spunkymonkey
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Post by spunkymonkey on Mar 22, 2011 12:10:26 GMT
I know, John, she really was quite a find and well worth the "will we, won't we get her" doubts for a year! In a way I'm a little disappointed that she hasn't needed a little creative metalwork to test my skills but she's made up for that on some of the mechanical stuff I guess
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33grinder
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Post by 33grinder on Mar 22, 2011 13:50:02 GMT
In a way I'm a little disappointed that she hasn't needed a little creative metalwork to test my skills but she's made up for that on some of the mechanical stuff I guess I'm sure Betty (and perhaps even Isabelle) will give you that opportunity Joe - be careful what you wish for!
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spunkymonkey
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Post by spunkymonkey on Mar 22, 2011 19:21:21 GMT
I couldn't wait that long Pete ;D Went down today to do the boot lid and doors. The boot lid was a pain - only surface rust, so the old routine of flap wheel and Kurust but it's such an awkward (if cute) shape and the little worm-tracks were all over the place! No photos of that cos there are only so many photos of blackened paint I can post and anyway, there's lots to follow for the driver's door I'd originally planned to try and patch it then, when Isabel became parts, it seemed to make sense to just swap cos her driver's one is good. But she's very hard to get to at the moment and, anyway, I'd been complaining about the lack of creative metalwork. So I got creative. We have the doors off John Jenk's spares car here and the driver's one was pretty bad along the bottom edge but fine further up. So I marked a strip: and cut it out: which gave me a piece of metal like this: Remembering to allow a 1/2 inch overlap at the bottom, the line was then marked on Tilly's driver's door: and cut to remove the damaged edge: That allowed the new metal to be tapped up into place, using the side folds to locate it: and a thin cutting disk run down the joint: so the two pieces match: A little paint removal later and the two pieces could be spot welded together in a few places: and a start made on forming the bottom fold: Once it was folded to about 90 degrees with pliers (using the edge of the door frame as a guide): and then continue with hammers and dollies (couldn't hold the dolly and camera at the same time ) until it was all nice, tight and straight: Then it got some more weld - not a full seam because of the risk of distortion: followed by more Kurust along the join and, when that had dried, a first skim of filler: It's been left like that overnight for the filler to harden and will need another layer to bring it up flush but the maximum thickness is going to be about 3mm which I don't think is excessive. As for distortion along the panel (one of the worries with this sort of job), from the reflection it looks like it's been successfully avoided
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spunkymonkey
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Post by spunkymonkey on Mar 22, 2011 20:10:45 GMT
Just had some bonus good news - Matilda's DVLA record has been reactivated so (hopefully) a V5 should be on it's way shortly! Seems she was last due to be taxed 1st May 1978, although she was only kept road legal "just in case" for a few years before that according to the previous owner. So that's at least 33 years that she's been dormant, time to wake her up I think Will have to get that tax group changed though....... The enquiry is complete The vehicle details for YTJ 551D are: Date of Liability 01 05 1978 Date of First Registration 16 11 1966 Year of Manufacture 1966 Cylinder Capacity (cc) 750CC CO2 Emissions Not Available Fuel Type Petrol Export Marker Not Applicable Vehicle Status Unlicensed Vehicle Colour RED Vehicle Type Approval Vehicle Excise Duty Rate for vehicle 6 Months Rate £68.75 12 Months Rate £125.00
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spunkymonkey
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Post by spunkymonkey on Mar 23, 2011 0:00:43 GMT
Thanks John It was very tempting to use Isabel's door but I hate replacing when repair is possible - it's bad for the inventory y'know The paperwork is a relief, I was getting worried that she might be ready for road before it got sorted out but hopefully now they've reactivated her record it should be fairly straightforward and just a case of waiting for their normal snail-like service!
