View Full Version : benjis rebuild - quick update
i started work on the car today, it's having among other things a full respray. I also hope to get a plate kit, a quik rack, modify the chasis leg for a 2.0 16v to fit, and i might be moving the mounting points for the rear suspension so i can lower it more and also have plenty of clearance for wide tyres.
i started at 12.00 today and finished at 8.00pm. so far i have removed the roll cage, stripped out everything from the interior apart from the dash. removed all the windows including the front, removed the bumpers, doors, wings, tailgate and bonnet. disconnected all the wiring loom in the engine and from the rear lights. removed a few bits in the engine bay and got it ready to take the engine out tomorrow.
i've started cleaning up the front wheel arches to see how much rust i can find. tomorrow i will get some better pic's, then take out the dash and the engine.
damage caused so far is,
to myself: just a blood blister on my finger from hitting it with a hammer when removing the door hinge pins,
to the car: i managed to smash the front screen while trying to take it out
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/bencurry/Rebuild/PICT0001.JPG http://homepage.ntlworld.com/bencurry/Rebuild/PICT0003.JPG
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/bencurry/Rebuild/PICT0010.JPG
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/bencurry/Rebuild/PICT0005.JPG
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/bencurry/Rebuild/PICT0006.JPG
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/bencurry/Rebuild/PICT0007.JPG
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/bencurry/Rebuild/PICT0008.JPG
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/bencurry/Rebuild/PICT0009.JPG
Philsutton
23-04-05, 10:07 PM
certainly stripped it all down, when youh hoping to have it done?
ultra light 8)
go on, stick a bucket seat in and take it for a spin :lol:
WOW Benji you've made good progress!
Your car looks mean in this piccy.
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/bencurry/Rebuild/PICT0005.JPG
I mashed my hand on friday whilst jacking up the Mk1 Escort, the pole came out and I punched the floor. Im glad im not the only one who keeps hurting themselves :wink:
i hurt myself all the time when working on my car lol, you've certainly been busy, what colour are you respraying it, or is it a secret lol
lol - get this as a sticky (cant wait to start work on my car so I can expend my big garage post in styling).
Post a guide/pics on removing your dash - thats the bif I need to do but aint too sure how.
Ade
:wink:
i'm gonna take a claw hammer to it. and i don't think it will be going back
has anyone got any pic's of the HH plate kit fitted (scott?) and of the alternator cut out(scott again?) i am also after info about what people have done about the rear wiring loom when stripped out? how has everyone run it.
ANDYRACER
24-04-05, 12:38 AM
So is it now going to be a 1.4 or a 2.0 16v?
ANDYRACER
24-04-05, 12:54 AM
Good there's to many 2.0 16valves.
Looks good matey, glad you managed to get the doors off. I had to put to put the phone down due to the rozzers. I have some pics of the alternator cut out on the chassis leg, if you text me tomoz to remind me to put them up (they are on my machine at home lol). If you need a hand with owt just give us a shout
Chris
i borrowed a mates dor pin kit in the end. i'll text youlater to remind you about them pics
Snowface
24-04-05, 09:44 AM
looking good. Gonna be even better than before.
Does this respray mean your going to have to remove the bump strips? :lol:
Or are you putting them back on after.
bump strips are coming off. i am after a gte bumper for the bace and i'm not sure about the front, i don't think the old one will suit the new colour, i will probably go for the sr one. in black.
actually i have a black gte up the road, i might borrow the bumpers off that.
i'm going back out there in a min. off to costco first to get some tools and hand cleaner.
MARTIN KELSON
24-04-05, 10:26 AM
Brings back memories that does seeing car in that state. Glad mines all back in one piece again.
The rear wireing i ran it all inside the drivers side sill. It comes out then behind the rear panels and you cant see any of it. I taped it to some welding rod and just pulled it through.
So when are you hopeing to get it done by?
Adam Moran
24-04-05, 10:39 AM
Looking really good so far Ben :wink: Shell looks pretty clean too :D
Keep the pics coming!
it will be done by pvs. and if i get a place on the pvg trackday it will have to be done by then.
arn't the sills plated over at the ends??
nathan.
24-04-05, 11:49 AM
fooking hell, you don't mess about. :o
you booked curbrough? it's open now
nathan.
24-04-05, 12:03 PM
yeah mate. Im there. and my mate carl (corsa)
got to get your car ready now!
just had a email from them.
Thank you. Your place is booked.
