Well, I have a freind who now lives up near York but has always known me and my cars and has now bought this Merlin on Ebay. I said that I would help him build or restore one years ago so now that time ::)
(http://s4.postimage.org/1VDaE9.jpg) (http://www.postimage.org/)
It does need quite a bit of work and needs to be IVA'd and registered but should be a good un when it's all done.
The car is down in Devon at the mo' and Ive got to go and collect it :o Anyone fancy a road trip poss Saturday week?
;D
8)
Are you going wiyh a trailer Bri?
How about the whole of the BKCC fleet turning up to collect this project? ;D
Yes it does need to be traliered back and I do have the use of one.
It's down In Bude, Devon. So a liitle to far for a club run. Me finks. ;D
But a second pair of hands to come down for a ride could be helpful ;)
8)
Now set for Sunday week (15th Nov)
Can't promise at the moment but check with me a bit nearer the 15th.
Have now got the trailer secured for the day and just got to make room in the garage (rebuild the sink area fit some more shelves)
My freind Steve, who has bought the Merlin, will be coming down to the Exeter show with me now as well
8)
Dont you have enough work to do without taking on another project? :o ;)
Hey... I like to keep busy ;D
8)
I'm ok now for help collecting the car. Thanks Rich though for the offer.
8)
Spent the day making room for the Merlin. All my benches are now down one side and the sink turned round, so that i have room at the back for one more car :o
Making an early start in the morning the trailer is on the drive ready to go, just hope the weather holds off a bit ???
piccys tomorrow eve. (I hope)
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Weather looks a bit more promising Sunday. Hope all goes well with the transport.
Look forward to the pics :)
Great day, weather was fantastic the run down went really smoothly my car managed the whole run without a hitch Very happy...
(http://s4.postimage.org/EQqpi.jpg) (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=aVEQqpi)
2 engines and gearboxes (1.6 & 2.0 pinto's + 4 & 5 speed boxes)
(http://s2.postimage.org/1w3P5r.jpg) (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=Ts1w3P5r)
All loaded and ready
(http://s4.postimage.org/ERTHA.jpg) (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=aVERTHA)
Yes I CAN get 3 cars in my garage!
(http://s4.postimage.org/EScEJ.jpg) (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=aVEScEJ)
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Nice one, and so the work commences :)
Here's how things are progressing.
I waited for Steve 'Murdoch' who bought the car had had a chance to see it as it had arrived, after we got back from the Exeter show... Then set to taking it apart.
By the end of the weekend we had removed most of the intirior (carpets, seats dash etc).
(http://s4.postimage.org/1tXIO0.jpg) (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=aV1tXIO0)
But then Steve had to return home.
Next, was to get the body off the chassis, so spent the next few days rolling about under the car undoing any bolts and bits that held the two parts together, then one eve after work another mate dropped in and helped lift the body up and tie it to the roof joists.
(http://s1.postimage.org/3IYu0.jpg) (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=gx3IYu0)
After a going over the chassis with wire brushes to remove any loose paintwork I gave it a coat of the ol' Hammerite' also I've redone the rear brake cylinders and shoes (a new set was in the boot of the car when we got it ;D ) so may as well fit then while easy to get to.
The stainless exhuast system was straight forward enough to fit as well.
(http://s1.postimage.org/3JBoi.jpg) (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=gx3JBoi)
Steve came down on Monday evening as he was going to see Alice Cooper in Wolverhampton the following day and as Bristol is closer than York ;) made sence to stay down here ;D
So with his help we lifted the chassis high enough and moved the 1600 pinto engine that is going to be used in this car into the area so it could be cleaned and then lifted up into place, also fitted the 5 speed gearbox on. Small alteration is going to be needed to the chassis as the 4 speed mounting point is about 3 inches further forward than the 5 speed >:( not to much of a problem, just annoying.
(http://s1.postimage.org/3KqMi.jpg) (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=gx3KqMi)
Thats it for now. more later.
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Great progress there mate.
The car looks in pretty good condition.
