Javascript Disabled Detected

You currently have javascript disabled. Several functions may not work. Please re-enable javascript to access full functionality.

8/70 RALLY RED LC GTR XU-1 REBUILD

Started by _mikecatts_ , Apr 26 2012 11:10 AM

The rebuild

«
Prev

Page 6 of 34
4
5
6
7
8

Next
»

Please log in to reply

847 replies to this topic

#126 Bazza

ǝɹnʇxıɟ ɯnɹoɟ

Members
4,294 posts

Location:Outer Melb West Vic
Car:ɐuɐɹoʇ
Joined: 11-November 05

Posted 19 July 2012 - 10:11 AM

Hi mikecatts

It has to be acknowledged the effort that you are putting into saving yet another Torana. Quite a number of members have brought back from the brink of destruction some great cars. No doubt they are more than pleased with the outcome.

It is saddening to ponder the number of potentially valuable cars that, up to recent times, were scrapped because 'they were too rusty' and beyond redemption.

Well done.

Bazza

Back to top

#127 _mikecatts_

Guests

Posted 19 July 2012 - 01:09 PM

Hi mikecatts

It has to be acknowledged the effort that you are putting into saving yet another Torana. Quite a number of members have brought back from the brink of destruction some great cars. No doubt they are more than pleased with the outcome.

It is saddening to ponder the number of potentially valuable cars that, up to recent times, were scrapped because 'they were too rusty' and beyond redemption.

Well done.

Bazza

Hi Bazza,
Ta for the kind words.... Im looking forward to doing some good old paint prep work, something different from welding, grinding, welding, grinding. Im getting Repetative Grinding Syndrome

.
Im happy with the progress so far... Getting frustrated that every time I go to repair a piece..There is more.... Oh well.. keep plodding along..
Bazza, I personaly would not know how rusty a car has to get before its scrapped as this is the first car that I have ever restored.. And it has rust everyware... "spotto the paint, as all you can see is rust", is my motto.. So when is a car too far gone to repaire? With most of the older I cars, you can buy most panels and its not too hard to make pieces.
I was into motor bikes as a youth, now theres too many crazzee people on the roads who cant drive, or dont give a stuff, They went.. one too many close calls..
I was into Ducatti's, Harleys. I used to buy damaged/wrecks and fix.. Sold the red softale to finnance the LC.
I got the purple one from the US and made it compliant and dressed up before they were too common. The Lezzos loved the purple, it was a magnet for them, pity no sexy girls reacted the same.. It sold for a good price back in the day.
I still have my favourite bike.. Its a Ducatti GT 1972 750 roundcase bored to a 900, with electronic ignition, 2 into 1 exhaust, Koni front end, Koni rear shocks, Twin brembo discs and all the go fast bits for this bike.. Its a bugger to start, no electric start, I have many a sore ankle/shin from this old girl. I havnt riden it for 15 years, It goes like the clapper and handles very, very well...... It still starts, I get my young lad to start it, Im a wuss...
I wont sell this..They are very rare, i reacon harder to get than a GTR XU-1...
Thats my lunch dribble for the day..BYE all..

Edited by mikecatts, 19 July 2012 - 01:11 PM.

Back to top

#128 _oz772_

Guests

Posted 19 July 2012 - 02:23 PM

Love the Duc, but kick start......fark me!!

Back to top

#129 _BARRY JACKPOT_

Guests

Posted 19 July 2012 - 07:14 PM

Bikes are so much easier, everything is a manageable size. Plus bikes are super cool.

Back to top

#130 _mikecatts_

Guests

Posted 19 July 2012 - 08:25 PM

Hi all... Yes bikes are more manageable.. Just as expensive though.. And no rust to cut.

I still like the bikes.. Just wont ride on the road..
Gotta luv the kick start.. Its scarey to start... Loves to kick back, typical italian.... Before i had the electronic dizzy put on.. Well, that was fun... and sore... Was ok when warm, When cold.. ouch..
One day Im going to enclose the Ducatti in a glass box and make a bar out of it... Would be better than in the corner of the junk shed...

Back to the important stuff..
I managed to save the LH seal end.. no probs..had in rust bath, patched, lead filled, primed.. Ready to go on....
Will put the seal on first, then match to seal end.. After I do the A pillar..

Edited by mikecatts, 19 July 2012 - 08:34 PM.

Back to top

#131 _mikecatts_

Guests

Posted 19 July 2012 - 08:31 PM

OOps..
Guys..Im patching th extra holes in the engine bay area..
I have put some pics up of the holes im not too sure about.. Ive been through the manual..and its a bit vague..
The only other way is to assemble the car..Dont realy want to do that just yet

..
Can any one help???

RH side next to clutch braket.. There was a clutch cylinder here at one stage.. Is the hole for the car?

The little group of holes LH side..

LH side battery area. next to body number.

Where the heater vent bolts to..

