel pump dropped down and I can't reach it.........damnit

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[Nova_Tek]

Cheers bud, it's all coming together now only thing stopping me finish it quicker is money haha.
Hopefully hit my deadline of April.

That's the case most of the time but at least the bits you need are fairly decently priced stuff.

PS. those bottles have come out really well!

[petrolhead19]

Yeah true, least the most expensive stuff is paid for too lol.
Hopefully they'll come out even better tomorrow after some tfr

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[petrolhead19]

Dash is in, just need to fit the digi dash clocks.
Bonnet and drivers wing is on, I need to repair my passenger wing before I put that on.
Put a little rubber guard where the bonnet latch goes so doesn't scratch my paint work.

Also while fitting dash I found a crack in my floor, I could cry, luckily it is a crack and not a piece of rott, ill grind it back and weld the crack up.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210110/1bac72c97fcf93841e4512813722d674.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210110/e275aa504d17558591b663b1f681c2bd.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210110/39fe6a50680bdbd853ece8aa94d4864b.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210110/f0cf2c0911715ba9d05fe42b011d6434.jpg

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[Iain]

Never seen one crack there! At least you can avoid paintwork there.

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[petrolhead19]

Yeah I'm just glad it's not a patch of rott, ill grind it back underneath and weld it from underneath then clean it up inside car, rust treat it then spray with etch

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[torquey]

Strange to see a crack there. Least it's a easy fix pal..

[petrolhead19]

Aye thankfully easy enough to fix.
I'm not at work tomorrow so I'll try get it done tomorrow, I still have plenty of gravitex left but might need to pick up a gun for it.


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[petrolhead19]

I ground back the underseal where the crack is and it was all clean metal so no need to plate it, I welded alone the cracks, primed then covered in gravitex. I rust treated the inside cleaned it up primed it then a lick of paint.

Also I didnt get a before picture but I have plated the inner wing at the bottom, I had the whole piece missed where it attaches to the front panel. So got that done today too and primed then gravitexhttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210111/2a26bca2a26d0a6761d0b3cdacf4851c.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210111/9354eb43c34dcc09d757c23949107b96.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210111/bca890ac42350ba2e2ff1b485a4d95a4.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210111/582a13e397abb8b1649b5f5fcb64958b.jpg

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[Iain]

Perfect.

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[petrolhead19]

Thats it now should be no more welding needed lol.
If rgeee is I'm setting it on fire haha

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[torquey]

Nice repair.

[petrolhead19]

Cheers mate

I've got the cv joint coming this week and slimline fan, so I'll get them on this weekend and then can get driveshafts in and put the hubs on and hook the calipers up etc.
Not putting wheels back on yet because I want to get them refurbed, probably be the last job on the list as I want to get everything for the engine first and get it running

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[Nova_Tek]

I ground back the underseal where the crack is and it was all clean metal so no need to plate it, I welded alone the cracks, primed then covered in gravitex. I rust treated the inside cleaned it up primed it then a lick of paint.

Also I didnt get a before picture but I have plated the inner wing at the bottom, I had the whole piece missed where it attaches to the front panel. So got that done today too and primed then gravitexhttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210111/2a26bca2a26d0a6761d0b3cdacf4851c.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210111/9354eb43c34dcc09d757c23949107b96.jpg

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No one will ever know ; )

[petrolhead19]

Nope looms factory now haha.
My fan, cv joint and spark plugs came today. Get them on this weekend

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[petrolhead19]

Fuck it just ordered the hoses *hides from wife* lmfao
?400 lighter haha

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[petrolhead19]

Some bits came today, cv joint, spark plugs, slimline fan and some 16v stickers for under the gsi sticker on boot.

Get it fit this weekend and gonna see if it will start on Sunday too, just need to fish the plug for fuel pump cause it fell down when changing the pump lolhttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210114/87ad9bd125ccdfcd032027fb3fa87196.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210114/7f6ae52e60ef0c30cd2d83c8f06dd5bb.jpg

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[petrolhead19]

Need sime help lads.
I've got power to the dash even with the keys not in.
I'm stumped I've checked all my wiring and I don't have any crossed wires like perm live to ignition live.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210115/42c5e3e1c13a3550ac148f071e720922.jpg

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[torquey]

Have you checked earth's?

[petrolhead19]

Only.one I'm missing is the one from gearbox to body but I've just go the cable today.
I'll check when I get home ill just run an earth from engine to battery, I also think I may of possibly put the connector for hazard switch wrong way. Lol

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[torquey]

Missing or dodgy earths cause all weird electrical problems . Yeh try running a earth from battery to engine .

[petrolhead19]

.............it was the hazard switch........*rols eyes* hahahahaha

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[torquey]

Hahaha least you sorted it.

