04-04-2017, 06:11 PM
(This post was last modified: 04-04-2017, 06:36 PM by Insanity-74.)
About 5 years ago my last GT4 failed it MOT with rusty sills, they were fixed and it subsequently passed but it set alarm bells ringing in my head that the poor things days were numbered.
I decided that I would buy a shell and swap everything onto it. so I hunted for a reasonable shell to start work on.
While I was looking, I had to extend my garage. I only had a single car garage so not enough space to work or store stuff.
So I decided to extend my garage backwards a bit
Work started.
and after a few weeks, finished ;0
About the same time a shell turned up, well it was sold as a shell, but it was more or less a complete car minus the engine and gearbox.
It was in good condition with no rust, even the interior was in pretty much spot on condition, not that I need much of it
I set to work more or less straight away
First job was to strip everything off the car
everything went, all the looms, glass, suspension the works
Next job was to remove the sound deadening material
it then went outside for a thorough jet wash go get rid of all the years of crap
As I was moving the battery to the inside I could remove the battery tray
which I did
Next up I needed to get to the bottom of the car....this was going to require some ingenuity.
I was going to have to make my own rotisserie.
So back off to the wood yard, a few lengths of 2x4 and I made this
It was about now I realised two things. One I was going to have to learn to weld and two..my plans for this car were changing quite dramatically......a fancied making a cross between a rally car and a GT car...no idea how I was going to achieve this, but the seeds had been set in my mind and for once they stayed there.
So I rushed out and purchased a MIG welder....learning to weld was pretty easy to be honest, by no means as neat as the pros but not bad for a complete novice.
So I made a rotisserie
It fitted like a glove and worked perfectly
A quick look revealed the sills were pretty mangled
so I had to fix them up as best I could
At the same time I started blasting and painting with good old POR15 the subframes and suspension parts
The came out quite nice
did the prop shaft too, started a bit rough
came up well
also cleaned up the steering rack
and the alloy diff end plate....gave it a good polish
Next up I started the worst job I have ever attempted
Tackling the stone guard on the bottom of the car.
I cant count the amount of drill & angle grinder wire brush attachments I have gone through.
it makes alot of dust and takes what seems like forever
slow slow work
this stage took about a month
at last, more or less done
I then painted it with more POR15
More or less at the time I was ready to slit my wrists due to constant wire brushing the roll cage turned up (I still havnt finished under the car....I am going to get the rest sand blasted....i just cant face it any more
A brief test fitting and I was starting to get excited.....I was going to have to break out the welder again
First job was to add some strengthening to the top of the rear suspension tops, so i removed the odd metal bracing off them (i think its used to just hold the rear plastics in place?)
I then made a template
and then a metal top (3mm mild steel)
and one for the other side
Once I had welded these to the car it was time to start getting the roll cage in
I filled the aerial hole whilst I was at it
Anyway, back to the cage, more bits turned up
this was starting to get serious
this ties in the rear sub frame to the cage, helps keep things stiff
nearly there
as you can see my welding isnt great, but as its more or less the seond thing I have ever welded in my life i was mildly pleased with it
Done
i had decided that I didnt want a full cage, at the end of the day it will be just a road car so getting in and out easily is a priority
Next up I decided it was about time to learn how to cast new metal parts, as for what I had in mind the parts do not exist, I was going to have to make them.
I was going to have to make myself a mini blast furnace...and learn how to cast metal
I needed these
I turned the bin into a furnace with the use of some fire cement
fill it with charcol, attach a heat gun, ignite and stand back
I made a vessel from a spare piece of square tube...it gets pretty hot
hot enough to melt alloy
I still needed to learn how to make sand moulds so stopped there for the time being, I will pick that up again later.
