Simon C's 1995 4th Gen

Post by **simonc** » Tue Jun 04, 2024 3:47 pm

My new radiator from Rimmer Brothers that's scheduled to be fitted tomorrow.

Post by **simonc** » Thu Jun 06, 2024 2:01 pm

And here she is with the new radiator fitted.

Post by **Merlin** » Thu Jun 06, 2024 3:10 pm

Glad to hear it's in and and all sorted!

Post by **simonc** » Sun Jun 16, 2024 6:30 pm

Couldn't resist posting this shot of the engine bay with the new spark plug leads.

Post by **simonc** » Sat Jul 06, 2024 4:16 pm

Time to spruce up the manifold heat shield which has been on my list of to-dos for ages.
I went to Screwfix and got myself some sanding sponges as I knew it'd be all about getting the surface in better nick than it is now.

Post by **simonc** » Sat Jul 06, 2024 4:17 pm

Then a trip to Halfords for this Simoniz VHT paint which seems to have pretty positive reviews.

Post by **simonc** » Sat Jul 06, 2024 4:22 pm

Then it's just a question of scraping, sanding, degreasing, sanding, sanding degreasing and even more sanding. I really gave it some welly and the surface ended up extremely smooth to the touch but I couldn't seem to erase the remaining black splotches, no matter how hard I tried. I kind of reached a point where I felt I couldn't do any more so called it a day and gave it a good going over with white spirit.
Here it is after a quite a while getting stuck in. The transformation from the photo of when it was in-situ in my engine bay (as seen above) to even this state is pretty remarkable.

Post by **simonc** » Sat Jul 06, 2024 4:32 pm

Then it was into the bowels of Cuthbert Towers for the painting session.
Here it is after two light coats.
Obviously you can see the pitting is clearly visible across the top part, but there is no way I'm handy enough to apply filler to smooth it all out, even though I would have loved to have seen a 'filled finish' to it. The instructions say to let it dry overnight, so it's one more coat as it's gone on very easily, and then I'll be whacking it into the oven to cure it tomorrow afternoon.
I must admit I'm pretty pleased with my amateur efforts and how it's been progressing relatively painlessly. Fingers crossed you guys give a nod of approval to my work-in-progress.

Post by **simonc** » Sat Jul 06, 2024 4:59 pm

And here's the engine bay sans heat shield. I'm taking her in to AB on Tuesday for a bit of fettling, so either Ali or one of his guys will replace the shield for me then.

Scott560 · Post by **Scott560** » Sat Jul 06, 2024 8:25 pm

Glad to see your getting stuck in. Looks much better! It starts with small jobs, then you'll be changing engines, injuring yourself in the stupidest of ways and swearing along with the rest of us!