mad
Part of things
Posts: 126
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Hopefully this will work. Heres the first ever start of the saab lump. Genuine surprise that it actually worked first time. After spinning it over to get oil pressure put the spark plugs back in and..... imgur.com/a/UtaKaRqWell the video didnt work so heres the link: imgur.com/JLntAPaI thought i'd also show you how ive mounted the speed sensor on the front wheel. I think its a bit exposed where it is but again time will tell I slid the wire down some rubber hose to hopefully give it some more protection I also finished the dash. Can you tell what gauges are new. Fitted the steering wheel and with no other issues i could find, drove it out of the garage for first time. Its starting to worry me actually that i havnt found any major issues. Normally with these sorts of builds something needs re-engineering or fettling to make it happy but havnt come across anything yet. The list of jobs for the mot is getting smaller. Main thing to sort is the passenger seat. Got to swap it out for the other mx5 seat. It requires some grinding and welding but i know what i've got to do now so less head scratching. Turned the car round so the passenger seats nearer the workbench which makes my life easier. Also fixed the wing mirror mount which was annoying me. Once the seats in then seat belts and tidy the wiring. Then a ton of other tiny jobs. Might try and get a mot for this coming sat.
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Last Edit: Jul 8, 2018 21:06:06 GMT by mad
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mad
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Posts: 126
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After more small and tedious jobs last weekend I got the car looking like this. After over filling it with oil and struggling to get the thing to prime I was just about to abandon the first start and look at sump design when luckily it primed. The engines been dry for 6 months and also been upside down and thoroughly empty of oil so hopefully it was just a priming issue and not bad sump pickup. Anyway, got oil pressure. Fitted plugs and fuse for fuel pump. Fingers crossed..... IT STARTED! I kid you not on the first attempt after a couple of turns it caught. So pleased. I didn't have a steering wheel but I checked first gear and clutch which worked. SO many wins in one afternoon. I've now left it a couple of days and will see if the oil pressure light goes straight out when I start it next. Hopefully its all good and I wont have to redesign the sump. So things left to do are mainly wiring in the dash. Brought a electric speedo and sensor from rally design so fitting that this evening. And then got to tidy all this It looks worse than it is. All main electrical things work to pass and MOT just need to get it so it doesn't spontaneously combust. It will then be MOT time and next big challenge will be to see if it makes boost and if so how much. Will update when I get time but cant see any reason I shouldn't be making retro rides
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Last Edit: Jul 5, 2018 15:28:52 GMT by mad
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mad
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Posts: 126
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Well surprise surprise I didn't make it to retro weekender. The car was throwing up to many problems and in the end I cut my losses and had a BBQ. SO new target retro rides gathering. The steering bush finally turned up which was the main thing holding me back. Given a lick of paint and put back together Then back in the car I also overhauled the column while I was this far in as it also had a little bit of play. Its no wonder I never made my deadline, look at the help slacking off! Anyway.... Got more engine bits back in the bay including mounting the ecu and relays. Had a mare with the wiring as saab colour codes are inconsistent so you end up having to check the pin out on the ecu plug. This was another hurdle that took ages to sort and with a bit of help from the brother inlaw we got the right plugs to the right sensors and also sorted the starter, oil and charge wires. So this is said wiring. I know in an ideal world the ecu would be inside but its well away from the engine and heat. Plus with the amount of leaks these scimitars have its probably drier in there too. This a bit further along with plumbing, boost pipes and other small jobs that take forever to sort.
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Last Edit: Jul 5, 2018 15:29:58 GMT by mad
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mad
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Posts: 126
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Looking good! Was the sump made from scratch then? Also how's the new welder working out? I'll be at santa pod if you make your deadline, although with far less power! That'll be cool, tbh i think I'm cutting it a bit close with getting there in the scimitar. Probably shoot over in the daily if its not done and the weathers good.
