767 replies to this topic

[Will16]

This is turning out really nice, and that metro engine has come up a treat! Did you just use standard hammerite to paint it? Will you be at L2B?

[Chris1992]

This is turning out really nice, and that metro engine has come up a treat! Did you just use standard hammerite to paint it? Will you be at L2B?

 

Cheers mate! Yep just standard hammerite and a brush! 

 

Not sure yet! When is L2B? My current aim is to have it ready for a roadtrip to Le Mans classic which is 8th - 10th July 

[Chris1992]

I've made a bit of progress recently, so here's what I've been up to.

 

First things first, remember those twin SU carbs I got for my birthday a while back? Well I decided it was about time they got some love, and so I began my first ever attempt at a carb rebuild.

 

Here's how they used to look. pretty grim.

 

 

First step was a matter of carefully stripping them down. I decided to completely restore one carb before dismantling the other, that way I could use it for reference when rebuilding. 

 

 

I then began the process of thoroughly cleaning and wire brushing each individual part, right down to the screws and washers. Came up good once all the grime was off!

 

 

After this it was time to paint the main parts. I decided to go for silver on the bodies and fuel reservoir things.

 

 

Primered

 

 

No pics of them painted, but you'll see when they're all back together.

 

Anyway, decided I wanted painted Dashpot covers instead of polished, since everyone has those, so got those cleaned, sanded, and primered 

 

 

and then chopped about with the heat shield. It had already been butchered a bit by the previous owner.

 

 

Inlet manifold brushed in black hammerite 

 

 

Starting to reassemble. My dad had a couple of rebuild kits lying around for his sprite but he said I could have them so new gaskets all round were fitted, along with new ones of those red choke things (my terminology is spot on)

 

 

Sooooo Pretty

 

 

Before and after. the yellow came out rubbish so I resprayed that later.

 

 

 

Rinse and repeat for the other carb, and there you have it! Pretty chuffed with them myself! Yellow might seem a rather odd colour for the dashpot covers, but I have something epic planned for them 

 

 

 

Moving on, the starter motor was looking pretty manky, so that got cleaned up and painted before being bolted to the engine

 

 

 

Also got myself a new rocker cover and T-bar kit. 

 

 

Fitted to the engine

 

Its coming along nicely!

 

 

 

Brake limiter valve was the next victim; cleaned up and painted

 

 

Brake and clutch cylinders are looking a little worse for ware! I'll get to those later.

 

 

polished up my old brake lines before fitting them (pics of that coming soon). Before and after

 

 

Also got myself a lightened flywheel. I toyed with the idea of an ultralight one, but decided the road one would be best.

 

The flywheel puller gave me the fright of my life!! I was expecting it to ease of slowly, not explode off the end of the crack like a bloody bullet!!   

 

Halfway through removing the old one. 

 

 

New flywheel fitted and ready to refit the crank case cover.

 

 

Refitted the clutch arm mechanism after a clean and paint.

 

 

And finally, my new Fletcher alloy radiator. Had it for a while, just forgot to get a pic of it.

 

 

Thats all for now! Stay tuned...

Edited by Chris1992, 14 April 2016 - 06:07 PM.

[Jared Mk3]

Looking good! I do hope those dashpots end up like I'm thinking 

[Yams]

You better not turn those dashpots into minions...

 

I've got one of those fletcher radiators and it's awesome, i was really surprised with it's performance considering that they are quite affordable. 

Edited by Yams, 14 April 2016 - 08:02 PM.

[Chris1992]

You better not turn those dashpots into minions...

 

I've got one of those fletcher radiators and it's awesome, i was really surprised with it's performance considering that they are quite affordable. 

 

As much as I laughed my ass off during both Despicable Me films, I'm not a 13yr old girl (believe it or not) so that won't be happening!  

 

I got mine off ebay brand new for £80, which was cheaper that the unbranded ones from minispares! Glad to hear it'll treat me well though! 

 

 

Looking good! I do hope those dashpots end up like I'm thinking 

 

Cheers man! well, I guess time will tell eh? 

[Rocket.]

Are the dash pots going to become lego men ?

[Chris1992]

Are the dash pots going to become lego men ?

 

ahhhhhh had to spoil it didnt you!    I guess someone was going to figure it out eventually haha

[Ben_O]

 

Are the dash pots going to become lego men ?

 

ahhhhhh had to spoil it didnt you!    I guess someone was going to figure it out eventually haha

 

I was about to say Lego heads too until i noticed Rocket's post.

[Chris1992]

 

 

Are the dash pots going to become lego men ?

 

ahhhhhh had to spoil it didnt you!    I guess someone was going to figure it out eventually haha

 

I was about to say Lego heads too until i noticed Rocket's post.

 

 

Bunch of detectives you lot 

 

I'm waiting on a batch of custom stickers from Stickyfingers, including the necessary ones to bring the carbs to life. Can't wait till they turn up!

[Rocket.]

 

Are the dash pots going to become lego men ?

 

ahhhhhh had to spoil it didnt you!    I guess someone was going to figure it out eventually haha

 

 

My bad

[Chris1992]

 

 

Are the dash pots going to become lego men ?

 

ahhhhhh had to spoil it didnt you!    I guess someone was going to figure it out eventually haha

 

 

My bad

 

 

no worries bud, just means you're more switched on than the rest 

[ryomini]

Chris very nice work, like the beer matt speaker surround, keep up the good work :)

[Rocket.]

 

 

 

Are the dash pots going to become lego men ?

 

ahhhhhh had to spoil it didnt you!    I guess someone was going to figure it out eventually haha

 

 

My bad

 

 

no worries bud, just means you're more switched on than the rest 

 

 

Or I'm just always thinking about lego...

[Chris1992]

 

Or I'm just always thinking about lego...

 

 

I know the feeling! Never did stop playing with toys haha