So what's wrong with it?

Okay, here we go….another project!

Well kind of….it is at least on the road and legal with Warrant, Rego and Cert. The idea will be to keep it that way so we can enjoy a few events in a hot rod rather than turning up in the Suzuki.

So what is the prognosis now that it has arrived?

Hmmm, it’s not as good as I had hoped but it is very much what I expected. It will need a lot of maintenance to bring it up to scratch. It has been a good car in its day but it has lacked a bit of maintenance in more recent years and worse still its been mucked around with by people who don’t have an eye for detail or are a bit rip shit and bust.

A classic case of this is the hole that has been drilled in the rear guards for the teardrop taillights. It certainly isn’t a nice oval to match the shape of the fitting. They have used a drill to make a row of holes close together so the centre piece can be punched out. This is quite ok….but after doing that you normally file or grind the edge to a nicely finished hole the right shape for whatever it is you are fitting. In this case though it’s far from round or a nice oval it is completely random and it looks like it’s been cut out with something used for making crinkle cut chips. Never mind it can be fixed.

This winter we will take the car off the road for a respray as Janine is not keen on the orange. It won’t be a bare metal respray instead we will just tidy up any nasties and give it a quick flick. This will tidy the car up, give Janine the colour she wants and will tie us over until I can finish the Coupe. Once that’s on the road if Janine decides she wants to keep the Pop long term, we will then do a rebuild.

Meantime though there are some things that just don’t work, aren’t right or are downright dangerous, so we will get them sorted. Here’s a list;

• Engine running really hot
• Radiator core is all but shot and leaks. Needs replacing

• While I am at it I will
• Remove the manual engine fan and replace the old electric fan with a high volume one. This will be more than adequate with a new radiator core
• Add a switch to bring the fan on automatically
• Add a radiator overflow bottle
• Replace radiator hoses, thermostat and radiator cap
• Change the oil and filter
• Add an oil pressure warning light
• Add an alternator charge warning light
• Replace odd, mismatched plug leads
• Re-route wiring in engine bay. Its all a bit of a mess.

• Replace accelerator pedal as current one is too high and makes for an awkward driving position
• Replace throttle cable to match new accelerator pedal
• Replace transmission kick down cable as old one not locating in bracket correctly.
• Replace throttle and kick down bracket to match new cables
• Replace makeshift throttle return springs
• Replace old blue dot teardrop taillights with more visible LED versions
• Adjust drivers side front guard to sit level with passengers side one.
• Extend boot release from behind rear numberplate to inside car.
• Remove old gauges and replace with a new set.
• Relocate all gauges to centre of dash for better visibility
• Replace fuel sender unit to match new fuel gauge. This will also by default cure a fuel leak around current sender unit. I found it was sealed with RTV gasket sealant (which isn't fuel resistant) and what's more it was just spread over dirt grime and dust so would never have stuck even if it was the right stuff. As it turned out the sealant was like some kind of frilly decoration just sitting there!

I just picked it up and it came away!

• Install High Beam warning light
• Install short window winders. Current ones cannot be operated unless the door is open as they foul on the indicator stalk
• Install short door handles to match
• Install new Trans dipstick as current one is not locating so an accurate level cannot be read
• Install new engine dipstick as the current one cannot be put back in without climbing under the car
• Replace rear shocks. Old ones are tired and offer not shock absorption at all.
• Replace brake pads with low carbon versions. Current ones run very dirty.
• Replace current horn with air horns. Current one is ineffective and has shorted so goes all the time. Had to disconnect
• Replace stereo with spare one I have as the current one can only be turned off by removing the face plate
• Replace rocker covers, air cleaner and front pulley….purely cosmetic

Phew! I think that’s it….I have 22 evenings and 9 weekend days to get this all sorted before Beach Hop. I will have my work cut out but it is all totally do-able.

Watch this space for updates.