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spunkymonkey
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Post by spunkymonkey on Mar 23, 2011 22:24:03 GMT
We'll see, Mac. Hopefully they'll get it right this time - apart from the fact it would presumably be more efficient to update the tax group when reactivating on an eligible car rather than send out a V5 and have it returned to them immediately for the change! Anyway, with the prospect of paperwork and all that makes possible a little closer, I couldn't afford to hang around today. Unfortunately, couldn't dedicate the whole day to her but in the 3 hours or so that I could spare, the door got it's second layer of filler. Just about level now and the edges are starting to blend in a believable way): And I went to town with the landlord's DA, my new sanding discs, and some etch primer, feathering and etching the bits that had been rust treated: That leaves the door filling to finish, both doors to give the Kurust and etch primer treatment to, then it's check & fill defects and proper primer time. All being well I should be spending Saturday flatting primer ready for the top coat
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kenr
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Post by kenr on Mar 23, 2011 23:17:55 GMT
Try some of that filler primer (the yellow stuff) and a matt black light dusting as a guide coat. It does make a difference when sanding down for that top coat. Cracking work Joe.
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spunkymonkey
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Post by spunkymonkey on Mar 23, 2011 23:25:37 GMT
As a quick follow-up to the news that DVLA have reactivated her record: her last road tax expired on 31st March 1978. Now, for those who don't know me, this is me a few weeks ago after crawling out from under her floor-pan: Out of curiosity, I did a quick search online. Couldn't find 1978 but in 1976 (near enough to when she was last on road) I was (somewhere) in this photo! Has it really been that long? ;D
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spunkymonkey
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Post by spunkymonkey on Mar 23, 2011 23:49:42 GMT
Centre row yes, centre no - that's Bevan Mitchie you're thinking of. Pretty good friend and used to go fishing with him & his dad Amazingly, I can remember at least nine other names to go with faces including (not quite so amazingly) the 5 girls across the middle of the front row
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Post by veeruk on Mar 24, 2011 5:33:24 GMT
Centre row, second from the left ;D
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stefan
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Post by stefan on Mar 24, 2011 7:39:52 GMT
I thought that too Alex
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spunkymonkey
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Post by spunkymonkey on Mar 24, 2011 11:57:15 GMT
Which left? ;D
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spunkymonkey
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Post by spunkymonkey on Mar 24, 2011 23:25:54 GMT
But I was in the photo, so my left might be different
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pauldaf44
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Post by pauldaf44 on Mar 25, 2011 17:34:14 GMT
i reckon he is second from the right looking from the front actually
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spunkymonkey
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Post by spunkymonkey on Mar 25, 2011 19:07:38 GMT
Well, both of the last two posts are right......
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Post by spunkymonkey on Mar 26, 2011 22:26:11 GMT
Saturday night is Update Night First a little detail job that I did yesterday just to see how it worked. John had very kindly sent a pair of 32 pattern side vent covers over a few months ago which have been sitting on my desk waiting to be needed. One of the odd things with these is that, while many things are better quality and finish than on the 33s, these vents are chromed plastic instead of the stainless steel used later. Obviously, the finish had suffered over the years so I gave them a brush up and a spray of chrome paint: That will be left to harden out as thoroughly as possible while the rest is finished and then given a coat of clear lacquer. Last time I tried that the "chrome" turned dull grey when the lacquer hit it but hopefully giving plenty of drying time will prevent that. If not, dull even grey will be ok Meanwhile, work has carried on with the driver's door, which ended up like this by the time I was happy with the filler*: at which point I started on the passenger one: While doing this one I noticed something that likely explains the slightly wrong paint colour. I accidentally flatted down through an area of sound paint and found that the respray has been done over white primer. Under that is the original (slightly darker) finish which has been applied on red primer. Now, red paint tends to be slightly transparent so the lighter primer is going to lighten the final colour unless a lot of coats are applied. Only, I don't have enough paint for lots of coats and the only primer I have is white. So it was time to pay a visit ot the polybush room. The mix for the bushes is coloured using liquid pigment and one of the colours he does is red. An experiment was in order. Colour some primer: and spray on the not-quite-completed passenger door. I knew there was more prep to be done on this one, so rubbing the primer off if it was a fail wouldn't matter too much: Left that to dry overnight last night and today it was a nice, hard, definitely sand-able surface that seemed to have stuck like glue. So happy with that, and carry on with the prep. Eventually, by about mid-afternoon today, I was ready to do this: and this: It's not quite red primer, but it should be a lot easier to cover than white. In fact, I think it quite suits her....... It also gave a chance to get a final idea of how the door repairs have shaped up. Can't be 100% sure till the shiny stuff goes on but a lot of problems get shown up by primer - can't see any of them here So, tomorrow is fine flatting over the whole car (mind-numbing but worth it) and Monday should be topcoat day. That makes "finished by the 1st" unlikely with the amount of reassembly needed but it shouldn't be too far off * yes, I am kidding there
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spunkymonkey
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Post by spunkymonkey on Mar 26, 2011 23:19:17 GMT
;D Don't worry, John, she will NOT be staying pink (although it did come out quite a fetching shade )
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spunkymonkey
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Post by spunkymonkey on Mar 27, 2011 11:29:20 GMT
Lunch break, and a slightly unhappy teddy today (though not as unhappy as I would have been in 6 months or so!)
