+1

Finally got the steering shaft bolted in. What a bugger of a job that it. The top bearing cap was a git to get in with out smashing it with a hammer. I took it off several times just easing it in, tapping it gently until it passed the 4 bolts and then I eased the cap on and tightened the bolts one at time until the bearing cap was pushed all the way. But that took ages with a lot of swearing, mainly as the missus who of course was not holding the steering rack properly...

So I have steering for the first time in a year plus a new rubber seal



Although, saying that, I don't quite have steering yet as I am trying to figure out the fixings of the Power Steering. It is not that obvious and the instructions are abysmal. Luckily they are at Retro Mobile so I will be asking a lot of questions on friday.



And finally, does anyone have any tips on replacing a captive nut on the lower rear corner, this will be covered by the rear wing but if there is a right way to do it, that would be good to know.

Captive nut. You could drill it out with one of those cone drill to make the hole big enough to take the outside of an new nut and then weld a nut onto a piece of metal or large flange washer and weld it onto to body.

Just heard, the missing parts of the engine has delivered...

At last friday I took them to our local post-office, and now week later, given straight to buyer...





This is some kind weird, just like to sell some Mustang/Corvette parts to States, or Morris Marina bits to GB.

Yes - just back from Paris this morning. Got the part on Friday from Satu. Great service

It is slightly different but will work perfectly. The only other one I found was in Scotland so it is a difficult part to find in France.

Now if only you can get me a complete ID engine with 4 speed gearbox

So back in the garage today after getting in from Paris this morning.

I bought some finishing touches to the car (even though there is along way to go, but priorities right )

Got all the grill parts fitted now



Fitted the new number plates too, first time they have been on since it has been in my name. Got them from the Retro Mobile show so was able to save on shipping. They sort of finish the back end off. I also fitted the boot seal and the rear window. Also the rubber edging strip on the rear valence ready for thew rear wings, when they arrive back, hopefully this week.



Who was it that said, you can't polish a turd.... well I beg to differ. The handles and other chrome work on this car were atrocious and I was going to ditch them as they looked awful. But I picked up a polishing wheel from the show and gave them a good 10 minutes with a course polish and then a fine polish and they have come up great. I won't get rid of the pitting but they will last me for a while - I even polished the rusty petrol filler cap that was rusty as hell, which I picked up from a hoarse last weekend. (see picture above)

So has the polishing polished the chrome up or is that now very shiney monkey metal?

I was thinking the same

I can't afford new ones and I can't afford re chroming - so I am happy to put anything shiny back on the car.

At least then in a years time I will be able to see what needs replacing when the rust appears and when I am ready (and saved enough) for the paint job.

I really do need to get on with this engine though.... I keep putting it off

That was no critisism! Just curiosity. If it shines & looks chromey that's great, if u keep monkey metal polished it shines. Chrome just saves polishing time.
I know of a chap in the narra' boat world who had his brass mushroom vents gold plated to save polishing - reckoned he was wining after about 5 years in the saving of Brasso