Pickup restoration part three

[davidmiles]

well spotted guys, Ive assembled the fan blade wrong, here's how it looked originally, the stiffener part is mounted in front of the fan blade as you both pointed out, and whats more it was black. Ive got some stripping and re assembling to do.[frame][/frame]

[davidmiles]

thats better, there is 10mm clearance now between the fan and the edge of the radiator.[frame][/frame]

[davidmiles]

spent the whole morning on frustrating, fiddling chrome trim. Finally got the wing holes to match up with the front panel holes, and then this unsightly mess was the result.[frame][/frame]

[davidmiles]

there needs to be a bit more fiddling until the chrome joins up, the screw in threaded bars kept unscrewing, so a bolt of the same thread, well spaced with washers replaced them. what a fiddle, and more to come...[frame][/frame]

[aupickup]

possibly a problrm with repro parts

[ASL642]

We all have the same problem with this area. Do everything up finger tight until you're happy. Then go for it.

[davidmiles]

I wish it were even that straight forward Lou, I think I need to adjust the mounting holes in my "repaired" front panel, they just don't line up the chrome hockey sticks with the top piece of chrome.I may even have to get a new front panel if this doesn't get any better, still Ive got the whole day to fiddle with it some more so lets see...[frame][/frame]

[davidmiles]

my ray of silver lining, of course, there's always at least one good positive thing, and todays is, the windscreen chrome looks spiffing. Not that I can claim credit there, Autoglass came and finished it off this morning at 0845hrs, ok it's three months after the re-fitting of the glass, but hey, £140 (in total) well spent[frame][/frame]

[ASL642]

David - try adjusting the front driver's side wing forward a bit. It may help with the alignment of the front panel. It's a pig of a job.Take a look at the lovely white Traveller in the For Sale section. Even that has a slight "difference" between the front chrome edge and the hockey sticks.

[davidmiles]

ooohh, ok thanks Lou, feel a bit better now, I know it's not perfect yet, there are many years of adjustment. renewal and repair to come, but I want to get driving, so on with the bumper. The pickup one rusted away to nothing years ago so I'm using this Trav one for the time being, including the redundant overrider springs, just to add some strength.[frame][/frame]

[davidmiles]

do I have to tighten those bolts right up! oh thats going to be tough, I'll have to fettle off the overspray first or they'll bind something terrible[frame][/frame]

[ian.mcdougall]

turn the small brackets 180 degrees and you will get to the nuts and clean the thread on the stud and wind on the nut with release spray before putting on the bumper

[chickenjohn]

I wish it were even that straight forward Lou, I think I need to adjust the mounting holes in my "repaired" front panel, they just don't line up the chrome hockey sticks with the top piece of chrome.I may even have to get a new front panel if this doesn't get any better, still Ive got the whole day to fiddle with it some more so lets see...[frame][/frame]

That is why it is a good idea as I suggested on part two to use the chrome bits to line all the front panels up before painting them. Don't need to get too a£$l about it, if you look at many "show" cars these can have problems in these areas as well!

[les]

There is a top hat type of fitting that goes on the bumper mounts before you put the bumper on, of course you may already have this sorted, if so ignore me! Not easy to see on the photo.

[davidmiles]

yes Ive just looked that up in the parts cat, bumper ferule, looks like it saves on winding the bolts all the way along the thread. I'll need to order those then, along with the accelerator cable guide, bonnet safety catch hook, seat belts, exhaust, front indicators and some headlamp bits. That should be just enough parts to get me to the MOT stage. Shame I won't be able to fit this bumper valance up tommorow. If I order from ESM I may get the ferules on Wednesday.[frame][/frame]

[davidmiles]

well Ive bolted it in place using spare rubber eyebolt bushes until the ferules arrive,just to get an idea of how it all goes together.[frame][/frame]

[davidmiles]

the chrome front piece is very rusty, ive gone over it with a wire brush and some rust eater, I understand the pickups had painted bumper bars, I wonder if they were painted silver or the body colour?[frame][/frame]

[ASL642]

Painted silver.

[davidmiles]

Thanks Lou, you're the last word in authenticity, so the bonnet catch components get a coat of acid etch primer followed by a coat of gloss black. not sure if I'm right in picking them out like this in black, or if it will look wrong, maybe it should have been body colour?[frame][/frame]

[ASL642]

It's you car. Any paint is much better than rust! My bonnet catch is red, so are the anti-roll bar and the rear springs