Will upload images tonight and over the next few days.
Had rust repair and warrant done yesterday.
Investigating twin-carb setup at the moment.
Dropping it off this morning to Mr Muffler - 2" exhaust from extractors. :D Excited to hear the result!
Hey, so I bought a 1974 British Hillman Avenger from a GP Forums user, got it for a steal at $2000 with a new (used) clutch just installed along with a gearbox clean and general underbody clean, as well as some rust repair already complete.
Plans for the car:
- Exhaust System
- Alarm, Tints, Central Locking
- New Radiator
- Twin Carb Setup with RamFlos
- Speakers in rear and in door parcel trays
- All leaks fixed
- Digital Tacho/GPS speedo, very minimal look
- Upgrade dash with cup holders, ciggratte lighters, new headunit, modern (retractable) seatbelts
- Reupholster/Get restored/repaired all the seats, and have them dyed black
- New carpet + dynamat + lots of sound deadening
- Comfortable spring and shock setup
- Wheel Alignment
- New Steering Wheel
- Get dash re-shrink wrapped
- Ceiling painted/sprayed/dyed black as well as door cards
- Clean up engine bay - replace pump bottles with original canisters, remove stupid airhorns (that don't even work), clean everything, potential engine rebuild at a later date. replace all piping, clean/polish the covers and around block
So this is it when I got it, took it straight for a wash as it was filthy.
(http://i.imgur.com/xVg6P.jpg)
As you can see, it's pretty straight which is great. Still original paint and original pinstripe.
(http://i.imgur.com/QvLGx.jpg)
The old bags, the big bus driver steering wheel... (Mags for sale by the way - $250 ono)
(http://i.imgur.com/vFymD.jpg)
And sitting at home with it's buddy - The_Jim's KE35. (Watch out for a build thread coming soon)
(http://i.imgur.com/PwIut.jpg)
Went to rip everything out - especially all the old rotten carpet, and find the cause of the leak (getting ready for dynamat, sound deading behind the dash, new carpet etc)
(http://i.imgur.com/XUXrD.jpg)
Back seats out, note the mess of seatbelts that is now hidden underneath the back seat :)
(http://i.imgur.com/Yi4h8.jpg)
Back tray, ready for replacement, as well as new Sony 6x9's.
(http://i.imgur.com/VkndT.jpg)
Bloody heater! Seems like the heater tap (just behind this) was causing a huge amount of water to leak into the cabin. Bypassed for now.
(http://i.imgur.com/QUOMe.jpg)
---
Then I had central locking installed, an alarm and some medium tints (photos to come)
In the meantime, I acquired this badboy... Twin stromberg carbs, which I now need two RamFlo's for, and work out how to get it installed - new gaskets, and sort out the new throttle cable set up.
(http://i.imgur.com/Xprvg.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/tRwHs.jpg)
Need to upload photos of the rust repair that was done, the tints, and the new exhaust that is being done today. Also, new gearknob and oil breather.
More to come! Watch this space.
Engine Bay (minus oil breather) note heater bypass:
(http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/ab274/avenga76/Avenger%20Mini%20Meet/IMG_3216.jpg)
Bonus car porn from the Mini-Meet:
(http://i.imgur.com/za6ZU.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/uaIVh.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/P3CCT.jpg)
Went leak finding again.
Don't have the photo, but from factory there is a big piece of foam glued to this piece of metal. God knows why someone decided that was a good idea. So I took it off, and great news! Rust!
(http://i.imgur.com/hGXLn.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/mzBLM.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/DJrIx.jpg)
For those who don't know, straight through these rust holes is where the cold air intake is for the heater, if there's no heater, it goes straight through to the floor :D
So I figured wet foam holding water will a) result in obvious rust, as it has and b) it will leak into the cabin.
Fixing time:
(http://i.imgur.com/Qhqj0.jpg)
Finally:
(http://i.imgur.com/OCUO0.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/nLtCB.jpg)
----
Found the last leak!!!!! Need to fix this next weekend.
It's leaking from behind the brake booster (?) - if I put my fingers behind it, I can feel the disintegrated seal/foam/whatever was there. Can't see it though - not enough viewing angle.
(http://i.imgur.com/2hLWc.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/2hLWc.jpg)
Also, I found the new door seals - ParaRubber at $11/m with edge trim + rubber seal, perfect. Same for boot seals, $18 per metre.
So these should be going in next weekend as well. A satisfying and quick job to look forward to.
