[car_restoration] Matts Standard 1.9 Lazer

[m@ttc 30]

I think its best i just ignore it for a bit and get done the bits ive started, next job then is to fit this.

 

just a quick question why wont a second picture upload in the same post even if its smaller in size than the first picture?

[m@ttc 30]

well before i could start fitting my new panel, i had to put some new metal onto the chassis leg. started like this.

with all rust removed and primered i could start welding

handy magnets

[m@ttc 30]

made me a tool to extened my wire brush/de-burring brush.

i could then get into clean up the weld on the inside

 

next up was to prep the new panel it had started to get a little rust starting under the black paint so i cleaned it up and drilled the holes for plug welding

removed old seam sealer as it had started to crack

]

theres a couple of spotwelds wich needed attention before i can fit the new panel, where its clamped between two other panels, the old slug had to be removed

 

before

 

make bush to protect front panel use an endmill to cut out slug

after

the damage on the front panel was caused first which made me decide to make the bush it'll make a right mess of it otherwise

 

so today started out like this

 

and this is how its is now, got rain off today

 

when i removed the old panel drilling out the last spotweld the chassis leg dropped down and i dont know how much by, i have a fair idea because i scribbed everything up before taking panels off. i was thinking i'd get a straight edge across the subframe mounting points and record the level with a bubble level then move the straight edge to the bumper mounting eyelets at the end of each chassis leg and jack up the the low chassis leg until i have the same level recorded from the subframe points. (if that makes sense ) well that is if no one tells me a reason not to, its a little hard without a jig dont know how else to do it.

[Tom Fenton 1,542]

Super tidy job buddy, hats off to you.

[acox99 74 1 Cars]

That's an exceptionally tidy job. Did you measure the turrets with string with removing so you have a reference as to where to out them so they are all in line?

[m@ttc 30]

Thanks for the kind words,

 

string? Is that for a measurement from the floor to turret? So its at the right angle? Because the turret has not been removed.

[Davy 18 1 Cars]

Flip me! No messing about here with patches over the top of rust etc! Well done!

 

It'll be tricky enough getting everything tacked back in the correct position. At the end of the day the critical dimensions will be from strut tops to sub frame monting holes, so maybe the subframe could be bolted on? This would perhaps give a better reference to measure to and would help set the 'sideways' position of the chassic leg? Then a decent straight edge across the two strut tops may help with getting the chassis leg height to match the passengers side?

 

It's in capable hands by the looks of things. Good luck!

[Juttie205 123 2 Cars]

great job so far keep it up.

[acox99 74 1 Cars]

Ahh I thought the turret had come off as well. Cracking job. Not for the faint hearted.

[Emmy Seize 8]

I love the wire brush extension!

[johniban 59 1 Cars]

I think its best i just ignore it for a bit and get done the bits ive started, next job then is to fit this.

SAM_0951.JPG

 

just a quick question why wont a second picture upload in the same post even if its smaller in size than the first picture?

 

Where did you get that part from? is it a pattern part? i need some

[richw250 2 1 Cars]

Fair Play mate, looks like a top job on this, cant wait to see it finished, keep the pics coming and good work coming.

 

P.s top marks on the welding (y)

[m@ttc 30]

Well the weathers been absolutely pants since i last updated this. A word of advice don't tackle this job on your driveway not in one of the worst wet years in a long time.

some of the repairs have surface rust on as they were in primer only, but ive cleaned them up, got the car off the driveway and into a familiy members garage to get it sorted.

back into this project i'll get some pics up soon.

[m@ttc 30]

well imanaged to get it somewhere better to work on.

 

so from here

 

 

 

to here

 

 

thats better

 

 

due to the bad assembly of the front panel i've had to strip it rub down and re-prime the individual panels ready for re assembly

 

 

shocking aroung 30% of the spot welds wernt even welded to the next panel either.

 

 

this is were im at now

 

 

 

i need to line every thing up correctly before its all welded.

[m@ttc 30]

oh yeh, in then time over winter i have also striped the dash

 

 

and got engine on a stand and got it ready for a strip down, which i wont do untill ive got the shell more sorted.

 

 

i could really do with an old engine loom to make some repaire's to mine it has a few issues.

[johniban 59 1 Cars]

your a very brave man! gone right back on that front end, i know what you mean about doing the car on the drive, it sucks and puts me off going out there

[m@ttc 30]

yeh its been a bit of a head scratching time getting the panel in the right place and the turret in the right position. but im confident i have mastered it, the front frame with the caster wheels on acts as a jig to keep the turrets in the right pos and the right distance from the chassis leg. As well as being able to move it around easy.

[m@ttc 30]

heres a few progress pics

 

 

 

 

ive tacked the inner wings into position for now, the headlight panels are all held on with clamps. i'm almost happy with things, when i am i tack all the panels and fit the headlights, grill, bumper, bonnets etc. if all lines up good ill weld it all together.

[m@ttc 30]

here's some pics under the rear seats. I think that's next after this part. i just want an mot cert

 

 

Edited April 10, 2014 by m@ttc

[m@ttc 30]

got some more update pics

 

 

this ones from last update i forgot to put in

 

 

 

 

ive got all the panel's tak'd on now and fitted the lights etc, to see if all is straight, i'm thinking it looks pretty good and, i think i'm happy with it.

going to go ahead and weld it all up. have a look more eyes better than one

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I had to put the inner headlamp adjuster's quite high in their mating panels elongated holes which i wasn't sure about. Ive had a look on my diesel 205 there same on that too, maybe crapy design?

Edited April 14, 2014 by m@ttc

[2052NV 24]

All those panels line up better than mine do and mines origonal! haha

[Davy 18 1 Cars]

Looking good Matt, and probably better aligned than some that came off the production line! Keep up the good work!

[m@ttc 30]

Looking good Matt, and probably better aligned than some that came off the production line! Keep up the good work!

were they quite poorly aligned then new?

[Davy 18 1 Cars]

were they quite poorly aligned then new?

 

I've no idea how well your avaerage headlight would have been aligned in the factory and couldnt put a figure on an acceptable gaps etc, however working in a production environment I can say that tight tolerancing equates to more expense (sometimes a shocking amount more!)... so while things like critical engine components and safety equipment are manufactured and assembled to high tolerances, something like a headlight assembley would be designed with 'plenty of slack' in the build, so that good old jean-pierre could get them fitted in about 30 seconds. I guess it's all part of the charm of our little mass produced wonders.

 

That said, anyone advertising one with the headlight half covered by the grill, claiming "that's just the way they were built." should probably be avoided.

[m@ttc 30]

Thanks guys, i'm going ahead now and welding all panels on which is going well.

also cleaning out the shed to do jobs like this, bit of a random update i know.

 

i brought this this in 2011 the car was taken off the road in 2011 so it didn't do many miles.

 

 

looking pretty bad for its usage

a quick scotchbright and duck oil.

 

 

I wish i'd tried to protect it earlier, the stickers have done a good job of corrosion protection