Taking a long look at my roll cage, I was not happy with the welds. so i decided to dress them, smooth them out, add a little body filler and make them smooth
started looking much better although I did have to remove the main hoop cross member for access
dont worry its not going to be that colour, thats just filler primer
at the same time I cleaned up the floor and primed that ready for paint
the boot aswell....I also welded the cross member back in
Next up was the seam sealer, so I masked off the areas I was going to apply it to
then applied the U-Pol grey stripe seam sealer (nasty stuff)
well here is a little update. I just about finished the seam sealer today but to show you a comparison, one side of the car is finished and the seam sealer has been primed, the other side it has just been applied.
Left side it has just been applied, right side has had two coats of seam sealer and had primer sprayed over the top. I am pleased that you can hardly see anything despite the fact it will all be covered over with sound mat.....just because you cant see it dosent mean it cant be right.
cheeky shot of the cage
I stripped down the petrol tank
gave it a good paint
the obligatory walbro fuel pump
all back together with some stainless steel bolts
rejuvenated the fuel tank straps
started rebuilding the rear axels
managed to rescue the rear brake disc backing plates
they came up well
Found a product called Deox C which is great at getting rid of rust, bought the rear hub carriers up a treat
and I got alot of bolts zinc plated
and the door catches chromed
things are starting to go back together now, the rear subframe and suspension parts are all half built, just waiting for the paint on the rear hubs to dry and cure and they can go back together, need some snap rings for the rear axels, then they can go back on. Rear diff can be completed tomorrow if I get time.
I have taken the bonnet catch apart which I am going to get chromed, then I have had to have custom stepped rivets made so I can put it all back together again. I have also been working on the interior, a few ideas which have fallen by the wayside and a few new ideas.
I started rebuilding the interior plastics to work around the roll cage, a bit more complex than I bargained for, but its going to challenge my fibreglassing skills.
[url="http://smg.photobucket.com/user/nialusa/media/Celica%20Rebuild/P1010068_zps84c9e400.jpg.html"][/url]
Now that I have finally taken the other Faff off the road I can start transferring bits over.
After talking to some rally boffins and TTE experts I have decided on two options for the engine rebuild. Initially I am going to use a 185 block and head as these are stronger than the 205 block, the head isn't as good but is more workable...or some am told. Also there are more bits available for the 185 blocks like moroso sumps etc will re using my Link G3 ECU with a brand new engine loom. Plans are afoot for a TTE charge cooler.
I got hold of an ST202 front bumper, an old knackered GT4 front bumper, both of which I have cut up to make into one. I also managed to get hold of a TOMs front lip which I think suits the car very well.
had to use the parts car to line the bumper up.
[url="http://smg.photobucket.com/user/nialusa/media/Celica%20Rebuild/Photo0407_zpse8528355.jpg.html"][/url]
still so much to do and it seems like two steps forward one step backwards all the time. i might have retired by the time I finish this rebuild.
Hmmmm shiny bits
[url="http://smg.photobucket.com/user/nialusa/media/Celica%20Rebuild/Photo0411_zps30c563ca.jpg.html"][/url]
Still removing paint and underseal......sigh. Just the fiddle bits left to do which is no fun at all.
Beginning to wish I had a compressor and sand blaster.
[url="http://smg.photobucket.com/user/nialusa/media/Celica%20Rebuild/P1010166_zps11759e45.jpg.html"][/url]
As you can see there isn't a great deal more on the GT4 than the normal celica for the rear sub frame. For those wishing to do a proper GT4 conversion you should be able to get the extra bits to weld to a non GT4 to allow for fitment of the rear subframe. Would need looking into it in a bit more detail just to make sure there isn't any hidden parts, but it shouldn't be a difficult task. It would make it as close as possible to a GT4 without buying one.
I can check part numbers for those wishing to investigate.
[url="http://smg.photobucket.com/user/nialusa/media/Celica%20Rebuild/P1010165_zps1739a5d8.jpg.html"][/url]
As you can see, I don't have much room to work in
Well, not much being done today, spent a large portion of the day driving around the country picking up bits n pieces.
