The older blokes meccano set

So I introduced myself and the car in newbies back along. Since then I have been flat out and done nothing!

But with Christmas leave commencing I thought what better way of freezing myself than pushing the shell into the garage and starting the long rebuild process. I purchased the shell with a load of parts about 4/5months ago and have spent the interim time researching paint types, bodywork and engines. Now I am totally confused it seemed apt to commence!

so I bought the shell as an unfinished project. Some welding has been carried out on the shell and some new panels replaced - new front wings, new front panel, new rear valance, new fuel tank (obviously the tank isn't a panel, but hey we'll include it on the list!). The car has no engine, or any ancillaries attached. It's is like starting a build from scratch. So what is the plan…

starting with the engine bay. I was going for a smooth bay and follow the usual trend, however recently I have rethought that and am now going for a clean original look albeit with battery and washer bottle relocated inside the car. I will do away with the header tank too. That way if I change my mind in future on engines and originality it's easy to go back.

my approach is to go along 'less is more' going for minimum weight (without getting silly) and fun. It is only a weekend car for me and will be a project to test my skills! I was going to get the shell painted professionally but having failed to get anyone to quote me and being a bit particular I have decided to do everything myself. Not sure how this will turn out but I have painted before and my theory is that by the time I pay to get it done professionally I can mess it up a good 3/4 times myself and still be in pocket and will have developed new skills. Good theory, lets put it to practice…..

So i have started sanding down the engine bay and filling some minor marks etc. I have removed some sealant patches and almost ready to epoxy primer ..

photos to follow

Then whilst waiting for some filler to dry in the engine bay, i had a look at the inside.

My the theory is: get engine bay and inside prepped, primered and painted. Then I can start reassembling stuff before moving onto the outside. Also I practice prep and paint on the less obvious parts so by the time I get to the outside I will be an expert!

So I had a look at the front pasenger floor pan:



And almost finished cleaning up:

This is never going to be a fast turn around, as I have way too many things on, as is usual for me. I love learning new skills so this project should be ideal. No doubt there will be loads of questions along the way.

First one - the car came with coilovers fitted but being a bit older and needing comfort over lows I want to get rid of the coilovers and go standard type setup of damper and spring. Am i right in saying people recommend Bilstein shocks with Eibach springs as best comfort and handling? Open to comments / thoughts. I do want to be able to push on in the car, so want something decent, not just std kit.

What is the general thoughts on best lowering distance to improve handling whilst not making the car a bone shaker?

2nd question
Best ARB options? Std spec or larger / smaller. I seem to remember reading a smaller diameter bar at the front is advantageous and stops wheels lifting?

I am going disc rear conversion as it's already 90% done. Can an aftermarket brake bias adjuster be fitted internally to get over the issues with the std one? That's way have adjustability for track days etc.

Am going with Lupo rear calipers as recommended as being less aggressive than mk4 calipers. Lupo are also.alloy calipers rather than the mk4 cast iron anchors! They run a 32mm piston rather than 36/38 of the mk4 option, thus more gentle touch, hopefully avoiding too much rear lockup. With the bias adjuster should be able to rune out lock up issues…

So no mention of engines yet……



Nope….. not yet😎

I had Bilstein/Eibach combo on mk4 golf and I thought they were superb for handling and comfort!

Brother in Law runs the Bilstein / Eibachs and works very nicely.

Your 'factory but cleaner' sounds exactly like my plans for Mynx. I think it works rather well personally.

I also did a rear disc conversion but with the mk4 alloy calipers. I did try a bias adjuster but couldn't get the rear brakes to bleed properly and failed the MOT on them. In the end I ditched it with a 'well we'll see what happens' approach. I also removed the brake servo as well though………

I can't get the rears to lock up, even on a wet road. Admittedly I haven't tried whilst in a corner.

Nice work so far  

Ian

Bit more work:







I'll investigate the Eibach option a bit more. Hopefuĺly someone local might have a mk1 with this setup so i can see what it's like….

Bit of cleaning up the front floorpans:



Better:

Looking well mate.  I'll be starting the task of filler in the engine bay soon.  Shoot me now!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

To note i started with P38 filler which is quite course. Then went to Dolphin Glaze which Is really fine and gives a much smoother finish. Doesn't need anything course than p320 to sand down either. Should be going to primer once I sort some heating, as can't apply under 15 degrees. Bit colder than that currently!

Aye.  I'm using upol fantastic as it just that…..cracking all round filler.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Decided to look at refurb/tidy up of brake bar and accessories ready for when paint done.



Swapping the servo for a larger 9" from mk2 16v. Mastercylinder will be replaced with new 22mm, again from 16v mk2. Was going to do away with servo but general consensus is that is a bad idea due to poor feel on the road.



Sanded down and primered the servo:



Now the issue. The brake bar has swivel bearings on the ends - one is shot. Anyone converted their car to non servo and got a spare bar connector like this, but with good bearing?



👍

Also if anyone is looking for a 7" servo and a 20mm mastercylinder let me know!

Servo part number: 172 612 105 M

Bit of primer makes it seem like I am making forward motion:



And after a further clean up of the drivers footwell, a bit of primer on that too:



Just got to keep this momentum going…

And brake bar components getting the radiator treatment after being painted!

great effort  

2 hours of scraping and sanding and we go from:



To this:



Need a rest from sanding so i'll get the brake bar components back together before I forget how it all came apart!🤣 I also need to sort out servo amendments to fit the 16v servo clevis pin.

Lot of work to do. Glad I haven't written a job list, I think I'd give up!🤣

Webby! said

2 hours of scraping and sanding and we go from:



To this:



Need a rest from sanding so i'll get the brake bar components back together before I forget how it all came apart!🤣 I also need to sort out servo amendments to fit the 16v servo clevis pin.

Lot of work to do. Glad I haven't written a job list, I think I'd give up!🤣

Nice work 👍

Should have put this photo up first as the starting point. Serves as a good record to myself. Started 20 Dec 2017



The previous owner had just blown over everything with matt black to make it look better/further progressed than it was. Albeit no structural corrosion found so far…

Found a hole:



Welded it up:



Cleaned up last footwell: