Supplier Advice (or no go's!)

[AshM]

Happy New Year to all - best wishes for 2018 E Type motoring and/or restoration progress.

My winter dismantling jobs are nearing completion and I need to make important decisions on who to trust for refurb services on various parts. Also, some recommendations for parts supply.

As always, value your views and feedback;

- IRS - already decided AJS (thanks for advice - the feedback was unanimous )
- Exterior chrome work - all bumpers and overriders (with one overrider needing small repair)
- Exhaust manifolds re-coat - stove enamelling again?
- Alternator refurb (and polishing ideally)
- Radiator re-core/refurb (Keen to keep mine if possible so refurb rather than exchange ideally)
- Front brakes upgrade - many suppliers any views?
- Water pump rebuild (exchange presumably?).

Cheers
Ash

PS And in return....don't forget I am able to offer large colour prints of the wiring diagrams if anyone would like one. They seem to go down very well with recipients to-date. No cost; delighted to offer something back to the forum.

[cactusman]

There is a place at Bicester heritage that 're core radiators...I have no experience of their work..I bought a new one.

I have Coopercraft four pot front calipers...fine.

Others may offer other opinions but regarding the exhaust manifolds...don't waste your time and considerable cost on any ceramic coating process that claims to better paint...complete waste of time. It will spall off in no time and almost immediately if rain drips though the vents onto hot manifolds....as others have found... There are places that will 're stove enamel them but don't expect it to last too long either. Unless you are after show perfection wire brush the rust off (or get them media blasted) and paint with black Sperex. A rattle can costs a tenner. It will coat both manifolds with at least two costs twice over. Did mine two years back and they still look fine although Matt and rough rather than smooth and shiny..and I have the can ready...Just my opinion though

[Jeremy]

Recommended specialists are listed on the Knowledge Base.

I had all my chrome work done by Marque Restore, Coventry. Superb quality. They do repairs to the metalwork too - reshaped one of my spinners that had been badly stoved in and it's impossible to tell which one it was without inspecting the inside. Quite a long waiting list though.

Brakes - depends on what degree of upgrade you want and how far you're prepared to sacrifice original appearance. I opted for Zeus as a good compromise. But my resto isn't finished yet so I can't speak from experience about their performance.

Exhaust manifold - I went for Zircotec which has had good reports but was expensive. Again as I haven't run it yet I don't know how it will perform. At the other end of the scale, you can use barbeque paint. That's what Angus does and he says it's fine.

[Durango2k]

Yeah, I‘m a user of oven paint as well ! (They should have done it that way in the factory. No one would moan about it being dull today. How could we?).

Carsten

[288gto]

For front brakes, as mentioned above it depends on whether you want traditional looking calipers or more modern looking ones.

I went for Fosseway Performance ones which I've been very impressed with as with all the stuff I bought from them. They do a nice remote bleed kit for the rear as well.
I've also fitted a Series 3 servo to give me that little bit extra assistance. All the plumbing is the same. It was Peter Crespin on here that put me on to that.

You say you want to refurbish the original alternator and have it polished. Have you considered fitting a modern Denso one with a built in regulator thus doing away with the temperamental external regulator.
There is a thread on here somewhere under "upgrades". Just a thought.

The bodyshop that painted my shell swear by Howells for chrome plating and I think they have had a few mentions.

Hope that is a bit of help and all the best with the refurbishment.

Simon

[Stuart Exelby]

Ash - my only addition is that I used Northampton Auto Rads to recore my radiator - good price, good service. Would happily use them again. Good luck

[dal2.0litrefrogeye]

Every thing I have Bought from Rob Beere Racing has fitted a treat . With lots of free advice thrown in
.......... ( the cheeky bit ) for upgrade igniition at a knock down price see sales and wants
Did I mention I'm selling one

[christopher storey]

On an S2 , there is really no need for an upgrade to the front brakes . Unlike the earlier Dunlops, the Girlings on the S2 are entirely up to the job and need merely to be in good order to provide all the braking power that is needed

On the radiator, I second the Northampton Autorads recommendation

[AshM]

Well, what a great response after a wonderful day in the workshop. Much appreciated for all your feedback - Thank You!

IRS dropped today - never been off since the car came out of Browns Lane. A 3ft pry bar from Machine Mart is my new favourite tool.

Iconic moment - my car went onto the production line 48 years ago tomorrow and rolled off on the 6th. And here I am taking it to bits again (Been in the family for 43 of those years).

Will be on the phone tomorrow based on recommendations.

Thanks all....

Best
Ash

[rubyfloriley]

Ash
Do you have any wiring diagrams left please.
Regards
Brian

[AshM]

Hi Brian

An infinite supply - I just print them on the colour plotter at work as people ask for them.

PM me with address and car and I will get them done for you next week.

I can do any size - A3 up to A0

cheers
Ash

[rubyfloriley]

Ash

Thanks for the diagrams excellent copies i will get them laminated and pin up in the workshop.

Regards
Brian.

Ash
Do you still have any wiring diagrams I’m now rebuilding a series 1 roadster and need a diagram for same.
Please let me know cost and availability
Regards
Brian

[johnetype]

Ash,

For interiors and trim it has to be BAS, Newport. They also make many of the components the other trimmers use.

COH Baines for seals and rubbers but unfortunately they don't do all the rubbers you'll need. Fast service but their postage and packing is expensive so order as much as you can in one go.

For brakes I would recommend retaining your original S2 calipers but have them refurbed (with stainless steel pistons if you like) by Lee@classicbrake.co.uk in Cheshire. Fantastic fast service and they come back beautifully plated.

And don't shirk eBay. UNF bolts, rubber strips, rubber lined P clips, stainless hose clips etc. and even some "impossible" items like the wavy washer that is always broken at the bottom of the upper steering column.

[ENX]

.

Exhaust manifold - I went for Zircotec which has had good reports but was expensive. Again as I haven't run it yet I don't know how it will perform. At the other end of the scale, you can use barbeque paint. That's what Angus does and he says it's fine.

Hi Jeremy, (or anyone who has had cast iron exhaust manifolds coated with Zircotec) I was wondering if you have driven the car yet and seen how the Zircotec has performed. Other posts indicate the coating comes off after a while - has that been your experience? Is there a noticeable reduction in heat inside the car?

[Heuer]

The PO of my FHC had the manifolds done by Zircotec. I drove it about 500 miles and the coating turned to dust. This was their high gloss finish. Personally I would go for BBQ paint.

[Jeremy]

I went for Zircotec as Rob Beere endorsed it. BUT they stopped doing the gloss finish because it didn't work, as David says. So mine are matt black.
On Monday I drive my car (less bonnet) about 30 metres from the workshop to the transporter which took it to the trimmers.

Enough to
- warm the engine up just a little bit
- get some smoke wafting upwards from the exhaust area (burning paint/oil/grease and perhaps decomposing Zircotec already?)
- hear the sublime sound of the engine and the mild steel exhausts
- attract a truly astonishing amount of interest and excitement from a class of school kids, perhaps 8 yrs old, who were walking past
BUT not enough to say whether I wasted a loada money on the Zircotec or not. Watch my restoration posts for reports on that.