Back to top

#132 _mikecatts_

Guests

Posted 20 July 2012 - 10:57 PM

Hi all...
Had a go at the RH sill end/sill panel today.... Took ages to fit. dont mind the gaps, they closed up as I tacked it together. I took my time as I wanted it right.. Welded in the sill end, Test fits all ok.. Ill hang the door and make sure its all straight before welding on the sill panel..
Guys, I must say that doing the A-pillars and sill end/panel has been the biggest head ache of the whole job so far.. At least its done.. You couldnt pay me to that again

I will now POR 15 the inner sill , inside the sill end, inside the A-pillar and inside the sill panel.. Also clean up the Rear guarter join area as well.. Then seam seal.. Put on panel and that side is done..
The left side will be easier as I have the original sill end..
MIke

Edited by mikecatts, 20 July 2012 - 10:59 PM.

Back to top

#133 Ice

Cool

Members
15,174 posts

Name:Gene
Location:Galaxy's away from Ipswich
Car:77 HZ Sandman Van
Joined: 03-January 07

Posted 21 July 2012 - 12:47 AM

Gee mike you got your work cut out for you on this little xu1but it will be worth it in the end i am amazed at your panel work wish i could do something like that cant wait to see some colour on this car

Back to top

#134 _mikecatts_

Guests

Posted 21 July 2012 - 08:30 AM

Hi Ice.. Yes Im looking forward to the paint.. Will be something different than welding, grinding, cutting, welding, grinding.. I have never done panel work before.. I have had a few years as a sheet metal worker,, I do know metal..Fabricating takes a while.. But its worth putting new metal in..
Im enjoying the job..Im slowly getting there.. Im on track to paint in summer..

Edited by mikecatts, 21 July 2012 - 08:32 AM.

Back to top

#135 _mikecatts_

Guests

Posted 24 July 2012 - 08:28 PM

Hi all...
I finally got the RH sill side done... Painted with POR 15... Got inside the sill end with it and the rear guard area as well... its all ready for some seam sealer.. Wont rust again..

I left the areas bare were the panels join as I will zinc prime, Use some panel bond then spot weld on.. Easy..

I took the LH door out of the rust bath and had a look.. The rust is all gone.. Zinc primed, ready for patching tomm...

Edited by mikecatts, 24 July 2012 - 08:30 PM.

Back to top

#136 _mikecatts_

Guests

Posted 25 July 2012 - 07:38 PM

Hi all...
I got around to finnishing the patching of the LH door... Its welded and tinned, ready for a light scim of lead to make look nice... While Im at it ill lead the RH door as well.. Then I can sandblast inside and POR 15...
I also finnished the RH sill panel ends as well.. Tinned and ready for lead.. If I use the sill panel that is.. Thats another story :banghead:

I couldnt finnish, I had to replace my hot water service.. I came home, jumped in the shower.. Wasnt very nice getting a cold blast of water... I tell you what, my balls rattled and Im sure the dog heard them

. The service had rusted through. Rust seems to be my fortae at the moment... It was 12 years old, but to just let go.. Got my mate to send a new one.. I fitted, bugger paying plumbers over priced fees.. all done and a hot shower..

.
Mike

Back to top

#137 _mikecatts_

Guests

Posted 26 July 2012 - 07:09 PM

Hi all.. Got around to finnishing the doors today...
All leaded and primed... You wouldnt know they were once rusty.. Ill POR 15 the inside later.
I test fitted the LH door.. I had to tack in some spacers to take up the slack..Now the door doesnt drop when openeing..
One more job done..

Back to top

#138 _Agent 34_

Guests

Posted 30 July 2012 - 07:10 PM

go Mike go !

Back to top

#139 _mikecatts_

Guests

Posted 30 July 2012 - 07:34 PM

Im trying

.
I did the RH drip rail the other day.... Turned out really nice.. all leaded and under coated..
I went to Rare Spares on Saturday and compared the Sill panel I had to theirs.. Theirs is more accurate.. I purchased one,, Had a go fitting today.. Way better profile than the one I got.. Ill have a try and fit tomm..

Back to top

#140 _BARRY JACKPOT_

Guests

Posted 30 July 2012 - 07:44 PM

Nice work on the drip rail, they're a fiddly bit of business.

Back to top

#141 lc2dr

Forum Fan

Members
320 posts

Name:Jeff
Location:Melbourne
Car:LC 2dr
Joined: 06-March 08

Posted 30 July 2012 - 08:26 PM

Just finished reading the whole thread and I must say you're doing an awesome job Mike - nice to see another LC being save! :spoton:

Jeff

Back to top

#142 _mikecatts_

Guests

Posted 31 July 2012 - 08:04 AM

Thanks Jeff... Yes its a challenge... I do wish though. That the so called "replacement" panels made using NOS as a guide fit...... Wasted heaps of cash getting panels that dont fit...
Mike

Back to top

#143 _mikecatts_

Guests

Posted 31 July 2012 - 07:18 PM

Hi all... I had a fiddle with the RH sill panel... Lines up with the door/guard ok, nice even gaps.. will still need some work to finnish... But a LOT better fit than the other... Will weld the outer piece on the chassis first.. Rust proof then seam seal.. Then weld the inner lip on..
I test fitted the LH door to get the gaps correct before doing the A-pillar.. Hence the block of wood to hold in place..
Fits well...

