Some S1 questions

[SimonS1]

Inspired by all the body-off restoration work I've seen on here, I decided to take the plunge and do that with my 1988 S1. I'll leave it until next winter though so I don't lose this summer's driving (assuming we can). In advance of that I'm using lockdown time to do a few other smaller jobs and to size up some of the big ones. I have three questions, for now, that I hope someone can help me with:

1. My heater control panel is below. Does anyone know what the donor vehicle is? I've spent hours on internet image searches (how sad is that?) but nothing matches
2. Same question for the door & ignition lock barrels
3. The metal and rubber that holds the side window onto the lift mechanism is seized onto the glass. I've tried applying oil and as much pressure as I dare for several days but it hasn't budged. Has anyone successfully removed a seized one, and if so how?


Jobs already done - changed the front indicator lenses to Isuzu TF clear ones and put amber LED bulbs in; changed headlight units to angel-eye type instead of the little bulbs for sidelights; lengthened driver side wiper arm to improve coverage; replaced number plate light.
Next up is trying to fit electric windows hence Q.3 above. The manual gear has worn and keeps slipping, and rather than do a straight replacement I thought I'd upgrade. I'll put that lot on a blog with photos at some point.

[phillpot]

SimonS1 said:

1. My heater control panel is below. Does anyone know what the donor vehicle is?
2. Same question for the door & ignition lock barrels
3. The metal and rubber that holds the side window onto the lift mechanism is seized onto the glass. I've tried applying oil and as much pressure as I dare for several days but it hasn't budged. Has anyone successfully removed a seized one, and if so how?

1. Possibly bespoke for TVR?

2. Ford, Escort, Capri and possibly others?

3. I'd try cutting it off with a disc cutter? ........ very carefully, obviously!!!!

Edited by phillpot on Saturday 16th May 10:59

[GreenV8S]

SimonS1 said:

I've tried applying oil and as much pressure as I dare for several days but it hasn't budged.

That may be counterproductive since oil makes rubber swell. This is a common gotcha for people trying to fix sticking window sliders. I've heard that acetone dissolves rubber, but never tried it.

[TwinKam]

Try using a synthetic based releasing agent rather than one made from HCs or fish guts (ie WD40)

[phillpot]

Back in my 'slot car' racing days, before sponge tyres came along, we would soak rubber tyres in Wintergreen oil to soften them

Neither of these people are me .........

[SimonS1]

Thanks for the advice, I've sprayed some WD40 on it and will leave it to soak for a couple of days.
I'd never heard of wintergreen oil before. I'll keep that in reserve in case the WD40 treatment doesn't do it.

Like the photo. I always thought Graham Hill was the inspiration for Dick Dastardly.

[Mutley00]

SimonS1 said:

I'd never heard of wintergreen oil before. I'll keep that in reserve in case the WD40 treatment doesn't do it.

Wintergreen is what the likes of me (and presumably phillpot) used to rub on our legs before a game of footy pre 90's. It made your legs red and shiny and probably did little else, but changing rooms used to stink of the stuff. Very interested to learn it re-juvinates slot car tyres - I'm just off to dig out my old sports kit, then to the attic to do some re-juvinating!