Early HPE restoration

[peteracs]

Hi Nigel

So from that do you suggest oil for lubing the spindles, rather than light grease?

Peter

[Nigel]

I recall using a combination of both Peter.
I used Coppa-Slip and gear oil I think.

N.

[Ferrit]

Thanks Mark

A few jobs done, nothing much photogenic, stripped two wiper rack assemblies, ordered new stainless shim washers, main parts going for plating. Was amused to find small pieces of fabric inside where the spindles go into the rack between the two bushes.

Any chance you can send a link to the shim washers please?  I think I am missing one and I will have the wipers out again at some point.  I think I lost it in my garage

[peteracs]

Hi Mark

Here you go

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/295491998624

Peter

[peteracs]

Hi

Will do an end of year recap later this week or so with some photos, however just collected what hopefully will be the last batch of plated parts, wiper mech, headlight adjusters and a few odds and sods. I had bothered the Mai. Wiper mech bodies done as I was unsure how well they would come out as there was some rust in the spindle bodies. The larger arm with the swivels I was easy to remove the swivels, the smaller one not so. I therefore ground off the rivets to remove the small swivels and will bolt the two back together again.

All together happy with the result.

I have spent some time recently with my new toy, 3D printer. The learning curve for it is not too bad to get you up and running, the real pain is learning a CAD package which I have never had to do before. I have tried a few some far and found them non trivial to get onto rung 1 which given my working background was somewhat frustrating (40 years as a computer engineer). I have however settled on what I think will do me nicely as an easier to use package called Tinkercad. There are not a bewildering number of options, it works in a browser and importantly you can import and work with .stl files. For this who are not aware, stl files are the format mainly used for parts to be imported into the 3D printer and there are a number of repositories of freely available or paid for parts which you can access online. Being able to edit one means you can take an existing part and custom change it to your needs I am aiming to use this method to create a wiper knob for the intermittent relay I am working on. However I did also come across a file for the gasket on the heater matrix to the valve. I downloaded it and printed it which came out slightly too big, so resized it and printed a test piece in PLA (PLA is the go to for test pieces as cheap and easy to print). After being happy with the print Inthen printed it in TPU which is a more flexible substance and suitable for gaskets etc. End result is very acceptable if not perfect for a first attempt. I will probably use some liquid gasket either side to ensure no leaks. Photo shows PLA version in yellow, TPU in black.

Peter

[peteracs]

Hi

Recap will have to wait, have kept out of the garage over the Xmas period due to not so enjoyable temps and cannot be bothered to fetch my propane bottle from the bottom of the garden and there is limited room in the garage currently to put the heater. Also only managing to get the odd hour or so at a time on any one day. So spent some more time working on design for the 3D printed seat belt reel cover which is proving an interesting challenge. The other main job completed is the re-assembly of the wiper mechanism after having the main parts re-plated and using all new seals and stainless washers. Happy with the end result which did take a few hours to do in the end. Also re-assembled the two headlight adjusters which hopefully will have electric adjusters attached to allow dipping from inside the car. This will replace the auto adjustment originally on the car which was no longer functional.

Hoping the improvement in temps over the next week will allow some more actual assembly work to be done on the car.

Peter

[peteracs]

Well February came and went, had a cold during it and no enthusiasm for spending time in the garage, however spent some time on the 3D printer designs.

Now the temp has finally improved, I have spent a few days in the garage with some decent steps forward, all very satisfying.

I have spent a few days under the car sorting out mounting the new fuel tank. The complication is that it is aluminium and although styled on the original, is not an exact size replacement. So I am using the original front two studs to mount it, but at the rear the mounting bars are just too short for the studs, so have installed a pair of rivnuts. Also I am aiming for the tank to not be secured firmly to the chassis, but to use stainless straps and bushes so that the chance of the aluminium coming under strain is eliminated. Still waiting on some spacers, so will update when final assembly happens.

The other two main jobs completed are the installation of the radiator shrouds at the front of the car and after seeing the parts in plastic crates for what must be 2 years after I cleaned and painted etc, I finally reassembled the struts. The spring compressor I bought off Ebay, although not inexpensive, proved sooo much easier and safer than the old school pair of rods I used before. Very happy with it.

Peter

[peteracs]

Just arrived today replacement clips for the door card. I took a punt and bought these on Ebay from China. They fit the card and the printed door inserts nicely so at £3.99 for 40, a bit of a steal.

Peter

[Ferrit]

I bought some others, they sort of work but not really..  can you share the link to these please?

[peteracs]

Hi Mark

I have more than I need so will bring some along to the NEC.

The Ebay link one of various sellers is

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/127698061364

Note that I have not tried these with the original clear plastic plugs which are original, just with the plugs I printed, though would expect them to work ok.

Peter

[Ferrit]

 

[peteracs]

So rewind what seems like several months and I came to fit the new petrol tank I had made a few years ago now. Simple job, 4 holes and should be well on my way, I wish.........

Over the last few months I must have spent a good weeks worth of time devoted to it, starting with the mounting arms being too short for the rear studs in the chassis needing some rivnuts to be installed. The arms were too low so they were below the chassis so the existing studs at the front had to be extended. I also wanted to isolate the tank from being fixed rigidly to the chassis as it is aluminium so as to avoid any stress cracks. So a using the 3D printer various spacers and bushes were made. Lastly I wanted to install a pair of stainless straps with protection to avoid chafing of the two metals, again 3 D printer time.

I realise this is probably all overkill, but peace of mind where petrol is concerned is important I think. So yesterday was a milestone moment, I fitted the tank with all the myriad pieces in what will be its final resting position, hurrah he says. Still have the straps to finish and the tank is to be painted black on the sides which are visible as well as installing the various connectors and the level sensor. At least I am getting there with it.