Bri, The really important question though is that massive, humungous purchase that was made in Exeter that was critical for all progress on the Merlin - did it work ? was it as advertised ? any pictures of it in action ?
you dont seem to be hanging about there mate
A bit more movement on the progress of the Merlin today, the new propshaft arrived for the 5speed box and is now in andI've got around to the other side and done the N/S rear brakes.
(http://s4.postimage.org/1Lk85S.jpg) (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=aV1Lk85S)
Just need to get gearbox mount welded in and the rest of the plumbing done (fuel & brake pipes)
Just a quick request, has anyone got an old starter motor for a pinto kicking around? the one with the piggyback soliniod on. ::)
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Good work there. I recon you should ditch your job and and take up finishing kit car projects for other people :)
Would be a dream job but don't recon the £'s would be there.
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Getting a good move on there Bri !
Things have been a little slow here this last couple of weeks, what with working for 'Royal Mail' so very busy and the cold wet weather as well hasn't helped :'(
But have been getting bits in during this time to hopefully try and start the engine soon. Only thing missing is a starter motor :( got a few feelers out looking for one at the right price ;)
Hope to have some movement this weekend.
8)
Quote from: bulldog bri on 09, December, 2009, 12:29:32 PM
Would be a dream job but don't recon the £'s would be there.
8)
Start part time and see what happens, no harm in having a go 8) I'll set up a page on the site for you if you like.
Look forward to the updates.
I did manage to get hold of another starter motor on Xmas eve through the old skool Ford guys at work.
I wired it up to test and all seemed ok the motor turns at a good rate and the gearing is pushed forwards to engage the flywheel. So fitted it... All I get now is a clunk, as if low on power but battery is fully charged!!! I turned the enginevia a torque wrench on the front pulley nut and feels quite free other than in cylinder compression...
Any Ideas lads???
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Is there a very good earth connection?
Is it an identical motor?
Yup. Basically I had the starter wired up as the only part of the curciut in the chassis...
Battery sat on the floor by the engine the + connected to the solinoid on the starter and the - frm the battery to the bell housing, then a fly wire from the + to the switch terminal on the solinoid to start. CLUNK!!!
Another thought is that the battery isn't kicking out full power though showing full charge ???
It's not idendtial to the original motor but did come from a 1600 Mk3 Cortina.. ???
8)
Do you have another battery to try, this cold weather can play havoc. Dont take any notice of the voltmeter, a battery has to deliver huge current at start up and if its a bit suspect it will fail under load.
Are you sure the gears are lining up correctly, not being an identical motor?
Well, tried a different battery today and yes it did turn the engine over but only just. :-[
It turns over but sound very slow and as though something is grinding somewhere :(
At the moment the engine is being stripped down, I've taken the head off cleaned up the head and top of the cylinders (all seems ok there)
I've removed the gearbox as well refitted the starter using the sandwich plate but the nosie is still there. ???
Looks like I've got to go in the bottom end as well now. :'(
The other thing I've noticed is that I don't appear to be getting any oil up top so I will need to check that out while I'm in the sump area. ???
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With all the bad weather of late I've been bringing in parts of the Merlin that can be cleaned up indoors the main piece has been the scuttle, windscreen and dashboard.
First was to removed the windscreen from the scuttle, this only had 6 bolt's (including the 2 for the wing mirrors) which were all rusted in place. As this is quite an old kit the edges of the frame need to be filed and radiused for IVAing and windscreen may need replacing only as it hasn't got any markings on it ??? though it's all polishing up great.
The scuttle itself needs a little attention, as who ever built it first time around drilled the holes for the wipers in the wrong place then filled with a massive amount of filler then took the over fill down leaving loose lumps to hang below inside the scuttle :'( other than that a good sanding ready for painting.
(http://s4.postimage.org/1zbwBA.jpg) (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=aV1zbwBA)
I've made a new dashboard out of as the old one had to many holes in the wrong places and had water damage.
(http://s1.postimage.org/aKn9S.jpg) (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=gxaKn9S)
(http://s2.postimage.org/t0Bs9.jpg) (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=Tst0Bs9)
The other parts I've been working on are the Cibie Oscar Headlights, these had loads of surface muck on the rims and very rough paintwork on the bowls but have also cleaned up a treat.
