Ian's S4s refurb

[Chillidoggy]

8 minutes ago, Steve V8 said:

That looks fantastic mate, I've been wondering how it's been going, and worrying that the carpet had stretched whilst being bound.

Looks like you've made a tidy job, I'd be happy with that. Don't get carried away with the G&T, today's glue sniffing session should have you half way there. Glue in the beard is a sign of addiction. 

 

Well, I wont pretend your name didn't come up a few times during the day! Are we the first to achieve the one-piece carpet fitting? If so, I'm contacting Guinness Book of Records.

Oh, and last time I checked, the wife hadn't got a beard of any description, so I guess it'll just be the gin that describes her odd behaviour.

Boot carpet tomorrow.........

[Sparky]

So, you're doing all the easy stuff first.

[Chillidoggy]

I am.

She isn't.

[Chillidoggy]

Day 2 of boot carpet installation by Shan. I have been relegated to passing her contact adhesve, scissors, Stanley knife, holding a lead-lamp and operating the lift. The good news is it's all done, and I can finally get in there and finish tidying up various bits and pieces. Neither of us would want to do this particular job again!

I'm need the buy some wing-nuts for the rear lamp covers, because the twat that last touched them couldn't be bothered to. Actually, he couldn't be bothered to fit any kind of nut, as they were left simply shoved onto the fixing studs.

We're hoping the cabin carpet is going to be easier to fit, so will be tackling that tomorrow.

[rocket63]

Did you buy a carpet set Ian or just re-trimming yourselves?

[Chillidoggy]

@Steve V8on here on TLF is making carpet sets for Esprits (and no doubt for other cars). He made Barry's Esprit carpets for him a while ago. II removed all my S4s original carpets and sent them to him for a pattern. He's supplied me the complete kit, not only at a better price than Coverdale, but with top-notch workmanship, quality carpet, and advice on fitting, too. I'm a picky individual when it comes to the Esprit, but I'd recommend anyone here who wants carpets to get in touch with him. And no, I'm not on a commission!

I'll be posting more photos when we do the cabin carpet.

[rocket63]

Thanks Ian  Not ready for carpets quite yet, but needed a good source for when I get that far  Did that include the boot set as well?

 

Thanks

 

Paul

[Chillidoggy]

Yes.

[Barrykearley]

It's worth noting - do round the window in a few parts - that what lotus did 

It's easier apparently 

[rocket63]

Cheers chaps. I will have a word with Steve nearer the time  Appreciate the steer.

[Chillidoggy]

Bloody typical!

The day I want to shove the car out of the garage to drop the engine and box in, it's pissing down with rain, and blowing old boots. 

[Barrykearley]

Man up and get on with it

[Sparky]

Ya big girl's blouse.  A couple of days in the Watford Exotics open air workshop will put hair on yer chest.

[Chillidoggy]

And the final straw is my Chief Technical Assistant is off to Canterbury to look for make-up.

Might as well go to work instead.

[pete]

11 hours ago, ian29gte said:

And the final straw is my Chief Technical Assistant is off to Canterbury to look for make-up.

Might as well go to work instead.

didn`t realise Sparky was with you

[Chillidoggy]

I ran out of excuses not to put the engine and gearbox in, so thought I'd best get on with it. Thankfully I didn't need the tarpaulin I'd bought, although the north easterly wind had some bite in it.

Using the Watford Exotics clutch alignment tool, it should have been a doddle, however the engine and box alignment requires someone of advancing years to put their specs on and make sure the alignment is spot on. Which I didn't.

I thought I'd got it, and started tightening the bolts, when things stated getting difficult, and I then realised it was misaligned, so I had to separate the pair, and found I'd damaged the front of the splines on the driven plate. I had to use a needle file to dress the splines, but got them sorted after a bit of work. Which I had to put my specs on to do.........

After my technical assistant arrived, we managed to get the job lined up, and continued to drop it in. Another milestone, and I reckon it's on to the carpets tomorrow, as I picked most of the trim up yesterday. Which looks nice, but is still wrapped up. I should pick up the remainder next week, and then it's all hands to the pumps.

[Sparky]

I dunno, I give you the right tools for the job, and somehow...

[Chillidoggy]

.....I manage to cock it all up?

[Barrykearley]

Life would be boring if it was all simple.....

is it going to be ready for Sunday then or what 

[swindon_alan]

I think that it's a "what" Barry...

See you at Beaulieu Ian!

[Chillidoggy]

I'm annoyed with myself for what was a schoolboy error, with a bit of vanity thrown in for not wearing specs to check the gaps. It wasn't a disaster by any means, just a pain in the arse and I should have known better.

Sadly, MBW is a definite no, I need to spend time fixing the car, but I promise I'll make it next year. Beaulieu is also off as I have a gig on the Saturday night, and we're off on holiday on the day of the Lotus Festival at Brands. Once the Esprit rebuild fog starts to lift, I shall have to see what other events are happening, that I might be able to attend. 

[Chillidoggy]

Two hours to just to fit the PAS pump, and that poxy belt. I tried replacing the adjuster nut with a thinner one to give it as much chance as possible, no dice, I still had to remove the pulley, and what a pain that is. That's it, I'm going for the next size up belt next time around, whatever that may be and if it doesn't fit, well it's a few quid. If it does, it's party time.

[lotus4s]

FWIW, I've found it much easier to fit the PAS pump along with all the ancillary belts on the lump before dropping it in. 

[Barrykearley]

Don't tease.... at least he's done the oil seal and chassis pipes this time

[Chillidoggy]

The PAS pump is easy to fit, it's the belt that's the issue. If it slipped on like every other belt I've ever done does, then it's probably a 10-minute job!