A Pleasant Discovery

[alexblack13]

Hi All,
Richard... I have been where you are and am able to stand back a bit (and look at the pictures) and see things! Damper is not overly difficult to strip. Carefull though. Aim for the pidges and you will kill two birds with the one damper spring.. Have them blasted and powdered if you can. My painted ones are showing rust coming thro' already. The hammerite was not the answer for me. I am going to strip again over the winter and redo a couple of bits in powder. The chassis on the other hand is holding up great. I used rustbusters paint or spray two pack Epoxy mastic. Good so far...

Keep up the good work.

Alex.

[Elanintheforest]

I used Hammerite on a Healey restoration a few years ago, and that started to rust through, even before the car went on the road. I used it on things like the back axle, some suspension bits etc., and was very careful to de-rust whatever I painted back to shinny metal before painting as well. Not impressed with the stuff, and wouldn't use it again.

Back to the RS2000...go for it! I bought a '71 Mexico last year...brilliant fun. So easy to work on and cheap parts too. If you want to, you can make the old Escort really pick up her skirts and go...with the aid of some engine work and, of course, a couple of DCOE 40s!
Mark

[richard sprint]

Alex/Mark

This is a bad day for Hammerite! I used this on a BMW CSL project and the same poor experience, I've since used powder coat over electro zinc primer on BMW M3 and so far so good although a resto shop I spoke to swear by epoxy paint.

The problem I found with the M3 is one of holes closed down with overpaint and filled threads so with the Elan I have kept it in house so to speak by shot blasting and then hand painting with POR 15 (check out Frosts UK for spec sheet).

I used this method 4 years ago and have been pleasantly suprised by the effectiveness, the secret apparantly being in its non porus nature. The thing I like about diy is that one can be sure to get the paint where wanted and careful masking and discussion with an outside shop will always fall short - areas like mating metal surfaces etc..

Also should one create damage during reassembly it is easy to make good - the downside of POR 15 is that it is not UV tolerant - therefore have used only on the underside. Under the bonnet have used POR 15 again but then blown over with Hammerite satin black as an 'effect paint'

Like the thought of a Mexico or Lotus Cortina...

[alexblack13]

Sorry guys I mislead you. Its a ser'1 escort. The one with the dog bone grill?? Negotiations are on going at the moment...It is a wreck! but body looks fair. Keep you posted...


The epoxy (poxy!! ) I used on the chassis looks the muts nuts Its as good as it was when applied by brush. As you say Richard, very controlable.I like it so far. Hammerite? not so sure about it now.

Spent the day erecting some storage shelves high up in my garage. I can reach it via the lift, to which I'v fitted an umbilical control unit. Load up the lift with what's to go on the storage rack and push button... Up she goes. Brill....


Alex...

[Lincoln62]

The springs are not lethal. They are very light compared to most cars. The only problem you have is that they are very long when uncompressed. I made a simple compressor from some threaded rod and bits of steel and it worked a treat. A motor bike shop might be another source for a compressor if you need one.

Where are the original covers that came off the Lotus front suspension units? Got them? Fit them to your TTR new ones & protect those damper rods, or they will not last long.

The dampers on my car when I bought it didn't have the covers. When I replaced my damper/springs the replacements (Armstrong) did have the covers and within a year they were squeaking incessantly. The springs are light and tend to bend, rubbing on the cover. They are actually wearing the spring away slowly. Part of my service schedule is to spray the springs with silicone to stop the noise.

As I don't drive my car in bad weather I will leave them off next time or cut them down and replace them with some plastic tube.

Pete
66S2

[alexblack13]

Hello troops,

I use a light application of a spray grease product from Wurth. Completely cures the squeek. Used VERY sparingly it solved the 'problem'.

On the rears I made sleeves from lexan (I think!) 'Recycled' a pair of cola bottles,cut the top and bottom from them and used the remaining cyl's. Held onto the 2.1/4'' spring top mounts with s/s clips. That hasn't half kept the sh1t off the damper rods and the (Denso wrapped) threaded adjustment tubes. The Denso has remained very clean so far so I guess the 'shields' are doing their job. And I '' '' Burp'' quite like...Burp'' fizzy drinks. Cost ? Just the price of two clips.

Like all things...To each there own. Have fun.The main purpose of life..

Alex.