|
|
|
Jan 19, 2014 18:04:00 GMT
|
|
The video makes it look really easy, but I bet a good portion of the repair standard is down to the skill of the operative rather than the machine itself. I bet if I tried that I'd just end up making two new dents with the feet of the puller bar when pulling out the dent.
I've had a quick update about the 6 and have been told the dash fascia is actually salvagable and that the floors and chassis appear on initial inspection and minor stomping to be solid if the usual flimsy French affair. Passenger front door can now be opened as the guttering has been tweaked out of the way and the spare door can be fitted once I've dug out the manual - house is full of Princess spares again and I've misplaced the 6 manual - to find out how the doors are fitted. The car's original door will be stripped of everything useful and the shell of it scrapped as it's well past its best.
I don't know if any attempt to get the car running has been made yet, but if the bodywork is anything to go by we might find the engine is actually good too.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jan 26, 2014 21:56:28 GMT
|
|
Hero, this looks a brilliant project. Hope that everything goes as smoothly as possible!
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Jan 26, 2014 22:20:16 GMT
|
|
Only minor news to impart at present. MrDuke has had a good stomp and prod at the floors and they appear solid, but he's been working on clearing off some sort of greasy gunk that's applied under the carpets to get a more full look at anything that might need attention. Likewise, the chassis appears solid if a little flimsy - older French cars are made of notoriously thin metal which is why rust can be such a killer on them - and there's no sign of serious issues in need of attention.
I don't yet know if the engine runs, nor how well and I don't know if a chance has been got to get the front calipers looked at as it sounds like they pistons are stuck off. A happy little bit of news is the crumbly dash fascia is actually pretty hefty dirt and the trim is actually in good condition under some sort of crusty moss or mould or something.
When I have more to impart I shall do so.
|
| |
|
|
craig1010cc
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,998
Club RR Member Number: 35
|
|
|
|
A happy little bit of news is the crumbly dash fascia is actually pretty hefty dirt and the trim is actually in good condition under some sort of crusty moss or mould or something. I bet your itching to get the nail brush out and sort that out  Does sound like it has survived a lot better than the 1st pictures suggested, I would have been with the majority and assumed it was far too gone to make it back on the road |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
seen it done with normal steel washers and mig welder too I have used that method before, works a treat as long as the support pads are large enough and don't damage anywhere else. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MrDuke has been busy on the island of a billion raindrops and found opportunity to inspect the 6 a little further. Head off and water in all the bores.  Oil too.  That means I have yet another car with OMGHGF looking at that which is no great surprise. The liners look okay, there's no evidence of water rusting things away for the past 20 years while the car has been stood. I'm no expert, but I'd say that looks like it can be sorted with care. MrDuke tells me that one of the head bolts was far tighter than the rest for some reason, possibly a very short-sighted attempt to cure the problem in the past. In the meantime, the car is not going to be moved at all so those liners don't end up getting out of position before the head goes back on. Carb was removed and looks okay if a little grubby. You can just see the alternator to the right of the image. A good clean before putting it back on the car will hopefully suffice.   The head on the bench. Again, doesn't look too horrible. What oil is there doesn't appear to have big crusty or metallic deposits.   Rather than waiting 500 miles for the head gasket to blow, it can be repaired before the car is pressed into service instead. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pinged Hill Garage is now a Kia Dealership, located in Carmarthenshire. It's likely this little Renault which was sold in South Wales and presently resides in North Wales has never actually left the land of Daffodils and singing.  The garage is now known as Gravell's and is still located in Pinged Hill, Kidwelly. They are still a Renault dealer as well as a Kia dealer, it's about 8 miles from my house! |
| |
1953 Minor (Long term project)
PT Cruiser
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously, a photo opportunity has to happen.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
After some more information, I have a preliminary list to sort through for the engine on the 6.
Head gasket kit - bought!
Liner locking tool - offered!
Water pump - crusty and rusty, to be replaced
Timing belt - crumbled to bits, needs to be replaced. Doing the head we'd replace it anyway.
