Berlinetta build and restoration

[scott h]

Re: Berlinetta build and restoration

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The rear hub bearings were worn, so this morning I have been fitting new ones. They are two piece, inner and outer. The old outers were removed with a few careful blows with a hammer and punch. To make refitting easier the new outers were put in the freezer overnight and the casing was heated with a blow torch, the appliance of science! I placed the new outer in position and placed the old outer on top so as not to damage the new, a few very careful taps with the hammer and job done.

[CompoSimmonite]

Re: Berlinetta build and restoration

I've bought 3 brand new galvanised chassis for Land Rovers and every time painted black as it looks so much better. At one time I had a Reliant Fox with an unpainted galvanised chassis and the zinc was coming off in sheets. It did a good job of protecting the steel but made me realise that whilst something like a farm gate will survive unpainted the salt and other "stuff" on the roads can ultimately attack a vehicle chassis so no harm in adding a paint layer as well.

Paul H

[scott h]

Re: Berlinetta build and restoration

Thanks. I think it was a good move to paint the chassis, there is so much of it still visible on the completed car that leaving it silver would not look right.

[dcunn]

Re: Berlinetta build and restoration

Looking good Scott

[scott h]

Re: Berlinetta build and restoration

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Back to black. The more I looked at the silver chassis, the more I thought it needed to be black! Was going to brush paint it but a local farmer with a busy sideline in sandblasting and painting farm machinery did me a good deal to spray paint it. It got etch primer first.

[scott h]

Re: Berlinetta build and restoration

Collected the parts from the powder coater today.

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I had intended to get the bumper mounts done at the same time but I noticed that one was squint. Obviously during the original build I was less fussy than I am now, I must have leveled the bumper and drilled the bracket off center, this time I will cut and weld the bracket square. So I decided not to get them powder coated at the moment.

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[scott h]

Re: Berlinetta build and restoration

This is how I removed the suspension bushes from the trailing arms.

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With the main beam bushes being much larger I made up this arrangement but the principle is the same as before.

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That's the rear suspension ready for the powder coater. Going to get the front top wishbones and the bumper mounts done too so need to get them prepared next.

[scott h]

Re: Berlinetta build and restoration

A couple of years ago when I was toying with the idea of restoring the Marlin I spotted a Sierra XR4X4 in the local breakers. I was interested in the rear suspension because it has disc brakes which would help improve the mediocre brakes originally fitted to the Berly. When I was told the asking price was £100 I jumped at it, thinking that if the restoration did not go ahead I could get my money back on ebay. It has the added bonus of a viscous diff. The next job is to strip it down and get the trailing arms and main beam powder coated.

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[Mike]

Re: Berlinetta build and restoration

A bargain! And what a great base to begin a re-build.

[scott h]

Re: Berlinetta build and restoration

Got the chassis back from the galvanizer today, it was ready a few days ago but today was the first chance to get the afternoon off work. They sandblasted it then galvanized it and the cost was £264 inc VAT.

[scott h]

Re: Berlinetta build and restoration

Got the afternoon off work and took the chassis to the galvanizer in Glasgow, 2hrs away. They will sandblast it and then galvanize it, should take about a week.

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[scott h]

Re: Berlinetta build and restoration

Got back to the Marlin tonight after a few weeks doing other stuff (still involved behind the scenes with oval racing). Turned the chassis over to get good welds on the new gearbox cross member and fuel tank mounts.

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The next job is to drill lots of holes to allow galvanizing. I'm not looking forward to it, seems a shame to put holes in my pride and joy but it is essential to allow trapped air to escape or damage will occur at the high temperature involved. It also allows the inside of any box sections to be treated. I think galvanizing is the ultimate in rust protection so it's a case of cruel to be kind!

[scott h]

Re: Berlinetta build and restoration

Replaced the fuel tank mounting bars with heavier ones, it always niggled me that they were a wee bit light so now I've finally scratched that itch! Unfortunately the local blacksmith did not have exactly what I was looking for, so I cut these bars length ways to get what I wanted using a whole 9 inch disc on the grinder!

Before

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After

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[scott h]

Re: Berlinetta build and restoration

Bare chassis.

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[greyV8pete]

Re: Berlinetta build and restoration

I can't remember what the rubber bushes in the top wishbone are. I think they are the same as the Cabrio. Are they Cortina rear suspension bushes? Any ideas?

Those top arms look like my Hunter (Cabrio) top arms. As far as I know the top inner bushes are the same as the lower inner TCA bushes. Peter.