Restoration Diary
21st to 28th October 2001
Following Tony stripping one
half of the rear I finished the other side with the knowledge and tips he had
gained. Following the investment of a Blow Torch (equal best bit of kit so far
with the angle grinder!) we were able to remove most of the bushes. This did
create a rather noxious smell but it was most satisfying watching the rubber
compound oozing out, this re
duced man hours considerably. The only bits that
have beaten us at the moment are the two rods going through each rear hub, due
to severe corrosion of the rods inside the hub I think it is impossible for us
amateurs to remove these, maybe best left to someone like Adrian or new hubs if
he is beaten too! All wishbones are in good condition and will be
blasted/treated along with the chassis. All that remains on the rear section now
are the brake pipes, which we are planning to remove once we have got the front
95% stripped. Our intention at the moment is to renew all these pipes ourselves,
we have seen the equipment for sale and it does not sound beyond our scope –
anyone else tried this – how many days work and any tips?
Following
the stripping of the rear we then moved to the front. First job was to remove
the anti-roll bar, ‘shouldn’t take long’ we thought, however, none of the
nuts and bolts were in any danger of working lose. Most of the nuts were
slightly corroded and it was difficult to find a spanner that gave a perfect
fit, either too small or rounding the nut. Most of the bolts we eventually
undid, the main problem ones were those that hold the anti-roll bar to the
underside of the chassis, two small nuts on each side in a very restricted
location. 
After wasting much time with spanners the hacksaw came out, with the
thinking being that we will use new brackets anyway. We then began removing one
of the hubs, as time was beating us we stopped at the stumbling block of trying
to get off a grease cap that covers the split pin on the hub, suggestions most
welcome please!
The
plan for the next week or two is to finish stripping both front corners, we will
then be ready to remove the engine. For now we will probably undo it as it is
and lift the chassis over the top, although I think we will buy an engine stand
just for ease of working.
More updates to follow towards the end
of this week.
Following Tony stripping one
half of the rear I finished the other side with the knowledge and tips he had
gained. Following the investment of a Blow Torch (equal best bit of kit so far
with the angle grinder!) we were able to remove most of the bushes. This did
create a rather noxious smell but it was most satisfying watching the rubber
compound oozing out, this re
duced man hours considerably. The only bits that
have beaten us at the moment are the two rods going through each rear hub, due
to severe corrosion of the rods inside the hub I think it is impossible for us
amateurs to remove these, maybe best left to someone like Adrian or new hubs if
he is beaten too! All wishbones are in good condition and will be
blasted/treated along with the chassis. All that remains on the rear section now
are the brake pipes, which we are planning to remove once we have got the front
95% stripped. Our intention at the moment is to renew all these pipes ourselves,
we have seen the equipment for sale and it does not sound beyond our scope –
anyone else tried this – how many days work and any tips? 
