Gozza

Finally got round to stripping the servo and master cylinders, repainting them and throwing in new overhaul kits. I'd been putting these off for a while but they turned out pretty easy to do and now I know that they'll give good service for at least a few years...

Still need to rebuild the dizzy, do something with the exhaust, and sort the brake servo and master cylinder for the brake and clutch. Plus a whole lot of other small shit. At least it's on 4 wheels for the first time in a year...

So I've got the engine and front suspension back in and have been going over all the little half finished bits and sorting them as I go. The engine and gearbox went in easy already assembled together and with cross members already attached from underneath. Front suspension went in after that as a whole unit too. It only took an hour to get everything back in by myself and I pretty much forgot to take any pictures as I went...

Thanks! I'm trying, but it's a bit of a learning experience...

Had the flywheel skimmed so with the new clutch and pressure plate that should be good to go for another turn Fucking big pile of receipts being hidden out in the garage... Almost there

While the engine ran fine and used no oil it looked a bit shit so I gave it a Dulux overhaul, plus new frost plugs, gaskets, timing chain, crank seals etc. One thing that was required though was replacement thrust washers, there was quite a bit of end float and a new standard size pair fixed that after the first and incorrectly ordered pair were changed...Also had the exhaust manifold dealt to by a crowd in Auckland so that looks like new too...

Got the call to come and pick the car up from Gibbons as they had finished with the painting, once again they did a good job for me and charged a very reasonable rate.

New shocks, springs, gaiters etc were fitted along with new wheel bearings so basically everything has been renewed.

While the car was at the painters I spent the time finishing up the front brake callipers. These were paint striped, acid washed, repainted and fitted with new pistons and seals so, along with the new rotors should be good for a long while.

Seems I've been useless at keeping this updated as I go but here is the catch up... Finished striping the engine bay of bits and cleaned off all the crap that had built up in there over the years, also ground off the surface rust where the paint was missing. Then it was up onto the trailer for a trip out to Richmond and the painters...

All back inside again, hopefully over the next few days I'll get the engine bay prepped and ready for priming.

Starting to get a little concerned about all the parts building up on the bench. I hope I can remember where everything goes.. So with the engine out, and a nice big hoist on loan for a few days I dropped the car down off the stands and pulled it outside. Removing everything..

So I messed up the order for the last of the suspension parts and as they have still not turned up yet, I decided to get on with the next big job. While it was running ok, there were some water leaks from rotten frost plugs that are impossible to reach when the engine is in, oil leaks from various places, and general shitty appearance from age. There was also a lot of surface rust from spilt brake fluid and shitty engine bay paint so it's out with the donk... Naughty frost plug

I've seen that one, and another in a red tr6. Seems to work out alright...

I've actually got a full set of PI shit with this in mind but unfortunately the throttle bodies don't fit the head I have:( I'll probably end up building up a 2.5 as soon as I've finished up the current resto and try and find an overdrive box to go with it. Plenty to learn and so many questionss.... Next time you're planning on coming over to Nelson give me a call, I'm usually home and the jugs always hot.

Cheers for the nice words Alex. Actually I had just come across your thread about the Viva with the injected V6 via some swatting I was doing on the Megasquirt injection. It's a really cool car you've built there and a super credit to you! Won't be able to make it to Tap today, but Dovedale sounds good, though I doubt the trumpy will be ready by then... I've just started pulling out the engine for a little bit of attention (frost plugs/gaskets/thrust washer etc) and mainly to repaint the engine bay. I would love to pick your brains about that Megasquirt system sometime as I'm pretty sure I will have a go at building up a new donk for this car, not that it needs it but just because:) Good job on the estate rescue too... Steve

Paint stripper then spirit of salts to knock the rust off. As soon as it's been rinsed off a good coating of WD40 to hold it until ready gif painting...