Finally the car should be dry and not leaking after next weekend!!!
Then it'll be onto the twin-carb setup.
Quote from: Nikolai on October 24, 2011, 10:43:15 PM
Also, I found the new door seals - ParaRubber at $11/m with edge trim + rubber seal, perfect. Same for boot seals, $18 per metre.
what? that's convenient. let us know how it works.
top stuff on the rust repairs too.
I'll post up a photo later this morning.
It's basically EXACTLY the same as the current old seal that is on my door. (All other doors no seals).
New exhaust, courtesy of Mr Muffler, Onehunga. $420.
(http://i.imgur.com/lpcHl.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/FecKP.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/R10rf.jpg)
Hey, here are the rubber seals from Para Rubber:
(http://i.imgur.com/FUA7n.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/gGCwn.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/BVcgr.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/baE3R.jpg)
Guess I should announce it on here.
Booked in for the SR20DE conversion on 6th of Feb. Will take around 10 - 14 working days to complete.
Looking forward to it.
Oh hello.
Gearbox is in and the gearbox crossmember just bolted straight up. They can just bend the gearstick and it will clear the handbrake.
The engine is still in chains because they are making some engine mounts but again that sounds like it will just bolt up pretty easy.
They are a bit worried about bonnet clearance so I might need a power bulge or the fibreglass bonnet might fit better. The SR20DE is quite a tall engine and we don?t want the sump hitting, so may also make a sump guard.
We will know more when they do the engine mounts, it sounds touch and go.
(http://i.imgur.com/ZEN7ph.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/ZEN7p.jpg)
Look ma! No trans-tunnel chopping involved!
(http://i.imgur.com/i7nZdh.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/buM9Mh.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/aK9PWh.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/09C8zh.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/eyzDyh.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/IQj8Th.jpg)
Engine mounts done. Air intake done.
This conversion is so ridiculous - exhausts line up and just a small flange has to be made to link them together. Only 14 hours of work to get it to this stage, including taking all the old stuff out.
The more difficult stuff starts soon - dual circuit brakes, diff, pedal box setup and then shocks/lowering/guard chop for flares.
Anyone recommend a panel beater/body shop to do all four flares?
---
So these turned up today.
Unfortunately not matte black as ordered! Have asked for a credit for the price of powder-coating or to get them re-powdercoated at their expense. Will let you know how it goes.
Otherwise, pics.
225/50/15: Rear : 15/8
205/50:15: Front : 15/7
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Ef_8MOuxRMo/T0wUCQZkX7I/AAAAAAAAS9Y/e-nhlHMsrLM/s757/2012-02-28+12.23.04.jpg)
where did the pics of the new engine go?
Fixed. I blame Richard moving the server! :P
Picture-less update:
Pedal box has been made, used stock pedals, just needs to be welded back in now.
Tunnel was welded up and made to look all nice and pretty.
Air-intake done.
Loom is all in, ready for the final wire up which is happening this week.
Got a new boss kit and steering wheel as mine were borked.
Progress should be rather quick this week, as there aren't many other cars in the garage to be worked on.
Brakes all plumbed in, calipers rebuilt, cylinders reconditioned etc.
Now just waiting for the diff to come back (was meant to have come back on Tuesday :( )
Going to add rear disk brakes as well, nothing too serious though.
Then driveshaft/electrician and boom!
Oh hello... 3.7 Hilux diff.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PkRsYNJfWSU/T5ClX-oucMI/AAAAAAAATo8/Jlvm3y6IDKk/s568/20120420_115146.jpg)
Yay! Finally ready to go to the electrician.
Had a few extra delays, plus general business at work meant I couldn't do the required running around.
Unfortunately it will be sitting on it's old crappy wheels and tyres until this coming weekend when I'm borrowing a guard roller which should push the guards out enough to fit the new wheels on nicely. Not going to do flares for the time being, just want it back and running!
However, I now need to tow it from Beach Haven to Titirangi (electrician) and back to Beach Haven (to return car trailer). So hopefully I can find someone kind enough with a tow bar so I can get this sorted and taken to the electrician.
Pictures:
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Kn1JAwuxmnA/T62K_fr6feI/AAAAAAAAT8U/-YXSnJdgeSw/s568/20120512_095518.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-X8wYc_Qt_Yw/T62LI_81SXI/AAAAAAAAT8c/Qtq4w7vILjE/s568/20120512_095526.jpg)
Bad quality audio. But as you can hear... noisy tappets :(
I guess the previous owner gave it a hard life.