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mad
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Posts: 126
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Bit more progress. Knocked up an exhaust, managed to make a 3" downpipe as recommended by tuning guides. Starting with the standard t25 flange Took a 3" tight bend and made a few cuts Add a bit of straight, another bend and lambda boss and..... This looks pretty straight forward but where its running there isnt much wiggle room. It then goes from 3" down to 2" along the car to the back. In an ideal world it would be 3" all the way but i used what i had and its just to get the car rolling. If all goes well i'll probably be swapping the turbo so will have to remake all this anyway. Changed the gearbox oil and engine oil and while under there i took a picture of the pump and filter. I'm thinking of making some sort of splash guard up just to keep the muck and rain out. I checked the fuel loop by powering up the pump and apart from a loose hoseclip all seemed good. Next job was to sort the slack in the steering rack. Stripped it all down and it looks like the bronze bush is worn and of course its impossible to buy new. This is said bush After a few dead ends and a bit of research ended up calling a old boy in a workshop somewhere and he had a dealer issued replacement. It nylon and was the replacement issued by reliant at the time. Hopefully its in the post and should have it for the weekend. I also brought a set of mx5 seats but after a quick trial fit they seem to big. My head hits the ceiling when they are sat on the floor, will have another look tomorrow but looks like it might be back in with the buckets. Its not the end of the world they are just hard to get in and out of with the steering wheel. Oh and this is Mim pushing the limit on "No Dogs in the Garage!" Shes a retired greyhound we recently welcomed into our lives and been one of the best decisions we've made. Buckets of personality and soppy as hell.
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mad
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Posts: 126
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Right time for an update..... Been busy with life and other distractions it was finally time to sink some time into the old boat. Was struggling with motivation at the beginning so things went slowly and didn't take any pictures but basically I Brought a Saab 93 Ripped out the engine and other useful bits Brought an Rx8 gearbox Dismantled the gearbox and skimmed 15mm of the bellhousing Reassembled (hopefully correctly) Brought Vauxhall mazda adaptor plate Few bolts later Then with some sweating and profanity got it in the engine bay with a few blocks of wood propping it up. Checked clearances and then knocked up some engine mounts. Only needed a slight trim to the bulkhead which makes life easy for me. Heres the one I decided was worth photographing I was able to order my prop now the engine was in from BAR props in wales. Fantastic service, can really recommend. They always seem very patient and helpful when an idiot like me rings up and has to lay under the car measuring things on the phone. Next big job was the sump. Although the standard one fitted there were a few people who reported oil starvation so not wanting to risk blowing the engine. Ordered a flange and had a bash and making a rear bowl. With a couple of baffles Hopefully it should work. Pretty sure I can drop the sump with the engine in the car so not entirely horrendous if it does have to come out. Gave it all a lick of paint. Can seen the engine and gearbox mounts here too. Sump back on I then knocked up and adaptor plate to spin a 9000 exhaust manifold to give me a top mount turbo. Also had a go at making my first AN braided lines which weren't to scary During this engine out stage I dropped the fuel tank and fitted a 15mm outlet. Put a bosch 044 pump under the car and run the wires and fuel lines up the chassis rail. Also move the battery cable as someone had already moved the battery to the boot. Again all this was made up as I went along so only time will tell if it works. Will get a pic of the pump when I'm doing the exhaust this weekend but heres the other lines. Que more swearing First thing I wanted to check was the clutch as its a real mixture of bits and I had a funny feeling about it. Turns out I was right as I clearance issues so back out again. 3 friction plates later I get a mixture of bits that actually work and threw it back in. Was a dab hand at it by now so didn't take long and far less swearing. Anyway, clutch bled and working fine, prop fitted. I then had a crack at turning up some adaptors for the oil cooler. Going from weird push fit saab connectors to AN10 They fit, whether they seal or not time will tell. If they don't i'll probably just get them tig straight on. Fitted the intercooler and oil cooler. Had a bit of Perspex laying around for the top support. Not sure how long it will last before it goes brittle but will prove concept and swap out later for sheet metal. Now I've just got some wiring, plumbing and an exhaust to knock up before I can test fire the engine. I really fancy taking it to retro show at santa pod but that's only a couple of weeks away now so might be a tall ask. Especially since ive just ripped the dash out to sort the interior wiring. Also need to find a cheap electronic speedo. Anyway got a bit of mojo back so will endeavour to try. Hopefully take a few more pictures along the way.
