591 replies to this topic

[Viktor]

This project is flying now! Well done.

[colinf1]

Thanks Victor!

Onto the brake lines today, I had kept mostly all the old ones to use as templates. All new pipework in, braided flexing pipes all round too.



Also got the seat belts fitted, had to do some research on how the spacers fit, but the MPi workshop manual came in very handy as it has this diagram



Also fitted the heater, minus the water pipes, gearbox cotton reels, reverse light switch and trimmed the carpet around the gearlever opening.

[Jarvis_SPI]

I must say I thought the master cylinder went on 180deg round from where you have it.

[colinf1]

Spent most the day trying to sort out the wiring loom, checking for damaged wires and removing wires that had been badly spliced in. Wired up the new headlight loom with the sidelight holder on passenger side. Searched the entire shed looking for the drivers side sidelight holder, only to remember placing it on the actual lamp that I had temporarily put on the car. Oh well, only the 2 hours looking and doing a bit of a tidy-up.



Also finished off the rear lamp wiring, put the number plate lamp on with new rubber seal. Picked up some Dot4 brake fluid, so could possibly attempt bleeding the brakes tomorrow. Left wheel back to get a leaking valve sorted.

[colinf1]

Some more wiring sorted today, all main switches wired up, steering wheel cowl put on. Fitted fuel tank, strap bracket needed some fettling with the dremel, was a tad too high even though I made it based on the old bracket, but its in now.
Rear badge put on, based it's location on the 1983 sales brochure. Picked up tyre from getting valve sorted and minispares parcel arrived so can crack on and get doors finished up now.

[Richard e]

Your brake set up is the same as mine, but our brake pipes from master cylinder to pdwa valve are reversed: yours top m/c to right, mine top m/c to left. Maybe it does not matter?

[sonscar]

The pipes will matter if you have them wrong.Steve..

[colinf1]

Good spot, I'll double check it tomorrow as looking at JonnyAlpha 82 thread I have them the wrong way round...

[Richard e]

https://imgur.com/a/2eve1fD

[colinf1]

Thanks Richard, all sorted now.

Gaskets under the master cylinders then pipes reshaped and swapped over.

Got the boot seal on, new indicator rubber boots and stainless locking rings and wiper hole blanks in stainless steel.

Starter solenoid bolted on, then made a start on getting the wiring loom to where it needs to be, indicator loom connectors need to be replaced, with something better than the ones from Amazon that I had started to put on - the wire connector doesn't seem to lock into place and the wire just comes out with little to no pressure.

[colinf1]

A bit more done on wiring loom today,joined rear loom into main loom and connected up the front indicators. Wiper motor and rack cleaned up, one wheel box replaced as one had seized. Fitting kit on, washer jets D holes opened up to accept chrome style jets.



Fuse box put on and 3 clock binnacle put in between the two dash rails - had to loosen off the top rail to give it a bit more clearance to get it in, still had to squeeze it slightly.



Got a nice delivery - smiths oil pressure and water temp and nylon capillary pipe

[colinf1]

Got dials into binnacle today, very fiddley indeed. Binnacle needed to be tilted downwards to allow clock to be visible due to top dash rail. I understand now why most people run without the top rail with a 3 clock binnacle.



Inside doors wax oiled, then openings in door frame sealed up with some fibreglass reinforced vinyl, plastic liner and door cards put on. Alloy door handles put on too. Front seats reinstalled. Wipers put on, but went to put motor on but park switch housing came away from the motor body, looks like a broken clip so will probably need to replace that.

[Viktor]

Hi Colin, have you considered not having the top dash rail?  If you going for the 'vintage' style with the central binnacle, perhaps it might look better without it?

 

See below suggestion, it is in a similar color scheme as yours.

 

 

Cheers.

 

Victor.

[colinf1]

Thanks Victor, I had considered going without the dash rails, but I think it looks pretty smart with them as they are, plus it justifies the effort put into cleaning it up and spraying it from grey!

I have the same tachometer as the one in the image (the one directly in front of steering wheel) so think it will look good...if it works....

[Viktor]

Sounds really good. The tachometer is a nice touch, and I'm sure you will make it work!