Had a set of custom alloy fuel tanks made up.
I had the engineer make them slightly smaller to make the job of ever needing to get them back out much easier.
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[img]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u267/vin
Something small but definitely a satisfying job...
Decals and bonnet badge installed :)
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[img]http://i170.photobu
Just picked up the second seat covered in Beige.
Hoping to have the last remaining interior bits done by the end of the month :)
[img]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u267/vintaylor/10892024_10152941184189706_2152830021517727963_n_zps9368710f.jpg[/img]
Haven't posted here in a while (mostly due to the purchase of a house), but hoping to keep the motivation going...
After attempting to clean the cylinder head I decided to send it off for Soda Blasting..
Will post the pics once its done.
[img]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u267/vintaylor/10868063_10152932841524706_7486990714555497463_n_zps04dfc865.jpg[/img][img]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u267/vintaylor/10881521_10152932841854706_4307722348535344804_n_zpsc71077e7.jpg[/img]
2 weeks to go and I will finally have the lotus body back from paint!
Spent some time building a frame for the body this weekend. The frame was built from wood measuring 3" by 3" all cut to size to support the body from underneath the cockpit.
After previous mistakes I have made sure to get the right set of wheels that can take up to 650kgs in total !
[img]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u267/vintaylor/WP_20140316_006_zps88049b13.jpg[/img]
Looks like my esprit will finally be painted by the end of the month.
Really happy with the work done at the body shop. Loads of prepping and fine adjusting as the bumpers has numerous holes drilled in to re-set the bumper during its life by one of the PO's.. so new mounting holes have finally been set and bumpers have been test fitted...
[img]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u267/vintaylor/1969303_10152242145534706_1812043056_n_zps683d005c.jpg[/img]
Getting closer to the finished product
After much contemplation, I decided to go ahead and repair the old unit rather then replace.
The PO did a terrible job at enlarging the centre hole to fit an aftermarket steering wheel.
Since the unit was going to be covered I cut out properly sized pieces of plywood and rivitted them onto the old unit. applied filler to smooth en out the edges and gave it a quick spray in satin black.
[img]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u267/vintaylor/944754_10151569776949706_942000385_n_zpsabe87e4
I had been trying to source the pieces to have a replacement grille made up in stainless steel for ages and finally last week, luckily managed to source the only importer of stainless steel mesh grille in Malta! (it seems)
Really proud of the final result, this one should hold up a lot longer then the old unit !
I think total cost probably came to around £60 in total which is great considering how much it would have cost to get a steel replacement sent over from the UK
[img]http://i170.
Finally found the time to rebuild my front calipers.
It was a nightmare trying to remove 2 of the 4 pistons, which resulted in me taking them to an engineer that did the job himself
Managed to source a new seal kit and a set of type 14 pistons of ebay that came quite cheap.
[img]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u267/vintaylor/WP_20131212_024_zps30b4bb78.jpg[/img]
Here are the rebuilt calipers which have new seals, pistons and bolts whilst the body has been re-plated and painted in
Finally my esprit is nearly ready from the body prep before primer ! It's getting exciting :)
[img]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u267/vintaylor/WP_20131102_005_zpscecbf5e9.jpg[/img]
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Finally some more interior progress has been done.
Just got the door cards back from the upholsterer.. I am very happy with the turn out :)
[img]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u267/vintaylor/WP_20130908_064_zps6f7955ee.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u267/vintaylor/WP_20130908_061_zpsad8db4af.jpg[/img]
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All original double stitching has been re-created
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Managed to buy a set of replacement engine mounts off ebay. (they are the same as a beford CF van).
However the newer versions do not include the locating tabs. I had the tabs positioned, tapped and m6 grub screws installed
Here's the result - old vs new
[img]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u267/vintaylor/WP_20130815_012_zpscd925d27.jpg[/img]
Finally got round to repairing the aluminium window frame. One of the stems of the frame was broken.
[img]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u267/vintaylor/WP_20130802_001_zps3fd2fc93.jpg[/img]
Here's the repaired frame ready for paint
[img]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u267/vintaylor/WP_20130815_008_zps05b1b408.jpg[/img]
One of the seat backings was totally destroyed by water. I had a new replacement made out of wood.
The brackets have been refurbished and riveted in.
Here's the result
[img]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u267/vintaylor/WP_20130815_009_zps8e7bff69.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u267/vintaylor/WP_20130815_011_zps0f53617d.jpg[/img]
I have finally managed to find an original s2 steering wheel and get it to fit my steering column. I have tried both an eclat and elite steering wheel, however both have a larger boss then the esprit.
[img]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u267/vintaylor/WP_20130718_002_zpsb366a67a.jpg[/img]
In the end I decide to take the aluminium aftermarket boss and have it machined to fit the original steering wheel.
here's the result!
[img]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u267/vintaylor/WP_2
Finally got round to painted the sump, bearing cradle and dipstick... it's starting to look like an engine again!
[img]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u267/vintaylor/photo17_zpsbf8a2538.jpg[/img]
Decided to go the preventative route and had the fuel hoses replicated using braided hoses. Not keen on seeing my esprit go up in flames once its done :)
[img]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u267/vintaylor/photo17_zpsfcf3921f.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u267/vintaylor/photo16_zpseeb55135.jpg[/img]
Painted the lens brackets and got replacement lenses (off a mini clubman) and new gaskets all round
[img]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u267/vintaylor/photo11_zpsc49b5b05.jpg[/img]
Since the part is going to be covered I decided to go ahead and repair rather then replace! Here's the result : Old vs New
[img]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u267/vintaylor/oldvsnew_zpscf2e5f06.jpg[/img]
Picked up a few more interior pieces. Very happy that the upholsterer managed to keep the original binnacle look without adding further stitching!
[img]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u267/vintaylor/photo46_zpsa5d1c81d.jpg[/img]
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[img]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u267/vintaylor/photo44_zpsbc73ad80.jpg[/img]
Picked up my dashboard yesterday. Very happy with the result.
I've gone ahead and riveted new chrome fixing clips back in. I told the upholsterer to keep the same double stitching, so I'm happy with the turn out.
[img]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u267/vintaylor/photo11_zps073c35a8.jpg[/img]
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The overlapping l
Hi Guys,
It's been a while, but finally back with an update!
After sourcing the material, I have finally picked up the first part of my interior ! Very happy with result :)
I'm trying to keep to the 70's style beige and brown interior
Still working on the suspension and body is still in paint .. but at least its a start :)
What do you guys think?
I still need to attach the missing parts and nickel clips - will post an update .
PS Pictures don't do it justice, but at at least
Finally got round to getting myself an engine stand. Hoping to start cleaning the block and painting it in high temp aluminium paint.
[img]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u267/vintaylor/IMG_1182.jpg[/img]
Just finished restoring my oil cooler. I soaked the cooler in kerosene overnight. Filled the cooler with oil cooler flush and re-painted with a light coating of high temp aluminium paint.
Then re-assembled with custom made braided hoses!
[img]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u267/vintaylor/IMG_1180.jpg[/img]
Job Done!
