Series 2, 2+2 full rebuild...gulp!

[Richardhealey]

Hello everyone,

Just wanted to say hello and introduce myself properly. I've been lurking on the forum for a few months now. Got a little family, so having restored this ten years ago:



And having had lots of help on the forum ( Stuart (Series 1 stu), Steve (MgcJag) as well as the invaluable Angus Moss...I met a really nice guy Eddie from the forum and bought this from him a couple of weeks back:


She's a very nice ex California Series 2, 2+2 ( I need the rear seats!) and I am now embarking on a full rebuild. So far I've carefully stripped out almost all of the interior and now moving toward the dash and under the bonnet....

Planning to convert to RHD, manual and other sensible but sympathetic upgrades along the way.

Thanks to lots of advice, I've armed myself with countless storage boxes, zip locks, marker pens and new SD card for my camera...

What a great forum and very glad to be part of it. I'm sure to be asking lots of daft questions from you all, but hopefully along the way I can share some of my insights too.

So, roll on the rebuild :-)

Cheers,
Rich

[mgcjag]

Hi Rich...welcom to the forum....great that you have stoped lurking....all the best.. Steve

[Gfhug]

Welcome Rich, looks like you've already started the correct way with the help you've received.
Take twice as many photos as you think you'll need, there's always that one shot or angle you wish you had taken. The forum has been invaluable to many of us and no-one will criticise you for what might seem like silly questions. We've all done it and learned.

Good luck

Geoff

[Series1 Stu]

Welcome, Rich.

Here's to long cold nights crawling about under the car with flaky rust in your eyes and dirty grease under your fingernails.

[Richardhealey]

indeed :-)

[cactusman]

As you take bits off and bag or box them....label them with what they are and where they go...If you have pics of the bit before removal then print and pop in the bag or cross ref the part to a picture. Good luck

[mark10337]

and use the parts catalogue / SNG online / other sources etc., to add the part number to the label where you can. An old laptop that you don't mind getting grubby is good to have nearby. As you take the parts off - instead of just pulling it off and bagging, take a little time to look at how it works, this will help you get the right photos and understand it all better. I'm thinking of things like throttle linkages, suspension etc.

Takes a bit longer when stripping down, but will give you a better understanding of what needs to be done to re-condition parts before putting them back on. Test for play and wear etc as you go.

[Polse7317]

Welcome on board Rich it's only the first 10 years of restoration which are difficult......
Good luck

[Richardhealey]

Ha ha!
Thanks for the support and inspiration guys!

Seems like it might take me that long to get the exhaust manifolds off!!!

Cheers,
Rich

[Series1 Stu]

Rich,

Before you start a job make an estimate of how many hours it is likely to take you. Then double it and that is the actual time it will take, in days.

[Polse7317]

I agree

[Jeremy]

and don't keep a running total of how much you're spending. It does so spoil the fun

[nottsman]

I recommend keeping two accounts of spend going.......one for the wife and the real one

[Richardhealey]

Ha ha, yes guys - over the years I have learnt there is no such thing as a '10 minute job'. They just don't exist!

And um, no, expenditure is being strictly confidential!
I don't think I even really want to know!

[Simon P]

As a wise man one said, "I often wake up in a cold sweat worrying that one day my wife might sell my possessions for what I told her I paid for them....."

[Richardhealey]

Finally!
Some really pleasing progress with the body that I got to have a look at today for the first time since the car went off to the body and paint man in the summer....

They are cracking on well now and dedicating 1 guy to it, so hopefully it will be finished in the spring...

Delighted to meet the guy who is doing the work and him telling me that he's really enjoying it too!








I have to admit to getting some goose bumps when I saw the bonnet

[mgcjag]

Hi Rich....looking great...a nice boost for Xmas....Steve

[Series1 Stu]

Looking good, Rich.

I wish I could make similar progress with mine.

[Richardhealey]

Thanks Gents. Had no idea it would take this long...

[mgcjag]

Its not finished yet..