LFO675 Back on the road

Restoration projects and Austin related chat in here please
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northernboy
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LFO675 Back on the road

Post by northernboy »

As planned I have started my A2S5 restoration. Having bought the car in February and enjoyed driving it over the summer it is now on the stands being systematically dismantled. I started with the interior and then moved to the engine bay. I have now removed the engine, gearbox and all ancillaries under the bonnet. The front suspension is now coming apart and I have found missing split pins and washers etc justifying my plan to totally strip all the mechanics before working on the body. Some panel work will be needed due to corrosion and ill fitting replacement panels.

I watch with envy Ed China in his workshop from Wheeler Dealers as I have only a very small garage so working around the car is very tight but I know some people do this out on the street so can't complain.

This is the first time I have tackled a A35 and what fun it is. The mechanics are basic which makes the job pretty simple (but very dirty at this stage). But putting it all back together nice and clean will be great.

I will add more to this topic as I progress

Here are a few pics

More on my other cars at http://nickwhittaker.com
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Stripped interior
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Last edited by northernboy on Sun Mar 08, 2020 10:34 am, edited 11 times in total.
My Fleet : Austin A35 (aka Dads funny old car), 2003 1.8 MGTF - (Dads cool car and Daily Driver), 1982 Mini Mayfair and the family Focus Hatch (aka 'The Skip')
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Countryboy
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Re: LFO675 Restoration Starts :)

Post by Countryboy »

Good luck to you Nick

Your doing the easy bit right now :cheers:
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jannie.52
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Re: LFO675 Restoration Starts :)

Post by jannie.52 »

The vehicle does not look in bad nick at all, actually looks quite solid. enjoy !
Tight Yorkshireman
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Re: LFO675 Restoration Starts :)

Post by Tight Yorkshireman »

Yep it doesnt look too bad does it

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northernboy
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Re: LFO675 Restoration Starts :)

Post by northernboy »

Yes the body is not too bad but the floor has been repaired but never painted so rusting again. The replacement sills are not very well fitted and the front wings and valance are rotten in places but hidden by fibreglass and filler repairs. I am not convinced the replacement spring hanger mounting brackets are fitted in the correct location as the springs hangers seem almost horizontal and the spring bangs on the chassis. (Does anyone know the correct distance between the front and rear spring eye bolts holes as in my drawing below?)

thanks

nick
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What is this measurement please as I need to check mine is correct
What is this measurement please as I need to check mine is correct
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Re: LFO675 Restoration Starts :)

Post by Tight Yorkshireman »

Does this help?

John G
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Re: LFO675 Restoration Starts :)

Post by northernboy »

I found this in a workshop manual - just what I needed :)
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Oilyrag
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Re: LFO675 Restoration Starts :)

Post by Oilyrag »

Good luck with the restoration. Overall the car looks in good shape. Looking forwards to seeing more pictures and of course the end result. Maybe even a Magazine article :D

Best wishes Jeff
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northernboy
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Re: LFO675 Restoration Starts :)

Post by northernboy »

Removed the rear axle, springs, dampers etc and what a job it was. Virtually every nut and bolt was rusted up solid. However, using of lots of penetrating oil and a blow lamp, I persuaded the car who was in charge and bit by bit things came free the axle came off.

I found one spring/damper bracket on the axle almost rusted through (see photo) - are these available to weld back on ?


Nearly ready now to mount the car on my homemade spit and turn it on its side to start the body repairs.
more to follow :)
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Re: LFO675 Restoration Starts :)

Post by Neil Evans »

I'm fairly sure nobody markets them but I've fabricated them myself in the past. Not too difficult if you're handy with the tools. the important thing is to make a jig so that it goes on in exactly the right place...
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Re: LFO675 Restoration Starts - my spit is not strong enough

Post by northernboy »

Tried the first version of my Spit today - got the car to roll through about 75' but I was not filled with confidence - the stripped body shell is heaver that I thought and the two wooden batons passing through the car bent an alarming amount. Got car back on stands quickly - not going to risk damaging the car or worse. I will now try to get a steel scaffold pole and try again. Slight setback but all part of the fun :)
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Countryboy
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Re: LFO675 Restoration Starts :)

Post by Countryboy »

Hello there
That spit scares me to be honest. If you don't mind collecting and delivering back to Suffolk you are welcome to borrow mine
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northernboy
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Re: LFO675 Restoration Starts :)

Post by northernboy »

Hi CountryBoy - Yes it scared me a bit as well - thanks for the offer - I will contact you via private message

Nick
My Fleet : Austin A35 (aka Dads funny old car), 2003 1.8 MGTF - (Dads cool car and Daily Driver), 1982 Mini Mayfair and the family Focus Hatch (aka 'The Skip')
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Re: LFO675 Restoration Starts :)

Post by Bill »

Northernboy,

Can't help but admire your efforts but I agree with others that looks precarious! Surely the horizontal pole needs to be round for the thing to turn. Scaffolding pole seems to be the answer but I am sure there will be people in the club who will tell you if it is strong enough or not. Good luck anyway and stay safe!
northernboy
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Re: LFO675 Restoration Starts :)

Post by northernboy »

Hi Bill - the horizontal pole rotated on bolts through the uprights. I have now arranged to borrow a proper spit from Steven (Countryman) and David . I think this will make life easier and less chance of a mishap !
My Fleet : Austin A35 (aka Dads funny old car), 2003 1.8 MGTF - (Dads cool car and Daily Driver), 1982 Mini Mayfair and the family Focus Hatch (aka 'The Skip')
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