My 68 saloon restoration /customization project.

Let us all know what you are up to with your current restoration project. Get that Minor on the road!
Forum rules
By using this site, you agree to our rules. Please see: Terms of Use
>Thomas63<
Minor Friendly
Posts: 30
Joined: Fri Sep 15, 2017 9:27 am
Location: Surrey
MMOC Member: No

My 68 saloon restoration /customization project.

Post by >Thomas63< »

Bit of a long one...

I bought the Car off a friend of mine in March when he punctured the rad and cooked the engine.
20170207_081551.jpg
20170207_081551.jpg (6.58 MiB) Viewed 3697 times
The way it looked when I got it (poor thing)

I did a few bits to it initially, rebuild the head, changed out the cracked rear arches for a pair of 2" extended ones and moulded them to the body. I also relocated the fuel filler into the boot.
IMG_2017-04-09_08-37-38.JPG
IMG_2017-04-09_08-37-38.JPG (456.41 KiB) Viewed 3946 times
I then enjoyed driving it around for a few months as it was. Doing the odd patch of body work here and there but mostly just enjoying the Car.
2017-03-18_16.35.13.jpg
2017-03-18_16.35.13.jpg (1.84 MiB) Viewed 3697 times
20170507_124051.jpg
20170507_124051.jpg (3.23 MiB) Viewed 3697 times
20170324_160331.jpg
20170324_160331.jpg (4.49 MiB) Viewed 3697 times
20170507_190703.jpg
20170507_190703.jpg (2.85 MiB) Viewed 3697 times
20170316_135655.jpg
20170316_135655.jpg (3.9 MiB) Viewed 3697 times
After a little while I decided to take to the front end and do something with it,while getting under it for a freshen up.
20170401_133234.jpg
20170401_133234.jpg (5.61 MiB) Viewed 3697 times
20170416_084143.jpg
20170416_084143.jpg (4.54 MiB) Viewed 3697 times
20170412_150251.jpg
20170412_150251.jpg (4.96 MiB) Viewed 3697 times
20170415_125900.jpg
20170415_125900.jpg (4.11 MiB) Viewed 3697 times
20170416_111858.jpg
20170416_111858.jpg (1.42 MiB) Viewed 3697 times
20170507_190654.jpg
20170507_190654.jpg (7.41 MiB) Viewed 3697 times
I then started removing patches of paint work thinking it looked really Cool. Had that rat kind of look to it and it couldn't get much worse then purple flames...
20170801_150952.jpg
20170801_150952.jpg (4.84 MiB) Viewed 3697 times
2017-08-03_16.05.50.jpg
2017-08-03_16.05.50.jpg (3.23 MiB) Viewed 3697 times
2017-08-03_16.06.52.jpg
2017-08-03_16.06.52.jpg (1.98 MiB) Viewed 3697 times
Again after driving it around like this for a month or two I decided after a bit of research I'd lower the Car. I did go for 2 clicks of the torsion bar, I know there are people that won't like this but I did all the work needed to the inner wings. I cut down the bump stops, serviced the front shocks and filled them with thicker oil. Its been absolutly fine since, low and stiff but aslong as your careful there's no issues what so ever.
20170911_134017.jpg
20170911_134017.jpg (1.82 MiB) Viewed 3697 times
When it came to the back end I decided to strip it all down and clean it all up as it was quite kreeky. I used some 2" alloy blocks that I cut to shape, I used some threaded bar in place of the u clamps. Again I filled the shocks with a heavier oil, Cut down the bump stops, split and greased the leaf springs, changed out all the rubbers and give it a lick of paint... After a little back and forth I setteled on... white. I know, why white? It will get stinking dirty! I know, the truth is I'm not sure why I went for white, but I like it and that's what I've gone with.
2017-10-06_18.57.25.jpg
2017-10-06_18.57.25.jpg (1.95 MiB) Viewed 3697 times
20171006_184338.jpg
20171006_184338.jpg (1.81 MiB) Viewed 3697 times
IMG-20171005-WA0006.jpeg
IMG-20171005-WA0006.jpeg (523.78 KiB) Viewed 3697 times
2017-10-04_11.57.50.jpg
2017-10-04_11.57.50.jpg (1.27 MiB) Viewed 3945 times
20170912_170610.jpg
20170912_170610.jpg (633.19 KiB) Viewed 3946 times
Again I stuck with it like this for a little while. Unfortunately about 6 weeks back the head gasket went again and with the low oil pressure, compression and increasing oil usage I decided I'd pull if off the road for winter and really get stuck into the Car.

