Pistolpete's Mars Red Mk1 GTi restoration
Posted
Old Timer


Restoration thread for my 1983 Y-reg Mars Red GTi, non-sunroof model
Engine block stripped, cleaned, degreased using Bilt Hamber surfex HD, wire wheeled for many many hours, then de-greased again, then POR15 metal prep, rinsed and dried thoroughly followed by 2 coats of POR15 engine enamel. I'm very pleased with the finish, although I would have preferred less of a gloss finish. I guess it will be much easier to keep clean though! It probably took me 2 hours just to mask everything off so carefully, I'm a dab hand with the razor blade now alright.






Nut & Bolt Resto Complete (Mars Red GTi original): https://vwgolfmk1.org.uk/forum/index.php?page=topicview&type=misc&id=projects%2Fyour-mk1-golfs_2%2Fpistolpete-s-mars-red&start__keyed=
Nut & Bolt Resto in Progress (Lhasa 16v): https://vwgolfmk1.org.uk/forum/index.php?page=topicview&type=misc&id=projects%2Fyour-mk1-golfs_2%2Fpistolpete-s-lhasa&redirected=1
Nut & Bolt Resto in Progress (Lhasa 16v): https://vwgolfmk1.org.uk/forum/index.php?page=topicview&type=misc&id=projects%2Fyour-mk1-golfs_2%2Fpistolpete-s-lhasa&redirected=1
Posted
Old Timer


Some finished bits waiting for fitting to the engine:-


Nut & Bolt Resto Complete (Mars Red GTi original): https://vwgolfmk1.org.uk/forum/index.php?page=topicview&type=misc&id=projects%2Fyour-mk1-golfs_2%2Fpistolpete-s-mars-red&start__keyed=
Nut & Bolt Resto in Progress (Lhasa 16v): https://vwgolfmk1.org.uk/forum/index.php?page=topicview&type=misc&id=projects%2Fyour-mk1-golfs_2%2Fpistolpete-s-lhasa&redirected=1
Nut & Bolt Resto in Progress (Lhasa 16v): https://vwgolfmk1.org.uk/forum/index.php?page=topicview&type=misc&id=projects%2Fyour-mk1-golfs_2%2Fpistolpete-s-lhasa&redirected=1
Posted
Old Timer




Nut & Bolt Resto Complete (Mars Red GTi original): https://vwgolfmk1.org.uk/forum/index.php?page=topicview&type=misc&id=projects%2Fyour-mk1-golfs_2%2Fpistolpete-s-mars-red&start__keyed=
Nut & Bolt Resto in Progress (Lhasa 16v): https://vwgolfmk1.org.uk/forum/index.php?page=topicview&type=misc&id=projects%2Fyour-mk1-golfs_2%2Fpistolpete-s-lhasa&redirected=1
Nut & Bolt Resto in Progress (Lhasa 16v): https://vwgolfmk1.org.uk/forum/index.php?page=topicview&type=misc&id=projects%2Fyour-mk1-golfs_2%2Fpistolpete-s-lhasa&redirected=1
Posted
Old Timer





Nut & Bolt Resto Complete (Mars Red GTi original): https://vwgolfmk1.org.uk/forum/index.php?page=topicview&type=misc&id=projects%2Fyour-mk1-golfs_2%2Fpistolpete-s-mars-red&start__keyed=
Nut & Bolt Resto in Progress (Lhasa 16v): https://vwgolfmk1.org.uk/forum/index.php?page=topicview&type=misc&id=projects%2Fyour-mk1-golfs_2%2Fpistolpete-s-lhasa&redirected=1
Nut & Bolt Resto in Progress (Lhasa 16v): https://vwgolfmk1.org.uk/forum/index.php?page=topicview&type=misc&id=projects%2Fyour-mk1-golfs_2%2Fpistolpete-s-lhasa&redirected=1
Posted

Old Timer


I'm at a really similar stage to you (and have finally updated my build thread). I'm not going to the same level of detail as you as it's taken me so long to make any progress at all (although when I see the pictures I keep questioning myself).
Keep it up!
Posted
Old Timer






Nut & Bolt Resto Complete (Mars Red GTi original): https://vwgolfmk1.org.uk/forum/index.php?page=topicview&type=misc&id=projects%2Fyour-mk1-golfs_2%2Fpistolpete-s-mars-red&start__keyed=
Nut & Bolt Resto in Progress (Lhasa 16v): https://vwgolfmk1.org.uk/forum/index.php?page=topicview&type=misc&id=projects%2Fyour-mk1-golfs_2%2Fpistolpete-s-lhasa&redirected=1
Nut & Bolt Resto in Progress (Lhasa 16v): https://vwgolfmk1.org.uk/forum/index.php?page=topicview&type=misc&id=projects%2Fyour-mk1-golfs_2%2Fpistolpete-s-lhasa&redirected=1
Posted
Old Timer