Matt.
arn't the sills plated over at the ends??i dont think they are as i ran the wiring this way and i dont remember taking a drill to it
Adam Moran
24-04-05, 05:55 PM
cant you just leave it where it is :? mines striped out and i dont remember the wiring being visable or in the way..... mind you i havent looked at my car for months lol
Yeah you can thread is straight alone the sill, and across the box section on the front panel form the fuse box too.
Engine out now?? :)
Col_Mk1
24-04-05, 07:54 PM
luking good
quick update, engine is out, box is out, dash is out, all the wiring is out. and i've beenout buying some goodies
How many of the panels on that car are originals ?
looks in stunning condition, especially for it's age !
quick update, engine is out, box is out, dash is out, all the wiring is out. and i've beenout buying some goodies
You don't hang about do ya, if it was me i would still be thinking of where to start by now :lol:
the only new panels are the front panel and the front passenger side wing. and it's a b reg 20 years old
god damn thats quick progress, looks in really good condition....
:o bloody hell i go away for a night and benji strips his car lol
looks good though mate and will be worth it in the long run :lol:
Day 2
i got up at 9.30 and went to costco to get some hand cleaner. a big tub of swarfeger for ?7. bargin.
got back at 11.30 and logged onto pvg site to book the curbrough trackday. i also spotted some slicks for sale on mig so i emailed him and luckly he was in derby this afternoon.
i started on the car at around 1.00, by 3.00 the engine and dashboard was out. i went up to the MIG club meeting to pick up my slicks (2nd bargin of the day) i stayed up there for around half a hour and by 4.00 i was back on the car again. next to come out was all the wiring loom, and then the gear box.
once that was out the way i started getting all the seam sealer off the iner wings to check for rust. i found a bit but nothing major it will all get sorted. at the moment the car is sat on it's wheels still as i need to be able to move it around, the sooner i can get it on some stands the better.
ok heres the pic's
the car how it was this morning,
http://www.trackdaynova.co.uk/images/rebuild/day2/day2%20(2).JPG
http://www.trackdaynova.co.uk/images/rebuild/day2/day2%20(6).JPG
http://www.trackdaynova.co.uk/images/rebuild/day2/day2%20(7).JPG
the bloke over the roads porsche 911 carrera.
http://www.trackdaynova.co.uk/images/rebuild/day2/day2%20(4).JPG
the engine coming out,
http://www.trackdaynova.co.uk/images/rebuild/day2/day2%20(14).JPG
it's out :)
http://www.trackdaynova.co.uk/images/rebuild/day2/day2%20(16).JPG
dashboard removal guide, just for ade.
start by removing the steering wheel, i have a snap off one so this was easy
http://www.trackdaynova.co.uk/images/rebuild/day2/day2%20(18).JPG
then use a screwdriver to get the dials out, this is easier if the speedo cable has been disconnected from the gear box.
http://www.trackdaynova.co.uk/images/rebuild/day2/day2%20(20).JPG
next out is the glovebox, 2 screws at the bottom, 2 screws inside at the top and 1 8mm bolt on the right hand side in the box.
after this i removed the stereo and then the heater controls, these come out again with 2 screws at the bottom and 2 at the top which need the vents moving to get to them.
http://www.trackdaynova.co.uk/images/rebuild/day2/day2%20(22).JPG
behind the front heater panel is the holder for the sliding controls, this has 1 screw at the top(might be the bottom) and a it will pull out, the cables come off it by turing them to line them up with the slots.
next to come off is the steering coloum surround, this has 4 screws in the bottom of it, you will need a narrow screw driver to get up the holes. once undone the bottom will fall away but the top half needs some gentle persuasion to come out. now it should look like this
http://www.trackdaynova.co.uk/images/rebuild/day2/day2%20(24).JPG
to get the actuall dash out there is a screw on either side of it, you will need the doors open to get to them, and there are 3 10mm nuts, 2 in the glovebox hole and one behind the dials. and 2 screws where the ashtray was.
then you just have a load of wires to play with
http://www.trackdaynova.co.uk/images/rebuild/day2/day2%20(25).JPG
and out they came
http://www.trackdaynova.co.uk/images/rebuild/day2/day2%20(35).JPG
a couple from the mig meet.
http://www.trackdaynova.co.uk/images/rebuild/day2/day2%20(26).JPG
http://www.trackdaynova.co.uk/images/rebuild/day2/day2%20(27).JPG
my new slicks and wheels, not bad for ?125
http://www.trackdaynova.co.uk/images/rebuild/day2/day2%20(29).JPG
the rust i found.
http://www.trackdaynova.co.uk/images/rebuild/day2/day2%20(31).JPG
http://www.trackdaynova.co.uk/images/rebuild/day2/day2%20(32).JPG
and one last shot of the bay
http://www.trackdaynova.co.uk/images/rebuild/day2/day2%20(37).JPG
todays damage is a cut finger, i don't even know how did it. one second i was fine, the next i was bleeding. the car didn't get battered today, nuless dropping the gear box counts?
looks really good for its age bud :lol:
the only new panels are the front panel and the front passenger side wing. and it's a b reg 20 years old
Christ, that is good..
