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UPDATE
Here's the outcome of the fuel cap I painted the other day. I haven't flatted it just yet as the rattle can lacquer takes a week or so to go properly hard (excuse the bad pic)
https://images2.imgbox.com/46/2d/FysG0uDs_o.jpg
I have set myself some odd jobs to get done this week as I'm owed extra time off due to taking on more hours. I'm hoping to get these odd jobs sorted so that they are out the way and will allow me to concentrate on the important stuff.
On today's to-do list was the fuel tank. I knew there was a split/missing section of breather hose, the smaller 4mm ID hose but another reason was to inspect and make sure the floor was cushty and for the tank to get some lovin'.
Up went the back end on the drive-on ramps and under I went. I unhooked the handbrake cable from the handbrake rod, removed all the hoses connected to various places, the larger filler neck hose was a bit more of a pain. I though I'd removed the P-clip which hold the bottom of the filler neck but the bolt had seized and anymore force the bracket that holds it would bend a bit too much. Undid the tank straps and lowered the jack to lower the tank. The biggest ball ache was the filler neck breather which is situated right at the top of the tank. It's held on by a jubilee that locks into itself and is the tightest of squeezes to undo. My knuckles still hurt!
In the end, thanks to Mowgli's simple idea, I cut it off. Just as well really as it was funked beyond funked. Split 6 ways and literally fused to the tank. I'll be replacing the hose with some proper 11mm ID rubber fuel hose and will join it to the current breather hose a bit further up where it is in good condition.
Once removed I was left with this sight
https://images2.imgbox.com/77/85/U25DlRaD_o.jpg
https://images2.imgbox.com/9c/0c/seSMVJhM_o.jpg
A tiny bit of surface corrosion around the edges of the floor but still very solid. I was expecting a hidden nightmare but I was smiling when I saw it. Treated the small areas in question with some rust remedy and allowed it to properly work its way in. I'll be seam sealing the seams (duh) and either acid etching or zinc primer to the bare metal bits and I'll then stone chip it. I cleaned up the floor and got rid of the dust, dirt and cob webs.
Also need to find out how to remove the tank straps.
Next came tackling the tank. Here's how it came out.
https://images2.imgbox.com/3e/29/eVLPDtrk_o.jpg
https://images2.imgbox.com/b0/7f/L33UO2LI_o.jpg
This of course is the side which faces the road. The other side was clean a few little areas of corrosion but again everything else was solid. Plenty of Mr. Muscle Oven Cleaner and the trusty drill and wire brush attachment made shifting the crud was easy.
Letting Mr. Muscle do the job I hate
https://images2.imgbox.com/3b/41/RUmocS9V_o.jpg
Had to go over a few times to remove the waxoil type protection on the tank but it eventually came out. Then went over it with some 240 grit wet n dry and get it all evenly flat and then put some final rust remedy to the affected areas.
https://images2.imgbox.com/21/88/D6DwyWvO_o.jpg
I also seam sealed the joins of the tank to stop any moisture working away at it.
Then it got dark... Was at it since 12pm! Tomorrow will see the tank get primer and a coating. I've opted to go for Enamel black as it's hard wearing, easily wiped and easy to re-coat should I need to in the future.
I need a drink!
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Not sure on the bolts.
With the cap i would have masked off the lock.
But, its all coming on well.
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With the bolts the picture don't help, totally agree. I think picture with them used in the bay will give a better idea of the finish. I was thinking to mask the lock but I though I'd see how it looks all painted. Lock still works fine.
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UPDATE
So another lovely spring day and therefore no excuse to not do any work.
Started where I left off the tank. All the seam sealer had hardened and the rust remedy done its work properly. I popped to Halfords and got some Zinc Primer, and some more enamel paint as I had a can at home already. I also got some 4.8mm fuel hose to use as a breather and 32mm socket for the CV nut.
Got home and gave the tank one final rub down with a brillo pad to remove any grease and stuff that I had missed. I then hung it up on the line, let it dry and gave it a couple coats of Zinc primer. Just managed to cover all the bare metal with the can I got. Lucky I had 2 cans of enamel black.