Did pick up these though
the obligatory suspension in a box shot....some nice BC coilovers
[url="http://smg.photobucket.com/user/nialusa/media/Celica%20Rebuild/P1010169_zps4b94ddfe.jpg.html"][/url]
The castings are in the garage currently painted in grey self etching primer.
I picked up yet another GT4 front bumper to finish off the SS4 front bumper.....that will be 3 GT4 front bumpers that have bitten the dust thanks to me ....oh well.
Tomorrow, hopefully I will complete the cleaning off of the bottom of the car so I can do the final derust and clean ready for applying the paint next weekend.
Well finally got to apply some paint instead of stripping it off.
[url="http://smg.photobucket.com/user/nialusa/media/Celica%20Rebuild/P1010175_zps4a14601f.jpg.html"][/url]
still some stripping to do in the engine bay area, but I have to get this painted before the weather gets too cold.....paint dosent like being applied in the cold....paints a wuss
After another coat of epoxy mastic, I will apply some seam sealer in a few areas, then some POR high build tie coat primer as the epoxy mastic has load of brush marks, it will then get a smoothing rub down before I apply some POR15 flex coat for a silky smooth glossy finish :thumbsup:
Well, a bit of work today, decided to refurbish a set of spare brake Calipers I had, they are in mint condition so didnt need much fettling, I took them to bits, removed all the seals etc, the bolts will be sent away to get zinc plated.
The callipers were painted with Eastwood chassis black extreme, a beautiful paint that goes on very nicely and has a great finish.
[url="http://smg.photobucket.com/user/nialusa/media/Celica%20Rebuild/Photo0479_zps0a89a508.jpg.html"][/url]
and a hint as to what the finished callipers will look like
[url="http://smg.photobucket.com/user/nialusa/media/Celica%20Rebuild/Photo0478_zpsd655b9af.jpg.html"][/url]
Another box of bits (mostly bolts) arrived back from the electroplaters.
[url="http://smg.photobucket.com/user/nialusa/media/Celica%20Rebuild/P1010272_zps7121a5bb.jpg.html"][/url]
should be fun trying to remember where all the bolts go...i give myself about an 80% chance of getting it wrong
I also managed a few smaller jobs, put the ignitor assembly back together along with the nice shiny dipstick holed, wiper motor which i finally managed to get the bolts for, and the steering shaft gaiter.
[url="http://smg.photobucket.com/user/nialusa/media/Celica%20Rebuild/P1010269_zps6e294c92.jpg.html"][/url]
it should look nice on the bulkhead
[url="http://smg.photobucket.com/user/nialusa/media/Celica%20Rebuild/image_zps31fdf6aa.jpg.html"][/url]
Nearly got the front driveshafts finished, just need to locate a replacement vibration damper for the right side drive shaft.
[url="http://smg.photobucket.com/user/nialusa/media/Celica%20Rebuild/P1010275_zpsa2129329.jpg.html"][/url]
The brake stopper polished up well
[url="http://smg.photobucket.com/user/nialusa/media/Celica%20Rebuild/P1010273_zps146491b5.jpg.html"][/url]
front hubs also came back from the electroplaters.
[url="http://smg.photobucket.com/user/nialusa/media/Celica%20Rebuild/P1010271_zps9fde6bea.jpg.html"][/url]
A box of parts ready to be sent off to the electroplaters
[url="http://smg.photobucket.com/user/nialusa/media/Celica%20Rebuild/P1010277_zps4d1454ef.jpg.html"][/url]
still nothing of much substance really, just all little jobs that make the big jobs easier.
Well got a bunch of tstuff back from the zinc platers and got a few more things back together.
[url="http://smg.photobucket.com/user/nialusa/media/Celica%20Rebuild/imagejpg1_zps378e6bdf.jpg.html"][/url]
The brake and clutch pedals refurbished and ready to be refitted
[url="http://smg.photobucket.com/user/nialusa/media/imagejpg2_zps607b60ff.jpg.html"][/url]
I took the power steering pump apart, there's quite a few bits inside that all decide they want to head in many different directions when you open the thing up.
