25 April 2011

No updates due to updates

It's been a few weeks since my last post, but that doesn't mean I've been idle. Quite the opposite, I've been too busy to blog about all the stuff I've been doing. In fact, that is more or less the current state of affairs; whilst I sit here and write, I'm itching to get back out and do some more. In a nutshell though, the past few weeks have seen the following developments.

Glass Run Channels: The 'tracks' that the windows go up and down in consist of a steel u-channel coated in rubber, with two felt strips glued inside, and a stainless mould clamped over the outer edge. At each end a backing plate is riveted on which then bolts inside the door. Remaking these took about four hours per door, not including the time uninstalling and reinstalling, and the total cost was around $600.

Door Guts: One door is complete and completely functional, the other three are 'nearly there', though I plan to pull the front doors apart again to replace the vent glass seals (the little triangular windows) which have only recently become available as reproductions. I have some on order currently. This might end up being an 'after rego' job.

Boot Area: I removed the bootlid temporarily to put some paint inside it on some of the bare areas. Although it's impossible to get to all of it, I think I've done the most rust-vulnerable area way at the bottom. The bootlid is now back on, but realigning it was a long and tedious process, consuming about two and a half hours, and much swearing. It's now as good as it's going to get. Since the paint inside the bootlid was the thing preventing the taillights and trim from going back on, I spent this afternoon doing that. The back of the car is now complete apart from the aluminium number plate panel that goes on the rear bumper.

More to come soon, I have gauges on order, a hydraulic throwout bearing and master cylinder kit, new bonnet hinges and some other little bits. I'm expecting the motor to be assembled this week. Should fire it up in the next week or two.