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Re: Olympic Blue / Silver metallic 1972 US Import 1.7L
Posted: Sun Mar 31, 2019 10:23 pm
by LMR
Hands were a bit shaky.....
Re: Olympic Blue / Silver metallic 1972 US Import 1.7L
Posted: Sat Apr 13, 2019 1:46 pm
by LMR
My dashboard looked like it had lived a tough life. The metal section was pretty rusty, and I was fearful it was beyond repair. The photo below shows the inner face after rust treatment.
Thankfully blasting and powder coating has bought it back to a pretty decent standard.
The top of the dashboard also looked worn, with chunks out and plenty of cracks
Now I know that 914rubber sell a replacement, which I may buy once funds allow, but for now I have chosen to repair the original. So, out with the dremel to open up the cracks.
and some filling
And finished with some vinyl paint. The result is okay rather than great. The first couple of coats of paint were applied in cold weather and were dull. The next couple of coats were done when the workshop was much warmer. This resulted in a good shine, but the volume of paint has filled in much of the vinyl grain. It will do for now.
I have put new vinyl on top of the dash (thanks to Darren C for some top tips!)
With everything assembled, yesterday I fitted the whole unit

Re: Olympic Blue / Silver metallic 1972 US Import 1.7L
Posted: Wed Apr 17, 2019 2:44 pm
by Darren C
Great progress Phil
You can get "grain pads" these replicate vinyl grain on repaired areas where detail is lost from sanding/filling (like a reverse grain, raised detail that you press into a special coating)
For best concealing I'd opt for a satin finish rather than gloss.
Re: Olympic Blue / Silver metallic 1972 US Import 1.7L
Posted: Fri Apr 19, 2019 10:10 pm
by LMR
Thank you Darren. I am happy to stick with it for the summer, and will order a 914 rubber item when funds build back up.
So, the bank holiday is giving me the opportunity to reassemble more of the car. I am still ignoring the wiring and instead I got on with the heat exchanger plumbing. There are plenty of parts to put in.
Fitment was pretty straightforward. For anyone else who is fitting new heat exchangers, I suggest you check the fitting of the pipes on your bench. I had to do a couple of mods in situ, which on axle stands was a pain in the back. If only I had a two poster ramp......
One other item to note. Darren C reminded me that zinc coated components can emit dodgy gases. I have baked them all for a couple of hours in my oven. I suggest no one takes me up on the offer of dinner for a while!
Finished results below. photos are the best I can manage from its position on axle stands.
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Re: Olympic Blue / Silver metallic 1972 US Import 1.7L
Posted: Fri Apr 19, 2019 10:20 pm
by chief
Looking very impressive our Phil.
Re: Olympic Blue / Silver metallic 1972 US Import 1.7L
Posted: Fri Apr 19, 2019 10:31 pm
by defianty
Looking nice and clean there Phil, good job. I can't tell if you've finished yet but the flapper box needs to be turned about 90 degrees.
Re: Olympic Blue / Silver metallic 1972 US Import 1.7L
Posted: Fri Apr 19, 2019 10:39 pm
by LMR
Stephen
Lever at the top? I have gone with the orientation from the PET
Re: Olympic Blue / Silver metallic 1972 US Import 1.7L
Posted: Fri Apr 19, 2019 11:00 pm
by defianty
LMR wrote:Stephen
Lever at the top? I have gone with the orientation from the PET
Yeah that's it - lever on top.
Re: Olympic Blue / Silver metallic 1972 US Import 1.7L
Posted: Tue Apr 23, 2019 8:35 am
by Darren C
Yep, twist through 90 degrees so the "cap tops" are facing inboard

Re: Olympic Blue / Silver metallic 1972 US Import 1.7L
Posted: Sun May 19, 2019 9:00 pm
by LMR
I looked at various options for the fuel pipes on my car. The original pipes through the car were not awful, but thought that they were probably worth changing. You can buy ready made stainless steel pipes from the USA, but I wasn't completely convinced they would be delivered without being damaged in transit, so I have gone down the aluminium hardline route. I have probably been influenced by watching too much project Binky!
The pipe comes as a coil
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I did try straightening it using a hole in a block of wood, which was hopeless, so instead bought a proper tool, which worked brilliantly
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Next two pics show the pipe ends at each bulkhead
Having got confident with cutting and bending, I then gave some consideration to where else I could use the hardline. I am not a great fan of long runs of rubber fuel hose, and having built and maintained race cars in the past I bought some fittings.
And a flaring tool
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I started with a line under the car. I first made a pattern using an old coat hanger
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Then carefully bent the pipe
And fitted
Next I connected up the fuel filter and pump (crappy pic)
I remembered Darren C had mounted fuel pipes to the bulkhead in his engine bay, so I have adopted the same approach. I do not have access to a TIG welder, so again I have used aeroquip fittings. This will require small spacers to keep the fittings away from the bulkhead. photos below show the assembly ready to fit.
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Re: Olympic Blue / Silver metallic 1972 US Import 1.7L
Posted: Sun May 19, 2019 9:27 pm
by defianty
Very nicely done Phil. I like that.
Re: Olympic Blue / Silver metallic 1972 US Import 1.7L
Posted: Mon Jul 08, 2019 9:39 pm
by LMR
No updates for a while, but have been busy. Video below is my first drive
https://youtu.be/ESKPVy7j1D0
great that car runs, no leaks, brakes work, as seemingly does everything else
And a pic of the car outside of the workshop.
At this point thanks to Darren C, ThreeTwo and Chief for technical advice, support, helping hands and occasional rounds of therapy!
Not sure when I will be submitting car for an MOT, there are still lots of jobs to do, but definitely a great feeling to have get out and driven it
Re: Olympic Blue / Silver metallic 1972 US Import 1.7L
Posted: Tue Jul 09, 2019 10:29 pm
by Green Ernie
Great to see it running Phil, looks great. Are you coming to the PCGB 50th event at Brooklands?
Re: Olympic Blue / Silver metallic 1972 US Import 1.7L
Posted: Wed Jul 10, 2019 10:12 pm
by LMR
Yes Matt, I will be there
Re: Olympic Blue / Silver metallic 1972 US Import 1.7L
Posted: Thu Jul 11, 2019 6:12 am
by defianty
Looks great Phil! Well done.