317 replies to this topic

[its Paul]

Hi my name is paul,
Ive been a member of this forum for about 12 months now and this is my first post.
I bought a hatch about 18 months ago and had it sit in the garage until just before christmas, that�s when I took it to the workshop and striped the old girl.

When I purchased it, it looked ordinary, could see where some rust was and expected a lot more to be hidden, when I started to take the pannels off, I was chringing, but got a welcome supprise I couldn�t see any rust in the A pillars at all.


Before I removed the bonnet I marked out the hole, removed it and cut it, then placed it back on to see how it fitted, I didn�t know that the engine�s are offset by about �� (thank holden for the big cowl).


The car was rust treated when new and I owe a lot of thanks to the first owner. The A pillers, sills, B pillers and rear quarters (little rust in 1/4 ) are pretty much rust free.
After seeing and reading other members projects regarding rust issues it put me into a frame of mind of �if its there, I�ll get it cut out, weld it up, all's good�.
Some of the things you people tackle is nothing short of amazing, and has encouraged me to make a start on my hatch.

Cheers Paul.

[arrimar]

Making a start is easy Paul.
Keep up the motorvation and get it back together.
Good on you for posting, look forward to seeing more of your project.

[its Paul]

Thanks Arrimar and belty,
Im hoping to have it back on the road by Christmas this year.
I sent it to the soda blasters last Sunday and picked it up yesterday. Its good to know exactly what is good and bad, I cant see any accident damage other than under where the rear bumper goes, its been drilled and pulled out, but that section will be replaced due to rust.




Paul.

[GML-31]

looks pretty clean, and thats a good start

[its Paul]

Yeah Im very happy with the amount of steel that is left in it.
Here�s more photos after it was blasted.

Drivers side



Passengers side



More soon the finance broker is calling out from the kitchen.

Paul.

[lxsstorana]

Great looking hatch Paul.

Alot of people on this forum will tell you, if you can find a rust free hatch buy it. Sounds like you have done that.

What are you planning to do with it?

I'm sure plenty of people would like to know.

Regards Mick.

Edited by lxsstorana, 10 January 2009 - 06:57 PM.

[its Paul]

Thanks mick & homer,

The plans are what you have mick as far as it looks.
Its an L32 M40 GU7, Trim 1881-18V and Paint is 568-15951
So I�ll keep the white thing going, 355 will replace the 253 (253 will be stored), it has a M21 at the moment, want to use a T5 or something not sure yet (maybe that corona 4 slotter�NOOOOOOO�) and a 9�.
Do the chassis strenghining, original interior, under dash A/C, it had an A/C unit under dash but it went all the way across to the drivers side and the console was cut down and the blower was cut back so thoes two will have to be replaced. I�ll get it re-kill rusted and use por15 where ever I can, also I would like to have the pannel joint put in again it just doesn�t look right, theres a bit to do but Im hopeing it all works out.




Paul.

[its Paul]

great start on your rebuild. my advise on your time frame double it !. once you start, the mental issues will start. its called getting fussy, when close enought wont do, you will say no, do it properly, as we all start our projects keen as. you will just think. ive gone this far so l will do it correctley, next thing you know. your getting the door hinges and bolts blasted clean. or doing dumb things like me, putting the door handles in the oven to warm up to paint, then back in the oven to bake. but its the fun of it. good luck with your rebuild, look foward to more photos..cheers urkss

Your right urkss, a year is what i hope for, if it goes over that thats fine, I have no intentions of selling it so I want it done right.
I just dont want to get to the end and say I wish I had done this or that, but I still cant wait to go crusing with all of you.

[its Paul]

gday paul, my hatch build is on page 6 under urkss build, you will see what l mean with time.. cheers urkss

just had a look, jump on your post give us an update

[its Paul]

I had a look at this car in person today, I must say it is in really good nic compared to some of the other Toranas I have seen. A little bit of work to tidy up some of the previous rust patches but over all really good specimen.

BTW;
lx8vd77 = legend

Just my 2 cents....

I belive that if you tell enough people that you are a legend some one will belive you thanks Lamo back at ya

[its Paul]

Hi all,
Been a while since my last update, the body is still at the beaters (yes one of those slow progress fellers), the inner and outer tail light section, lower beaver panel and the lower left, right and middle steel channel that the rubber sits in (hatch) also the lower radiator support panel has all been cut out and tacked on. Photos to follow soon.

I have also ordered the full interior from eastern auto, grabbed a 3.55:1 31 spline LSD 9" from Melbourne, brought a 308/355 stroker and turbo 350 stage 2, 4000 stall from a top bloke in brisVegas and just bought a new TKO 600 with clutch, pressure plate, bell housing, flywheel etc.
The auto has become redundant and will have to go, I plan on using the under dash hydraulic clutch set up from Mal Wood and doing away with the clutch fork.

I just want my car back so I can get really excited

Cheers Paul.

[its Paul]

standard 1881-18v same as what is on the tags.

[TerrA LX]

They are beautiful looking cars, even stripped.

[its Paul]