90 replies to this topic

[308 Sunbird]

If it wasnt for fords,most mechanics would have to close their doors.

[limo]

Good to hear... I'll have to drop in next time I'm in the hills...

will you be driving the PUURPAL car?
we all want to see it

[RIM-010]

One day mate, one day...

[limo]

well been a bit slow last couple of weeks
one of the mechanics pinched a nerve in his back, days off, light work. bloody old bugger
summer cold for me and of course workshop gets busy






had to cut and weld in sections to retain the shape
thought I could cut the front edge off, fold up a couple of pieces (double skin) and weld on
Naaah 2 bloody curves, from top middle back / down to left and right and a fold right across the front face
didn't want it falling apart so 4 bits cut shaped and bent to fit each side







then I thought the grill might be easy





dent out a smear of polly

[limo]

did a bit more body work but the heat wasn't helpful

 

 

stripped the outside of the doors,

inside will be rust repair then wet rub to paint

 

first bit but more hidden under the door seal

 

thought it would be easier to cut full section out at the bottom and fold new piece to fit

 

 

welded and ground back

notice area along the edge that was hidden

 

messed around with the diff as well

need to remove the pinion shaft as shown, how ever the locking bolt was broken and the main pin section stayed in place

so had to drill and grind the broken pieces to get shaft out

the shaft out I can remove the axles so I can get them restudded for 6 stud pattern

 

this shaft had quite a lot of wear so replacing it

worked out the rear disk brakes for the diff as well

Ford ED brackets (modified) and calipers, this gives me a hand brake on the caliper. easier the internal shoes I thought

the disks are Nissan Pathfinder, vented 308 mm

pics once the axles come back with new studs, they are Pajero

 

[limo]

work seems to getting slower, had to do a few jobs on my GTR that were annoying me

also a lot of work like brake brackets/rotors take time but don't show much done

 

tidied up bonnet ready to fit and paint

 

thought I would give the grill a bit of character, usually just all same colour as body

 

 

 

this door is waiting on bailey channel, the window reg was siezed with rust and glass jamming on bailey

bloody metal strip on bottom of glass came of so had to refit, good stuff sicaflex

 

 

going back together

 

the easiest door I have fitted, even thought it is quite heavy

[limo]

going back together, 2 drs now and I fitted bonnet and grill to check alignment and gaps after my cutting/welding and panel bashing

good enough for a Bedford

 

 

then I started the bit I hate most, rubbing down with wet n dry

 

almost done, I will clean it off tomorrow, hope it's good and maybe paint

[limo]

finally did some spraying, had to replace compressor motor

collected all left over silver colours and mixed to use as base coat and check finish on sat

then scuffed back wit 600 and painted with Sable Metallic

not real happy, 3 small runs to fix before I rub back and coat again then top with clear

not sure I like the colour now, only used it as was a wrong match supplied and been sitting on shelf for 4 yrs

thought it would be darker

options, paint roof white to contrast

            black out around wheel arches

            black out around door windows

            SLR type stripe

            GTR type bottom black out

 

 

happy with front brakes though

BEFORE

 

 

AFTER

 

 

still have work out connection to  brake line

 

weight difference almost 5 k gm, before 21.6 after 16.7

[limo]

finished olive harvest couple weeks back, built sheep race last week but still have to prune, spray weeds and plough

while running business

but managed bit on Bedford last week end and today

starting to look like truck again

[limo]

I have a little problem with radiator,

 

looks OK from here, Ford V8 one I had laying around

 

 

not much clearance due to extra pulley grooves on injected motor, even with standard Holden 6 radiator there is not enough room for fan as it needs a spacer so blades don't hit bottom pulley

thinking of making fibreglass shroud ducting down with electric fans, can't put them behind the radiator as the power steer pump, air con and alternator will all be in way

[limo]

I moved the engine back between the seats in the Bedford van I had - plenty of room then for a radiator - plus it gives better leg room in the cab

looked at that but then need to mod engine cover and engine mounts

how far back?

how did you do the 2 side engine mounts?

reposition posts on cross member or extension bracket?

[limo]

I think I have it figured

the engine mounts are welded at front of cross member and bend forward, they are a triangular post, wider at bottom

so if I cut them off and swap sides, put left on right etc

and weld at back of cross member they will lean back

then with the width of the crossmember and the leaning of mount it should move engine back about 180 mm

that should be plenty to fit stuff at front

the cross member for gear box has a selection of holes and I can just move that back to a suitable set

will get some pics on week end when I start

I am hoping I don't have to take motor and box out, just move side ways, not likely though