Smiths gauges...

Back in the day I had fitted four Smiths gauges on top of the centre console. Using a strip of aluminium to mount the gauges I cut two wedge sides from ply and fixed the front strip to the short side. Covered with a black vinyl.

This was fitted on top of the dash, between the large speaker grill. I had lights connected with the cables and pipes running down and into the engine bay connecting to the oil pump and cooler, water thermostat and inlet manifold for the vacuum gauge.

The oil pressure gauge needs some attention, the front rubber O ring needs replacing which I've found on Holden.co.uk for 70p – I was surprised at the cost of these Smiths gauges now £60 to £100 each.

I have a spare Amp gauge which I probably use to replace the vacuum - not worried about mpg now.

Unipart radio...

Vintage radio/cassette or new? I like the idea of an original looking radio/cassette player in the car - but with a DAB/CD/DVD player in the glove box. Then using updated door speaker behind the original grills.

I have my 80's Sharp unit which I fitted – I have removed the Unipart GCA 702 unit from the donor which looks the part if it cleans up ok.

30mins

Brake servo and master cylinder...

Again under the bonnet of the donor to remove a newer brake servo unit and master cylinder. I receive a package of bills and receipts the other day from the previous owner and noted that the servo and master cylinder had been replaced - mine was also fairly rusty on the face.

This one has some minor surface rust spots which I will treat and paint - other than that its ready to go.

2hrs

Starter motor...

So it's been a couple of weeks - the day job been getting in the way!

I started by stripped out the starter motor from the donor and decided mine was the better of the two.

After partly dismantling the motor I remove the solenoid to help when cleaning parts, then I painted them with black gloss.

The heat shield is soaking in the cleaner and will give it a quick coat high temp to finish it off.

3hrs

Alternator rebuild...

I have a Lucas 17 ACR which is the original 36 amp fitted to the car. The donor car has an German branded after market 20 ACR with 66 amp output - which I'm going to keep as a spare.

I stripped down the 17 ACR down, cleaned and painted all the usual bits - checked the condition of the brushes and reassembled.

4hrs

Engine rebuild pt7...

Sump pan - with all the nuts and bolts cleaned I did a dry fit. Then I removed them using a sheet of cardboard with holes to keep the bolts in the correct order. The front left hand engine mount had been already striped and painted with nuts and bolts identified.

I gave the block and flange one last wipe around with degrease and placed the gasket and sump pan, arranged the engine mount and hand tightened the bolts, then torqued them up. Finally a quick spay for black satin to cover any exposed metal.

3hrs