You see, I have a confession to make about the priming - as the ex manager of a dealer's bodywork dept the landlord really wanted to play, so I left him to do the priming while I was busy elsewhere. The only thing is, he was meant to be priming over the existing etch primer and the inch or two of keyed paint around it, not over large areas of unkeyed gloss red. So, I start flatting this morning and large area of primer peel off from the gloss that they didn't have a hope in hell of sticking to!!!!
Luckily I found it today, so can rub back, key and re-prime. That probably means I won't be getting to topcoat tomorrow - which is annoying to say the least - but at least it means that we won't have paint coming off in flakes in a few months time.
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spunkymonkey
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Post by spunkymonkey on Mar 27, 2011 17:37:07 GMT
Having got over my lunchtime hissy fit, I rubbed and scrubbed and exposed metal in several places which needed to be re-primed. Obviously, that meant setting up the spray kit again and the new primer couldn't be flatted till it's properly dry so (rather than waste setting up the gun) I treated myself to a little door painting. I've been dying to know how the colour would come out and here's the answer - top edge is new, the bit going down is original from the factory: It's not easy to convince my digital camera to get an accurate shade of this red for some reason, but this is pretty close to what it looks like by eye (at least on the camera itself and my laptop screen it is!): And this is the completed driver's door. It's not perfect and the paint has bloomed slightly but that's what you get for spraying in an unheated room on Anglesey in March. Happy that it'll polish up ok though
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33grinder
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Post by 33grinder on Mar 27, 2011 21:28:32 GMT
Great stuff Joe. It's a shame you don't have a portable gas heaters, would be ideal for heating individual panels plus the added benefit of a warm and comfortable workshop will only highten your enjoyment of the task.
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kenr
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Post by kenr on Mar 27, 2011 21:36:43 GMT
Looking good mate. Slow down yer sod!
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Post by Patrick on Mar 27, 2011 21:49:19 GMT
Lovely. Made me think of Strawberries and Cream. Rather obscure I know, thought I'd 'share' anyway
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spunkymonkey
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Post by spunkymonkey on Mar 28, 2011 19:52:04 GMT
Can't slow down now, Ken ;D First off for today's update , took the door I sprayed yesterday out into the sunshine to get a look at the "real" real colour. I'm more than happy with this Although I was a little disappointed at the level of bloom. But that could be sorted later this evening. Please do not adjust your screens, normal picture will resume shortly (in full colour)... Yes, the atmosphere really does get that thick when you're spraying without forced ventilation for the room! Still, the results were worth poisoning myself for. We have a driver's door with an extra coat (and much less bloom): A passenger door and bootlid ready to fit: And a bonnet that also wants to go back on now, please: Of course, with all those panels wanting to go back where they belong, I just had to do the shell as well. It's finally all one colour again ;D So tomorrow the masking can come off and I can start trying to remember where things go. That should keep me busy long enough that I don't start trying to polish the paint before it's hardened out enough ;D
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33grinder
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Post by 33grinder on Mar 28, 2011 20:50:34 GMT
Superb stuff Joe!
Ken, get Snowdrop's bloomin' MOT booked - quickly! ;D
I take it that was cellulose paint so doesn't need a clear coat, just cut and polish then Bob's yer Uncle?
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spunkymonkey
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Post by spunkymonkey on Mar 28, 2011 21:19:40 GMT
Thanks Pete & John ;D
No, celly doesn't need clearcoat. Depending on how I feel about a bit of orange peel, I may get away without flatting and just give a light compound to bring the shine up. That won't give mirror-finish but it'll still give shiny. Final decision on that will be made when she's back together and drives out into the sunshine - it's very hard to judge the real effect of a paint finish properly in a (relatively) poorly lit room!
