Prrdys Thread, Restoration of a slightly rusty '81 A/C

[Plasticman]

that would be fine. put a step in the part your making, not the box. will pm you an easy way
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[benlawlor85]

Won the trailing arm on ebay. £21! will post pics when i collect.

[benlawlor85]

No updates for ages... Not much happening really. MOT has run out. Trailing arm is being welded and havign bushes fitted. the first set of bushes tore while being inserted. Once i have the T/A back it will get a coat of rustoleoum then dynaxed on the inside.
I then have to fit it and hub assy etc.
Refit exhaust - im painting it.
and do a few other bits for MOT.
Probably looking realisticly end of next month!
Will update with pics etc when i do any meaningful work on it.

[benlawlor85]

Well an update is well overdue. Fist some pics of the latest welding etc.
Think the pics will show all the work so no description

[benlawlor85]

So after all that i took it down to have a pre MOT check. and there was somthing very odd with the tappets/rockers.Possibly a lifter problem. So today i removed the engine.










So chip on bottom of one piston - i have only take one head off so far. and also the cam shaft looks pitted.
So is that a full piston and barrel set and a camshaft i need?

[benlawlor85]

Just a small update,
I have now removed both heads and all pistons and barrels. And all lifters apart from two that wont come out! damn things.
The plan is to clean everything once.... twice.... three times.... and then a little more.
Bleed and clean the lifters, Then fit new pistons and barrels and replace every gasket with Ering or similar.
Paint Tinware etc etc and get it all back together save the dodgy wongy flappy never worky flaps.
Then Im looking into replacing the ignition system with a SVDA Dissy not sure whether to go for points or electronic at the minute.
advantages and disadvantages of both?
http://www.simonbbc.com/bundle-deals/st ... park-plugs" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
thats the electronic one. Seems a bargain. But im going to need a tach and various other tools to set her up.
Big thanks to Serran1955 for help so far and his amazing youtube videos which im sure im going to watch again later
Cheers for now
Ben

Just realised my thread is in bodywork but now im taking about mech stuff... :-s

[benlawlor85]

Another small update. Engine has been stripped down (apart from splitting case) I have new barrels and Pistons from VW heritage £270 these are the AA performance ones recommended by Serran1955. I am also replacing all gaskets and exhaust valves and re-seating them all. Just waiting on one valve that VW heritage couldn't supply. In the meantime Im going to finish cleaning the engine. and engine bay is going to get wire brushed back to bare steel and painted. Cost of the engine overhaul is goign to be about £400. plus new dissy and coil etc. Loads more than i wanted to spend but hopefully the van should be totally transformed by it!

[benlawlor85]

Ok so engine is still in bits still awaiting the 4th valve. I will only buy stuff from VW heritage when i have to from now onwards. On the other hand Schofields have impressed me to business going that way from now!
I have stopped work on engine and am back on the body. pics what follow probs tell more than me writing loads.

Sorry for loads of pics tho!

[Dazco]

You're doing some good work there , when I did the rear quarter panels and inner flat sections I made the edges as per the original, I think you end up with 3 pieces all welded together, it took some fiddling to get it all to fit but you end up with a strong join and the seam on the outside looks right , hope that makes sence . Daz

[benlawlor85]

Cheers Daz. Im slowly getting there tho its half a step forward and about 10 back!
Finally got my huge tarp over the van now.
Hoping to get the welding done this weekend/ next week.
Ill try and keep this updated. Tho i tend to update stuff on facebook more as its so easy.

Ben

[Bikerboy53]

Hi i have a simaler problem with my o/s rear swing arm, so these can be welded as an effective repair ?

Also did tou just fabricate your on bottom b posts ?

[Plasticman]

what bit of your arm is neediung work
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[benlawlor85]

i have a simaler problem with my o/s rear swing arm, so these can be welded as an effective repair ?

Trailing arms can be repaired. just depends where the problem is as Mickey said he is the guy when it comes to welding check out his many restos, best in the business if you ask me.

Also did tou just fabricate your on bottom b posts ?

I did fab up the bottom of the B post mainly coz the repair panels are so thin. Which was a very slow process at the time i was learning to weld as i went along and learning to fabricate metal parts. But it looks ok, and above all i know its all fresh metal that is all at least 1,2mm and the rust has gone! Once again check out mickeys posts.

If i can help out anymore just ask! Not that ill be very useful! lol

[benlawlor85]

Hello everyone,
That is if anyone is still watching my thread,
I have made some progress with body work, I finally have the window surrounds all welded up and sound. Just waiting for a couple days dry weather so i can get some paint on them.
So First we have the windscreen surround,
Cut out around the hole on the n/s window surround

Repair piece made and offered up, relief cuts made to enable me to get the profile somewhat correct

Finished

The otherside

Inner piece made up

finished off

The two other patches when finished



Next the side windows.

[Plasticman]

fun int it
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