Body off - quite a job on my own

[NZDave]

At my last warrant of fitness check (NZ's nearest thing to an MOT) a small amount of rust was found in the chassis of my '87 S1. I decided it need a closer look and to get to the rust we found the body had to come off. Unfortunately we are in full lock down do I was on my own with only the equipment I had on had. A ratchet hoist (and a beam to hook it to) two trolley jacks and lots of wooden blocks. I have two friends nearby that have engine cranes but I am not allowed to go and get them. To cut a long story short the body is off (and moved into the garage using a workshop trolley and an engine stand. Chassis looks really good. I can't see any more rust that the little bit on the diagonal supporting the front of the left outrigger that was found during the wof check. I haven't picked at it yet to see how bad it actually is but will in the next couple of days. I still have at least 16 days before I can get anything done and that may be extended so I don't need to rush. I think the chassis condition shows the advantage of not having salt on the roads. My car was only in UK for about 4 years so this has helped.

[phillpot]

We need photo's

[Bercilac]

I used scaffolding and block and tackle to hoist the body and to remove the engine. I just lifted the engine and box and pushed the chassis out from underneath.

The only time I needed assistance was getting the body back onto the chassis which was a bit of a fiddle to be honest, and I was very grateful for an extra pair of hands from a fellow PHer and S1 re-builder who lives locally.

Have you got any pics? Your car has to be one of the furthest ever from the factory!

[NZDave]

[Craig Brown Photographer]

Hi Dave, please put this on the NZ Facebook page, need some interesting material, cheers Craig

[Bercilac]

Wow - you can tell that hasn't lived in the UK :-) Great project.

[magpies]

well done Dave - it is possible as you've found out

I've taken the body off twice now- 9 years ago for a full resto and then last year to swap to a Jag engine and check how my self painted chassis was holding up - still perfect by the way.

Keep us posted

[v8s4me]

Great Job Dave. Amazing achievement single handed.

[Deeman]

Looks in good nick. Great work for single handed! Please keep thread running, as we are all in lock down and need interesting stuff like this to stay sane

[NZDave]

I am still taking bits off but time to start thinking ahead. I know the chassis was originally powder coated but what do people recommend as a finish now?
Dave

[Jaye R]

NZDave said:

I am still taking bits off but time to start thinking ahead. I know the chassis was originally powder coated but what do people recommend as a finish now?
Dave

Powder coating is great, however, i opted for a Por15 undercoat (like liquid metal...rock solid)..with hammerite coats on top.

My logic being (rightly or wrongly) is that if you chip the colour on a painted chassis it's easier to touch up than that with a powder coated chassis....especially as can be easily chipped during a re-build?

Cheers
Jaye

[Bercilac]

I had mine blasted and painted by a specialist who mostly works on oil rig and mining equipment.

It wasn't anywhere near as expensive as having it done by a car specialist and my logic was the same as yours, I could touch in chips easily. I also used POR15 on smaller components and that system is holding up well a year on.

[TVRees]

Pretty much did the same thing.

Two coats of a 2-component epoxy coating followed by a final coat of Rustoleum.

[NZDave]

I've taken a few more bits off. Can't see anymore rust than what I had already found in the support at the front of the left outrigger. Said quite a few rude words about TVR getting it this far. Only issue is that I broke off one of the 12mm diff mounting bolts that goes into the chassis (it was never going to come undone). Now I just have to wait until I am allowed to take it to the sand blaster and then on to the repair man.
Dave

[Bercilac]

I also broke Diff Carrier bolts - three in fact! I soaked them for a week in a mixture of Isopropyl and ATF (50/50) and managed to tap one out. I then had the other two drilled out at my local machine shop, then I re-tapped all the fittings and all went back together fine.

[NZDave]

Finally a bit more freedom today here in New Zealand and that meant I was allowed out. The restoration shop has had a quick look at the chassis then on to the sand blaster. Not my usual sand blaster as he was unable to fit me for months. Went to another very close to home and he said he would do it tomorrow as he didn't have much on. At last making progress. I found some issues with the fuel tank as well and will have that sorted as well.
Dave

[NZDave]

Sandblasted and now at Leitch Motorsport for repairs. Only one more little hole found by the sandblaster in the chassis but the fuel tank mount isn't too good.

[NZDave]

[NZDave]

[phillpot]

You left the swirl pot bolted on?

tank cradle isn't too complicated to completely re-make.