(http://s4.postimage.org/1zc4wA.jpg) (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=aV1zc4wA)
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Nice work there Bri, the new dash will look really smart.
Once I've sorted the garage, the first job on the Merlin is to remove and strip down the bottom end of the engine to find whats grinding and why the oil isn't pumping... >:(
We've decided on the shade of blue for the car.. this is now to be Toyota's Metalic Dark Blue... (Just the Cream colour to sort now)
8)
Got started on the engine this morning.
First thing was to drain the sump!!! :o after 3-4ltrs of WATER!!! coming out and then about the same in oil! :o I was able to remove the block from it's mounts and up ended onto a board stretched over the chassis.
(http://s4.postimage.org/1OgUwJ.jpg) (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=aV1OgUwJ)
I've been sure that I've not had oil (water) pumping around the engine (even when turning over I should have seen some) so I removed the oil pump and yep, that was seized solid. After many 4 letter words and a few new ones I managed to hammer the rotating part out of its housing and then able to clean the surfaces inside for the shaft, this is also driven by the distributor via a small cam.
Once I've got hold of a new gasket set, I'll be able to put sump back on and rebuild the engine try and run the engine with some cheap oil and a full flush and couple of times.
8)
Wow thats some sludge in there mate. Looks like its head gasket time too :o
EDIT: Not to mention if the engine has been running in a part water solution, then it might be wise to check all the bearings and bores for damage.
Definitly not a pretty sight mate...good luck with the rebuild. ;)
Eugh, that will take more than one run through.
Well, engine is all back together and turns by hand now with no problems. wired up the basics for the ignition yesterday and with battery on a gentle over night charge and some fuel will be attempting the first firing later this week.
Once this is running the body can be put back on and I can start on the rest of the car...
8)
You and others seem to be cracking on with things, most impressed.
Sob :'( the engine didn't start when we tried so dug a bit deeper and discovered that it only had about 10lbs of compression on 1 cylinder the rest Zero.
So off with it's head, put some fuel down each of the bores to check the rings, they were fine
and removed the valves, yep, their were pretty nackered :'( So I've spent the last week and a bit hand grinding them back in.
Along with this I've got the dashboard fitted with all the guages and the glovebox appeture cut, a few repairs to the scuttle and thats done.
8)
Thats a shame Bri. Whats the chance of picking up another engine?
If all this doesn't work then I'll be looking into it >:(
I've even been using an old wet block to smooth out the head surface it'self ::)
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Ok... I've got some compression now about 80lbs and thats with the engine turning over slowly, hopefully better if I can get a better starter. Also seem to have cooked the coil. Damm.
Still sounds a bit grindy when I turn it over. Again hoping thats the starter... any one got a spare one I could try? ;D
8)
Engine seems to be getting looser and turning over a little easier (but only with a full charge on the battery :() (and a second one to jump it ;D)
8)
Does the engine turn freely by hand/ spanner with the plugs out?
Yep, fairly freely, have also got oil pressure now reading on the turn over so the pump repair must be good :D just feel I've got to get the ignition timing correct and it's gonna go soon.
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Baited breath............ :D
It's Alive!
Had a 5 second run of firing, no starter. ;D
Very Happy
8)
Good news bud :)
Hope it continues to run good, hopefully with no smoke or knocks.
Nice one Bri! Soon be purring like a kitten :D
So chuffed with the engine, I've uploaded a small vid to YouTube :D
First time start up for Merlins Engine (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wI0ULFSjFTU#)
8)
Nice vid Bri.
Engine sounds sweet enough, hopefully just a few tweaks to get a real smooth run and tick-over 8)
Yey!!! Got the body lowered back down this evening. :P
I can now look at restoring the bodywork and bolting it all back together ;D
8)
Good work, get a few pics up :)
Now the Bulldog is out of the way, I've started back on the Merlin.
