A sigh of relief...

Ok, spent time today digging out the rust around the front off side wheel arch.

I discovered a rusty area (as shown in my last post) is the bracket/supports for the turret to the inner arch – which I think could be fabricated and replaced and not structural.

There are also some small areas which will need patching. The inner arch is badly rusted in a couple of areas where it meets (or should) the outer arch. The wing is suffering from lots of very small rust marks in the paint, so I suspect the wing is very rusty on the inside.

The question is – do I patch the inner arch and fill the wing with Waxoyl, or replace the full arch and wing. Depending on the other side which looks visually ok, spending time and money on this side is the preferred option.

4 hrs

 

Rust, rust, rust...

Found a potential big problem under the front off side wheel arch – RUST!

With the rest of the car fairly rust free, looks like the front turret and inner wheel arch may need major repair.

I will need to investigate how bad it is – watch this space!

Down under pt5...

Time to clean up the off side floorpan, with car on rams I wire brushed the driver side floor and propshaft tunnel and lower sills areas.

All in a good order except some dents which I knocked out from the inside. Then painted the area the Hammerite Rust Beater followed by good coat of Stone Clip.

I will be finishing it all off with Waxoyl later.

7 hrs

Door stripping...

With the car out of the garage, I decided to strip the doors – first removing the interior fittings and then the glass.

Removing the regulators (winders) and weather strips was fiddly and will be fun when refitting.

4 hrs

Big event today...

For the first time in 25 years the car was pushed out of the garage!

Body rust treatment...

Spent a couple hours going around the car cleaning rusty areas and treating it Hammerite Kurust – especially around the front lower panel which was behind the spoiler.

2hrs

Rear axle refitted...

Time to refit the rear axle so I can move and turn the car. Next big job to remove the engine.

Using new ploy bushes I assemble the axle, tie bar and trailing arms. Then using the old shocks and springs for the moment as I will be under sealing and refitting the fuel tank later.

All went back together very easily other then having to adjust brake pads so the drums would fit.

2 hrs