I'd say it's pretty much in a similar condition to mine, mine just needs a new lower front panel (rott wise) and my battery tray aquired a hole unfortunatly !
but then again mines a good 5 years newer !
quite amazing for a B reg car really
ANDYRACER
24-04-05, 10:48 PM
Whers that rust benji is it the inner wing?
battery tray, right in the corner on the inner wing
Awesome work 8)
Is that rust whole in the base of the floor just before the step for the back seats??
Keep the pace up :)
ANDYRACER
24-04-05, 11:00 PM
ahh right not to bad then the battery trays are always going on novas another one of vauxhalls design faults.
I must have missed something? How come you've stripped it?
Jim
elsey197
25-04-05, 01:05 PM
The answer is in the thread title Jim, he is doing a rebuild including a respray.
Shell looks really clean Ben
Nice one Benji, already looking forward to seeing it finished :)
The answer is in the thread title Jim, he is doing a rebuild including a respray.
Shell looks really clean Ben
Yes I figured that, but I was wondering what the reason was, i.e, re-shell due to rust, fancied a colour change, etc.
Jim
Wow, nice one!
What are you going to do with your old alloys though?
paulwar
25-04-05, 02:59 PM
Just drop the engine back in. Drop the drivers seat back in. Drop a H frame in and take it banger racing :D
best place for a stripped car. :D
To all you nova lovers.
I'm joking :)
The answer is in the thread title Jim, he is doing a rebuild including a respray.
Shell looks really clean Ben
Yes I figured that, but I was wondering what the reason was, i.e, re-shell due to rust, fancied a colour change, etc.
Jim
he'd not re-shelling it jim (well i don't think he is)
I wouldn't mind the facilities and time to beable to strip mine and rebuild it. I guess it's just a thing that is good to do (sort out some rust e.t.c)
jim, it's having a respray. and if you are gonna do somthing theres no point doing it by halfs, i've done it that way too many times and it's end up costing more in the long run.
it's having new rear 1/4's and will get welded up all around. then a full respray. i'm 90% sure on the colour and it will be a full change.
Looks like you have made some good progress :D
Be interesting to see what colour you go for :D
it's a shame in one way, as it's a stunning condition original !
but then again, at least it's getting some serious TLC to keep it mint.
karl Rowntree
25-04-05, 10:15 PM
Didnt see that coming Benji!
Looks like you have made good progress allready mate, and congrats on having a rust free shell! You have saved yourself thousands :lol:
Look forward to seeing the progress mate, i am sure it will be a mint track day warrior.
Just out of intrest would you be intrested in a front mounted alternator like mine? Just that i am thinking of sourcing a supplier and making up kits myself. Would save you having to mod the leg.
Karl
cheers for the dash post!
8)
however mines a mk2 - but I dont see there being that much of a difference...screws wise...
Shell looks v clean for age - keep it up!
Did you paint/cover/flock that dash yourself Benji? How did you do it?
the dash is brown. if you want it come and get it before it goes in
the bin
progress has been slow this week mainly due to theweather, and because i have struggled with what space i have. but there will be some BIG updates after the weekend, i am gonna be doing somthing pretty mad. i can't actuall belive i am considering it. but it has to be done :D
progress has been slow this weather, andbecause i have struggled with what space i have. but there will be some BIG updates after the weekend, i am gonna be doing somthing pretty mad. i can't actuall belive i am considering it. but it has to be done :D
Hmmmm, something mad.
Can you give us a clue? :lol:
shy witness
29-04-05, 09:55 PM
the proper way 2 do a nova...........................
if only i had the time and motivation :oops: :oops:
OK the big change of plan is, i might be putting the engine in the back. a mate came round last night and thinks a 2.0l or a v6 in the back is the way to go. the only thing holding me back is that i know my car works the way it is and i don't want to mess it up. so as soon as this one is done i will be getting another nova to make RWD.
this weekwen i am going to steam ahead with the red one and get it all done in time for the end of may, them work will start on the black gte i have up the road.
Adam Moran
30-04-05, 10:36 AM
Sounds like a plan Ben :wink:
NovaloadedAgain
30-04-05, 04:26 PM
Sounds really good that idea mate hmm RWD!