It's been moved over to the middle of the garage for ease of working on it, the first thing I want to get done is to sort out the bodywork. It had had a very poor paint job by a previous owner orange peel surface and has lots of small chips in it as well, plus a few holes and damage to repair, so I've got a lot of work ahead of me there. ???
(http://s1.postimage.org/6uOBi.jpg) (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=gx6uOBi)
I've sparyed the wings with some old black spray paint, this will highlight the chips in the paint.
(http://s4.postimage.org/yQ_2J.jpg) (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=aVyQ_2J)
Then plenty of rubbing down with wet n dry
(http://s2.postimage.org/5CEzA.jpg) (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=Ts5CEzA)
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That'l keep you fit Bri ;)
Good work.
oh sanding lovely sanding :(
Some really good progress Bri !
You've been a busy boy!!!
Preperation, preperation and more preperation, thats the key. Should look the DB's when done.
M
Can see you are getting somewhere now mate - what colour you going for
Quote from: Hairy Santa on 17, March, 2010, 09:57:18 PM
Can see you are getting somewhere now mate - what colour you going for
The plan is Toyota's 'Metalic Dark Blue' for the wings, bonnet & boot with a soft cream colour (Looking at Mini's 'Pepper white') for the sides.
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Hi Bri
Got to say mate, she sounds pretty sweet ! Purring like a tiger......
Rubbing progress looking good too, shame she wont be ready for Stoneleigh - drive down in the sun, buy a hood from the Merlin stand, drive back ..... !!!
Cheers
Steve
Spent the weekend tiding up the old guages so far the 4 small one have come out really good the2 larger ones need a fair bit more work.
(http://s2.postimage.org/D3pq9.jpg) (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=TsD3pq9)
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Nice work Bri :)
How much more work do you need to do on the car?
Looking good....are you spraying it in cellelose or 2 pack? ;)
I got to spray mine in the next couple of weeks unless I can get my son to do it.....he works in a body shop.
Quote from: paintman on 28, March, 2010, 11:57:17 PM
I got to spray mine in the next couple of weeks unless I can get my son to do it.....he works in a body shop.
That would be handy 8)
Quote from: paintman on 28, March, 2010, 11:57:17 PM
Looking good....are you spraying it in cellelose or 2 pack? ;)
I got to spray mine in the next couple of weeks unless I can get my son to do it.....he works in a body shop.
Ok for some isn't it ;)
I shall be attempting to spray it ???
Jobs still to do are, to paint, wire, fit out the intrior, re con the wheels, have the chrome bits redone and get a new roof. IVA!!!
Not to much still :'( But I'd only get bored otherwise :P
8)
Glad to see you are coming along Bri.
This spraying lark is not as simple to get a good job as it looks is it. Guess having the right equipment helps but I can't justify that for my little job.
We'll have to sit down with these IVA forms some time soon, I've read them a few times so have started to pull the varying accompanying paper work together, I think once done this might make a good little writeup to help others, maybe someone will do it before we do, then we can have a guide ;D
3 weeks of rubbing down and the Merlin is ready for painting, shame the paints never arrived in time for the long weekend as they were ordered in time (over a week before) but I doo now have a boot lid that now fits nicely now ;D
Does anyone know somewhere around Bristol that can do rechroming? as the bumpers and grill all need sorting out plus a few other little bits. And would I need to sort out the rusty bits first?
8)
rubbing and sanding and sanding and rubbing, on and on it goes ;D
About time for an update,
With fingers nearly worn out sorting the bodywork out, I started on the spraying this week. first I started with the creamy/white for the sides. This turned out to be lots of hair pulling as this paint just hated the old fibreglass (not all of the exposed areas) and just ran off. so after rubbing down again Primered up and repainted.
Next I masked of the sides and then started on the Met blue. this has gone on fantastically well and have really enjoyed the results. Will give this all about a week to dry then a very light rub down followed by a few coats of clear.