[url="http://smg.photobucket.com/user/nialusa/media/Celica%20Rebuild/imagejpg2_zpsb9e9ca12.jpg.html"][/url]
And the tensioner for the alternator belt
[url="http://smg.photobucket.com/user/nialusa/media/Celica%20Rebuild/imagejpg5_zps284838e6.jpg.html"][/url]
The next task is building a new dolly to help transport the shell around as it doesn't fit on a car transporter with the current dolly, time to break out the welder again.
It's about time I had a new rotisserie, so I have made this one to be very strong, to be able to rotate the car, obviously, but also to enable it to be transported it's wheel width will match that of a car transporter ramps, it's adjustable in both length and height a step up from the wooden supports I was using
[url="http://smg.photobucket.com/user/nialusa/media/Celica%20Rebuild/imagejpg1_zpsef2940fb.jpg.html"][/url]
[url="http://smg.photobucket.com/user/nialusa/media/Celica%20Rebuild/imagejpg2_zps08df153b.jpg.html"][/url]
Should finish it tomorrow :thumbsup:
After deciding the recently applied undercoat was no good I sent the shell away for Media blasting, and it's done.
[url="http://smg.photobucket.com/user/nialusa/media/20140620_141151_zpsc1eda88d.jpg.html"][/url]
Along with a super tough primer/undercoat....not the final colour, but quite a nice colour, not sure if it would suit a celica or not.....think I will stick with me original colour
Well, I have managed to sort myself out with a compressor. Got myself a reasonable compressor to start off with and a few bits n bobs.
First off because I have no space in the garage I built a little shed to house the compressor.
[url="http://smg.photobucket.com/user/nialusa/media/Celica%20Rebuild/imagejpg5_zps516bd528.jpg.html"][/url]
It is well ventilated and sound proofed so it dosnt annoy the neighbours too much.
[url="http://smg.photobucket.com/user/nialusa/media/Celica%20Rebuild/imagejpg4_zpse4905bfc.jpg.html"][/url]
Feeds through to a filter and extendable hose
[url="http://smg.photobucket.com/user/nialusa/media/Celica%20Rebuild/imagejpg1_zpscd5d85a8.jpg.html"][/url]
I need to add more filters though as the one I have dosnt remove all the moisture out of the airline.
I went back to the good old epoxy mastic 121 from rustbusters, thinned out the full 15% it goes on quit nicely and easily.
I am sure pro painters will take one look at this and shake his head with shame with the conditions I have to work in, but there is an Old Scottish Expression
which goes........"You can only piss with the cock you've got" unfortunately I dont have a nice big garage.....yet, plans are to build one eventually
[url="http://smg.photobucket.com/user/nialusa/media/Celica%20Rebuild/imagejpg9_zps9ba49f31.jpg.html"][/url]
[url="http://smg.photobucket.com/user/nialusa/media/Celica%20Rebuild/imagejpg8_zps4a3e1e4c.jpg.html"][/url]
As its the first thing I have ever sprayed in my life (with a proper air gun, done plenty with aerosols) I will plastic sheet out the garage when it comes to applying the top coat but as all I am doing is the underside it dosent matter too much, I will leave the top side to the professionals
[url="http://smg.photobucket.com/user/nialusa/media/Celica%20Rebuild/imagejpg1_zpsc6278b73.jpg.html"][/url]
[url="http://smg.photobucket.com/user/nialusa/media/Celica%20Rebuild/imagejpg2_zps4fd84f71.jpg.html"][/url]
This needs to dry now for at least a week I will then do a coat of undercoat, final colour, then some ultra tough high gloss clearcoat.
I had to redo the front bumper as i wasn't happy with my previous attempt.......
Once you have cut the two halves of the bumper and matched them up you need to start by drilling a series of holes about an inch from the join about three or four inches apart.