It's also hard to hear - but it has a problem at warm idle.
Basically, dead cold start = idles at 1000RPM, no problems.
Once it's warm though, it idles between 700RPM - 1000RPM, never stable, always bouncing around. I feel like the TPS is a bit buggered, maybe the spring?, or perhaps something not quite right with the accelerator pedal linkage as a tiny tap on the pedal will send it to 1500RPM straight away, and the pedal is super touchy.
If anyone is keen to have a look (In the Epsom area) and to give it a proper tune, super keen with beers etc.
The other problems are that although we cut out a lot of the front-inner guard, there's still a little bit more to do as occasionally I still get rub in the front.
Off to a panel-beater this week to get the rear guards sorted out, as can only fit old crappy Nankangs on it for now :(
Lowered the front a bit too, looks boss
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h62DMc6vUHw&feature=youtu.be
(http://i.imgur.com/CIp0u.jpg)
Plans are:
#1 - Sort out rear-guards to get rear wheels on.
#2 - Sort out warm idle/pedal issues
#3 - Speedo cluster (from an auto Bluebird) not reading past 30km/h, wildy inaccurate anyway, replace with a proper manual SR20DE-something cluster - check speed sender?
#4 - Fuel sender not sending anything (unfortunate as it was out of the same car the engine was from)
#5 - Sort out dash, headlight & number plate switches, wiper switch and fluid pump
#6 - dynamat & carpet
#7 - New seats & seatbelts (eg set of front & rear Recaros from a Golf or similar, modified to suit)
#8 - Dodgy warrant + rego until I go for cert
#9 - GP Trackday!?
http://imgur.com/a/5IINq
Got the rear guards sorted! :D
Some updates...
Update time! Woo.
So the car has been at the panel-beaters, and is getting painted at the end of the coming week. Although it looked mint, there was quite a lot of cancer - more than me or the panel-beater thought initially.
Teaser:
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-vNBsh3psW3U/US_tl9ngv4I/AAAAAAAAcWI/g4kvP4wH76k/s757/20130301_124922.jpg)
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-rjnzdKI8HYk/US_t5SgyO5I/AAAAAAAAcWU/FAczYPJjTk4/s757/20130301_124928.jpg)
I've also slowly been ticking away at the interior, experimenting with how I can restore some of the interior parts - for example - using vinyl wrap. It works pretty well, but it's really tricky and painstaking to apply!
Edit: Have just been made aware of fibrenew.co.nz which may be waaay cheaper in a time/cost sort of comparison.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-PtIxPNn06bY/USm0xVOSoLI/AAAAAAAAcRE/Tnu-T2Li3vU/s757/20130224_193420.jpg)
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ay1wmm6wFZ0/UTKHcTQ9AII/AAAAAAAAcZk/wB72SZcqlWA/s568/20130303_121210.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tcwPEzel8YE/UTKFM1HKFdI/AAAAAAAAcZU/a7nJUKZjlZg/s757/20130303_120235.jpg)
Also been trying to diagnose my idle issues and I think I've found a very likely factor, that'll be causing a huge vacuum leak! I've made an Imgur album comparing my engine bay to others on the net.
And I think I'm missing a pretty key piece of plumbing!
Link: http://imgur.com/a/U0Wkm (http://imgur.com/a/U0Wkm)
(Click on the images to make them bigger so the writing is readable)
Here is a video of my engine bay also to see the missing bits:
SR20 Avenger (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h62DMc6vUHw#ws)
Thoughts??
Saw it at the panel-beater. Painting almost finished :D
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-OLRdc4--zJo/UVI4irweOmI/AAAAAAAAcqU/Qi-WIWSH0H0/s757/20130327_130614.jpg)
:D
Gave it a new home, in a storage place alongside some exotics/american muscle. Can't complain that it's in the dry and secure, particularly with this weather.
(http://i.imgur.com/ZjONOfGh.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/tuY1gyVh.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/bGBEHeUh.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/QDeaUmyh.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/1FMOPyFh.jpg)
Not that you can tell but have installed semi-sealed beams with H4 Xenon bulbs so I can see at night, all lights hooked up with nice new bulbs, and new/near-new plastic lenses all-round.
Booked in at Magnum Automotive for surge tank and some tuning in two weeks. Can't wait!
So - this happened.