As the primer dried
https://images2.imgbox.com/ff/b7/AugHSVyh_o.jpg
https://images2.imgbox.com/2c/b4/VymShDGv_o.jpg
Once it had hardened, I prepped it for some enamel paint
1st coat
https://images2.imgbox.com/ff/bf/RPExNmPs_o.jpg
https://images2.imgbox.com/0a/34/ymGtVDnH_o.jpg
and another
https://images2.imgbox.com/da/69/iqwCnu6j_o.jpg
I let that dry outside. I made sure the breather hose was the correct fit and it was perfect. The actual length of the breather hose is about 1.1 metres so I had to clean up the old breather and cut a good bit of section to join to the new one. The new hose is a bit thicker too but the clips on the tank were able to accommodate it. Found some 13mm fuel hose so I thought I'd try see if it fits the larger breather outlet (the original one I measured as 11mm). It fit nice and snug! Only thing is that I can't seem to see how the current breather is attached to the filer neck. It doesn't look like it'll come off... that can't be right can it? I must have seen wrong!
If it does come off like I imagine it does, I'll just replace the whole lot with this 13mm hose. I originally got it for the fuel pump as it has a 13mm connection but I won't need 1 metre of it so I can use a section of it for the breather.
The tank is in the garage hanging up hardening as it's nice and warm.
Tomorrow I'll most likely get the tank fitted back once I give the underside a good going over. And possibly get the pump mounted and plumbed it too... weather permitting!
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Is that not a carb tank? Won't you need an injection tank for the LET?
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If you want an internal swirl pot yes.
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UPDATE
The postman woke me up with some goodies I got from eBay on Monday
24 pre-cut sound deadening pads. These will be used for the underside of the roof skin. Originally the Nova has two large brown bread type padding which is glued to the skin but they just don't seem to stay glued to it. I've cleaned it up and re-glued the panel and tried re-sticking it but after a while it keeps dropping. So I decided that was it.
https://images2.imgbox.com/a1/b0/MVv29NxL_o.jpg
First up though was to treat the small area of surface corrosion that had started on the skin (Bad pic I know I was in the front seat taking a shot from the rear seat forwards )
https://images2.imgbox.com/19/5e/uQ80Hyo1_o.jpg
https://images2.imgbox.com/d3/31/zVkrYaDk_o.jpg
As you can see, it was minor. Rubbed it down, treated with rust remedy and left to work. In the mean time I decided to get cracking and stick the sound deadening pads down.
Before
https://images2.imgbox.com/49/dc/8nV2Ioon_o.jpg
Gave the panel a quick clean and wipe and he presto
After
https://images2.imgbox.com/0d/e5/R9LGBvZn_o.jpg
I then thought I'd have a look see how the breather hose was connected to the filler neck as I couldn't quite tell last time I had a quick peek. This time I realised that it was only clipped on. I didn't notice the clip due to the fresh underseal making everything look the same. Rolled the Nova out, removed the rear wheel and had a go at removing the breather. It literally twisted off as the hose was shot. Got out the 13mm hose and it was a great fit so I cut it to length and fitted that with a new jubilee clip. Looks so much fresher, sorry I didn't grab any photos, but I did get a photo of the manky old breather hose
https://images2.imgbox.com/c5/cf/iPn0rvRv_o.jpg
Now it was time for the gearbox. Those that remember way back in the thread, I found a small hole which was covered up. The hole looked like something exited from it. I had the hole welded over but I wanted to first see if there was anything dodgy and to also drain the oil out and fit a new gasket. This F20 has 10 bolts holding the sump plate in place IIRC some have 11? The oil looked quite fresh and clean so must've been changed just before the box was removed. It looked nice and clean inside too. I was expecting a bit more sludge and blackness and sh*t.
I did however see the following... must've been something to do with what caused the hole.
https://images2.imgbox.com/bf/0c/MNFDVsvP_o.jpg
A couple chipped teeth on the gear and the same on the speedo ring. Everything else looks ok. Wondering what to do about it though?
As is it now customary, I decided to paint the sump plate
Before
https://images2.imgbox.com/e6/67/lYXQUg3j_o.jpg
Rub down, clean, wipe and a few coats of enamel black
https://images2.imgbox.com/af/8a/merSPAUo_o.jpg
After
https://images2.imgbox.com/e3/3f/K5dpm57S_o.jpg
Tomorrow I plan to attack the small areas of corrosion and paint/protect the are before I fit the tank back, then mount the fuel pump, filter and damper and connect it to the tank and possibly run some wires to it.
Until then...
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where are you fitting the swirl pot? :)
