Cleggy the Spyder Man Posted January 18, 2010 Author Share Posted January 18, 2010 has been a while - not done too much but here is the latest body has been lifted off the car to allow access to tack in the framework around the footwells - currently the body is outside and has enjoyed snow and whatever else the weather has seen fit to throw at it - the chassis has been outside for a bit under a cover as the westy has the steering column removed (sent to Westfield to have the QR welded on) and is taking up the garage so have been busy making up brackets for the steering column - the column will pass over the top of the rear most frame and under the one at the front first job was to bend some 25mm flat to make up the bracket - I found an old socket just ever so slightly smaller than the column (to make it the right size once it has sprung back to shape) and stuck it in the vice to bend picture shows both bits now bent and trial fitted made up flats and drilled to suit and then tacked on last two piccies show the front and rear brackets ready for tacking onto the framework when I get the chassis back in the garage should be getting the westy column back by the end of the week all being well so should be able to make quicker progress Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRuss Posted January 18, 2010 Share Posted January 18, 2010 Really tidy, nice work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
housebeautician Posted January 19, 2010 Share Posted January 19, 2010 Bout time you got off your and did something Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cleggy the Spyder Man Posted January 20, 2010 Author Share Posted January 20, 2010 Thanks Russ - trying my best within what ability, time and budget I have Tony - yup finally off my PHAT a** and back in the garage Just had a measure up of the floor framework now the bodywork is off - everything is spot on next jobs: tack in foot well framework tack on steering column brackets start to look at fuel tank mounting maybe look at the seat belt framework look at seat mounting points think about fitting a roll bar then talk myself out of it westy steering column should be being despatched back to me today ready for fitting at the weekend - lets hope its a dry weekend so I can get the westy to work and out of the way - then I really need to get my finger out and start making some faster progress on this project by the way Dave I have finished with the rivnut tool (used it once and struggled with it so went out and bought a new one) will drop you a line to arrange popping it back over - cheers fella Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cider1 Posted January 20, 2010 Share Posted January 20, 2010 Welcome back to the fold, Cleggy At last some progress!! Your welding is getting very tidy. Frank:blues: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cleggy the Spyder Man Posted January 20, 2010 Author Share Posted January 20, 2010 thanks Frank - good to be back (not sure if a few others would agree ) tonights half hour of garage action sees a start on the engine as the rest of the motor is outside as usual the first nut that a spanner went on turned out to be a total ball ache - on the inside bend of the exhaust manifold making it impossible to get a normal spanner on, so I ended up grinding away at a perfectly good spanner (my one and only Snap On spanner ) to get it to fit - anyway a few grazed knuckles later the exhaust system was off and new J-pipes to replace the heat exchangers were temp fitted will be interesting to see the engine without all the tin and exhaust stuff on - sparrows knee cap springs to mind a slightly smaller looking engine looks like some of the tin ware will need to be repaired as there appear to be a few small cracks plus an odd bracket broken off - be interesting to see how I get on with the mig with the thin stuff - will maybe have to place the tin on some steel to take heat away and do continuous spot welds to avoid making holes - time will tell heat exchangers (exhaust pipe runs through the exchanger and heats up the outer cased area with fins running through - there is then a flap on the end of the exchanger that can be operated by a lever next to the hand brake cable - this then provides hot air to the occupants - the air is pushed out as it is plumbed in to the air cooling) - probably quite ingenious back in those days new J pipes and old heat exchangers looks great this - I suppose chrome is gonna look too tarty, so I will probably go for a black finish which is I guess in keeping Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
housebeautician Posted January 21, 2010 Share Posted January 21, 2010 look forward to seeing all the shiny bits on the engine mate if you need a hand give me a shout Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cleggy the Spyder Man Posted January 21, 2010 Author Share Posted January 21, 2010 hi Tony - talking of shiney bits, I stuck some up on the table tonight to give some encouragement to get the engine cleaned up will get the westy out the way I will give ya a shout - how's work? got owt on? stripped down engine further tonight - first job was to get the pulley off - more tool grinding required as my first attempt of using the puller on the outside of the pulley resulted in it just bending - after a bit of grinding and a few sharp blows with the hammer it started to shift as you can see the puller arms are well wedged in intake, carb and fan housing removed the sparrows knee cap - seriously it's the all alloy engine which you all know is the best choice the motivation off to read up on the best way of cleaning up alloy - guess some acid based cleaner? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slater Posted January 21, 2010 Share Posted January 21, 2010 QUOTE off to read up on the best way of cleaning up alloy - guess some acid based cleaner? de grease it then a lot of hard work with good old sovol autosol. lewis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobby Breeze Posted January 22, 2010 Share Posted January 22, 2010 It's going to be something to be proud of when you finally get it on the road. Superb effort and well done for sticking with it. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pistonbroke Posted January 22, 2010 Share Posted January 22, 2010 Looks as if we all gonna need some dark glasses for the next episode Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samcooke Posted January 22, 2010 Share Posted January 22, 2010 Since you're buying new bits, just get new tins - you'll get the lot for about £50. A new fan shroud would be good too Didn't the high performance ones have silver tins? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slater Posted January 22, 2010 Share Posted January 22, 2010 check the fan blades thoroughly if any are suspect replace the fan if it is running out of balance it will eventually come through the fan housing. Have you tried http://www.mamotorworks.com/air-cooled-vw-parts.html good value and quick delivery. lewis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cleggy the Spyder Man Posted January 22, 2010 Author Share Posted January 22, 2010 Thanks Lewis - have got gunk already plus been out tonight and got some wheel cleaner (mild acid based) which I shall try to see if this works I shall only bother polishing the bits that will show - as you know most of the engine is covered by the tinware - I want to get the rest of the alloy wire brushed up and clean though - trouble is all the fins that are going to be a total b***h I reckon so was hoping to get a fairly agressive cleaner (such as wheel cleaner) to remove the worst - failing that I sell some acid based cleaners at work which I may try need to do some more research on perhaps a bikers website to what they might use Sam - I have looked at getting new tinware although to renew everything is going to cost!! the fan housing I may nenew as I see they sell them as "without heater" types, so they have no pipes for the heat exchangers to connect up to - not seen any with silver tinware on pictures I have of similar cars - I believe it is generally considerd to be a good idea not to have too much silver chrome bling etc for cooling reasons - so I shall stick with a satin black I think If ya fancy popping over fella just let me know - pick your brains I will Bernie - yup shades to be donned for the bling Dave - would be nice to get it to Stoneleigh this year, trouble is I doubt if it will be done in time and I doubt if I would have the balls to take it that far Well the column arrived back from Westfield today with QR welded up - top marks to Westfield, very good service and quick turnaround and quality job done too - £48 inc vat and inc return postage to me --- very good so shall get the westy back together this weekend and if the weather allows take it back to work then full on Spyder action can commence Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slater Posted January 22, 2010 Share Posted January 22, 2010 //[/img] Bit of powder coating lots of soaking in vinigar and lots of elbow grease. lewis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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