Matt Nova
30-04-05, 05:07 PM
I'd put this one back to how it was mate in honest keep it fwd
you trackday it all the time so you'd have to get used to the handling all over again
make the black GTE RWD
and she is very solid for a 20 year old car my old K reg had more rot than yours
NovaloadedAgain
30-04-05, 05:12 PM
I heard before the metal used on the mark 1's is stronger & doesnt rust as much compared tp the cheaper metal on the mark 2's.
When I put my headlights on the other day-I too noticed the car has a little bit of rot-More then my F-reg did.
Benji's definately got a decent Nova.
ANDYRACER
01-05-05, 01:02 AM
Benji you mad bastard. I would seriously leave the red one fwd and a 1.4 thats what makes your car so cool. The rwd gte sounds like one hell of a task, but would be worth it.
this week i didn't get alot done on the car, i bought some stuff for it though.
a stand for my engine
http://www.trackdaynova.co.uk/Rebuild/day3-4+5/PICT0001.JPG
a few wire wheels for the angle grinder
http://www.trackdaynova.co.uk/Rebuild/day3-4+5/PICT0004.JPG
i also bought some long reach 1/2" drive sockets, a magnetic dish, and a set of 3 tonne axle stands.
i finished stripping the car
http://www.trackdaynova.co.uk/Rebuild/day6+7+8/DSCN0581.JPG
http://www.trackdaynova.co.uk/Rebuild/day6+7+8/DSCN0594.JPG
and started cleaning up the seams ready for welding.
http://www.trackdaynova.co.uk/Rebuild/day6+7+8/DSCN0587.JPG
i've even had the welder out and done a bit,
http://www.trackdaynova.co.uk/Rebuild/day3-4+5/PICT0003.JPG
http://www.trackdaynova.co.uk/Rebuild/day6+7+8/DSCN0577.JPG
i also went to stoke to pick up scott parkers old 1600 engine from andy and karl. mint or what, lol
http://www.trackdaynova.co.uk/Rebuild/day6+7+8/DSCN0582.JPG
http://www.trackdaynova.co.uk/Rebuild/day6+7+8/DSCN0583.JPG
http://www.trackdaynova.co.uk/Rebuild/day6+7+8/DSCN0585.JPG
i only actually need the gearbox to fit my 4.18 fd in it
http://www.trackdaynova.co.uk/Rebuild/day6+7+8/DSCN0586.JPG
i've also been to a mates house to fit a 1.7 puma engine in his fiesta zetec s, it's also running 100 bhp wizards nitrous kit. should be good when it's all set up.
and today i spent all day getting the underseal off the wheel arches
http://www.trackdaynova.co.uk/Rebuild/day6+7+8/DSCN0591.JPG
http://www.trackdaynova.co.uk/Rebuild/day6+7+8/DSCN0592.JPG
tomorrow i will do some more welding and have a go at making a plate kit. anyone know how thick the H/H kit is?
http://www.trackdaynova.co.uk/Rebuild/day6+7+8/DSCN0585.JPG
i only actually need the gearbox to fit my 4.18 fd in it
If the engine get's junked, feel free to send the TPS in the post so I can test to see if mine's knackered before I fork out ?40 on something I might not need!! :lol:
looks like you made some good progress anyway ben :lol: keep it up
scott.parker
02-05-05, 01:38 AM
LMAO @ my old engine :lol:
The por thing has been stod around for a year almost now,never new mould could grow on metal :? :P
Scott
Snowface
02-05-05, 10:34 AM
Cool. So all this work is for the Merit? When you starting the GTE project :)
gte will be done later in the year, and this ones a swing
mikey14sr
02-05-05, 10:53 AM
I think the plating kit is just the same thickness as the rest of the car, about 1.2-1.5mm? Even just using 1.2mm you're going to be doubling the thickness of the metal in the relevent places, this should be more than enough for a well tuned 1400 like yours.
just a quick update. my rear turrets are tacked in, i am going to get the beam in place and make sure everything lines up ok before i weld up properly.
i have started painting, theengine bay is half done. hopefully the interior will be done by the end of the weekend.
i've ordered a quikrack, that will be here on tuesday and i am trying to getsome solid engine mounts aswell. if i can't get any by tuesday then i will be putting the old ones back in because i am refitting the engineon tuesday night.
