Since i got the Zinc plated parts back i’m trying to push the assembly of parts. Just because it’s so much fun to finally see the puzzle-pieces come together to bigger pieces 😀 Started with the installation of the lately returned Zinc plated bolt and lock-nut: Then felt like it makes sense to clean a lot of small bits before putting it together. I mean wile i’m at it.. Dentist tools… And and old toothbrush came in handy and worked fine: The result. Well i even cleaned them another 30minutes more after this picture: Then started with the installation of the rest of the parts. like the steering boot clamp…

Today i have some nice news: Got back my first load of parts from the Zinc plating and yellow-passivating (which makes it look “golden” and also secures it better from corroding: Honestly this was my first attemt ever in doing something like this. so not all parts ended up perfect as i hoped, but however most of them are usable and some of them were for trying anyway only because anything up t 39 kilograms was the same price so i put whatever part i wanted to have replated into the box anyway. Here’s a closer look at the colour: So while i was looking at all the nice parts…

Thanks to a steel tube, a Hammer and the Torch i somehow managed to remove the steering column bearings which are only press fit. However it seems like i damaged the Plastic spacer and i’m still not sure how to remove the bearing on the lower part of the steering column Jacket. And on we go with the updates from the bodyshop. Yves at MUC is currently replacing the Floorpans, seat mounts, and rocker panels and installing the NOS Framerails:   Thats it for now. More to come soon.

Time for another update: 1) While still waiting for the parts to return from the zinc-plating shop i ordered and got some fasteners and small OEM Bits from nissan for the Pedal box. nothing spectacular: 2) Also my Bodyshop guy constantly keeps sending my updates andi hope i can visit him once again next week. Hower his work looks very promising and his fabrikation skills are stunning: During work (Area below the battery tray): The finished, hand-crafted product. Absolutely great in my opinion! Today he started with the floorpans and rocker-panels: Current state of the car. Not much original Metal left. but the work is just brilliant! 3) While waiting…

So here we go. Started preparing stuff for getting it zinc-plated / Replated. The company that does the work told me they can only remove slight surface rust and old zinc so i had to remove the thicker rust spots and old paint, grease and rubber: Started like this: 60 pieces total (Note the Snow in my Garden :D) Gave all the pieces a treatment with paint-stripper. just to make sure everything is gone: After letting it soak for a while and then cleaning it with water. it looked like this – much better already 🙂 Spent another hour or so cleaning all the bits with a dremel and a…

Honestly i would like to show you some assembly progress here but unfortunately im still in need to get all the small bits and fasteners cleaned and zinc-plated before i can continue. Also I have a bunch of parts that need to be powedercoated so i decided to spend time with this task first: 1) On my way home from work i stopped by the garage because i had a good idea during work. I Finally found a solution to remove those rear subframe bolts from the chassis (the ones that bolt to the moustache bar): The wheel-torque wrench with a long shaft and a metal-tube extension finally got them…

It seems like every post i write starts with a “finally”. So this one is no different: Finally some Assembly work started. After many years of taking parts apart and cleaning them, finding replacement and doing research – i started the assembly of the Steering rack-and-pinion system. This is how it started (Note the new workdesk light i installed also :D) I highly recommand using these Surface cleaning pads (pot cleaners) for removing old dried-out grease, slight s urface rust and dirt. Works brilliantly and is super cheap and easy to get 🙂 Also love my  new multi-purpose grease pump 🙂 It’s so much fun cleaning all the little bits…