I then zip tied the two ends together and then started zip tying towards the middle, as I went I put the wire mesh on the back
The front
[url="http://smg.photobucket.com/user/nialusa/media/Celica%20Rebuild/imagejpg1_zps8538f0b7.jpg.html"][/url]
The back before the glue is applied
[url="http://smg.photobucket.com/user/nialusa/media/Celica%20Rebuild/imagejpg4_zpsb8a233a9.jpg.html"][/url]
And with the glue applied and pressed into all the mesh and holes
[url="http://smg.photobucket.com/user/nialusa/media/Celica%20Rebuild/imagejpg5_zpsd0b93e42.jpg.html"][/url]
[url="http://smg.photobucket.com/user/nialusa/media/Celica%20Rebuild/imagejpg6_zps0fccb344.jpg.html"][/url]
There is more to do but I need to let the glue fully cure overnight at least. I will then add a bit more glue into the bits I missed and fill in any holes in the join.
A bit of scratch fabrication today, it's still a bit rough and needs finishing off, but it's a...........well, can you guess what it is :confuse: :confuse: :confuse:
[url="http://smg.photobucket.com/user/nialusa/media/Celica%20Rebuild/imagejpg2_zpsbe46ae00.jpg.html"][/url]
A bit of minor fabrication, the centre beam for mounting oil coolers, the two (yet to be welded) front supports for the FMIC, I hope they are long enough as I had to guess the size and position.
[url="http://smg.photobucket.com/user/nialusa/media/imagejpg1_zps20ac4254.jpg.html"][/url]
[url="http://smg.photobucket.com/user/nialusa/media/imagejpg2_zps63501452.jpg.html"][/url]
Some more goodies turned up today.
A complete superstrut system which I must say is F'in expensive, I hope never to have to buy all this lot in one go ever again. I hate saying goodbye to £1300 ($2095) at once. Less free cash this month
[url="http://smg.photobucket.com/user/nialusa/media/imagejpg2_zps7797763e.jpg.html"][/url]
Also this which should more than handle my fuelling needs i didn't think the previous updated fuel pump would cope.
[url="http://smg.photobucket.com/user/nialusa/media/imagejpg3_zps7959f3d9.jpg.html"][/url]
Awaiting more tomorrow, hopefully some steel tube for some more fabrication, a special stone guard paint gun so I can try and apply some of that stuff, oh and some plastic sheet so I can burry the bodies....err err I mean protect the car when spraying it.
Some colour at last
[url="http://smg.photobucket.com/user/nialusa/media/Celica%20Rebuild/imagejpg2_zps4430773c.jpg.html"][/url]
[url="http://smg.photobucket.com/user/nialusa/media/Celica%20Rebuild/imagejpg3_zps0de3793c.jpg.html"][/url]
[url="http://smg.photobucket.com/user/nialusa/media/Celica%20Rebuild/imagejpg4_zps7a6460c4.jpg.html"][/url]
[url="http://smg.photobucket.com/user/nialusa/media/Celica%20Rebuild/imagejpg1_zpsa0a0707a.jpg.html"][/url]
Only one coat, needs a couple more to get a nice even finish. A bit more work for the engine bay before I spray that.
I decided that I would buy a shell and swap everything onto it. so I hunted for a reasonable shell to start work on.
While I was looking, I had to extend my garage. I only had a single car garage so not enough space to work or store stuff.
So I decided to extend my garage backwards a bit
Work started.
and after a few weeks, finished ;0
About the same time a shell turned up, well it was sold as a shell, but it was more or less a complete car minus the engine and gearbox.
It was in good condition with no rust, even the interior was in pretty much spot on condition, not that I need much of it
I set to work more or less straight away
First job was to strip everything off the car
everything went, all the looms, glass, suspension the works
Next job was to remove the sound deadening material
it then went outside for a thorough jet wash go get rid of all the years of crap
As I was moving the battery to the inside I could remove the battery tray
which I did
Next up I needed to get to the bottom of the car....this was going to require some ingenuity.