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Last Edit: Jun 6, 2018 19:00:37 GMT by mad
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mad
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Posts: 126
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I struggled for years with welding with the disposable bottles of gas and it cost a small fortune in the process. You've invested in a half decent mig now treat yourself to a 10ltr bottle of gas. My local motor factors sold them and it was the best improvement I saw. I don't think those small bottles have enough flow. Especially when welding outside and you'll get through loads of them welding a car. Just my personal advice
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mad
Part of things
Posts: 126
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Feb 20, 2018 19:16:59 GMT
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Start with the easy things. Clean the fuse holder up properly and clean the fuse or put in a new one.
Next make sure the motors getting good juice. If you can get to the wires give them a good source of 12v to see if the motor fires up and runs nice. If the motors fine then check electrics including earth.
If it still doesn't run with 12v direct to the motor then motors knackered. You might be able salvage the motor and repair otherwise replace.
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mad
Part of things
Posts: 126
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Feb 18, 2018 18:04:56 GMT
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Also let me know if the first pictures arn't loading as they are on photobucket from before the day they broke the internet
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mad
Part of things
Posts: 126
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Feb 18, 2018 17:54:46 GMT
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Right time for an update..... I've been a bit busy over the last 6 months and not really touched the scimitar but finally times freed up and got cracking this weekend. First job was to get the old diesel out. Nothing too complicated just weighted a fricking ton. So this is now up for sale if anyone on here wants it. Need to do a little research to find out what its worth if anyone or here can help with that. Its got a type 9 box with a quick shift which has got to be worth a few hundred. Was thinking of selling as a job lot as. While i wasnt able to work on the scimitar i had been busy collecting and researching a replacement engine. Decided to go for a saab B204 lump. Managed to get a ridiculously low mileage auto saab93 for a few hundred quid and pull all the bits i think i need. Theres a few cars out there already running this lump in rwd but not very well documented so going to be a suck it and see type install. I've got a few more pieces to get then i'll get some photos up of where I'm at with the engine
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Last Edit: Feb 18, 2018 17:55:37 GMT by mad
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mad
Part of things
Posts: 126
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What about doing this to a scimitar chassis? Retain the chassis, engine and suspension for necessary points and get rid of the heavy body shell. Granted not sure how nice it would look but certainly some performance gain from weight loss.
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mad
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Posts: 126
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Jun 20, 2017 13:09:55 GMT
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Hi,
I'm after a 6 speed rx8 gearbox for a project. Got cash waiting and can collect local to Essex.
Also needs gearstick and clutch slave.
Cheers
Dan
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mad
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Posts: 126
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May 23, 2017 16:02:03 GMT
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Hi,
Want a bmw v8 with manual gearbox for my latest project. Ideally a m60 but might be able to make the m62 work The whole car would be handy to get all the bits I need. Otherwise a engine,gearbox, loom and ecu would be great. In Essex and can get couriered or even collect if need be.
Regards Dan
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mad
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Posts: 126
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May 19, 2017 13:41:21 GMT
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Hi folks, Thought you guys and girls might be interested in my new (to me) car. Its a Reliant Scimitar brought completely blind on fleabay. Got it delieved this week and havnt yet had a chance to have a proper poke about. Anyway heres a few pics So story goes it was rebuilt quite a few years ago in late 80's to be used as a trackday/hill climb car. Its been off the road since and i was expecting the worse when i brought it. Turns out it is pretty much complete in as far as ready for an MOT. All the necessary electrics work, starts and stops just needs handbrake looking at. Now heres the worse/interesting bit Thats right a 1.8 ford turbo diesel. It sounds like a tractor and according to wiki has 90bhp..... but it works. Current thought is check all basics and then mot car. Iron out any small issues then look at doing an engine swap. It has a type 9 gearbox so any old ford engine should fit but i really fancy a turbo or possibly v8. I'm also toying with the idea of sticking a different body on it as the scimitar rear end really isnt doing anything for me. Thats all in the distant future though. For now get it on the road and enjoy some retro motoring.
