Sting Ray's '89 90 - Complete Restoration

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So the engine turns over on the starter nicely, and the oil pump is clearly working, as evidenced by the pool of oil that is now under the engine :(

I reckon I've forgotten to fit the oil gallery blanking plug on the rear of the block.

As I really don't want to have to drain the oil and coolant, I'll need to disconnect the props and move the transfer and gear boxes aft-wards on an engine hoist, whip the clutch and flywheel out, remove the bellhousing casing, spend 15 seconds to fit the offending, and then put it all back together again!!! Bugger it!!!
 
So the engine turns over on the starter nicely, and the oil pump is clearly working, as evidenced by the pool of oil that is now under the engine :(

I reckon I've forgotten to fit the oil gallery blanking plug on the rear of the block.

As I really don't want to have to drain the oil and coolant, I'll need to disconnect the props and move the transfer and gear boxes aft-wards on an engine hoist, whip the clutch and flywheel out, remove the bellhousing casing, spend 15 seconds to fit the offending, and then put it all back together again!!! Bugger it!!!

Dashed hard luck sir ... it's always the smallest things .. :)
 
That was a bit of a swine of a job - the boxes rotated in the strops so had to be lowered and reset. Having sorted another small leak from a copper washer, the engine nows turns nicely without any leaks, although it doesn't start. I suspect the lift pump is knackered so have bought another.

The bulkhead should be back this week as well!
 
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I collected the bulkhead yesterday afternoon - hurrah!

It will be fitted later today, thereby allowing me to assemble other parts onto the vehicle, including original windscreen, roof, and wings etc.

The lift pump should be here today as well.

The reason for the slight rush to get it resembling a complete vehicle is that I'm moving to Canada at the end of the month and will be taking both the 90 and 110 with me. Yes, I've looked into the import rules to confirm they are admissible!
 
how have i missed this thread, wow matey great work !!!! shame about the paint mishap but came great in the end now following
 
The engine starts! I've only had it running for 20 seconds or so before killing the stop solenoid, but pleased nonetheless. The wiring is extremely rudimentary (the starter solenoid is engaged with a wire and screwdriver onto the +ve battery terminal) but does the job. As the clutch MC isn't fitted or plumbed in, it doesn't move under its own power yet - nor have I tried the power steering, although the steering column is attached and so are the pedal boxes

The roof and windscreen is also on, and I'm just waiting on a few parts before I can reassemble the wings and attach them. One thing I haven't got is a rivnut in the bulkhead to secure the offside wing to! This is because that section of the bulkhead was completely missing prior to being refurbished and therefore did not provide a prompt for the welder. I may leave it without that fixing for the time being, or drill and insert a rivnut, or eventually bond the wing onto the bulkhead. The bonnet will go on after the wings have been attached. Suffice to say, it'll look like a patchwork quilt until I disassemble it again for painting.

Still waiting on the doors to turn up as well - I have chased SP a couple of times this week but haven't heard back :( As you can imagine, I'm pretty desperate to get these!!!
 
I've only got this one, which is pre windscreen and roof. Will try to remember to take some more this evening.

received_1959668980992647.jpeg
 
I may leave it without that fixing for the time being, or drill and insert a rivnut, or eventually bond the wing onto the bulkhead. The bonnet will go on after the wings have been attached. Suffice to say, it'll look like a patchwork quilt until I disassemble it again for painting.

I'd suggest not bonding the wing to the bulkhead ... how you gonna disassemble for painting? Or later, when it gets scratched or dented and you need to replace/fix it.
 
I'd suggest not bonding the wing to the bulkhead ... how you gonna disassemble for painting? Or later, when it gets scratched or dented and you need to replace/fix it.

I concur! I may use RTV sealant though - that won't do any damage but will hold it in place for transport.
 
That's looking really good :) - if a little heath robinson :D - which I like TBH ;)

One thing I haven't got is a rivnut in the bulkhead to secure the offside wing to!

I'm guessing this is a "problem" due to you not having a setting tool ? - It is possible to set them without the "proper" tool .... a PITA, but possible, (ask me how I know :rolleyes: ) .... quite happy to talk/type you through it if it helps ?
 
I'm guessing this is a "problem" due to you not having a setting tool ? - It is possible to set them without the "proper" tool .... a PITA, but possible, (ask me how I know :rolleyes: ) .... quite happy to talk/type you through it if it helps ?

Thanks :)

The rivnut isn't there because the metal that would have encapsulated the rivnut was completely missing, and the welder therefore didn't know/remember to put one in there when rebuilding it.

I've seen a nut/bolt method online that I may eventually try - if there are better alternatives, please let me know.
 
I've seen a nut/bolt method online that I may eventually try - if there are better alternatives, please let me know.

A variation of the nut & bolt method is probably what I would suggest - IME, it is easier to use threaded rod, and bend the outer end to hold it, rather than faff about with a bolt..... if you can get at both sides, then it becomes very much easier as you can lock the studding in the rivnut with a nut on the back, and then set the rivnut with a nut on the front .... take the nut off the back, unsrew the studding and dah dah :D

Once I started using rivnuts, I realised how bl@@dy useful they are, and I bought the proper tool - about £40 off the web - but I have set quite a few using the studding / nut silliness;) ( fine for one or two, but a PITA for many )
 
Sting Ray, I'll be back in Andover in four weeks. If it isn't too far you can borrow a rivnut gun or I could pop round - depending where you live.

Thanks :)

The rivnut isn't there because the metal that would have encapsulated the rivnut was completely missing, and the welder therefore didn't know/remember to put one in there when rebuilding it.

I've seen a nut/bolt method online that I may eventually try - if there are better alternatives, please let me know.
 
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