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#101 Re: Original Late E Series II refresh as it unfolds (Aug 1970 Build)
Posted: Thu May 03, 2018 3:58 am
by Lost Horizon
Today, the soft top was put in place so that it will stretch/settle on the frame before we put the hardtop on. Speaking of the hardtop, here is a look at the finished paint:
Hardtop paint inspection before chrome/hardware install
And here is a look at the soft top:
#102 Re: Original Late E Series II refresh as it unfolds (Aug 1970 Build)
Posted: Thu May 03, 2018 5:15 pm
by Lost Horizon
Progress Report to yesterday:
Progress Report Video
#103 Re: Original Late E Series II refresh as it unfolds (Aug 1970 Build)
Posted: Sat May 05, 2018 2:38 am
by Lost Horizon
With Burlen's production delay problems on supplying the SU conversion kit threatening the car's completion in time for the Vancouver show, Owen stepped up to the plate and has cobbled together a set over the last week or so so we can get the car running . Many thanks, Mike!
Starting with a Mark 10 setup with the solenoid choke, replacing the solenoid choke arrangement with Rover manual bottoms and polishing up a spare 4.2 E manifold, it looks like we'll make it. Here is the journey in pictures to 5 pm today. Hoping that Burlen will come thru by the end of this month so I don't have to wear out my welcome with the borrowed set.
The Mark 10 Donor:
Mike Owen, pulling a pile of disparate parts together to save the day..
Dressed up with new internal parts and some spit and polish:
#104 Re: Original Late E Series II refresh as it unfolds (Aug 1970 Build)
Posted: Sat May 05, 2018 2:57 am
by Lost Horizon
#105 Re: Original Late E Series II refresh as it unfolds (Aug 1970 Build)
Posted: Sat May 05, 2018 1:31 pm
by Lost Horizon
Now that the wheels are on, the recalibration of the speedo to the new 3.07 diff takes place, old school procedure ..
#106 Re: Original Late E Series II refresh as it unfolds (Aug 1970 Build)
Posted: Tue May 08, 2018 2:13 am
by Lost Horizon
Finishing up in the Engine bay: Mike's built up from his parts bin SU Carb set installed; working on the air filter assembly.
Got the Tach and the recalibrated speedo back from Vancouver. Hard to believe they are the originals cleaned up. Great work.
#107 Re: Original Late E Series II refresh as it unfolds (Aug 1970 Build)
Posted: Thu May 10, 2018 3:10 am
by Lost Horizon
#108 Re: Original Late E Series II refresh as it unfolds (Aug 1970 Build)
Posted: Fri May 11, 2018 4:31 pm
by Lost Horizon
Finishing up.. Closing the Circle, etc.. couple of pics.
#109 Re: Original Late E Series II refresh as it unfolds (Aug 1970 Build)
Posted: Sat May 12, 2018 12:09 am
by Lost Horizon
#110 Re: Original Late E Series II refresh as it unfolds (Aug 1970 Build)
Posted: Sat May 12, 2018 2:28 am
by Lost Horizon
#111 Re: Original Late E Series II refresh as it unfolds (Aug 1970 Build)
Posted: Sat May 12, 2018 8:51 pm
by Series1 Stu
Wow Dana. You're really on it! This has been a very quick project.
Just one thing. The steering wheel is on the wrong side.
Regards
#112 Re: Original Late E Series II refresh as it unfolds (Aug 1970 Build)
Posted: Sun May 13, 2018 12:55 pm
by Lost Horizon
Series1 Stu wrote: ↑Sat May 12, 2018 8:51 pm
Wow Dana. You're really on it! This has been a very quick project.
Just one thing. The steering wheel is on the wrong side.
Regards
The car had good bones to start with, so that helps a lot ....
Back in 1970 when I lived in Europe, I had a girlfriend in London that I used to visit via the hovercraft from Calais to Dover in my Alfa, so I get your point. She used to scream a lot whenever I felt the urge to pass some lorry holding up traffic.
#113 Re: Original Late E Series II refresh as it unfolds (Aug 1970 Build)
Posted: Sun May 13, 2018 9:07 pm
by Series1 Stu
Hovercraft? Good grief! I never had the dubious pleasure.
Regards
#114 Re: Original Late E Series II refresh as it unfolds (Aug 1970 Build)
Posted: Mon May 14, 2018 12:45 am
by Lost Horizon
Surprisingly, as I recall the hovercraft had a choppy ride at speed if there was any size of a sea. They would strap down the car on the wheels, and I had to include (or budget for) the price of a steering alignment as part of the trip when I got back to Germany on more than one occasion. But it was worth it. I've said too much.
#115 Re: Original Late E Series II refresh as it unfolds (Aug 1970 Build)
Posted: Tue May 15, 2018 2:58 am
by Lost Horizon
Today's progress.. getting it together. (The clock works fine, btw)
#116 Re: Original Late E Series II refresh as it unfolds (Aug 1970 Build)
Posted: Wed May 16, 2018 3:30 am
by Lost Horizon
#117 Re: Original Late E Series II refresh as it unfolds (Aug 1970 Build)
Posted: Sat May 19, 2018 2:23 am
by Lost Horizon
Having been in the middle of this build for 7 months, with the advice and opinions that helped get me there from this thread, it boils down to this, ths first test drive:
So, to summarize, it has been a frame off, nut and bolt refresh, including the drivetrain and basically blueprinting the engine. The diff is now 3.07 verses 3.54, and it's perfect. The engine is back to it's original high compression build with the extra torque and power to manage the longer legs, the car is basically factory new as it would have been born in Europe. I loved it from the moment it first fired up. Although I'm limited to 3,000 rpm and have to be nice to the brakes for the first few miles, it has excellent power and torque out of the box. Simply a lovely engine. And I say this having a 4 M performance BMW from this century as my daily driver
Fueling up for the first test ride.
#118 Re: Original Late E Series II refresh as it unfolds (Aug 1970 Build)
Posted: Sat May 19, 2018 1:31 pm
by Series1 Stu
Nice work, Dana.
Just in time for the summer. Enjoy your stunning car.
Regards
#119 Re: Original Late E Series II refresh as it unfolds (Aug 1970 Build)
Posted: Sun May 20, 2018 4:55 am
by Lost Horizon
Series1 Stu wrote: ↑Sat May 19, 2018 1:31 pm
Nice work, Dana.
Just in time for the summer. Enjoy your stunning car.
Regards
Thx Stu. First outing today at the Van Dusen British car show in Vancouver at the gardens. The car got it's first ribbon, and a lot of attention from the very large crowd amongst the 650 cars entered. A lot of very nice machinery, all British all years.
#120 Re: Original Late E Series II refresh as it unfolds (Aug 1970 Build)
Posted: Sun May 20, 2018 8:14 am
by politeperson
Congrats Dana,
Looks excellent, well done.