Nut & Bolt Resto Complete (Mars Red GTi original): https://vwgolfmk1.org.uk/forum/index.php?page=topicview&type=misc&id=projects%2Fyour-mk1-golfs_2%2Fpistolpete-s-mars-red&start__keyed=
Nut & Bolt Resto in Progress (Lhasa 16v): https://vwgolfmk1.org.uk/forum/index.php?page=topicview&type=misc&id=projects%2Fyour-mk1-golfs_2%2Fpistolpete-s-lhasa&redirected=1
Nut & Bolt Resto in Progress (Lhasa 16v): https://vwgolfmk1.org.uk/forum/index.php?page=topicview&type=misc&id=projects%2Fyour-mk1-golfs_2%2Fpistolpete-s-lhasa&redirected=1
Posted
Old Timer



It must have been driven over or something to bend it like that, but the guys mustn't have realised because they powdercoated it as normal.
Anybody got a spare one they'd sell? Or do you think it will be possible to bend this one back and re-use?
Nut & Bolt Resto Complete (Mars Red GTi original): https://vwgolfmk1.org.uk/forum/index.php?page=topicview&type=misc&id=projects%2Fyour-mk1-golfs_2%2Fpistolpete-s-mars-red&start__keyed=
Nut & Bolt Resto in Progress (Lhasa 16v): https://vwgolfmk1.org.uk/forum/index.php?page=topicview&type=misc&id=projects%2Fyour-mk1-golfs_2%2Fpistolpete-s-lhasa&redirected=1
Nut & Bolt Resto in Progress (Lhasa 16v): https://vwgolfmk1.org.uk/forum/index.php?page=topicview&type=misc&id=projects%2Fyour-mk1-golfs_2%2Fpistolpete-s-lhasa&redirected=1
Posted

Old Timer


If that is the LH engine mount I sold my spare just last week!
I guess if you got enough heat on it it should bend back. Given the load will be across the widest section perpendicular to the bend it shouldn't bend again in normal use. You'd need to get it recoated though.
Posted
Old Timer




Apart from that, I've just been bolting on the bits of the engine following restoring them:-

Nut & Bolt Resto Complete (Mars Red GTi original): https://vwgolfmk1.org.uk/forum/index.php?page=topicview&type=misc&id=projects%2Fyour-mk1-golfs_2%2Fpistolpete-s-mars-red&start__keyed=
Nut & Bolt Resto in Progress (Lhasa 16v): https://vwgolfmk1.org.uk/forum/index.php?page=topicview&type=misc&id=projects%2Fyour-mk1-golfs_2%2Fpistolpete-s-lhasa&redirected=1
Nut & Bolt Resto in Progress (Lhasa 16v): https://vwgolfmk1.org.uk/forum/index.php?page=topicview&type=misc&id=projects%2Fyour-mk1-golfs_2%2Fpistolpete-s-lhasa&redirected=1
Posted

Regional Host NE





Do not know a lot but willing to help if possible
1989 Sapphire Blue Mk1 Cabriolet KR
1985 Atlas Grey Mk2 GTI 2.0 ABF
1989 Sapphire Blue Mk1 Cabriolet KR
1985 Atlas Grey Mk2 GTI 2.0 ABF
Posted
Settled In



Posted
Old Timer


nicci21paul said
did you sort out a mounting mate![]()
![]()
Got sorted thanks, managed to straighten it again. Have now had it vapour blasted and zinc plated with new bush pressed in.

Nut & Bolt Resto Complete (Mars Red GTi original): https://vwgolfmk1.org.uk/forum/index.php?page=topicview&type=misc&id=projects%2Fyour-mk1-golfs_2%2Fpistolpete-s-mars-red&start__keyed=
Nut & Bolt Resto in Progress (Lhasa 16v): https://vwgolfmk1.org.uk/forum/index.php?page=topicview&type=misc&id=projects%2Fyour-mk1-golfs_2%2Fpistolpete-s-lhasa&redirected=1
Nut & Bolt Resto in Progress (Lhasa 16v): https://vwgolfmk1.org.uk/forum/index.php?page=topicview&type=misc&id=projects%2Fyour-mk1-golfs_2%2Fpistolpete-s-lhasa&redirected=1
Posted
Old Timer



