The original stiffeners were tubes that the bumper bolts went though. You could just make it out from the remains inside.. The other dumb iron had those holes too and I replaced one of them like I have drain holes after chassis repairs but then thought "these aren't drain holes, what are they...

Cheers Steve. It's certainly better than it was. :) I don't know what the original holes on the side were for so I haven't drilled those.. any idea?

This week I are mostly been finishing my other dumb iron. I'd write more but I've had a few beers with dinner.. ;)

alternator :)

Thanks, Kermit. Always happy to hear others' experience. I do disconnect the battery too. And the alternator.. which I know divides opinion a bit. But it's so easy to do, why not? And I just fit a new one.. :D

I was taught to drain the petrol tank before doing any welding on a vehicle.

Cheers all.. almost certainly air in the block. I will leave it for now.. I've started some welding again so have drained the fuel tank.

No electric fan, no.. Maybe air.. I filled it with water at the rad after fitting the new water pump and putting the rad back on.. I've done nothing in the way of bleeding trapped air..

It's normal water in it at the moment.. I didn't want to put coolant in until I knew the new water pump was not going to leak. I know coolant's a lower freezing point but don't know about the "hot" end..?

I started up my 2A today, 2.25 petrol, to turn it round for the next bit of welding. Easier than pushing a 3-pt turn up and down the curb I can tell you! And now I know the new water pump isn't leaking either.. :) I had it running for about 5 minutes with a bit of revving and playing about...

simplybearings delivered very quickly. I got a 1075mmx10mm(wide)x8mm(deep) and it fits a treat. The S3 tensioner is clear of the alternator blades and the alternator casing is clear of the engine mount. Thanks again all!

I've been keeping busy with low-cost jobs while I %&$£ about with different alternators, lengths of fan belt and tension brackets.. $%^£!@! :mad:(thanks for the help all.. I'm getting there) I was pressure washing the wings and other bits in the garden and the underside of the bonnet came up...

And the 1100mm (another 5cm) is too long.. I can't rotate this alternator far enough away from the block to take up the slack before the black plastic casing at the back of the alternator hits the engine mount. I've clearly not got the alternator other S2 owners are using. Somebody's told me I...

S3 tensioner and the one on mine that might have originally held the dynamo in place.. the S3 one is a bit smaller but it doesn't really help me. Longer 1100mm fan belt is in the post.. still unclear why the 1050mm fan belt fits for S3 owners when it doesn't for me.

How is the centre rib attached? There’s some remnants of rivets on this one but I can’t see rivets in pictures of other 2As.

I had half hour and it finally got the better of me. It's a 2A tailgate underneath with the centre rib missing. There's some damage.. point tottot. :) (No cash, swiss watches, paracetamol, or hand sanitiser though.. I'm trusting to swarfega anyway.. :cool:)

Cheers steve. Portamig 216S.

That S3 tensioner is actually different: https://www.johncraddockltd.co.uk/568789-adjuster-link-for-alternator.html Mine is wider halfway along and sticks down - I'll photo it next time it's off. It might even be longer than the S3 one for all I know. Looks like they changed between them having...

Cheers. I've been out at lunchtime for another go. The other alternator (Defender) doesn't fit as well. It fouls the engine mount. I'll send that one back. The S3 "suffix B+" alternator does in fact fit if I get a longer fan belt as blackburn suggested. But the S3 parts book says 563132 is the...

It would have helped but it still would have been wobbly and not align laterally.