Mk1 Convertable Project

hi everyone I am new to this.

For years I have wonted a project car to play around with. my brother had Minis that he did up over the years but he sadly past away in march. so I made the decision life is too short so just get on and do it. I looked around to find the ideal project some that needs work but isn't to much for me to do. and I stumbled across a Mk1 golf Convertible down in London at a good price. it got delivered yesterday so the project starts now. I will properly do everyone's head in ask "silly" Questions but please bear with me as I have never done anything like this before. By trade I'm a chef so spanners arnt really need in the kitchen but I am willing to learn and any advice is much appreciated.
Ben

looks in good nick
do i spot a g shock too? used to have a nice little collection of them - not sure where they all are now tho!

Yeah the G-shock is a mint watch for day to day use. Yeah it's not in too bad nick is the car. I haven't set a time line for the work. as my job is demanding is that takes up a lot of time. 

So I've started doing bits on the car now. 
I replaced the dizzy and spark plugs yesterday and the engine ran for about 30 seconds. and then cut out.
It now struggles to turn over. when I checked the plugs there was oil on plug 3. :-(
So my question is what is the best engine to swoop with??
At the moment it's a 1.8 carbon engine in a clipper. 
Any advice please guys.

Hi Ben

Nice looking project you've got  

Can't help much with the engine, as I'm no expert. I've gone with an abf from the mk3 golf using carbs. There's plenty of threads involving engine swaps, hopefully you can find something you like  

Best of luck
Matt

Cheers Matt Thanks a lot. going to look at it next week maybe pull the current engine out and see what state it in. Ben

Been a while…..
So a quick recap the engine is now running over sweet. It turned out the firing order was wrong…….doh. 
We are just about to move house so the car is on the back burner till everything is unpacked. Bonus is there's a mechanical pit in the garage at the new house……:-). 
Then I'm replacing the core plugs. Oil and filter change. And putting on all the shinny new parts I've bought.
Radiator 
Water hoses
Wheels
Single head light kit
And many many more that the wife doesn't know about. ;-) 

So the project t is going too bad I've got the roof looking like new now after some good old elbow grease.
Me andy step dad put new brakes all round at the the weekend and painted the drums and calipers.
One thing am struggling with is the electrics everytime I turn the ignition it blows fuse 10 which is after research is the rear lights.
 The lights don't work apart from drivers side reverse light, indicators  it the intermittent and the fog light. Any ideas anyone 

Ben

Could be that water has got in to the lights and corroded the metal tabs or wiring. With a very small socket you can undo the bolts for the rear lights and remove them....much easier to work on than through the small boot opening!

Clean connectors and bulbs...look for shorted wire if extras fitted like a bass box..mine had 2 broken wires..and badly corroded bulb..caused by leaky roof.

I have sorted out the side lights on the drivers side now. Simple the front side light was in the wrong way so was tripping the fuse. Still banging my head against a brick wall with all the other electrics. Mite be time to get a expert involved. 

A few current pics
Roof before a deep clean
Roof after 

Core plugs out

New disc and pads and painted calipers


Matching toy

Front lights and new grill 

Is it a vinyl roof? What did you use to clean it?

No the original mohair roof. 
I used a jet wash and auto glym roof cleaner. 

Had a good week on ebay……
Brand new coil overs for £51.
Radiator cowling £15
And bonnet bra £9.
So am one happy bunny. 

Today I manged to find a few spare hours so I fitted the new radiator and cowling. And also new hoses. 

 Your roof would of been vynil. Mohair not coming in till 1990.
Make sure you use a proper roof proofer too.
Personally I'm not a fan of Autoglym.
Use either Ragg Topp or 303 areospace cleaner and proofer. The 303 is available for vynil or fabric.
Soft soap flakes and a soft bristle brush to really deep clean. Hard brushes just abraded the fabric. I use a mushroom brush.
Looking so much better and it's amazing what a good clean all round does.
Good to see the other bits ticking along nicely too.

Good work

Cheers. It feels like a fabric does the roof. 
Yeah it's really starting to cone along now. A lot of the stuff I have done you Carnt see like brakes, new core plugs ect. 
Looking at have jorgie on the road for march. 
And then come to the AGM next year.
Next photos should be the coilovers…….. 

The fabric roof would a replacement. Deffo give it some waterproof treatment though.

The AGM is awesome. Best get your fancy dress sorted lol.

Finally got round to fitting my front coilovers today, got to say I'm as happy as a pig in ****.
Just need to find some more time to fit the rears.