(http://i.imgur.com/3Wv1yHF.jpg)
Gone to Jon Strange, of Strange Workshop to get a number of things done, and to get on the road!!
Fuel Pressure Regulator Installed
(http://i.imgur.com/AGzmZJ9.jpg)
Surge Tank & Pump & Fuel Filter Nearly Installed - this is installed in the right side of the boot, the battery will be moved to the left side for a bit of balance. Everything for the surge tank is installed with these cool screw things, which don't need to have a nut & bolt setup.. a thread is screwed into the metal, and this screws into that thread (not sure how to explain it). Makes for easy removal etc. Also getting a hole cut into the boot floor for access to the top-mounted pump in the main fuel tank, so it doesn't need to be dropped each time access is needed!
(http://i.imgur.com/tJoKyxB.jpg)
Small updates...
(http://i.imgur.com/nETh2RM.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/EYDReVv.jpg)
Stuff finally turning up! Here's some bits and pieces:
(Not all of it is for me in the first photo)
(http://i.imgur.com/TGgjllT.jpg)
Test Fitting...
(http://i.imgur.com/psQrEor.jpg)
Test Fitting...
(http://i.imgur.com/3JEEFb4.jpg)
Headers from Aussie - fit like a glove!
(http://i.imgur.com/SFRvTt2.jpg)
Link ECU fits in the old casing:
(http://i.imgur.com/67qvmqu.jpg)
Also in the first image, you can spy a DEFI digital dash - that's what I've decided to go for.
Fitting the seats properly in the next few days, then prepping/painting interior black, then sending it off for the roll-cage - going 8point cage with metal dash and will paint the cage in yellow to match the body color.
That's one cool Avenger you have there. What carbs are you running?
Some progress. Seat mounts were a mission! These are positioned over the braces underneath the car; for added strength.
The old Recaro seat mounts were made of sheet metal >_< !!
(http://i.imgur.com/CJ0DbWe.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/gYP1cV0.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/v3ehYx7.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/z0eZwdl.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/fgsYDPS.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/vv5Z0uM.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/0cqMEez.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/E9GP4Vp.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/EExgiAO.jpg)
Then it's been picked up to go for the rollcage and new dash. Have to take the glass out for the cage, so have got seals + chrome inserts coming at the cost of one-arm, and one-leg (eg from BasisNZ)
(http://i.imgur.com/Rzb3HRa.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/ybNHEc3.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/mjcPbOs.jpg)
More progress...
(http://i.imgur.com/iREgfRd.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/gzMMHlD.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/2Vr795o.jpg)
Teaser:
(http://i.imgur.com/TR8EDm5.jpg)
Hilariously beefy strut brace (and ugliest engine bay of the year?)
(http://i.imgur.com/9HEZyc9.jpg)
Back of car:
(http://i.imgur.com/LJOWjGi.jpg)
I'll just leave this here.. Interior being painted black, and bits that weren't done properly the first time getting done too.
(http://i.imgur.com/gpFWu1u.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/ihDHPRO.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/KndQOUd.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/iDVpjFv.jpg)
Progress!
Had to sand back the cage, prep it, and tape everything up.
(http://i.imgur.com/68JdHyM.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/vq6gdNO.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/w2XIDgF.jpg)
primer
(http://i.imgur.com/aPJECc8.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/tMYbbJm.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/z5owTUp.jpg)
painted
(http://i.imgur.com/fhFhEBT.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/PBovsea.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/PWTS30f.jpg)
bonus picture.. what might this be!?
(http://i.imgur.com/F4EX3l5.jpg)
masking stuff off...
(http://i.imgur.com/J2RdHV0.jpg)
Project is back from the dead and full-steam ahead!
Pics tell the story of the custom dash, nearing completion.
(http://i.imgur.com/50ttcrI.png)
(http://i.imgur.com/d5cnl1y.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/sg1kob4.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/szYOklG.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/0QY6UBk.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/87jddza.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/0eXzpxb.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/mfV0JhO.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/dBEVhi9.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/9WQGWdv.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/eoWm4FD.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/d5JDoTU.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/J8IZwdK.jpg)
Dash Wiring Complete
(http://i.imgur.com/GkyIoNR.jpg)
Safety!
(http://i.imgur.com/cH96GDE.jpg)
Cold-Air Box
(http://i.imgur.com/5CpeBV7.jpg)
Cold-Air Intake
(http://i.imgur.com/loSQfgN.jpg)
Suspension
(http://i.imgur.com/LyORy7v.jpg)