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mad
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Posts: 126
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May 12, 2017 12:02:30 GMT
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Him
Need a reliant scimitar moving from exeter to braintree in essex. If you can do it this weekend give me a price.
Cheers
Dan
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mad
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Posts: 126
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Sold
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mad
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Posts: 126
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Apr 30, 2017 17:20:30 GMT
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Hi,
Yeah I'm interested. Got anymore details on the golf and what deal are you offering.
Regards,
Dan
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mad
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Posts: 126
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Apr 23, 2017 10:12:30 GMT
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Retrorides price drop £16,000
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mad
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Posts: 126
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Apr 18, 2017 17:56:43 GMT
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Here for sale is my much loved and cherished mk1 2dr Escort. I have been working on creating this escort for over 6 years and it is with much regret I am putting it up for sale. The car has undergone a full nut and bolt rebuild with extensive modifications by myself and has only done 130 miles since MOT. I brought the shell with all the major panel work already completed from the previous owner who built rally cars for a living. It has all the group 4 strengthening panels and full stitched at seams. I then sourced 2 really clean doors along with a good boot and bonnet. The rear suspension has been installed so that the original bench seat could be put back in to give a clean look. It is running a 2ltr zetec engine on Jenvey throttle bodies with stainless steel exhaust manifold. It has RetroFord engine mounts, water rail and alternator kit. G19 Aluminium sump with CVH pickup. The engine is running with MicroSquirt ecu, running wideband sensor with gauge and ecu feedback. I can supply all details of wiring with laptop to connect with. It has a Mazda RX8 6 speed close ratio gearbox with custom propshaft. The rear axle is full 6 link English with Watts linkage. It has a NXG LSD fitted along with Ford Sierra rear disc conversion. Bias pedal box Full set of GAZ coilover shocks with double width kit, eccentric top mounts and adjustable TCAs on the front. I have fitted a new black headlining along with bucket seats and harnesses. Because of the new gearbox I have installed an electric speedo using a wheel sensor to give accurate speed readout. It also has an electric tacho grafted into the original binnacle to give the original look. It has a “Safety Devices” bolt in 6 point rollcage with removable door bars which can obviously be removed or added as required very easily. Brand new 15x8 JB MiniLite wheels with Bridgestone tyres. I painted the car myself to a very good standard but I am a hobbyist and do not own a professional spray booth so it is not a concourse finish. I have built the car to drive and enjoy so the perfect finish wasn't my aim. I haven't mentioned everything, as the pictures cover most things but all modifications that were done could be reverse if desired. The car still retains the original spring hangers if you wish to revert back to original suspension. Included in the sale is all my Ford spares that I have accumulated over the years which would fill a small van, including a really clean spare boot if the ducktail is not to your taste. The car is a Mexico, when purchasing the car it came with an old style V5 and since it had been off the road for such a long time the DVLA inspected the shell with no issues found. I do have the FORD Escort lettering but have been struggling to source the right size grommet to fit the letters, hence the holes in the boot and bonnet. The spare boot (non-ducktail) i have is in very good condition and all the mods have been done carefully so the car could be returned to standard if so wished. I'm open to PX and cash my way, especially if its retro, rwd or interesting. Any questions welcome
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mad
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Posts: 126
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Just read this thread from the start. What an amazing build, i tip my hat to you sir.
I see you're going through the SVA route, how much has this affected your plans/ limited what you can do?
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