i only have one good pic of the colour, all the others looked white
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/bencurry/paint.JPG
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/bencurry/turrets.JPG
nice progress mate, can't wait to see this one finished
Adam Moran
14-05-05, 02:47 PM
Cat beleave how quick you work Ben :o
Your mrs must be well pissed off by now lol
Good work buddy :wink:
what is the need for the turrets. i thught you were running avo coiovers which fit anyway. or are yuo doing it to mount the shock higer up for suspension travel
at the mo i am using 195/45/15 tyres on 6.5" wheels and they need 5mm spacers to clear the coilovers, so when i fit slicks they will need even more space. what i have done is move the whole coilover in towards the car by around a inch, and at the same time i have raised the mounting poitn by around a inch aswell. this should allow me to get it dead low with wide tyres and no rubbing, the rear 1/4's are being fitted in the week and i will get them pulled out slightly and all the lip at the bottom of the arch will be cut off
Matt Nova
14-05-05, 06:47 PM
very nice progress mate
while you are having the rear arches fitted get them to tub up the inner arches so you will have even more space for the wheels. my mate who owns a body shop does it all the time and it gives you soo much mroe room. MK2 escort style and you would never know the difference from the outside
ANDYRACER
15-05-05, 12:41 AM
Whats the colour called? Is it like ford olympic blue? Looks good though but did perfer it when it was red.
how do i do that?
when they cut the outer skin off you will be left with the inner arch facing you. if you cut this inwards towards the car in several slits you can bend it up level with the highest point of the inner arch. then weld the slits up again. ill try to get some pics of it for you,
i think i get ya, basically you are making more room for the outside top corner of the tyre, i might do thid tomorow while i have the arches off
deffo worth it mate. makes loads more room and will help prevent rust as there is no second skin for it to get between
Austin_Nova16
15-05-05, 11:41 AM
That colour if f**kin great! Its gunna look so sweet when its out!
Why not get some strut top plates for the front while your there. They're only ?4.50 each from HH.
Top job anyway! The turrets look like they're coming on nicely!
cheers mate. the sturut tops were considered, it's not the cost thats the problem, it's the time it takes to get them delivered
Austin_Nova16
15-05-05, 12:01 PM
On a time budget then! Can't wait to see that colour though. Pastal Blues are awsome. Good luck with the rest!
On a time budget then!
you could say that, i have a track day next tuesday.
scott.parker
15-05-05, 04:16 PM
Nice one mate going well i see :wink:
Shell be nice to see it when its all done mate.
Scott
looks spot on benji.
you dont waste any time do you!
On a time budget then!
you could say that, i have a track day next tuesday. :o good luck is all i can say
elsey197
15-05-05, 07:19 PM
That is an awesome colour benji, will look excellent with grey bumpers too
not sure if the bumpers are gonna be grey or black. i think black will be too much of a contrast. not sure yet
scott.parker
15-05-05, 07:41 PM
Thought of painting them another shade of blue? matalic like christ t's old shell or something?
Scott
elsey197
15-05-05, 08:26 PM
Thought of painting them another shade of blue? matalic like christ t's old shell or something?
Scott
That would look pap! lol
Nice dark grey would look stunning
NovaloadedAgain
15-05-05, 08:51 PM
Coming on nicely mate, Good luck with getting it done in that short amount of time. :wink:
elsey197
22-05-05, 12:52 PM
Any more update pics fella?
Any more update pics fella?
was going to ask the same. must be moving on now as your trackday is coming up isnt it benji
scott.parker
22-05-05, 02:16 PM
Any more update pics fella?
was going to ask the same. must be moving on now as your trackday is coming up isnt it benji
Yeah he's taking it easy and not rushing mate,i read on pvg he is putting the AVO's on his GTE and the willwoods,so it will be a standard GTE on coilovers and big four pots,i recon he might be quite spprised how good it will feel.
Scott
mikey14sr
22-05-05, 03:32 PM
any more pics for us benji?
as scott said i am now gonna be using the gte for curborough. i do have some update pic's and i'll get them up in a bit. main ones being the rear 1/4's have been cut to shape and are currently held on with clamps ready for welding. i've painted the bonnet. and the rear turrets are done, although i have now fitted the wheels and suspension t the gte so it is backon the stands again at the mo.
the other big update is that i'm pretty sure i'm gonna mk2 it. i didn't really want to but i know how good the colour will look with a gsi kit , so before anyone starts moaning about keeping it mk1, save it i'm not interested.
scott.parker
22-05-05, 06:27 PM
the other big update is that i'm pretty sure i'm gonna mk2 it. i didn't really want to but i know how good the colour will look with a gsi kit , so before anyone starts moaning about keeping it mk1, save it i'm not interested.
Yes you have joined the dark side :twisted: lol nice idea mate i think your right it will look better,as you have gone to so much trouble i dont think it would quite have the same efect if you could see the bottom of the valence under the mk1 bumper in the paint color you chose,shell look very nice mate carnt wait to see it now..
Scott
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