Lovely work James, I particularly like your solution for the loom run under the cargo deck. I had been looking for some plastic tube to replace the rusty steel but 27mm OD is an odd size and I think your idea is much better, providing protection and support. It is so rewarding to see nice components properly refitted against the beautiful backdrop of fresh shiny paint.
Today’s activities. Instrument cluster reassembled with newly painted bezels. No-one will notice them but looks tidier than when I took it out of the van: Re-assembled and fitted the gear shift rod with all new nylon guides, rubber boots and new rear cage rubbers: I re-used the old rear cage and centre pin, as while the new cage was good quality, the centre pin looked like it had been made by a 5 year old compared with the original (Jim’s top tip: don’t paint the pin as it won’t fit back in; I ended up sanding it down): Regreased and fitted the clutch pedal arm (apologies for the blurry pic):
I was a little confused by the Bentley book describing where the rubber boots are fitted on the gear shift rod. Can someone verify where the rear one should be? The book suggests it’s fitted right at the end of the rod, between the last floor support and the rear cage (presumably with the boot tucked into the floor support hole): However this then leaves the rear of the guide tube exposed as the tube terminates after the 4th floor support. To me it would make more sense if the boot was on the end of the guide tube, than just on the end of the rod. Did the length of the guide tube vary over the years or something? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
That’s what I thought. Bentley is either wrong or the tube lengths changed. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Hoping to be driving by then! MOT on the fiesta runs out end of March and I’m not planning on keeping it as the track to the workshop batters the suspension on hatchbacks. Interior will be a summer rolling job. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
james from what i remember they where called barrel bushes , the went into the holes in the cross member front back they clipped in and hold the rod steady allowing the rod to move back and forward steady with no slap
Picked up the fuel tank, firewall and engine bay panels fresh from the blasters today so straight on with a few coats of epoxy: I’ll finish these in Anthracite grey then I can get them in the van and out the way. I’ve also fitted the brake pedal lever (no pics). I’d forgot the lever is a very tight fit, needing a club hammer to get it back in, so I’m going to have to repaint some of it! Should get the rest of the cab loom back in this week as I’ve just about finished cleaning it up.