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spunkymonkey
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Post by spunkymonkey on Mar 29, 2011 18:58:16 GMT
Had a gentle couple of hours today un-masking and starting on reassembly. I decided to start by getting a battery and lights on her. The only system left that I hadn't checked over was the electrics, so I was a little apprehensive about what state 45 year old wiring might be in. With the battery in place and the main feed (the two wires that bolt on the starter) joined with mole grips, the interior light came on, and stayed on (there's no door to close to turn it off!) Encouraged by that (those door switches are probably one of the least reliable electric bits in a car!) I fitted the headlights. Nothing. So I connected up the ignition switch and tried again, in case they were ignition fed on the early cars. Still nothing. So out came the wiring diagram - there was an extra feed wire that should be on the ignition switch which had disappeared up behind the dash. Once that was connected, we had headlights and wipers (well, wiper spindles....) but no side lights. A quick check of the fuses found one blown and replacing it gave driver's side light but not passenger's. A bit of investigation found the problem. You may or may not remember this switch: It turns out that it was someone's idea of an immobiliser. It interrupted the starter starter solenoid circuit and (for some completely unknown reason) the left side light + number plate light circuit It doesn't any more because it's somewhere in a corner of the workshop where it landed. And it can stay there! Encouraged by sorting that out, I got the indicators and rear lamp units fitted, to find that they all worked first try! The o/s/r side light is dim because it's had a 12v bulb fitted but apart from that we have fully working electrics apart from the horn! The horn wiring and switch is fine, the horn itself isn't (yet). In celebration, only a single photo for today - and a bit of Watership Daf: Bright Eyes, burning like fire...... To say I'm relieved is a bit of an understatement, because I was genuinely worried that after 33 years of neglect the wiring could have made that a literal quote Incidentally, the really observant might notice that she's on sidelights only in the photo - even on standard 6v bulbs, the headlights were a little overpowering for the poor camera ;D
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kenr
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Post by kenr on Mar 29, 2011 20:37:12 GMT
I hate wiring, well done for sorting the little foibles out. Little Blue 33 is a 6 volter! Should be fun.
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pauldaf44
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Post by pauldaf44 on Mar 30, 2011 6:24:41 GMT
I have never seen a DAF with bad electrics. Certainlly everything on Gladys works. Triumphs on the other hand came out of the factory needing a rewire ;D
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spunkymonkey
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Post by spunkymonkey on Mar 30, 2011 19:05:50 GMT
Well, there's always a first, Paul... Today's plan was to get the fuel tank refitted and plumbed in, paint the fuel line, and start cleaning up the vario pulleys. Only it didn't quite go like that. The tank took just over an hour to fight into it's seal accompanied by much swearing and then I found that the earth wire was bad - who on earth designs a tank earth as an external wire between two spade connectors, behind the wheel underneath the car where all the crud gets thrown???. Anyway, sorted that quickly enough so removed the tank sender so that I could check the fuel gauge without actually filling the tank. Not so good.... So that got put to one side while I tackled a few other bits - by now completely losing track of the "plan" ;D The n/s/r window seal went back in after gently sanding the corrosion off the ally trim strip (19 pop rivets for the trim!): It's still pitted (that's just patina) but at least all the fluffy white corrosion is gone Then the boot seal was stuck back in place - using a whole tube of contact adhesive. I think when it's Betty's turn I'll be buying the stuff in tins, not tubes! Finally, her horn was refitted and tuned slightly to give a suitably cheerful sound (I do like the old tuneable horns!). Unfortunately, a photo doesn't convey the sound very well I've also had a look round the vario and decided I really need to remove the belts to clean the pulleys up properly - I was hoping I could get away with working round them but, looking closer, I'm not sure I'll get away with it. Arriving home, I also realised I was heading for a potentially very embarrassing MOT fail. Parked up behind Betty and suddenly realised that Matilda doesn't have any rear reflectors fitted (and doesn't appear to have ever had any)! Missing that for the test would have made me feel a little foolish......
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33grinder
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Post by 33grinder on Mar 30, 2011 19:28:44 GMT
Ah, you'll be wanting the little round gimboids that protrude above the bumper like tge 33? I can see whether Matt has any?
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