Wouldn't recommend it, it's used to pump the coolant around (Fluorine?), and I just went in and cut it out...

First point, a great big yellow cloud of some foul smelling gas came out and made me feel rather sick and dizzy, I I don't quite understand the in's and outs of it but apparently I have either created a hole in the ozone layer above Somerset, or somehow endangered everyone in the vicinities long term well-being

And actually, it's not much use, such a tiny CFM it needs a few hours to fill a small tank, and I have to keep topping it up with oil because in the fridge it uses the coolant to lubricate it...

My wheel arches are happening!

It took a while persuading dad to try fitting 2 sheets of 2 square metres of steel into the car, but we managed it in the end. Then I spent 4 hours outside in the rain with an old jigsaw cutting it up.
Then spent an age marking it all out. The dog helped.



And through the mig welding forum found a great chap called Paul in possession of a bead roller and much knowledge. With whose help this was achieved;



And this;



Now I have a nice stack of shiny, rust free ( ) metal, waiting to go back in the van.





Unfortunately I now have a month of exams, and various other overdue things to catch up with, so probably not much news for a while

But I will get there in the end! And considering how much I knew when I started this van, I think it's already worth it just for the amount I've learnt...

Thanks

George

Well, I got the winter feelings of hatred to all things 2cv over with in about a week, which is quite good going for my projects! And I did something productive in the mean time! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkS9kq9fsV8 )

Anyway, I was just wondering about the rear wings on my van, as far as I can see they have to be spot welded on, then they're stuck there permanently. Since I'm replacing all of the wheel arches modifying it a little doesn't upset me - is folding wings a stupid idea?

The thinking being, even when it hits the bumpstop there would be room for a compartment / box of some sort. I like space. Spares, tools, on little ongoing projects, whatever, it's nice to have that space. Also if I did that, it would stop all the mud etc. from the road being sprayed all over the back of the lights, which is presumably what has caused the current ones to corrode into unrecognisable lumps of greeny brown stuff... Also it would make cleaning/servicing that area easier, and since the panels in front of it (Fuel tank / spare wheel) hinge up I can't imagine it would be that problematic?

Now, would someone more experienced mind quickly pointing out all the problems with that, exactly how stupid I'm being, and why I should stop making up problems for myself and get on with the van!

I had an AKS400 that those panels had been fitted on with small self tappers, crude but looking back, far easier for maintaining the wheel arch like you say and if i have to remove the ones on my azu i think i will think about making them bolt on somehow too.

Fairly sure I remember seeing an Acadiane with hinged rear wings at the Rochefort meeting back in '98.
Certainly recall shelves crammed with lots of goodies hidden away where you wouldn't expect anything but mud and maybe some rust.

On the 400 I worked on a while back, the glassfibre rear wings were attached with rivnuts and M5 bolts to allow the wings to be removed to top up the Waxoyl on the various rust traps, so adding some hinges at the top edge of steel wings shouldn't pose too many problems...

ken.

Excellent, thank you.

I'll investigate and see what I can do with them.

Managed a little bit more work this week, all that preparation paid off, I now have one new sill, two floors, and a right hand drive bulkhead fully welded in place. The other sill just needs a smidgen of welding, and the 'a panels' folding around the bulkhead and welding in etc. And to round it all off, the sun came out!
Warmth! Light! I had forgotten they existed!



Converting the bulkhead to RHD was interesting, I looked through some pictures Sean and posted ages ago, where all the holes on one side were covered, and new holes made on the other side. Then I had a think about how I could add a lot of totally unnecessary complexity to it, just to make my life difficult.
This was the solution I came up with;







Fortunately it worked out OK, but I'll take the simple option next time. It was truly terrifying attacking £71.85 with a large angle grinder.
Then of course, I had to bridge a 1mm gap all around when welding it, due to the thickness of the cutting disc. And wait 5 minutes after every inch of weld to prevent it distorting like crazy. But it's all done now!

This is a bigger project than anticipated!

Also, the infection appears to be spreading, as dad has got himself one now as well!





A little bit of rust in places, but structurally sound, and with a year tax/MOT. I think he's cheating, getting one all ready road legal, but it means I can drive a 2cv as soon as I pass my test, instead of waiting however many years for my one to be done!

(Fear not, both mirrors now point the 'right' way, a shiny new standard bumper has arrived in the post, and we'll do something about the brace of chevrons. I'm not too keen on the headlamp peaks, but everyone else seems to like them...)


All is well with the world

George

Nice job. I love seeing all new panels welded in ready for paintwork.

Thanks - still a way of paint, but it's nice now I'm sticking metal back on rather than cutting rust out.

Forgot to add this picture... Not quite sure what to make of it!

Nice one, good to see it coming together



Are you going to convert the handbrake over as well as you seem to be doing such a thorough job? I don't think I've ever seen a RHD 2cv with the handbrake converted over as well as the steering and pedals... Apart from Slough builts, and I wonder about unusual belgian RHDs too?

I hadn't thought about the handbrake, I'll have to convert it now!
Where can I find a slough built to take measurements from?

No more real work today, I just got out my 99p ebay spray gun and covered everything in thick red gloopy stuff.

It dries in a couple of minutes, it seems to stop the rust for a few months, even with zero preparation, it comes off in seconds with a wire brush on a grinder, and best of all it's relatively cheap



Back into the garage now, Easter will probably be the next time it comes out.



Though there are a few other bits I can work on in the mean time.


I know it's still a long long way off, but can I have some opinions regarding colour?

I wondered about the same colour it is now, with maybe a logo or something on the side (See below )


But I also like the grey/blue colours, I'm thinking 3 bar grill, chevrons on the bonnet, narrow headlamp bar, possibly bumper overriders...?

I'm not really very fond of the rectangular headlights, but it seems a bit silly swapping them for round ones as I've got a perfectly good pair (Actually, I think two pairs) of rectangular ones...

And I'm not sure advertising my mobylette services on the side would work as well in blue.

I like these two, see at the national;





Opinions please - discuss!