Fan belt - NOS provided with the car
Oil - to change
Oil filter - to replace
The water in the bores was due to the engine not being drained when the head was lifted. The bores have since been cleared of water and will be allowed to marinate in oil of some sort once the liners are locked in place so that they can free off. While the head is off the car, it will be fully cleaned and rebuilt before going back on once the pistons are no longer seized and we know that the head is in good health. Since it appears the head hasn't actually blown the gasket there's a good chance there's no need to correct any warping with a skim, which is reassuring.
One strange thing that is still being investigated is some water ingress. When the car was collected there was water in the driver's footwell, presumably from the window being left open. It has since been mopped out and the car left sealed up but the water reappeared again when it wasn't raining and after the head was removed and we're not yet sure how or where the water has come from. My initial thought is that the heater matrix could be at fault or as MrDuke pointed out it could be from a partially blocked drain hole somewhere that allowed water to overflow into the wrong place as the car dries out and drains. We're not sure, but suggestions on where to look are welcome.
|
| |
|
|
Brigsy
Part of things
Posts: 617
|
|
Feb 10, 2014 13:02:37 GMT
|
|
No timing belt on that engine, it has a timing chain. Big washers always work ok to clamp the liners down.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Feb 10, 2014 16:12:41 GMT
|
|
The moment that little French Fancy rumbles back into life will be a very good day indeed...!!! I cannot wait (although I appreciate I will have to!)...
|
| |
***GARAGE CURRENTLY EMPTY***
|
|
|
|
|
Feb 10, 2014 17:54:11 GMT
|
Brigsy: I think I meant the auxiliary belt, I'm getting info relayed from Wales which is something like 300 miles away from me here in Derbyshire so I've not got my hands on anything and won't have until mid-May! grifterkid: I'm looking forward to it, they have a sound all their own.
|
| |
Last Edit: Feb 10, 2014 17:54:52 GMT by Deleted
|
|
|
|
|
Feb 15, 2014 19:14:30 GMT
|
|
|
| |
|
|
retrolegends
Club Retro Rides Member
Winging it.....Since 1971.
Posts: 3,726
Club RR Member Number: 94
|
|
Feb 15, 2014 19:17:14 GMT
|
|
Good score with the wings
|
| |
1974 Hillman Avenger 1500DL1992 Volvo 240SE1975 Datsun Cherry 100a flying custard1965 Hillman SuperMinx Rock N Roller1974 Austin Allegrat Mk1 1.3SDL1980 Austin Allegro Mk3 1.3L1982 Austin Allegro Mk3 on banded steels2003 Saab 9-3 Convertible 220bhp TurboNutter1966 Morris Minor 1000 (Doris) 2019 Abarth 595C Turismo (not retro but awesome fun) www.facebook.com/DatsunCherry100a |
|
|
|
|
Feb 15, 2014 21:12:17 GMT
|
|
Bookmarked. My uncle had one of thes back in the day and enjoyed his ownership immensely. Looking forward to the updates, and good job wih the wings!
|
| |
1982 Granada 2.8 Ghia X - SOLD ☹️
1976 Mini Clubman Estate - Getting there slowly.
|
|
|
|
|
Feb 15, 2014 21:17:33 GMT
|
|
my first car ! what a memory ! it was the previous model with round headlight glasses.
|
| |
|
|
mudpud
Part of things
Posts: 109
|
|
Feb 16, 2014 13:40:45 GMT
|
|
Those wings need to be kept in the bank,Rare as poor quality wobbly children's play pony poo Nice find,
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Feb 19, 2014 10:06:38 GMT
|
|
Blimey! Getting those wings was a right touch and a half...!!! There cannot be too many of those around?!
This is going to be such a great little car...
|
| |
***GARAGE CURRENTLY EMPTY***
|
|
djefk
Part of things
Posts: 844
|
|
|
|
|
Come on Vulg...
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
If it were here you know I'd be updating more regularly, but it's 200 or so miles away in Welsh Wales so I'm reliant on updates from the caretaker who, as far as I know, is in the process of rebuilding the head now he has the HBOL and the engine gasket set.
Also holding things up is the MoT that's arrived 6 months earlier than I thought it was due (derp) on the beige Princess, the welding and some parts I need to get it MoT ready... frustrating!
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Does sound like it has survived a lot better than the 1st pictures suggested, I would have been with the majority and assumed it was far too gone to make it back on the road