These are a few snaps from the past few weeks.
20171018_100152.jpg
20171018_100152.jpg (1.93 MiB) Viewed 3697 times
20171018_110408.jpg
20171018_110408.jpg (1.53 MiB) Viewed 3697 times
Keyless entry with door poppers, push button start and secret screw immobilizer.

Stripped the Car down.
20171030_182347.jpg
20171030_182347.jpg (1.79 MiB) Viewed 3697 times
20171031_115925.jpg
20171031_115925.jpg (2.26 MiB) Viewed 3697 times
20171101_162111.jpg
20171101_162111.jpg (2.03 MiB) Viewed 3697 times
20171103_191917.jpg
20171103_191917.jpg (1.42 MiB) Viewed 3697 times
20171113_165219.jpg
20171113_165219.jpg (1.3 MiB) Viewed 3697 times
20171127_144514.jpg
20171127_144514.jpg (2.24 MiB) Viewed 3697 times
20171128_140351.jpg
20171128_140351.jpg (1.68 MiB) Viewed 3697 times
20171105_115656.jpg
20171105_115656.jpg (1.1 MiB) Viewed 3697 times
20171130_130915.jpg
20171130_130915.jpg (1020.26 KiB) Viewed 3697 times
20171130_141426.jpg
20171130_141426.jpg (1.5 MiB) Viewed 3697 times
A lot of this time has been spent stripping off paint and filler, finding holes and bad repairs. Cleaning, welding, fiberglassing, filling and priming.

You can probably tell it's been "restored" in the past, Unfortunately not to the highest of standards. Although the replacment panels have been welded on and they do the job a lot of the welding isn't very pretty. Im doing what i can to make it better looking but I'm not really willing to cut off rust free replacement panels to make the welds look better.

Last week I got my hands on a 1275 from an ital, brake servo, disk break kit (Mr grumpy)
20171204_134527.jpg
20171204_134527.jpg (4.04 MiB) Viewed 3697 times
1098 coming out.
20171204_134543.jpg
20171204_134543.jpg (4.79 MiB) Viewed 3697 times
20171207_160205.jpg
20171207_160205.jpg (4.16 MiB) Viewed 3697 times
20171208_175444.jpg
20171208_175444.jpg (4.1 MiB) Viewed 3697 times
Cleaning up the engine bay, you can see where rust has been cut out and any old metal plates have been fitted in.
20171206_150902.jpg
20171206_150902.jpg (5.36 MiB) Viewed 3697 times
Drums off
20171206_154053.jpg
20171206_154053.jpg (4.3 MiB) Viewed 3697 times
Cleaned
2017-12-06_19.18.20.jpg
2017-12-06_19.18.20.jpg (3.7 MiB) Viewed 3697 times
Painted
20171207_110222.jpg
20171207_110222.jpg (4.53 MiB) Viewed 3697 times
Kit fitted.
1512765098946203934226.jpg
1512765098946203934226.jpg (3.78 MiB) Viewed 3697 times
servo cleaned up. Going to run all new lines. Once I've finished in the engine bay. Going to spray that myself with some satin black.

20171204_185707.jpg
20171204_185707.jpg (3.85 MiB) Viewed 3697 times
Here's the ital 1275. It hasn't run in about 5 years but was told it run well before that (isn't that what they always say) going to get to that next week Hopefully, it turns freely but I'll get the compression tester on it and pull the head off to have a little look inside. Chances are I'll rebuild the majority of it if needed. But if the compressions good and the rings seem good I'll probably leave the bottom end and just swap out the valves, gaskets, stem seals ect.

I know there seems like there's a lot to do but believe it or not I'd really like to get the old girl finished up ready for next summer (miss driving her already) My brother is a panel beater/ sprayer by trade so he will to doing the spray job when I'm done (aiming for may/june) I've already got all new rubber and chrome, I also bought 2 new fiberglass doors and boot. It is just getting the frame sorted and the engine in (sounds easy right)

I know the car is a little outside the norm, it's not a straight restoration, it's also I light/mid custom with some modernisation with the electrics and half tonne of dyno Matt and sound proofing. Still trying to keep that classic look and feel but with a little somthing differnt.

