soviet40
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| posted on 11/7/12 at 08:17 PM |
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Help wanted - Cheshire UK - Now with Photos
Hello, I am new. I bought an unfinished car with a re-build running pinto and Sierra based components. I am new to kit cars and I thought that this
would be a good way in and could be less expensive than buying a new chassis and a donor. I've restored a lot of bikes and a refurbished a
couple of MGBs when I was younger so this was to be the next logical step.
I was going to type out the full background story; however I will spare you that and cut to the chase. If there was any generous forum member near to
Cheshire, who could spare an hour, I'd really appreciate someone having a look over the car for me. I've got so many questions, I'd
be typing all night. In brief, I've been checking measurements and component condition and have lost a bit of confidence in what I've
bought. Would like some advice on whether it is a feasible project or a future money pit.
Simon H Tel 07...... (Phone number removed by request -ChrisW)
Thanks for the replies so far. My main issues are trying to figure out what the original builder has actually built and to what design or drawings he
used. Most elements of the car are present; the engine looks almost like new and starts 1st time; the brakes, steering and suspension all seems to
work. The Gear box is only a 4 speed as the donor was a Mk 1 Sierra; I'll probably change for a 5 speed; however I wanted to get it on the road
first.
The vendor told me that the front end needed poly-bushing and also I did not like the look of the modified steering column, so for this reason I
decided to start at the front.
I have got the second edition 'Chris Gibbs' Haynes book and I have down loaded the McSoreley 442 drawings. The McSoreley site refers the
builder to the book for suspension, engine bay and transmission tunnel design. The front end of my car does not match book dimensions and the steering
rack is behind rather than in front of the uprights with the calipers in front. My disks and calipers are Sierra and I think that the uprights are
also Sierra. The wish bones do not look the same as the Gibbs book and while the geometry looks similar, the mounting brackets do not seem to be
spaced as per the book. The other thing I've noticed is that the engine mountings are on 2" box vertical columns rather than what is shown
in the book, they are also not symetrical (this is not neccessarily wrong, I just like symetry, it looks right). The engine is in line with the centre
of the car; however The two rails which run down the lower part of the engine bay are not the same length (they are parallel) ie G2 attaches to F2
further forward than G1 attaches to F1: Maybe this is to suit the Pinto? I'm not sure if anything is wrong, it is just different to the 442
drawings and the Gibbs book so I've nothing to check against.
I wondered if my car front end was built to the Ron Champion drawings; however as I do not have this book, I cannot check. Photo link is below Thanks
for continued assistance. Simon
http://s1161.photobucket.com/albums/q514/soviet40/
[Edited on 13/7/12 by soviet40]
[Edited on 15/7/2012 by ChrisW]
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tegwin
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| posted on 11/7/12 at 10:40 PM |
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Hi Simon. You will find this to be one of the friendliest forums on the web.
Take as many good quality photos as you can and post them with plenty of information and in no time you will be on track with some useful advise. If I
were closer I would pop over an see what's what, but photos and a good argument on here will be the next best thing.
Kit cars are about the challenge. There is nothing that can't be built or fixed on a shed :-D
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Would the last person who leaves the country please switch off the lights and close the door!
www.verticalhorizonsmedia.tv
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skodaman
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| posted on 11/7/12 at 11:23 PM |
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'' Would like some advice on whether it is a feasible project or a future money pit. " It's probably both but undoubtably the
second.
Skodaman
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