|
Adventures
of a Traveller
|
'Moose'
Diagnosis:
Cancer!
November 1998
"Oh
no! It gets worse."
Yep,
our 'solid' Trav turned out to have a nice solid layer of underseal
hiding some rather nasty holes. It didn't help that we used a screwdriver
first, then moved on to trying a needle scaler which is great for
stripping off hardened old underseal - and for finding rust holes.
Doctor
JLH continued his examination of the patient and declared the floor
'terminal'. Most of it has to be replaced. About 6-8 years ago it
had been patched (by a 'professional') who had simply plated over
the top of the old rust holes and given it a good coat of unserseal
to hide the evidence. The six inch wide strip of new steel down each
side of the car turned out to be simple cosmetic make-up, with the
real wrinkly skin still lurking underneath it all.
Since
I was last there (a month ago, mid-November), JLH have completely
stripped the entire car. Apart from easy things like the front guards
and bonnet, all doors, windows and interior trim has been removed.
Even the rear section including the roof and all of the wood has been
removed as one piece. This allows Jonathon much easier access to the
rusted rear wheel arches, and "since the car is now just a shell,
why not do a proper job and shotblast the entire car, top to bottom".
Why not indeed?!
Our
original plan of an engine swap and brake/suspension upgrade has become
a complete rebuild. The only thing left untouched will be the seats
and the wood, both of which were excellent to begin with.
The
latest specs :
MG-F
1.8i engine.
Ford
Capri 2.8 V6 gearbox.
Front
anti-roll bar.
Coil-over
adjustable gas telescopic shocks on the front
Upright adjustable gas telescopics on the rear.
Ford
Sierra vented front disc brakes.
Ford
Escort MkII axle with 3.9 ratio.
Ford
Escort rear disc brakes with Mazda 323 calipers.
14"
steel wheels with Minor hubcaps and chrome rings.
Rust-free
body and chassis rebuild.
Complete
respray inside and out.
0-130MPH
speedo unit.
80mm
diameter tacho and 50mm water temperatue and oil pressure gauges fitted
into a driver's side glovebox cover.
New
headlining and carpets.
Immediate
tasks :
Sandblast
the chassis and body panels
Etch
prime chassis and body panels
Repair
cracks and rust holes in front doors
Begin
fitment of engine and gearbox
I
don't think Moose will be home for Christmas :(
