Decided to permanently retire the silver Mk2 and break her for parts (cue shameless plug for my post in ‘Parts for Sale’)!
However, picked up this one today as a replacement. Not an ounce of rust I can detect anywhere. Seems to have lived most of its life in the Channel Islands in a barn as it’s only done a fraction over 42k miles.
Whole car is in pretty much time-warp condition. There’s a few things that need tidying, and I suspect that it hasn’t been serviced in a LONG while, but that’s where all the fun begins…
So HSD mono coilovers fitted, manufacturer recommends 60mm of thread in bottom bracket.
Its set at 50mm and only gives me 310mm from hub centre to arch and 50mm ground clearance at front end…too low.
Any other members fitted these to their nc ?
Took the door card off to have a look at our very slow/sticky passenger side window. Surprised to find the bushes looking in decent nick but found that a couple of the little clips that guide the cables have broken. Looks like they’ve managed to tangle/rub/grate themselves which is the problem it would seem! Unfortunatly taking it apart and it beint shoogled about has extinguished what life was left in it and now the window won’t stay up on its own! Some Gorrila tape will have to suffice until we can get it sorted properly.
So after looking for a while for a new boot lid for my NB - seems ones without rust at the number plate lights are rarer than hen’s teeth & rocking horse poo in combination, I decided I’d just try and sort it the best I could.
Refitted the number plate lights - had also taken out the high-level brake light - no gaskets or rubber seals for them - all pretty badly perished, so I used clear silicone sealant - oh and two new bulbs for the number plate lights.
Just wondering how it managed to pass the MOT test each year without number plate lights working. I thought white rear number plate light(s) were a legal requirement.
However, all good now.
Sort of took the manifold heatshield off - what a ■■■■■■!
Apart from the bolts being “welded” on had to take off the washer fluid reservoir, and the air filter box to get decent access to them all and one just wouldn’t budge, ended up cutting around that part of the manifold with a hammer & screwdriver and the bolt holding the bracket that carries the senor wouldn’t budge at all, still I got to investigate the manifold and I don’t need a new one. Just the downpipe, and the center section.
Whilst I had those bits off I cleaned off a few bits of rust in the engine bay and painted them, put it all back together again.
The next job is new brake pads and possibly discs (or rotars as the Americans call them), probably next weekend’s job. After that I’ll see about getting the exhaust parts, going to need to get a small breaker bar as well I think - so difficult working on her up on a couple of stands compared to if I had a lift, but no garage so won’t be buying one of them.
Oh and one of the bolts is stuck in my 10mm socket, won;t budge at all, how annoying, so the others are only on as tight as I could get with a spanner, so much more difficult than using a socket.
More dinitrol applied, heat shield back on, struts adjusted for ride height.
Still need to speak with HSD regarding reccomended front settings as they are way to low for my liking, sitting 305mm front 320mm rear ?
Obviously still require full respray but im happy the chassis is well sorted and protected.