Nut & Bolt Resto Complete (Mars Red GTi original): https://vwgolfmk1.org.uk/forum/index.php?page=topicview&type=misc&id=projects%2Fyour-mk1-golfs_2%2Fpistolpete-s-mars-red&start__keyed=
Nut & Bolt Resto in Progress (Lhasa 16v): https://vwgolfmk1.org.uk/forum/index.php?page=topicview&type=misc&id=projects%2Fyour-mk1-golfs_2%2Fpistolpete-s-lhasa&redirected=1
Nut & Bolt Resto in Progress (Lhasa 16v): https://vwgolfmk1.org.uk/forum/index.php?page=topicview&type=misc&id=projects%2Fyour-mk1-golfs_2%2Fpistolpete-s-lhasa&redirected=1
Posted

Old Timer


Pistol said
Thanks to Paceman, also got a crankshaft pulley wheel as the dampener insert on mine was a bit cracked & split in places. This has also now been vapour blasted and zinc plated.
![]()
Wow! Looks great!
Out of interest, how did you clean up your distributor? Was that vapour blasting as well?
Posted
Old Timer


I thought distributor was a bit delicate for any blasting so just used different wire wheels on a drill and 240 grit sandpaper. After a good degreasing it came up pretty well anyway.
Nut & Bolt Resto Complete (Mars Red GTi original): https://vwgolfmk1.org.uk/forum/index.php?page=topicview&type=misc&id=projects%2Fyour-mk1-golfs_2%2Fpistolpete-s-mars-red&start__keyed=
Nut & Bolt Resto in Progress (Lhasa 16v): https://vwgolfmk1.org.uk/forum/index.php?page=topicview&type=misc&id=projects%2Fyour-mk1-golfs_2%2Fpistolpete-s-lhasa&redirected=1
Nut & Bolt Resto in Progress (Lhasa 16v): https://vwgolfmk1.org.uk/forum/index.php?page=topicview&type=misc&id=projects%2Fyour-mk1-golfs_2%2Fpistolpete-s-lhasa&redirected=1
Posted

Old Timer


I was thinking the same so thanks for confirming!
Posted
Old Timer



Got a small plate of 6mm thick Aluminium and some 0.75mm gasket paper, made a template and got my Dad to cut it out properly for me (he's a retired Silversmith which is handy!!).


Nut & Bolt Resto Complete (Mars Red GTi original): https://vwgolfmk1.org.uk/forum/index.php?page=topicview&type=misc&id=projects%2Fyour-mk1-golfs_2%2Fpistolpete-s-mars-red&start__keyed=
Nut & Bolt Resto in Progress (Lhasa 16v): https://vwgolfmk1.org.uk/forum/index.php?page=topicview&type=misc&id=projects%2Fyour-mk1-golfs_2%2Fpistolpete-s-lhasa&redirected=1
Nut & Bolt Resto in Progress (Lhasa 16v): https://vwgolfmk1.org.uk/forum/index.php?page=topicview&type=misc&id=projects%2Fyour-mk1-golfs_2%2Fpistolpete-s-lhasa&redirected=1
Posted
Old Timer



Nut & Bolt Resto Complete (Mars Red GTi original): https://vwgolfmk1.org.uk/forum/index.php?page=topicview&type=misc&id=projects%2Fyour-mk1-golfs_2%2Fpistolpete-s-mars-red&start__keyed=
Nut & Bolt Resto in Progress (Lhasa 16v): https://vwgolfmk1.org.uk/forum/index.php?page=topicview&type=misc&id=projects%2Fyour-mk1-golfs_2%2Fpistolpete-s-lhasa&redirected=1
Nut & Bolt Resto in Progress (Lhasa 16v): https://vwgolfmk1.org.uk/forum/index.php?page=topicview&type=misc&id=projects%2Fyour-mk1-golfs_2%2Fpistolpete-s-lhasa&redirected=1
Posted
Old Timer



And finally got the inlet manifold bolted up.

Nut & Bolt Resto Complete (Mars Red GTi original): https://vwgolfmk1.org.uk/forum/index.php?page=topicview&type=misc&id=projects%2Fyour-mk1-golfs_2%2Fpistolpete-s-mars-red&start__keyed=
Nut & Bolt Resto in Progress (Lhasa 16v): https://vwgolfmk1.org.uk/forum/index.php?page=topicview&type=misc&id=projects%2Fyour-mk1-golfs_2%2Fpistolpete-s-lhasa&redirected=1
Nut & Bolt Resto in Progress (Lhasa 16v): https://vwgolfmk1.org.uk/forum/index.php?page=topicview&type=misc&id=projects%2Fyour-mk1-golfs_2%2Fpistolpete-s-lhasa&redirected=1
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