Author Topic: Rust does not discriminate.  (Read 4267 times)

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michaelodonnell500

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Rust does not discriminate.
« on: June 11, 2015, 03:47:12 PM »
I have been meaning to get my 500 back on the road for a while now. It's been over 4 years since it passed the last mot! So I gave the floor a poke and a prod and found it was a bit worse that I thought.




So I ordered a new inner and outer sill and started cutting the rot away. It's not bad enough to warrant a new floor so I'll be making up some repair panels for that.

New panels were not readily available when this was first restored which is a shame as it would have made life much easier!
Rust does not discriminate

michaelodonnell500

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Re: Rust does not discriminate.
« Reply #1 on: March 10, 2017, 09:21:59 PM »
I have been meaning to get my 500 back on the road for a while now. It's been over 4 years since it passed the last mot! So I gave the floor a poke and a prod and found it was a bit worse that I thought.




So I ordered a new inner and outer sill and started cutting the rot away. It's not bad enough to warrant a new floor so I'll be making up some repair panels for that.

New panels were not readily available when this was first restored which is a shame as it would have made life much easier!
I had not realised how long it's been since I started this post!

It's been a series of fits and starts over the last few years usually due to a lack of time,  inclination or both! I have had 2 kids since the last time the 500 was mot'd which isn't an excuse, but it makes me feel a bit less lazy!

Somehow I have finally managed to pull my finger out and get things going.
So far I have:
.Replaced N/s inner and outer sill.
.Replaced N/s floor section.
.Replaced N/s front arch section.
.Replaced N/s front jacking point.
.Replaced O/s floor section.
.Rebuilt starter motor.
.Replaced the fuel pump.
.Replaced the wiper stalk
.Fixed electric faults (ignition, headlights, wipers, horn, windscreen water pump.)
.Replaced fuel line with copper.
.' Replaced' the accelerator cable.
.Repaired a faulty door handle mechanism



The fuel line is fitted in place with stainless p-clips, most of the tin clips on the body have lost their tension.



I couldn't be bothered buying another accelerator cable so I have made one up with 1.5mm wire,  2mm rope thimbles and 2mm copper ferrules.



O/s floor repair. Not a big repair but fiddly.



Thankfully I don't make a living from welding or I would be a poor man!

I will be putting some underseal on the underside of the floor tomorrow and filling a couple of dents before adding a bit of paint.

The car is booked for an mot on Monday so fingers crossed all the hard work will have paid off.

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Rust does not discriminate

ChrisRLewis

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Re: Rust does not discriminate.
« Reply #2 on: March 10, 2017, 09:53:20 PM »
That looks a good solid job that you have carried out ;)

Information for Fiat 500 owners. There is a Fiat 500 restoration coming up on the new series of " Car SOS" the 500 is owned by one of our Club126UK subscribers ;D
« Last Edit: March 11, 2017, 12:34:26 PM by ChrisRLewis »

michaelodonnell500

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Re: Rust does not discriminate.
« Reply #3 on: March 11, 2017, 11:08:33 AM »
Some more progress this morning....



This is a jetflow 3 which I have borrowed from work and a cartridge of sprayable seam sealer. I've used this to cover the new repairs on the underside of the car.




I've also used it as stone guard on the sill. I have a bit of filling to do before I can throw some paint on. I have a rattle can of un matched orange from halfords.  It will do for now!



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Rust does not discriminate

stuey

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Re: Rust does not discriminate.
« Reply #4 on: March 11, 2017, 12:48:12 PM »
great work- keep going i remember being here a couple of years ago with mine- its worth it in the end!
one resprayed and another arrives- double trouble BIS style!!

thepuddlejumper

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Re: Rust does not discriminate.
« Reply #5 on: March 11, 2017, 06:14:02 PM »
Michael, good to hear from you it's been a long time. The last time I saw you was in my drive in the 500, a long way from your home down south. Does that mean 3 bambini? do you still have the 126?

Ralph

michaelodonnell500

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Re: Rust does not discriminate.
« Reply #6 on: March 11, 2017, 08:52:46 PM »
Thanks guys.
It's been a busy few weeks on the car but it is coming together.

Ralph - bambino no.2 he's 1 next week. The 126 had to go sadly. It had been sat in the front lawn for 2 years and nothing had been done to it or the 500. Hayley wanted the lawn back and she had a point!

I've only got room for one little car now which is probably just as well given how long this one has been off the road for!

Some more progress this afternoon.
I also borrowed one of these from work



This is an air powered dynamic mixer sold through 3M  mainly in the US. It is used to dispense car filler and 2 component seam sealer. Because of the high ratio between filler and hardener it uses a spinning mixing nozzle. The advantages no pinholes because the mixing does not allow air in.

They are a bit pricey though. The cartridges are about £40 each! I managed to get hold of an out of date one!









I found a tin of cellulose in the garage.  Unfortunately my spray gun is not working so it's brushed on for now.

Rusty helped me out with a few last minute parts on Thursday.  I needed a tyre, I also needed a new coil after I left the ignition for 2 hours. It was probably cheaper than hiring a smoke machine!

I've got a loose connection in the rear light clusters and I'm done.



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Rust does not discriminate

michaelodonnell500

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Re: Rust does not discriminate.
« Reply #7 on: March 12, 2017, 05:08:03 PM »
Hopefully the mot tester will have a sense of humour.



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michaelodonnell500

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Re: Rust does not discriminate.
« Reply #8 on: March 13, 2017, 06:59:14 PM »
The bribe must have worked. Mot passed. No advisories! Very chuffed!

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Rust does not discriminate

thepuddlejumper

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Re: Rust does not discriminate.
« Reply #9 on: March 14, 2017, 09:15:29 PM »
Well done Michael.

Ralph

Darrell

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Re: Rust does not discriminate.
« Reply #10 on: March 30, 2017, 12:14:34 PM »
Ejector seat operates on the left or right seat  ;D
'84 aircooled 126 & 500F still in kit form
Not the only African in the village :)