I'll be going for the classic old english white, I'll also be getting a set of 101.6 to 4x100 hubsentric spacers so I can get a set of modern 15" wheels on there (once I work out all the proper offset measurements and how much space I have to play with) more then likely 15x8 on the rear and 15×5 or 6 up front, little tighter up front with how low it is.

Please try not to get to upset with my direction, I know it's a little different but with the image I have in my head it will be my perfect classic beauty.

That's about it for now I think, I'll update as I go!

Thanks for looking.

Thomas.
Attachments
20171204_134527.jpg
20171204_134527.jpg (4.04 MiB) Viewed 3697 times
20170412_150251.jpg
20170412_150251.jpg (4.96 MiB) Viewed 3697 times
irmscher
Minor Legend
Posts: 3773
Joined: Wed Jul 14, 2010 10:53 am
Location: South Manchester
MMOC Member: Yes

Re: My 68 saloon restoration /customization project.

Post by irmscher »

Great work you have done on the car and hope Ratfink is going back on :)
>Thomas63<
Minor Friendly
Posts: 30
Joined: Fri Sep 15, 2017 9:27 am
Location: Surrey
MMOC Member: No

Re: My 68 saloon restoration /customization project.

Post by >Thomas63< »

:lol: haha, ratfink is dead to me know I'm afraid :lol:
ManyMinors
Minor Legend
Posts: 2746
Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2014 9:41 am
MMOC Member: No

Re: My 68 saloon restoration /customization project.

Post by ManyMinors »

Excellent progress. You're using it, improving it AND enjoying it! That's what counts :)
Carry on!
>Thomas63<
Minor Friendly
Posts: 30
Joined: Fri Sep 15, 2017 9:27 am
Location: Surrey
MMOC Member: No

Re: My 68 saloon restoration /customization project.

Post by >Thomas63< »

Thanks! And your right the car is a driver thats for sure, Ive put nearly 3k miles on it since march. I intend to do around 4/5k a year if I can get it out that often after the rebuild.
>Thomas63<
Minor Friendly
Posts: 30
Joined: Fri Sep 15, 2017 9:27 am
Location: Surrey
MMOC Member: No

Re: My 68 saloon restoration /customization project.

Post by >Thomas63< »

2017-12-13_17.17.03.jpg
2017-12-13_17.17.03.jpg (3.39 MiB) Viewed 3522 times
2017-12-13_17.14.32.jpg
2017-12-13_17.14.32.jpg (3.28 MiB) Viewed 3522 times
Went satin black in the engine bay. Also smoothed it off a little in places.
2017-12-14_18.19.32.jpg
2017-12-14_18.19.32.jpg (998.19 KiB) Viewed 3770 times
2017-12-14_18.17.48.jpg
2017-12-14_18.17.48.jpg (1.09 MiB) Viewed 3770 times
Attacked the loom, run some new wiring for the alternator, electronic ignition, electric screen wash, hidden safety button for the door poppers, safety power cable run incase of a flat battery (door poppers/no handles) Safety feature on the push button start (foot brake needs to be pressed) also shifted all the old connectors for the headlights and chopped out any aging or damaged wires. Also made up all new brake lines to go with the new servo.
>Thomas63<
Minor Friendly
Posts: 30
Joined: Fri Sep 15, 2017 9:27 am
Location: Surrey
MMOC Member: No

Re: My 68 saloon restoration /customization project.

Post by >Thomas63< »

Been a little while since I've posted an update, a lot has been going on with the moggi. Several direction changes but we're starting to get there

Got myself a fiberglass front clip
20171220_134558.jpg
20171220_134558.jpg (306.57 KiB) Viewed 3183 times
Always got to add my own little flair though, started fabbing up a bottom end for it and a way to get it flipping forward nice.
20171229_133025.jpg
20171229_133025.jpg (306.51 KiB) Viewed 3183 times
20171231_192431.jpg
20171231_192431.jpg (288.33 KiB) Viewed 3183 times
20171231_122216.jpg
20171231_122216.jpg (252.18 KiB) Viewed 3183 times
20171231_163003.jpg
20171231_163003.jpg (321.79 KiB) Viewed 3183 times
20171231_163003.jpg
20171231_163003.jpg (321.79 KiB) Viewed 3183 times
>Thomas63<
Minor Friendly
Posts: 30
Joined: Fri Sep 15, 2017 9:27 am
Location: Surrey
MMOC Member: No

Re: My 68 saloon restoration /customization project.

