Do the panels either side of the engine bay come out?

[Andyww]

82 Turbo.

 

Do these panels actually come out? I can never find any orientation which allows them to be taken out. They catch on the body at the rear of the side windows or the engine bay sidewalls. Is there some trick here?

[Freemason]

Pics would help. I'm not sure which panels you are referring to. 

[Andyww]

The large panel in the middle of pic and the other side, thats as far out as I seem to be able to get it. That header tank need to go  !

[ChrisJ]

Hi Andy

 

I've had the nearside out as I have a fire extinguisher fitted under it, although it was so long ago, I've forgotten exactly how

 

You have a car from an excellent year, also, the correct (exterior) colour

 

More pictures please.

 

Chris

[Andyww]

Here you go. I have nice colour co-ordination thing going on in my garage. I dont have any pics of the Esprit out of the garage as its been in there since I bought it. I got it as a semi-runner. Driveable but tons of things need doing. Considering putting the bumpers back to the proper black.

[910Esprit]

Once you have removed the self tapping screws they do come out, but don't just expect them to come out without a fight.  I can fiddle one of mine out but the other needs a fair amount of tugging...  

[ChrisJ]

Thanks Andy, looks good - whereabouts in the UK are you?

 

Chris

[Andyww]

Wimbledon, SW London

[ramjet]

I haven't had to try and remove mine, but will it not move backwards to clear the strut and then rotate up and inward toward the centre of the engine bay?

 

That's just a guess as I'm not about to go to to my car and see if I can do it just for kicks. Sorry.

[Andyww]

No they cant move backwards owing to the vertical part of the panel which sits behind the side window. I suppose they must come out somehow as the factory fitted them in somehow!

[molemot]

It's an impossible job. Every time I do it, I go mad. End up sort of shaking it and heaving and bending and distorting and then...KAZAM!!!! it's out.....and I still can't understand how......

 

I think you have to get the inside bit away from the engine surround...then lift it up and pull it out. The bit that goes in the window fights every last millimetre.......and they do tend to split at the top corner.....

[MalcolmS]

They do come out, but it is a mystery how...

 

A couple of pointers:

1/ Make sure there are not any "extra" screws holding it in.

2/ It may help to undo the gas strut to give yourself more wiggle room. 

 

You probably don't want to hear this, but it is more difficult to get them back in.

 

Cheers,

    Malcolm

[ChrisJ]

Wimbledon, SW London

 

Shame you aren't north of the river. Would be nice to get a couple of white 82 cars together.