[Nova_Tek]

.............it was the hazard switch........*rols eyes* hahahahaha

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You trying to nick your own car?

[petrolhead19]

Looks that way mate haha.
I've just got a notification from track and trace to isolate for 8 days so looks like I'm getting bits done on the car while sons at the childminders lmao

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[petrolhead19]

I kind of got it started today, having issues with the fuel pump not working then working think I might have an intermittent relay.
Also think my timing might be out as it doesn't sound right. Only has manifold on so sounds like a tractor anyway but I just don't think it sounds right lol

Here's link to a video I posted on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/groups/296988997032607/permalink/3805158352882303/?sfnsn=scwspmo

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[petrolhead19]

Anyway I have Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday free to do bits so I'm going to check resistance between the fuel pump wiring and if it shows there's a break in the wire I'll be ripping it out and fitting a new wire which will hopefully fix the problem.
If there isn't a break then I'll get a new relay.

I'm also gonna check my timing because I have a feeling its out from the sound of it, even though I checked and checked and quadruple checked the timing when I first did it lol.

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[torquey]

Have you had it running with the sfi box on as there will be unmetered air which wont help and cause it to run crap. ?

[petrolhead19]

I havent mate, I realised afterwards that I didn't have the sfo box on lol so would run shit.
Gonna try again once I sort the fuel pump issue out

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[torquey]

I noticed it in the video pal. Fuel pump relay are usually a culprit.

[Iain]

Have you had it running with the sfi box on as there will be unmetered air which wont help and cause it to run crap. ?

Good spot sir, easily done.

[petrolhead19]

Would the sfi not being on make it run so lumpy?
Hoping that's what it is and not the timing haha.

I've ordered a relay picking up up this afternoon

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[torquey]

Yes as the air flow meter readings will be all over the place.

[petrolhead19]

Fair enough, I'll try again tomorrow when I sort the fueling out

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[petrolhead19]

So I've fit the sfi box tried new relay and nothing still no power to the pump.
Tested continuity from the red/blue on the plug in the bay to red/blue at the pump and that's fine, test between red/blue at relay and blue at plug and nothing, tested blue at relay and blue at plug and fine. So it's either something in the loom or the ecu isn't telling the pump to come on I'm not sure.

So I wired up the pump to an ignition live and started her up and she runs like a dream, all be it sounding rough cause no exhaust haha.

So what I'm thinking is I have a spare ignition live in the bay, so if I connect this up to the red/blue going to the pump it should work fine.

Video of it running

https://m.facebook.com/groups/296988997032607/permalink/3809679482430190/?sfnsn=scwspmohttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210119/94be13d58da1089b79d0176e3a3b063e.jpg

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[petrolhead19]

What I've done is connected a spare ignition live I had on the loom to the fuel pump red/blue and I now have power to the pump on the ignition and car starts and runs fine.......so that's how it's staying lol

I've also fit my slimline fan
Just putting all the interior back together https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210119/96a1e7d3202312209decf6998cfcdd36.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210119/a471d2a1cd46b34d2df76a98c6a21058.jpg

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[torquey]

Getting there now pal what's left?

[Iain]

Preferable to keep the fuel relay so it not still pushing fuel when the engine cuts out. Can't tell if you've bypassed it with that wiring.

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[petrolhead19]

Preferable to keep the fuel relay so it not still pushing fuel when the engine cuts out. Can't tell if you've bypassed it with that wiring.

Sent from my ANE-LX1 using TapatalkI've wired it up so that the pump runs when ignition is on, it shuts off when I turned ignition off.
Cant work out why it won't work on the relay so this will suffice for now.

Left to do is
Bleed brakes.
Sort passenger wing out (bit of rust on the bit that hides under bumper)
Fit coolant, ancillary and breather hoses when they come
Wheels refurb and new tyres
Get an exhaust from manifold back

Then just a full detail of the car, I've got grinding rust dots all over it *rolls eyes* so might have to 2000 wet and dry it then buff it back up.

Another month or 2 and will be ready for MOT *fingers crossed

Just finished fitting interior, just centre consols and shelves to put in once I've done the gear linkage.......which I'm struggling with because I don't see where I have to put a drill hit on the selector lol any help with pics welcome haha

Slimline fan is fit, digi clocks are done and in.
Also a pic of the grinding dust rust......ffshttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210119/4ec6e1a1cc4f0491bea6e44a0386ee8b.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210119/a5d1f41f06876f1c30b4c0c1d1f1081d.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210119/ad568433c9ff80ba98acbc5585481a92.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210119/d1af97803d8ca2c2a5fb51265b08c562.jpg

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[torquey]

Dash looks good . As for the removing the grinding rust off the paint you can use liquid clay from autoglym it's good stuff spray it on and it goes pink as it works breaking down the contamination. Saves you sanding and buffing it. Or try a clay bar and manually remove it.

