73T - Inner Wheel Arch Refurb - Update 9th June 2009

Highfield · Post by **Highfield** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 5:19 pm

Scott

Not got around to ordering the parts yet, as the list of items is growing.

When I do, I will let you know.

Ian

Highfield · Post by **Highfield** » Sat Apr 04, 2009 9:28 am

The rear inner arches are pressure cleaned and all loose and flaky original underseal is removed - at last.

The whole area is remarkably strong and free from any nasty rust. I have treated any surface areas and coated with Smoothrite for immediate protection, before I get to the Stone Chip part.

I removed quite a bit of sealer from right up in the top where the inner wing rolls over and joins the area by the rear screen and roof - this area is solid.

Question - should I fill the area with some kind of sealer / silicon, or leave it as is put apply plenty of stone chip ?

Next job - stone chip.

Ian

Highfield · Post by **Highfield** » Sat Apr 04, 2009 9:42 am

The final part to be removed from the car before it starts to go back together is the oil tank - famous last words, but I do not intend removing anything more

The oil is only 500 miles old, so I drained just the oil tank.

The two oil hoses that fit to the tank come off easily (you need a big spanner or stilsons in my case to undo one), and the two retaining bolts are accessed from inside the engine bay.

Remove and discard the ol filter, disconnect the breather hoses, and wrestle it all out.

Ready for sending for refurb.

Ian

Highfield · Post by **Highfield** » Thu Apr 16, 2009 6:49 pm

Alan.UK can do oil tank restoration, but I have a small final load to go to Redditch Powder Coating, so opted for ease to have them do it.

I removed the large rubber 'gasket / seal', the level sender unit and the alloy filter housing so the tank can be thoroughly cleaned and powder coated in 'gloss' black. Cap and nuts form part of the final yellow zinc load along with the 28 row oil cooler that is currently surplus but waiting for a more powerful engine

Ian

Highfield · Post by **Highfield** » Thu Apr 16, 2009 6:57 pm

You have seen this on the front indicators, but here are the rears.

Transformed from a very dirty but also very solid unit via washing, wet-n-dry, wire brush on the drill and some metal polish - really

I need to spray the internals with chrome paint as I did the fronts, but that is a job for tomorrow.

Tomorrow off to Tuthills to collect another box of goodies.

Ian

ross.mcw · Post by **ross.mcw** » Fri Apr 17, 2009 12:11 pm

Great stuff Ian - very inspiring!

Highfield · Post by **Highfield** » Fri Apr 17, 2009 10:41 pm

I finished off the rear indicator refurb this evening.

Used a wire brush on the drill to remove the flaky paint and chrome to leave nice clean alloy.

Primed with grey (plugged the bulb holders with newspaper) and then top coat with 'Chrome' paint.

All ready for the new gaskets that I collected today from Tuthills. Also included are the fuel funnel and foam gasket plus other small seals.

Ian

Highfield · Post by **Highfield** » Fri Apr 24, 2009 4:31 pm

The end is in sight for the wheel arches.

The rear inner fender area has been done in black stone chip :-

I then fitted the new indicator housing rubbers (not as simple to get them to stay put as at first thought - used a little glue in the end) and then popped them back in, front and rear.

Next it was the horn grills :-

And then the horn - does anyone have a correct Porsche one for sale ?

Ian

Highfield · Post by **Highfield** » Mon May 11, 2009 9:25 am

The last things to be refitted to complete the inner wheel arch refurb were the refurbished oil tank and bumper brackets.

The oil tank had gone from this :-

to this :-

courtesy of a chemical clean and powder coat at Redditch Shotblasting.

I replaced the 'O' ring on the filter housing and the 'cork' gasket under the sender unit, with the nuts and cap being yellow zinc coated.

I also kept the original 'yellow plasticky washers' as these are NLA.

The bumpers will be refitted in due course and will be subject to a separate article.

Ian

james912 · Post by **james912** » Mon May 11, 2009 11:19 pm

What type of scissor lift have you used? I was thinking of getting one. Do you find it sturdy enough?

The car looks great btw and a great job on the arches. Something I need to complete on mine, hence the question about the lift.

Cheers
James

hot66 · Post by **hot66** » Tue May 12, 2009 7:02 am

nice tank ... you realise that's the rare '73 only tank too

Classic · Post by **Classic** » Tue May 12, 2009 7:22 am

I think you'll have to get a chalking gun and do the same for the cover on the rear lights, as the seals are not sold separately.

Highfield · Post by **Highfield** » Tue May 12, 2009 10:11 pm

The Scissor lift is a Clarke Strong Arm from Ebay.

James - wasn't aware it was a one year only but it is original and strong and looks great now.

Sorry but I don't get the chalking quote - which seals are NLA?

Ian

Classic · Post by **Classic** » Tue May 12, 2009 11:07 pm

On the rear light housing, where the wires protrude there was/ is a gasket i think you'll find that you can't purchase it by itself, or at least i did.t

Dakota · Post by **Dakota** » Tue May 12, 2009 11:51 pm

Hi
did you make very sure there was no debris at all in the oil tank as they are buggers to get clean, its very important to make certain its clean, don't assume the guys that refinished it did , keep up the good work, Bill

DDK - Die Deutschen Klassiker

73T - Inner Wheel Arch Refurb - Update 9th June 2009

Rear Inner Arch Preparation

Oil Tank Removal

Oil Tank Stripped

Rear Indicator Housings

Oil Tank Refit