Post by >Thomas63< »

2017-12-29_15.48.11.jpg
2017-12-29_15.48.11.jpg (474.02 KiB) Viewed 3183 times
20180101_204911.jpg
20180101_204911.jpg (328.67 KiB) Viewed 3183 times
20180101_221919.jpg
20180101_221919.jpg (239.58 KiB) Viewed 3183 times
20180117_131952.jpg
20180117_131952.jpg (469.68 KiB) Viewed 3183 times
20180117_132159.jpg
20180117_132159.jpg (496.64 KiB) Viewed 3183 times
>Thomas63<
Minor Friendly
Posts: 30
Joined: Fri Sep 15, 2017 9:27 am
Location: Surrey
MMOC Member: No

Re: My 68 saloon restoration /customization project.

Post by >Thomas63< »

Went and got myself a pair of fiberglass doors too. Again adding my own flair.
20180203_104920.jpg
20180203_104920.jpg (267.6 KiB) Viewed 3182 times
20180203_153401.jpg
20180203_153401.jpg (273.84 KiB) Viewed 3182 times
20180325_155942.jpg
20180325_155942.jpg (196.82 KiB) Viewed 3182 times
20180402_213546.jpg
20180402_213546.jpg (214.32 KiB) Viewed 3182 times
20180402_213415.jpg
20180402_213415.jpg (199.04 KiB) Viewed 3182 times
Also shortened up the brimmed side moulding and blended it in.
>Thomas63<
Minor Friendly
Posts: 30
Joined: Fri Sep 15, 2017 9:27 am
Location: Surrey
MMOC Member: No

Re: My 68 saloon restoration /customization project.

Post by >Thomas63< »

Got the interior flatter and primed, cut some new perspex Windows.
20180407_160426.jpg
20180407_160426.jpg (294.32 KiB) Viewed 3182 times
20180407_160536.jpg
20180407_160536.jpg (464.51 KiB) Viewed 3182 times
20180407_164301.jpg
20180407_164301.jpg (323.47 KiB) Viewed 3182 times
>Thomas63<
Minor Friendly
Posts: 30
Joined: Fri Sep 15, 2017 9:27 am
Location: Surrey
MMOC Member: No

Re: My 68 saloon restoration /customization project.

Post by >Thomas63< »

Got myself a set of banded wheels made up. Big thanks to banded wheels essex for the awesome job.
20180418_190216.jpg
20180418_190216.jpg (561.15 KiB) Viewed 3179 times
8j on the back with 5.5j on the front.
20180419_075938.jpg
20180419_075938.jpg (353.15 KiB) Viewed 3179 times
This is pretty much how it's looking at the moment, loving the way it sits with the wheels on. Ignore the front ride height, no engine or box in there.
20180419_201214.jpg
20180419_201214.jpg (339.54 KiB) Viewed 3179 times
20180419_201615.jpg
20180419_201615.jpg (336.11 KiB) Viewed 3179 times
20180420_142107.jpg
20180420_142107.jpg (426.45 KiB) Viewed 3179 times
>Thomas63<
Minor Friendly
Posts: 30
Joined: Fri Sep 15, 2017 9:27 am
Location: Surrey
MMOC Member: No

Re: My 68 saloon restoration /customization project.

Post by >Thomas63< »

20180420_125210.jpg
20180420_125210.jpg (680.23 KiB) Viewed 3178 times
>Thomas63<
Minor Friendly
Posts: 30
Joined: Fri Sep 15, 2017 9:27 am
Location: Surrey
MMOC Member: No

Re: My 68 saloon restoration /customization project.

Post by >Thomas63< »

As for the engine it's all stripped down and currently in the machine shop, big thanks to Roland alsop on that one, very helpful bunch.
20180408_135834.jpg
20180408_135834.jpg (267.83 KiB) Viewed 3174 times
20180408_141019.jpg
20180408_141019.jpg (493.54 KiB) Viewed 3174 times
20180408_152434.jpg
20180408_152434.jpg (517.29 KiB) Viewed 3174 times
20180409_213621.jpg
20180409_213621.jpg (488.93 KiB) Viewed 3174 times
20180412_203647.jpg
20180412_203647.jpg (324.98 KiB) Viewed 3174 times
>Thomas63<
Minor Friendly
Posts: 30
Joined: Fri Sep 15, 2017 9:27 am
Location: Surrey
MMOC Member: No

Re: My 68 saloon restoration /customization project.

