Rob W

Finally sourced a lower rear vent from Australia, at least I can now get the fuel tank back in. Gave it a good clean up ready for some new foam on the back. Came out like new so was pretty pleased about that. My brother popped up to mine this weekend to help putting the gearbox back in, nice thing to get out the way so I have more space in the garage. Installed with new OEM gearbox and flex plate bolts. Also split apart the brake calipers as I want to go with a different colour, surprisingly still had 3 pistons that were in solid (CW Stainless Steel version) which 2 of I had to sacrifice even with air and penetration fluid to remove. Looking at the top of the bores after removal, looks like the issue was the outer rubber seals letting water sit on the rim of the piston when fully seated. If anyone is going to do split their calipers and use air for the piston removal, make sure you have the block of wood in between as they pop out sharpish when they do!

Bump.

Looking great Matt. Over all the 20 or so years on the forum I believe this will be the most in depth restoration ever carried out.

Yes mate, slowly getting there; as normal I didn’t think I would go this much in depth but not point not going all the way when your half way through getting into it. After all the prep it’s turning out how I would have hoped for which is always a positive. Still a long way to go but in no rush. When the gearbox in back in, I’ll get it down on all 4 wheels to push it out the garage so I can get to the bolts for the front wings plus remove the centre console to swap out the new handbrake cable; something I never thought about at the start!

Suspension, subframe braces, driveshafts, handbrake cable etc all bolt on. I jacked up each hub to ride height and torqued up the suspension arms and top mounts. This will all get re-done on a 4-poster when it’s back on the road with the alignment anyway. Next is spray the gearbox, change the rear seal and get that back in then drop onto to fuel tank. Still trying to source a 2nd hand rear lower vent which is stopping the fuel tank install.

Thanks gents, it’s nice to finally be in a position to start putting parts back on!

Managed to get a good few hours on the car yesterday, all brake/Fuel lines in place, subframe back on and torqued with suspension arms bolted on hand tight. Had to remove one of the Diff bushes and re-install as it was slightly off but all good now.

Thanks Matt. Yes I looked at the PHR one and put that together just copying it, the front bushes went in easier then the Diff bushes; they required more force to get home. All Fuel/Brake line clips/fixings are still available, they have different fixing methods depending on location so have a good look before ordering mate.

Had abit of time spare so I made up a press for the bushes, 14mm stud, 3mm steel plate, 110mm hole saw and nuts washers etc. Also had to space it off the rear so I made a MDF ring for the hole saw to compress up against as the hole saw was not deep enough on its own. Only about £25 in total and done the job well, put the bushes in the freezer and greased them up prior to pressing them in and wasn’t a too bad of a job. I came to another holt on the subframe as I missed a few key items when which one was for the Top Suspension Arms (Nut with teeth on) which finally arrived the other day. Just need to torque up the Top Suspension Arms, spray inside the subframe with Dinitrol ML and install the grommets. Hopefully get some time Saturday to do some more bits on the Fuel/Brake lines now the remaining clips have been delivered and maybe get the subframe back on.

You had chance to have a look Keron? Thanks.

PM’d.

Heat Shield if still available please.

Think you may be in luck Matt, the rear section that is mostly damaged on both sides is still available. REINFORCEMENT, FRONT FLOOR, NO.3 57427-14010. Amayama list price only £24.45 per unit which will be far more cost/time effective than repairing. Front section of the rails is discontinued.

Yea that’s what happened to one of mine, I think I have found a replacement which fits into the hub/connector and within the correct Ohm reading range but waiting to see if all ok when the car is back on the road. Will confirm in my thread once I know for sure whenever that day ever comes!

Thanks Keron.

Thanks mate. Yes I’ve popped Keron an email but nothing as of yet.

Hi Matt, unfortunately mine seems to have disappeared. I need to install this prior to putting the fuel tank back in due to the depth of it.

Bump, still required. Photo added for reference.

Parts delivered and everything accounted for, time to start putting it back together!

Small update. Been an exciting/life changing month with our little girl Darcie being born, thankfully everything went well and weighing a healthy 9lb 11oz! Obviously the car will get time as and when now but I’m in no major rush. Prior to the above, as the OEM brake lines are discontinued; I made up my own with Cupro Nickel Kunifer lines using the OEM as a guide. Turned out pretty good, epoxy and 2k them for some extra protection. Also had some more bits blasted for the same coatings. Bought a cheap gazebo for spraying the brake lines mainly due to the length, done the job and will use for when I remove and refurb the front subframe, arms etc. I also prepped and sprayed the new OEM gearbox mount and rear subframe mounts as the stock paint is awful plus come scratched anyway. Masked up the directional stickers and just clear coated over which turned out well. I ordered all new OEM bolts, nuts, washers, rubber bushes, clips etc from the back end up to the gearbox using Amayama. Come to around 230 items from Japan which should be delivered tomorrow, already received the other 30 odd parts from UAE. I can then finally start putting some parts back on the car when I get some spare time!

As per the above. Looking for the rear quarter lower vent if anyone has one. Please drop me a PM if available and price. Thanks.

Popped to my brothers yesterday to put the hubs back together. New wheel bearings, OEM seals, axel hubs and bushes. The Rear dust deflectors which were sent out were for a non-ABS hub which was a pain I didn’t notice earlier but didn’t stop the main items with the press as they are last item upon install. Using an old wheel bearing which was a couple of mm smaller to press the hub onto the new wheel bearing worked a treat. Going to change the wheel studs to ARP’s so I pressed them out prior to installing the hubs, in hindsight I should of bought them and pressed them in at the same time but there you go!

My one prior was an ARC hardpipe with BOV which fitted fine and cleared the stock air box. Got a Greddy hardpipe on mine now which clears but If I remember correctly I did modify the hardpipe that runs through the wing to give more of an angle.

Thanks Matt, I wasn’t aware of that. Think I’m going to go through all part numbers which I require regarding new bolts/nuts/washers for the rear end and see what it comes out to.

Thanks gents! @HarleyFDMD @mwilkinson Been time consuming but hopefully be worth it in the long run. Trying to find somewhere local for the blasting/yellow zinc plating all in one house but even that seems hard to find. Contemplating just buying new but unsure how long new OEM bolt plating/finish lasts.