Stewarts build

Psycho pops · #1 27th August 2011, 20:29

Thought it was time to start a thread for my build.
Have had the Herald donor a couple of weeks now but promised the wife I wouldn't start on it until I had completed her rebuild ( Herald Convertible).
However the weather has been too damp to spray of late so today I thought I would begin the strip down while I wait.
Heres how the car looked this morning

Blog: Sammio Spyder Build here http://sammio-spyder.blogspot.com/

Mister Towed · #2 27th August 2011, 20:37

Hi Stewart, looking forward to seeing how your build progresses.

Psycho pops · #3 27th August 2011, 21:21

Got on well today, Doors, roof, Body and Bonnet are off and the screen has been cut away just for easier access around the car.
Have left the hinge bar for the bonnet in place just in case I can adapt that to fit the new bonnet as an alternative to the nose hoop hinge method.
I realise now that I am at a big disadvantage in that I have ordered the body and have never seen a Sammio in the flesh.
Its hard to gauge the actual height and curves just from the pics.

It is good to see the chassis state and have found that it will need just two small repairs to the rear of the side rails.

Mister Towed · #4 27th August 2011, 21:25

Looking good, how solid are your floorpans? My driver's side 'pan is like a Flintstones car - bah.

Psycho pops · #5 27th August 2011, 21:27

It wont be a fast build I am aiming for next summer, think i missed this one..
Will keep posting as and when I achieve each milestone.
The floor pans are sound, looks like they were wax oiled or similar early on so have remained in original state, happy days.

Blog: Sammio Spyder Build here http://sammio-spyder.blogspot.com/

mulberry · #6 28th August 2011, 09:33

pop`s looks like you have plenty of space to work around your sammio. fancy swapping to a std garage

ps im sure the famous rustmite will appear some other place...
have fun

Psycho pops · #7 28th August 2011, 09:45

Yes the space is handy and will be better when I have cleared out the panels / parts on e bay. Its amazing though the more space you have the more clutter you seem to collect.
Re the rustmite's and tinworm no doubt they will pop their heads up when least expected

Psycho pops · #8 31st August 2011, 14:54

Has any one replaced the bushes before the rebuild?
I have looked at two complete bush sets on E bay, Herald or Spitfire, not sure which to go for, if the suspension is the same on both I am guessing the spitfire set would make sense as I want to replace the rear spring to swing spring and upgrade the anti roll bar, both of which are covered in the Spitfire kit.
Its an expensive mistake if I get it wrong. Ideas anyone...

mulberry · #9 31st August 2011, 18:31

hi pops i done a full bush replacement with all new matching bolts, while i had the car striped down, mine was from rimmer bros....£150, for bush`s and bolt kit including trunion kits , and new diff seals just for xtra bit fun.

Psycho pops · #10 31st August 2011, 20:44

Thanks Mulberry, was it a Herald kit or Spitfire to allow for the swing spring and upgraded roll bar? I will be doing the trunions and diff seals also while it is apart.

Psycho pops · #11 7th September 2011, 20:25

Collecting the body spurred me on to do a bit to my chassis,
So far I have stripped the left rear suspension right down, wire brushed to bare metal and repainted each part.
I overhauled the brake cylinder replacing piston, seals etc.
Started to wire brush the chassis back to bare metal and then paint using hammerite.
Cannot reassemble until I have the new polybushes, and I want to fit the Spitfire swing spring .
Diff is out for clean up and replacement of all seals.
Will only strip one side at a time so I can reference it for reassembly.

Oh have removed the bulkhead and engine cowlings along with the rad to gain better access to the entire chassis.
Has been a busy couple of days but progressing well.

Blog: Sammio Spyder Build here http://sammio-spyder.blogspot.com/

Psycho pops · #12 5th October 2011, 08:28

Good to see a few of you guys nearing completion, for me no progress as I am stuck in the Bush in Nigeria for a couple more weeks.
Looking forward to getting home and back into my build.
Keep posting as it makes good reading out here.....

Mister Towed · #13 5th October 2011, 09:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Psycho pops

... I am stuck in the Bush in Nigeria...

Is being stuck in the Bush in Nigeria some sort of euphemism?

If so it doesn't sound so bad to me, just watch out for those pesky Somali pirates.

Psycho pops · #14 28th October 2011, 19:16

Progress report
Home again and got stuck into the Sammio again,
One step back after thinking about the Hammerite on the chassis although it looked clean in gold I decided it wouldn't offer the stone chip protection I wanted so have gone over this with Hammerite stone chip underbody paint, yes its dull and black but shouldnt need any more attention for some time.

Cut the bulkhead down to size, thought rather than a straight cut across I would try matching it to the shape of the body, took a bit of fine trimming at the edges but overall pleased with the result, should be easier to seal the gap between the bulkhead and the body as this cut leaves about a 1/2" gap along its width once the body is place down onto it.
This should also leave plenty of space for the wiring loom to pass through.

Inside

Engine side

Rebuilt the rear Hubs, with Polybushes (Blue), Rebuilt Trunnions
and fitted

Fitted the Swing spring, new centre box, lowering block and Poly Pad,

Diff is back on after new oil seals and bushings.

Finally decided to stick with the four speed gearbox ( J type Overdrive for sale shortly) so serviced and refitted same.

Overall happy enough with progress.

garyh · #15 28th October 2011, 20:50

question. the handbrake cable used to have bracket attached to the underside of bodywork before it goes to left/right drum, what happens now?

Psycho pops · #16 31st October 2011, 14:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by garyh

question. the handbrake cable used to have bracket attached to the underside of bodywork before it goes to left/right drum, what happens now?

I have a plan to weld a nut into the corner of the handbrake tunnel frame and fix with a bolt from the underside, will post a picture when its done. The rear seat belt securing bolts fit the eye perfectly and should allow the pivot no problem...

Psycho pops · #17 31st October 2011, 14:37

Those who are a little further on may be able to answer this one,
The frame that held the wiper motor is now redundant can it be removed, I have seen a lot of pictures with this in place is there something i don't know?

Bracket on the left - Can it be removed?

Mister Towed · #18 31st October 2011, 14:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Psycho pops

Those who are a little further on may be able to answer this one,
The frame that held the wiper motor is now redundant can it be removed, I have seen a lot of pictures with this in place is there something i don't know?

Bracket on the left - Can it be removed?

I've cut mine off to free up a bit of space for a water tank for the methanol injection.

Just watch that you dont also cut off the accelerator cable.

davecymru · #19 31st October 2011, 15:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Psycho pops

Bracket on the left - Can it be removed?

Yup, unless you're planning on fitting wipers?

I wasn't initially planning on removing it, but it just seemed sensible in order to get a bit more room to do "stuff" on that side of the bulkhead.

As long as you've got the bonnet clearance then I'd say it's up to you if you want to remove it or not?

FYI, it's only held on with a few spot welds and they came apart easily with a chisel and a big ammer

Psycho pops · #20 2nd November 2011, 17:57

Another question.

I know I cant cut of the rear arms on the chassis but what about the exhaust bracket, can that fall off before inspection, it just seems to be exactly where I want to put the back of the tub.
Cheers Psycho