(http://s2.postimage.org/cYEki.jpg) (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=TscYEki)
(http://s4.postimage.org/EPhdA.jpg) (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=aVEPhdA)
(http://s2.postimage.org/cZrd9.jpg) (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=TscZrd9)
(http://s4.postimage.org/EPGa0.jpg) (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=aVEPGa0)
(http://s2.postimage.org/cZSEJ.jpg) (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=TscZSEJ)
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That is gonna look great Bri
Brill job mate
It does look fantastic - cant wait to see the finished result
Just taken the masking off ;D
Couple of pics
Now the clean up then clear coat. Where the 2 colours meet there will be a black pin stripe to help hide the joins ::)
(http://s2.postimage.org/eHzei.jpg) (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=TseHzei)
(http://s1.postimage.org/mGG7i.jpg) (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=gxmGG7i)
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Nice work, shame you have to give it back :(
Quote from: G & Toniq on 24, April, 2010, 10:11:34 PM
Nice work, shame you have to give it back :(
A little but it's given me lots to do and still learning ;D
Unmasked it this morning and placed a few bits on.
(http://s3.postimage.org/U74wA.jpg) (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=PqU74wA)
(http://s2.postimage.org/h7yki.jpg) (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=Tsh7yki)
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Brilliant Bri !
I'm nearly done on the paint practice and on to the real thing, darn silly idea to try to do stripes though !
Know what you mean about worn out fingers.
Thanks Rich, nice to know I'm not the only one with worn out fingers ;D
Nowt wrong with stripes bud, I enjoyed putting them on the Locost ::)
8)
Looking fab Bri, superb in fact.
One slight problem, I think I want a black one now :o
Keep up the fantastic work, I owe you more than a pint or two this time !
Still looking for that cheap Cobra for the next project..... ;D
Cheers
Steve
Looking pretty fine there Bri :D
Just hope I can get my 2shilling jallopy looking anything like :)
JB
I've just put a 3rd and final coat of clear on the Merlin this morning, that blue is really popping, will just have to give it a gentle rub with some very high grade wet n dry then polish it.
8)
Have got tired of all the rubbing down and polishing, so made a start on the wiring. As luck would have it, I found an old P100 Cortina pick-up in a scrapyard in Radstock last week still with it's loom in so it's now mine :D
Spent the week running through wiring diagrams and labeling up what went where. It's now all but in place and the ingnition part is up and running next I'll start setting out earthing points in all corners of the car and a couple inside. Then I'll be on to the lighting and dash gauges.
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Thats really looking good, will have to bring all my jobs over to you from now on
Bri is now our official paint sprayer for the club
and our official rewire'er ;)
You're much braver than me Bri. I am leaving my painting until the final job or I know I'll knack it with a spanner or screwdriver if I have to do any sizeable work to it after I've painted.
Mind you, that's assuming the paint job ends up aas anything worth worrying about damaging of course :)
JB
Fortunatly, most of the hole cutting had already been done as this is almost a rebuild and spraying the car at the end would either mean taking lots of bits back off or tons of masking which would leave areas under the covered parts un painted :o
8)
Small plea going out to the club... :-[
Anyone got a reversing switch for a Type 9 gearbox spare. I broke the one in the Merlin as we put the body back down on the chassis. (maybe I should have taken it off first ::) )
8)
The wheels that came with the car were Alloys but the laquer was flaking off and the metal very tarnished.
I had them liquid blasted (much kinder than shot or bead blasting) this took all the old clear coat off and back to bear metal.
After toying with the idea of polishing the wheels before repainting and finding that the alloy will scratch very easy, I decieded to paint both the silver and the black parts.
The bear wheel after blasting
(http://s1.postimage.org/iK1R0.jpg) (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=gxiK1R0)
Primered
(http://s4.postimage.org/kMICS.jpg) (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=aVkMICS)
Then the silver spray on
(http://s4.postimage.org/kML70.jpg) (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=aVkML70)
masking up and cutting out
(http://s4.postimage.org/kMQ6i.jpg) (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=aVkMQ6i)
Spraying on the black
(http://s2.postimage.org/2mmDS.jpg) (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=Ts2mmDS)
After removing all the masking tape, fininshed
(http://s2.postimage.org/2mp80.jpg) (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=Ts2mp80)
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Looks very effective Brian, I don't envy you cleaning these wheels in the future.
