Upper wishbone re-fitting

[peters3103]

Hi all,
At long last I’ve started reassembling my E-Type. Picture frame, bonnet support frame, steering rack and lower control arms all in place today so far.
I’m having trouble compressing the new bushes in the upper wishbones enough to allow the rear fulcrum block holes to line up with the chassis holes. It’s close but I’ve tightened the nuts up as tight as I can get them I’m pretty sure I’ve got all the washers in the right place after referring to a post on the forum. Any tips?

Cheers,
Pete

[peters3103]

I’ve managed to overcome the above by taking the front fulcrum block off and pressing the bush across a fraction allowing the bolt holes to line up.
A little more progress this afternoon.

[265bhp]

Hi Pete

Have you installed your torsion bars yet...before you go any further I would try them to make sure the splines holes are all clean inside the wishbones

Like the tidy arrangement of all your tools...!...

Best
Jonathan

[Robbiee]

Just looking at your bolt heads..they are dark
Is this the original finish for these, as opposed to silver coloured plating ?

[peters3103]

Haha, I tidied up tools pre photo Jonathan.
Yes I have trial fitted the torsion bars in the wishbones. I’ll fit the torsion bars and reaction plate once the engine is in.

Robbie, the black bolts are correct for an early car. The ones securing the frame to bulkhead are silver (cad presumably, from restoration in 1990) but I’ve trial painted one in matt black which passed muster so will continue that for consistency. Incidentally the new black zinc plating on my bolts isn’t resilient to socket use so some touching up needed on a few.

Cheers,
Pete

[265bhp]

All the engine frame bolts on my car were black and certainly looked up disturbed and original

[peters3103]

I’ve realised my LHF brake pipe is on the wrong side of the frame! Evidently I should’ve looked at my “before” photos before reassembly! Oh well off with the calliper to re-route. I had avoided undoing the hydraulics for this project but not now. One step forward...

Pete

[poofacio]

Re the black bolts (which are correct) the best finish I have found is gun blue. Old bolts just need rotary wire brushing, new plated ones need a blow torch to remove the plating. They are best done when heated a bit and then dipped in oil. It stands spanners a lot better than paint! . "Permablue" paste is great for the job.