Car tinkering

chillidoggy

More pics to come, only just got home.

Axe_meister

Very nice the V8 such a pity lotus chose the Peugeot gearbox. Very much the weak spot of the car as the engine can be tuned to 400 bhp and more

Van_Hayden

Wasn't it Renault? I thought it was Renault 25?

Axe_meister

Yes your right only capable of 350bhp max

mudslide73

Very nice too. Lovely stuff.

chillidoggy

Right, just got back from the curry house, me and her are well-pissed after today's stressful journey. 

The car is not without it's faults, but it is certainly quick once the turbo is blowing, and man, the look on the face of the bloke that lives opposite when we pitched up was priceless.

It's an S4s Esprit for the pedants amongst us, and will probably ensure I die penniless, twisted, and even more cynical than I am already.

http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee189/chillidoggy/2014-07-08192212_zpsfb9fcb96.jpg

http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee189/chillidoggy/Odds/2014-07-08192223_zps622c3810.jpg

chillidoggy

Oh, and needless to say the wood cladding job has been postponed for a day or so.....

Axe_meister

Lots of trouble usually Serious - Lotus

FX_Munkee

chillidoggy said:

It's an S4s Esprit for the pedants amongst us, and will probably ensure I die penniless, twisted, and even more cynical than I am already.

At least you've already accepted that it's not going to be working for long enough for you to die in a high speed accident.
I suppose it's a sort of progress...

Van_Hayden

Why did I start re spraying the rear quarters....

Wax oiled the underside and looked at the rear arches and thought "why not".

Several hours later I'm still rubbing down.....

Does anyone actually enjoy bodywork?

chillidoggy

Not me, it's the one thing I absolutely hate with a vengeance. Leave it to those who know, it's for the best, trust me on this one.

FX_Munkee

Agreed, bodywork is where I draw the line, especially seeing as the only times I've ever attempted it the results have invariably been less than stellar.

Emp_Fab

I like doing bodywork - but - as with most things, it's only enjoyable if you have the right kit.  Trying to do it with 25p's worth of Isopon, two sheets of wet & dry and a tin of Holts, outside, with a breeze blowing, in autumn, is less than optimal.

Doing it in a dry garage with air sanders, tinsnips and chisels and a heated spray booth with a proper gun and the right paint, and it's a joy.

However, nothing beats a full engine rebuild on a clean bench with all the kit.  The sound of a quality ratchet clicking is music to my ears.

Once upon a time, in a previous job, I had reason to visit the GEC Aircraft Engine place in Caerphilly and walked through the workshops - there were all kinds of super-precision, over-engineered, spotlessly clean engines on benches being serviced & rebuilt.  The benches were like operating tables and all the tools were immaculate and laid out like scalpels in a theatre.  I almost came.

Van_Hayden

I'm calling it a night. Need to drive the bloody thing tomorrow! I need more time next time.

Cavity wax and paint, not a fun weekend.....still at least it won't rust this winter.

boogieman

Emp_Fab;311476" said:

I like doing bodywork - but - as with most things, it's only enjoyable if you have the right kit.  Trying to do it with 25p's worth of Isopon, two sheets of wet & dry and a tin of Holts, outside, with a breeze blowing, in autumn, is less than optimal..

Wow that brings back memories! I remember using Isopon on so many of my early cars, it was par for the course on the British rust buckets of the 60s and 70s of course. My first car, an Anglia, was virtually held together with Isopon and that expanded mesh stuff.

goldtop

Bought a new (old) car. It's a Lexus and it's huuuge, parking is a bit of a challenge.

So the first accessory ordered: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271389905363



Hope not to be doing too much tinkering, but there's a permamnently on washer fluid indicator. Known problem and - they say - an easy fix for tonight.

Deadman

I refurbed my alloys this weekend. They're Ford 18" snowflakes so they're a nice wheel but were kerbed badly from the previous owner. Had a badly filled repair on the rear wheel arch that I've refilled too, it took me 4 hours to get it perfect. It's ready for a bit of blending and relacquering action now. As it's silver I hope the painting gods are on my side!

FX_Munkee

The painting gods are a vengeful bunch, and the silver one is possibly the nastiest of the lot.
Anyway, good luck.

chillidoggy

Deadman said:

I refurbed my alloys this weekend. They're Ford 18" snowflakes so they're a nice wheel but were kerbed badly from the previous owner. Had a badly filled repair on the rear wheel arch that I've refilled too, it took me 4 hours to get it perfect. It's ready for a bit of blending and relacquering action now. As it's silver I hope the painting gods are on my side!

One of my favourite wheels, those. I'd be tempted to buy anything with a set of them fitted!

chillidoggy

I'm seriously considering getting a mid-rise hydraulic lift for doing maintenance on the Lotus. It's so low, you can't see for shit underneath it, and jacking cars up is a pain. The more I look at it, the more I realise what a bastard it is to get to anything.