My very last restoration!!!

[Matt74]

Should really start taking shape now.

[mygasser]

it's almost like you've done this sort of thing before
neil.

[newsatten]

It’s all been a bit quiet lately, I had my 70th birthday at the end of September so been having a bit of R&R
Ive completely finished the painting and polishing saga
And just getting ready to start the rebuild!
I’ll post a few pics once there’s a few things bolted on !

[Steve]

Great and a belated happy birthday. Can't wait to see the next stage.....cheers

[newsatten]

Aww Cheers,
Following a bit of a survey on my engine I’m now looking at a full rebuild, the block requires boring, decking and obviously I’ll get the mains checked for square
Probably the worst news was my rare 12 heads have excessive pitting in the valve seat area, which will require new seats etc,
So basically theses are toast!
All this has left me with a dilemma as I was hoping to retire
But I’m looking at the costs to do the above I guess I’ll just have to carry on for a few more months
Ces’t la vie

[Steve]

At least you are doing it for the end goal of getting in her and enjoying her and not because you have to. A big difference and motivation if there ever was to get the build finished. I'm sure you will be cruising round in her by the Spring and retired

[newsatten]

Haha love you optimism son !
It’s knocked me back a tad
But I’ll have a break and work out a plan!
Still got some stuff to do?
Dug out the engine bay wiring loom,
It’s looked quite disgusting, but some dedicated cleaning and a full rewrap it’s looking rather nice,,
All these jobs have to be done and help to relieve the stress I find,
At least something is still getting done!

[Steve]

Anything I've ever done has involved just chipping away steadily and suddenly it all comes together and gets done. When I was building my garage, I just made sure I did at least something every week day. Some days it was 10hrs and I got tons of blocks laid, footings dug out or roof timbers in and other days I managed to paint a door or varnish something. Just little regular wins. End result was it got done in a reasonably timely fashion and I'm enjoying it now. I've forgotten the sore back, aching knees, bleeding hands etc as it's all finished. I had weekends off so I didn't get sick of it and kill the fun.

You are definitely doing the right thing....wiring loom done and in the bag, next thing might take a couple of hours tomw evening but it will be done and before you know it she will be ready for the engine to go in when it's done.

I think the huge plus you have is that your skills are so good, you are able to do all the things that most of us just wish we could do and would cost us a fortune to pay to have done so your time is your biggest factor....a nice position to be in (I imagine ).

Keep up the great work and hope the day you turn the key on the car you are able to drive it to work and bang your retirement notice in

[newsatten]

Haha
So now I’ve resigned myself to going large as far as the engine goes,
Aluminium heads, forged stroker rotating assembly
And some trick bits etc,
Funds permitting I’m hoping to go Tremec TKO 5 speed transmission
And a full hydraulic clutch release system, ho assist my prosthetic knee!
So unfortunately the price for this is deferred retirement till to next summer,
Weighing it up
With the onset of winter darker colder days I think to carry on earning to pay for this stuff is worth the extra pain!

[newsatten]

Currently tidying the front engine and body looms
Umm look a tad sketchy!
But once all the crap and dirt is removed they ain’t to bad,
Got some typical rubbish spicing we’re jumper wires have been mullered into to looms,
But these will all be cleaned, removed where not needed and re soldered and heat strinked etc

[Steve]

Just playing Devils advocate here but, as you've gone so far with this amazing restoration, do you think it might be worth considering a new 'painless' wiring loom?? I only say this as I know that although wires look great, they can become brittle and cause no end of issues down the line (you know all this, I know). They are the fat end of 60 years old now and for the relatively minor cost compared to all the engine work you are doing, I'm wondering if it would be a good investment for future reliability??? Just my opinion and sure you will do exactly the right thing for your car

[Steve]

https://painlessperformance.com/?year_i ... ymm-search