I was going to have to make my own rotisserie.
So back off to the wood yard, a few lengths of 2x4 and I made this
It was about now I realised two things. One I was going to have to learn to weld and two..my plans for this car were changing quite dramatically......a fancied making a cross between a rally car and a GT car...no idea how I was going to achieve this, but the seeds had been set in my mind and for once they stayed there.
So I rushed out and purchased a MIG welder....learning to weld was pretty easy to be honest, by no means as neat as the pros but not bad for a complete novice.
So I made a rotisserie
It fitted like a glove and worked perfectly
A quick look revealed the sills were pretty mangled
so I had to fix them up as best I could
At the same time I started blasting and painting with good old POR15 the subframes and suspension parts
The came out quite nice
did the prop shaft too, started a bit rough
came up well
also cleaned up the steering rack
and the alloy diff end plate....gave it a good polish
Next up I started the worst job I have ever attempted
Tackling the stone guard on the bottom of the car.
I cant count the amount of drill & angle grinder wire brush attachments I have gone through.
it makes alot of dust and takes what seems like forever
slow slow work
this stage took about a month
at last, more or less done
I then painted it with more POR15
More or less at the time I was ready to slit my wrists due to constant wire brushing the roll cage turned up (I still havnt finished under the car....I am going to get the rest sand blasted....i just cant face it any more
A brief test fitting and I was starting to get excited.....I was going to have to break out the welder again
First job was to add some strengthening to the top of the rear suspension tops, so i removed the odd metal bracing off them (i think its used to just hold the rear plastics in place?)
I then made a template
and then a metal top (3mm mild steel)
and one for the other side
Once I had welded these to the car it was time to start getting the roll cage in
I filled the aerial hole whilst I was at it
Anyway, back to the cage, more bits turned up
this was starting to get serious
this ties in the rear sub frame to the cage, helps keep things stiff
nearly there
as you can see my welding isnt great, but as its more or less the seond thing I have ever welded in my life i was mildly pleased with it
Done
i had decided that I didnt want a full cage, at the end of the day it will be just a road car so getting in and out easily is a priority
Next up I decided it was about time to learn how to cast new metal parts, as for what I had in mind the parts do not exist, I was going to have to make them.
I was going to have to make myself a mini blast furnace...and learn how to cast metal
I needed these
I turned the bin into a furnace with the use of some fire cement
fill it with charcol, attach a heat gun, ignite and stand back
I made a vessel from a spare piece of square tube...it gets pretty hot
hot enough to melt alloy
I still needed to learn how to make sand moulds so stopped there for the time being, I will pick that up again later.
Taking a long look at my roll cage, I was not happy with the welds. so i decided to dress them, smooth them out, add a little body filler and make them smooth
started looking much better although I did have to remove the main hoop cross member for access
dont worry its not going to be that colour, thats just filler primer
at the same time I cleaned up the floor and primed that ready for paint
the boot aswell....I also welded the cross member back in
Next up was the seam sealer, so I masked off the areas I was going to apply it to
then applied the U-Pol grey stripe seam sealer (nasty stuff)
well here is a little update. I just about finished the seam sealer today but to show you a comparison, one side of the car is finished and the seam sealer has been primed, the other side it has just been applied.
Left side it has just been applied, right side has had two coats of seam sealer and had primer sprayed over the top. I am pleased that you can hardly see anything despite the fact it will all be covered over with sound mat.....just because you cant see it dosent mean it cant be right.
cheeky shot of the cage
I stripped down the petrol tank
gave it a good paint
the obligatory walbro fuel pump
all back together with some stainless steel bolts
rejuvenated the fuel tank straps
started rebuilding the rear axels
managed to rescue the rear brake disc backing plates
they came up well
Found a product called Deox C which is great at getting rid of rust, bought the rear hub carriers up a treat
and I got alot of bolts zinc plated
and the door catches chromed
things are starting to go back together now, the rear subframe and suspension parts are all half built, just waiting for the paint on the rear hubs to dry and cure and they can go back together, need some snap rings for the rear axels, then they can go back on. Rear diff can be completed tomorrow if I get time.