Post by >Thomas63< »

Teaching the younger generation, my 13 year old daughter loves getting involved in the garage.
>Thomas63<
Minor Friendly
Posts: 30
Joined: Fri Sep 15, 2017 9:27 am
Location: Surrey
MMOC Member: No

Re: My 68 saloon restoration /customization project.

Post by >Thomas63< »

Teaching the younger generation, my 13 year old daughter loves getting involved in the garage
20180411_221325.jpg
20180411_221325.jpg (420.61 KiB) Viewed 3174 times
Valves are the right size.
20180408_165055.jpg
20180408_165055.jpg (240.98 KiB) Viewed 3174 times
List of jobs getting done at Roland alsop:

Head skimmed (minimum)
Lead free conversion
3 angle grind
Port polish
Double valve spring kit

Block skimmed (minimum amount again)
Bore to 1293
High compression pistons
Crank ground
276 cam
Full balance
>Thomas63<
Minor Friendly
Posts: 30
Joined: Fri Sep 15, 2017 9:27 am
Location: Surrey
MMOC Member: No

Re: My 68 saloon restoration /customization project.

Post by >Thomas63< »

Also got my hands on a type and conversion.
20180420_183430.jpg
20180420_183430.jpg (420.48 KiB) Viewed 3174 times
Gone for a Sierra clutch and plate. Plate is obviously in the machine shop getting balanced. Going to run a hydrolic clutch with it. Got the type 9 slave and the roller thrust bearing. just need to get my hands on a good master cylinder and work out a way to get it working well with the clutch.
>Thomas63<
Minor Friendly
Posts: 30
Joined: Fri Sep 15, 2017 9:27 am
Location: Surrey
MMOC Member: No

Re: My 68 saloon restoration /customization project.

Post by >Thomas63< »

Il be running the HIF44 carb on there once it's done. Just finished rebuilding it.
20180412_201505.jpg
20180412_201505.jpg (261.16 KiB) Viewed 3174 times
Not sure it will have enough guts for the set up but time will tell. A webber will be my next step if I'm not happy with that one.

Think that's about it to be honest. Hoping to get the engine back next week, can start getting it all back togeather.

Thanks for looking.

Thomas
ManyMinors
Minor Legend
Posts: 2746
Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2014 9:41 am
MMOC Member: No

Re: My 68 saloon restoration /customization project.

Post by ManyMinors »

Well done. Some good progress there! The fibreglass doors look a good fit. Was it a lot of work to achieve that? I knew they were available but have always been concerned that they be very difficult to fit decently.

Keep up the good work :)
>Thomas63<
Minor Friendly
Posts: 30
Joined: Fri Sep 15, 2017 9:27 am
Location: Surrey
MMOC Member: No

Re: My 68 saloon restoration /customization project.

Post by >Thomas63< »

Well done. Some good progress there! The fibreglass doors look a good fit. Was it a lot of work to achieve that? I knew they were available but have always been concerned that they be very difficult to fit decently.

Keep up the good work 
I'll be honest the doors were an absolute pain, I'm actually still fighting the drivers door. And once it's on and straight I had to make lots of small adjustments with fiberglass on the door and front clip to get them as snug as they are at the moment.

So yes, a lot of work but I think it's worth it. They Littrally weigh about 1/4 of the originals, maybe less. That added with the bonus they they'll never rust on me, good times.

Thomas.
>Thomas63<
Minor Friendly
Posts: 30
Joined: Fri Sep 15, 2017 9:27 am
Location: Surrey
MMOC Member: No

Re: My 68 saloon restoration /customization project.

Post by >Thomas63< »

So got the engine put back togeather. This is how it looks on my garage floor...
2018-06-09_16.09.50.jpg
2018-06-09_16.09.50.jpg (3.15 MiB) Viewed 2947 times
2018-06-09_16.10.35.jpg
2018-06-09_16.10.35.jpg (2.86 MiB) Viewed 2947 times
2018-06-09_16.11.06.jpg
2018-06-09_16.11.06.jpg (2.7 MiB) Viewed 2947 times
2018-06-09_16.11.40.jpg
2018-06-09_16.11.40.jpg (2.35 MiB) Viewed 2947 times
Attachments
20180531_193748.jpg
20180531_193748.jpg (4.38 MiB) Viewed 2947 times
Post Reply