Back to top

#144 _mikecatts_

Guests

Posted 01 August 2012 - 09:25 PM

Hi All....
I had a productive afternoon today..
I did the final fitting, welding of the RH sill panel..
I changed my mind about welding the inner lip to the chassis first.. I wanted to make sure the welds were coated in paint. So I did as one piece..
Theres still a little alignment issue, I will fix as I weld in place.. I’m over panels that don’t fit and made it fit after some cutting and shutting

Im getting very confident in my welding, good penetration and nice even welds all the way.. and no warps..
I want a nice even curve.. It looks nice..
The panel turned out ok.. I POR 15 the inside, Ready for placing.. I want to Panel bond this as well as spot weld.. I’m using U-POL 90 minute panel bond.. It WILL seal and make very, very strong..
I ran out and will get some more..

I also seam sealed the RH areas..I used brush able, a bit messy, at least I got it well inside the joins.. I used grey so I could see exactly where it went.. My old eyes dont see to good..Ill paint black when dry..

The RH area is so nearly done.. I’m happy.. I stuffed around with this side for too long now.. Can’t wait until it’s done..

I took off the LH A-pillar inner.. I’m going to replace the whole lot.. I played with the door some more.. I wasn’t happy with how it was hanging.. So off with the old, and on with the new.. I had to do some panel work to the inner kick panel, was a bit dinged. Turned out nice.. I had to weld a plate to brace the rusty bit.. Ill fix properly when back on rotiserie Its ready for the pillar..
I’ll do that tomm..
I fitted in the RH window cowl section.. Tacked in place.. Will panel bond the seam as well... Will finish welding when panel bonded and welded first.. It lines up pretty good, matches the guard/door nice.. That area is done, rust free, sealed and rust proofed, better than out of factory..execpt the welds..
Getting there...

I also have found out some more info on the history of my car.
It was first registered in SA in 1973... It was sold 12/70.. We are sure there is a "racing" period in the 2 missing years.. Im getting some more info.. and let you all know a bit more..
Mike

Edited by mikecatts, 01 August 2012 - 09:30 PM.

Back to top

#145 originalglenn

Forum Fixture

Members
594 posts

Location:near bega nsw
Joined: 07-November 05

Posted 01 August 2012 - 10:11 PM

looking good mike
do you have any tips for replacing the sill?
its next on my to do list

Back to top

#146 _mikecatts_

Guests

Posted 02 August 2012 - 05:53 AM

looking good mike
do you have any tips for replacing the sill?
its next on my to do list

Is it a 2 door or 4 door?

Get the Rare Spares piece.. Its a better fit.. More work though.. Depends on your measurement.. If the straght piece underneath is 64mm wide..you can use a Black sill...If its 69mm wide, you will need the grey one.. The standared size is 69mm.....
Its a tricky job, The panel WONT line up.. so you will have to decide how you want to fit.. I had a gap of 6mm at the back lip.. I cut and shut to fit underneath.. You will have to do a little lead fill to match...
What are your sill ends like??
Do you need to make some?
Or are you going to use the full piece with the ends in? Im told they fit very well... But I was told that the black sills fit as well, and they were soo far off, i threw away..
Mike

I can make for you..if you get stuck..

Back to top

#147 _CraigA_

Guests

Posted 02 August 2012 - 10:23 AM

Watching keenly Mike as you progress with saving another XU1 that due to the amount of work involved would have been deemed unsaveable by many of us.

How many hours do you think you'll end up putting in to get it finished?

Back to top

#148 _mikecatts_

Guests

Posted 02 August 2012 - 03:22 PM

Watching keenly Mike as you progress with saving another XU1 that due to the amount of work involved would have been deemed unsaveable by many of us.

How many hours do you think you'll end up putting in to get it finished?

Hi Craig....
As i have said before.. I have never restored a car before, so due to my ignorance, I purchased and hoped I could do it.. It seems I have a knack for rust repairs/metal work..I dont realy know how far a car is before its unfixable.. I suppose, as Its got matching motor/head, some race history... Its worth the effort.. And I assumed ALL the repair panels would fit without too much hassel. They dont. Thats making it harder for me, and expensive..
Its not really too hard to do, just time.. I work funny hours, so time is on my side at the moment

.. I spent an average of 8-10 hours 4 days a week on it since starting the rebuild.. I right the days jobs in my diary for my referance.... My time is free..
How many hours on the body.. nearly 3 months since start..so about roughly 360 -400 hours. A lot of work has been done, sometimes I look back and am amazed. Im a bit slow as Im learnig as I go.. Im enjoying the challenge, and cant wait till I start painting..
Im treating the rebuild like a BIG model car kit.. Just using tools instead of a knife/glue.. I like to tinker as I dont watch TV... I live in my shed, the house is a ghost house..
Hate the winter..
Mike

Back to top

#149 _mikecatts_

Guests

Posted 02 August 2012 - 03:25 PM

looking good mike
do you have any tips for replacing the sill?
its next on my to do list

Back to top

#150 _CraigA_

Guests

Posted 02 August 2012 - 08:04 PM

That's a whole lot of time - and why it needs someone with your skills to purchase such a challenging project.

Multiply those hours by panel beater rates and it's big dollars!!