I have taken the bonnet catch apart which I am going to get chromed, then I have had to have custom stepped rivets made so I can put it all back together again. I have also been working on the interior, a few ideas which have fallen by the wayside and a few new ideas.
I started rebuilding the interior plastics to work around the roll cage, a bit more complex than I bargained for, but its going to challenge my fibreglassing skills.
[url="http://smg.photobucket.com/user/nialusa/media/Celica%20Rebuild/P1010068_zps84c9e400.jpg.html"][/url]
Now that I have finally taken the other Faff off the road I can start transferring bits over.
After talking to some rally boffins and TTE experts I have decided on two options for the engine rebuild. Initially I am going to use a 185 block and head as these are stronger than the 205 block, the head isn't as good but is more workable...or some am told. Also there are more bits available for the 185 blocks like moroso sumps etc will re using my Link G3 ECU with a brand new engine loom. Plans are afoot for a TTE charge cooler.
I got hold of an ST202 front bumper, an old knackered GT4 front bumper, both of which I have cut up to make into one. I also managed to get hold of a TOMs front lip which I think suits the car very well.
had to use the parts car to line the bumper up.
[url="http://smg.photobucket.com/user/nialusa/media/Celica%20Rebuild/Photo0407_zpse8528355.jpg.html"][/url]
still so much to do and it seems like two steps forward one step backwards all the time. i might have retired by the time I finish this rebuild.
Hmmmm shiny bits
[url="http://smg.photobucket.com/user/nialusa/media/Celica%20Rebuild/Photo0411_zps30c563ca.jpg.html"][/url]
Still removing paint and underseal......sigh. Just the fiddle bits left to do which is no fun at all.
Beginning to wish I had a compressor and sand blaster.
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As you can see there isn't a great deal more on the GT4 than the normal celica for the rear sub frame. For those wishing to do a proper GT4 conversion you should be able to get the extra bits to weld to a non GT4 to allow for fitment of the rear subframe. Would need looking into it in a bit more detail just to make sure there isn't any hidden parts, but it shouldn't be a difficult task. It would make it as close as possible to a GT4 without buying one.
I can check part numbers for those wishing to investigate.
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As you can see, I don't have much room to work in
Well, not much being done today, spent a large portion of the day driving around the country picking up bits n pieces.
Did pick up these though
the obligatory suspension in a box shot....some nice BC coilovers
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The castings are in the garage currently painted in grey self etching primer.
I picked up yet another GT4 front bumper to finish off the SS4 front bumper.....that will be 3 GT4 front bumpers that have bitten the dust thanks to me ....oh well.
Tomorrow, hopefully I will complete the cleaning off of the bottom of the car so I can do the final derust and clean ready for applying the paint next weekend.
Well finally got to apply some paint instead of stripping it off.
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still some stripping to do in the engine bay area, but I have to get this painted before the weather gets too cold.....paint dosent like being applied in the cold....paints a wuss
After another coat of epoxy mastic, I will apply some seam sealer in a few areas, then some POR high build tie coat primer as the epoxy mastic has load of brush marks, it will then get a smoothing rub down before I apply some POR15 flex coat for a silky smooth glossy finish :thumbsup:
Well, a bit of work today, decided to refurbish a set of spare brake Calipers I had, they are in mint condition so didnt need much fettling, I took them to bits, removed all the seals etc, the bolts will be sent away to get zinc plated.
The callipers were painted with Eastwood chassis black extreme, a beautiful paint that goes on very nicely and has a great finish.
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and a hint as to what the finished callipers will look like
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Another box of bits (mostly bolts) arrived back from the electroplaters.
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should be fun trying to remember where all the bolts go...i give myself about an 80% chance of getting it wrong
I also managed a few smaller jobs, put the ignitor assembly back together along with the nice shiny dipstick holed, wiper motor which i finally managed to get the bolts for, and the steering shaft gaiter.