Quote from: MendipWursel on 17, July, 2010, 08:58:20 AM
Looks very effective Brian, I don't envy you cleaning in these wheels in the future.
Won't be my job. Hehe. :D
8)
Quote from: bulldog bri on 17, July, 2010, 09:55:26 AM
Quote from: MendipWursel on 17, July, 2010, 08:58:20 AM
Looks very effective Brian, I don't envy you cleaning in these wheels in the future.
Won't be my job. Hehe. :D
8)
Do I spy the famous front room table in the last shot - !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
:) ;) :D ;D >:( :( :o 8) ??? ::) :P :-[ :-X :-\ :-* :'(
Great job mate :)
Quote from: Hairy Santa on 17, July, 2010, 09:24:11 PM
Do I spy the famous front room table in the last shot - !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
:) ;) :D ;D >:( :( :o 8) ??? ::) :P :-[ :-X :-\ :-* :'(
YUP!! ;D
8)
Busy day again.
had the tyres refitted back on the wheels this morning and got the car back down off the blocks :)
Still trying to fathom out the wiring for the wipers Mini wiper motor to Cortina loom. I've got single speed working but no parking or second speed. >:( though I must admit I'm not sure how good the motor is :-[
(http://s1.postimage.org/nFhqr.jpg) (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=gxnFhqr)
Should be just a question of finding the wires from the wiper switch and making sure they make it to the motor with power when switched.
The park is probably an internal thing that just relies on a positive to park the blades when you turn off the wipers.
Have you got a good earth on the motor?
Car is looking good :)
Have managed to spend some time on the Merlin this week.
The wiring at the back is all done now :D (old number plate just used for spacing the lights)
(http://s3.postimage.org/3ovhJ.jpg) (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=Pq3ovhJ)
A new dashboard for IVA. With the guages (hopefully) in the exclusion area behind the steering wheel
(http://s3.postimage.org/3oPeS.jpg) (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=Pq3oPeS)
Just a little tidying up of the wiring in there a set of warning lights for the dash as well. Get the proper seats back and in (yup, those in there in the pic are from the Gentry ;D) and carpet.
I've also a few jobs in the engine bay to do and that should be about it. :D
Start thinking about test drives soon :P
8)
Looks great. Some really nice work there. Love the piping round the dash. 8)
Coming along nicely Bri - think I can spot a few changes ;)
I had a good chat with VOSA HQ on a few items the other week, quite a few of the inspectors took an early retirement option so those left are getting flooded with workload, quite possibly a common symptom around the place these days.
Happy to come by and have ano look around but think you've covered quite a few of the concerns in those pics already. Good job ! ;D
Yep. will be giving it a good going over this week to get the last few bits sorted. A few more
bits to order (dashlights, new fuel cap and a horn!)
I'll give you a shout when I think it's ready ;)
Cheers ;D
Well done, its coming together nicely. ;)
Quote from: paintman on 15, August, 2010, 09:46:31 PM
Well done, its coming together nicely. ;)
Agreed, you've worked hard there Bri. Nice job 8)
Took the Merlin for it's first drive yesterday up the back lane. :D Still no brakes (just the handbrake), think the master cylinder needs stripping down or replacing :(
(http://s4.postimage.org/Go8Ki.jpg) (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=aVGo8Ki)
(http://s4.postimage.org/Goqci.jpg) (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=aVGoqci)
(http://s4.postimage.org/GovbA.jpg) (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=aVGovbA)
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Looks great Brain..
Looking really good Brian 8)
Seeing how fast you are coming on with your 'several' projects has kicked me up the butt to get on with mine. Fitted the battery tray yesterday and gonna get stuck in to making up the wiring loom tonight. Might be asking your advice (or anyone else on here who is willing) for plumbing the engine for cooling. Not sure, but I think the radiator is from a polo so the inlet/outlet connections are on the wrong side for the pinto water pump etc.
Anyway, keep up the good work mate ;) 8)