[petrolhead19]

I have clay barred it once already and I don't know if it's just come back or its more grinding dust cause I did grind since but not much.

Think I've sorted the linkage, I put it in neutral moved the selector over to passenger side and cable tied it so it didn't move then wedged the gear lever in neutral to passenger side and tightened the pinch bolt. Started it up and seems to go into all the gears fine, so jobs jonbed on that one I think lol

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[torquey]

After claying it seal it with some polish. Glad linkage is sorted.

[petrolhead19]

If not I'll have to have it resprayed a quick flat and flick over, my mate will do it for ?1500

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[Nova_Tek]

Good stuff dude, major milestone accomplished!

Hope the self isolation isn't anything serious.

Probably worth spraying some iron fallout remover over it first to help loosen them up, then do the clay. Should make it less harsh, I wouldn't want any hard particles to damage the paint. Then a good polish to protect it.

Getting there!

[torquey]

The autoglym liquid clay is a fall out remover its ?13 on ebay for 500ml its called magma I use it alot at work for fallout removal on new cars when they have been stored near pylons ect. They are covered in tiny iron fillings.

[petrolhead19]

I have some pretty decent fallout remover that I use from my local detail shop, I'm gonna give that a try then clay bar and machine polish then ceramic seal it.

I'm looking at getting a carcoon, but not sure how durable they are in regards to being against a wall under carport, suppose if I put a board against the wall where it would touch it would be alright

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[torquey]

Ok should shift it pal carcoon sounds good would like one myself.

[Iain]

I've got an indoor carcoon against a sectional garage wall. They're made of pretty good material however if it's outside and potentially blown about I wouldn't have it against a wall. Filters are on the side too..

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[petrolhead19]

It's raining today and meant to be tomorrow too, so don't think I'll get it done. Showing no rain for Sunday though.
Might give it a quick spray with fallout and jet wash and leave do it again Sunday then clay polish and seal.
Might try get my passenger wing sorted and on instead today.

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[petrolhead19]

I got the paintwork done today, I couldn't stand looking at it anymore with all the rust spots everywhere, didn't want to leave it any longer in case it totally fucked the paintwork.
So I emptied half a bottle of fallout remover all over the car, left it for 10 minutes to do its job and used a soft detailing brush to agitate it, jet washed it off then clay barred the whole car. I then machine polished and waxed so hopefully the wax will seal it in for now as due to me being in isolation I can't get anywhere to get some ceramic sealer.
I'll be giving it a full detail when I've finished it before I go for the MOT anyway so I'll do the same process but a 3 stage machine polish with ceramic sealer afterwards

The app isn't letting me upload any pictures, I'll get some up when it let's me lol

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[petrolhead19]

It's still not letting me upload any pictures for some reason.

But I got the rev counter working today, when I connected the green to green behind clocks the wires wrent touching lol, I use the heat shrink that has the solder in middle when I heated it up one of the wires moved so wasn't touching. All good now though.
Also put the gasket in for the sfi box so no air leaks and engine is running sweet.

Things left to do
Fit silicone hoses when they turn up from Roose
Need to find a passenger wing
Bleed brakes
Wheel refurb
New tyres
Repaint side skirts
Put ecu into car but need to find a big enough grommet first before I cut a hole

Then its done and ready for MOT

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[LEWI007]

Have you tried uploading one photo at a time on Tapatalk?

[petrolhead19]

Yeah just says upload failed

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[LEWI007]

Maybe try deleting and re installing the app

[petrolhead19]

I cleared the cache and data, here's the pics of cleaning the car.
I also added a 16v sticker to back lolhttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210125/0f7d847b2fad2af0cc20c62471dea54e.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210125/d37891728aec784e8f738ea6c2833af4.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210125/65a6c12cf8c8bcb642b8497cd167d90d.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210125/30dd301c595006a92fc908c63d3b975d.jpg

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[petrolhead19]

All my silicone hoses from Roose came today. Get then all fit this weekend and run the car upto temp make sure everything works fine and the fan kicks in etc

Getting close, I'm so excited lol.
Oh I also found a passenger wing rust free in Bristol which a friend has had one of his workers pick up for me......?50 bargain

So once the wing is on I can get the bumper and grill on.
I still need to bleed the brakes so I'll pick up some brake fluid on Saturday when I get some coolant and washer fluid https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210127/0c8ba6999360611881986ae8769409c1.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210127/269b0a9c474de042e4e1ad44b492e64b.jpg

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[torquey]

Nice hoses and good find on the wing looks to be in good shape.

[petrolhead19]

Yeah just has a small dent on it but should be able to get that done by someone local that does paintless dent removal https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210127/3c2dc2b7947d23746508ef6ca3803a65.jpg

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