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it should look nice on the bulkhead
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Nearly got the front driveshafts finished, just need to locate a replacement vibration damper for the right side drive shaft.
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The brake stopper polished up well
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front hubs also came back from the electroplaters.
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A box of parts ready to be sent off to the electroplaters
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still nothing of much substance really, just all little jobs that make the big jobs easier.
Well got a bunch of tstuff back from the zinc platers and got a few more things back together.
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The brake and clutch pedals refurbished and ready to be refitted
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I took the power steering pump apart, there's quite a few bits inside that all decide they want to head in many different directions when you open the thing up.
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And the tensioner for the alternator belt
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The next task is building a new dolly to help transport the shell around as it doesn't fit on a car transporter with the current dolly, time to break out the welder again.
It's about time I had a new rotisserie, so I have made this one to be very strong, to be able to rotate the car, obviously, but also to enable it to be transported it's wheel width will match that of a car transporter ramps, it's adjustable in both length and height a step up from the wooden supports I was using
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Should finish it tomorrow :thumbsup:
After deciding the recently applied undercoat was no good I sent the shell away for Media blasting, and it's done.
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Along with a super tough primer/undercoat....not the final colour, but quite a nice colour, not sure if it would suit a celica or not.....think I will stick with me original colour
Well, I have managed to sort myself out with a compressor. Got myself a reasonable compressor to start off with and a few bits n bobs.
First off because I have no space in the garage I built a little shed to house the compressor.
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It is well ventilated and sound proofed so it dosnt annoy the neighbours too much.
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Feeds through to a filter and extendable hose
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I need to add more filters though as the one I have dosnt remove all the moisture out of the airline.
I went back to the good old epoxy mastic 121 from rustbusters, thinned out the full 15% it goes on quit nicely and easily.
I am sure pro painters will take one look at this and shake his head with shame with the conditions I have to work in, but there is an Old Scottish Expression
which goes........"You can only piss with the cock you've got" unfortunately I dont have a nice big garage.....yet, plans are to build one eventually
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As its the first thing I have ever sprayed in my life (with a proper air gun, done plenty with aerosols) I will plastic sheet out the garage when it comes to applying the top coat but as all I am doing is the underside it dosent matter too much, I will leave the top side to the professionals
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This needs to dry now for at least a week I will then do a coat of undercoat, final colour, then some ultra tough high gloss clearcoat.
I had to redo the front bumper as i wasn't happy with my previous attempt.......
Once you have cut the two halves of the bumper and matched them up you need to start by drilling a series of holes about an inch from the join about three or four inches apart.
I then zip tied the two ends together and then started zip tying towards the middle, as I went I put the wire mesh on the back
The front
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The back before the glue is applied
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And with the glue applied and pressed into all the mesh and holes
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There is more to do but I need to let the glue fully cure overnight at least. I will then add a bit more glue into the bits I missed and fill in any holes in the join.
A bit of scratch fabrication today, it's still a bit rough and needs finishing off, but it's a...........well, can you guess what it is :confuse: :confuse: :confuse:
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A bit of minor fabrication, the centre beam for mounting oil coolers, the two (yet to be welded) front supports for the FMIC, I hope they are long enough as I had to guess the size and position.
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Some more goodies turned up today.
A complete superstrut system which I must say is F'in expensive, I hope never to have to buy all this lot in one go ever again. I hate saying goodbye to £1300 ($2095) at once. Less free cash this month
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Also this which should more than handle my fuelling needs i didn't think the previous updated fuel pump would cope.
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Awaiting more tomorrow, hopefully some steel tube for some more fabrication, a special stone guard paint gun so I can try and apply some of that stuff, oh and some plastic sheet so I can burry the bodies....err err I mean protect the car when spraying it.
Some colour at last
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Only one coat, needs a couple more to get a nice even finish. A bit more work for the engine bay before I spray that.