Bella- my 1958 Australian Import Beetle.

[Shamrockez]

Since there's this new section to the forum, I thought I'd properly introduce you to Bella. In the easter holidays 2005 my Dad and I went to Australia for a holiday with the idea of bringing about 3 VWs back with us - we didn't know if we'd find enough suitable cars or not, but we were going to try.

We stayed at our friend's house and whilst looking at Ebay I stumbled across a 58 Beetle in Dandenong, Melbourne. The advert described the Beetle as solid and running, but rough. The Auction was to finish in a couple of days and we knew we wouldn't be able to view her before it ended. She was up for $400 AD which was £160. I had visions of the auction running high so tried not to think too much about this tatty little Bug, but we rang the seller to find out some more information. We were suprised to find out that Mark who owned the Bug actually came from Liverpool - small world, eh?? And he told us she was very solid but didn't run very well. This didn't bother me too much as picking up a 2nd hand 1200cc engine back in the UK wouldn't be a problem, nor too expensive. We arranged to call Mark back to arrange a viewing if she hadn't sold on ebay.

So the ebay auction amazingly finished with no bids! *:o And we set off on 3 hired Harleys (we were going on a trip the next day) to have a look at her. She was being stored where Mark worked at a body shop repair place. Tucked in between smashed motors was this funny little Grey Beetle.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/Shamrockez/ed_1_b.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/Shamrockez/32_1_b.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/Shamrockez/92_1_b.jpg

We hadn't brought a torch with us, so borrowed a very dull one off Mark to look at her pans and channels etc. A good prod with the screwdriver later revealed no nasties and no previous repairs - ace! She'd had some later lights fitted to her, and an awful tiny steering wheel, but for the most part she was unmessed with.

A few days before we'd offered a chap called Ted money for a 61 Split and a 73 Bay and he as quite attatched to the Split so we told him that he could think about the offer and we'd ring after we'd finished our bike trip to see if he'd made a decision. We didn't want to buy Bella without the other 2 so we told Mark that if Ted accepted our offer on the 2 busses, we'd be down to give him some money and strip Bella for shipping the next week.

Luckily (there seems to be a lot of luck in this story!) Ted accepted our offer for the Busses so we set of to pay Mark and take the bumpers, decklid and bonnet off Bella. We arranged for Mark to take her down to the docks when the shipping date was set, piled the parts we'd taken off her into our hire car and left, knowing the next time we'd see her, she'd be in the UK.

We went and collected the busses, stripped them down for shipping and drew out a container sized space in our friend's field. The reason we stripped them down was because there was (I think) only going to be 4cm spare in the container once they were all loaded. So we put the Split first so her front end could be nudged into the engine bay, then Bella, then the Bay who would hopefully be high enough to go over her engine slightly. Since Bella was being taken directly to the shipping yard, we had to measure the gap where she'd go:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/Shamrockez/40601665_rs.jpg

What seemed like forever afterwards, my Dad recieved a call telling him our container had arrived. I picked up Dad at Gatwick Airport and met Mum with the Landrover and trailer at Tillbury docks. This is what greated us:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/Shamrockez/824c8b2e.jpg

3 unharmed Volkswagens. We'd been advised on Volkszone that we must get 3 cars into the container. The reason for this, is that if one car breaks free, it will have a 'run up' to keep hitting the other vehicle. If you have 3 cars and only a 4cm 'run up' then they can't do much damaged if they escape the ropes. We'd paid Geoff's handy man to properly secure them into the container (as they were packed after we'd left for home) and he'd done a brillaint job *[smiley=thumbsup.gif]

This was the first time we'd been able to see Bella in proper light, so we had a good look round, nervous that the dark shed she was in may have hidden some nasties. Luckily (yep, again!) there was no rot
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/Shamrockez/c48dba69.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/Shamrockez/30152f51.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/Shamrockez/9edb662c.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/Shamrockez/960cda81.jpg

We then loaded Ted (the Split) onto the trailer and Mum and Dad set off to Leicestershire with him.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/Shamrockez/d3c9ed53.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/Shamrockez/d76544a6.jpg

Skippy (the Bay) and Bella were coming to the South West via a transport company. The day before they were due to arrive I recieved a call from a lorry driver telling me he was 30 mins away! *:o our contact in the docks had messed up their tranportation so many times it didn't really suprise us that they were arriving a day early! I rang Steve to tell him he needed to come home from work to recieve Skippy and waited for the lorry to arrive.

[Shamrockez]

I'm not quite sure how it got down my road - he did it all in reverse too! The lorry was massive and it made Bella and Skippy look tiny:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/Shamrockez/6ce1ab90.jpg

The lorry driver helped me push her round to the garage to meet Joey and Bertie:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/Shamrockez/40600020rs.jpg

We then went on to Steve's house and dropped Skippy off with him.

A couple days later I met Jim for the first time and we thought it would be fun to fill Bella with petrol to see if she worked. We'd never seen her start as she didn't have a battery when we looked at her. So I nicked the petrol can from the lawn mower and added a bit to her tank. We put in a battery and after the fuel had started to go though, she spluttered into life. Mark wasn't wrong, she did run rough, but at least she ran!

Chuffed with ourselves we decided to see if she moved.... she did - and again Mark was right - it was rough! She wasn't what you'd call smooth ;) Kangaroo hoping and shuddering was the only way she'd move forward or backwards.

I replaced all the fuel pipes to be on the safe side and bolted her panels back on and took some pics:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/Shamrockez/sub%20album/40600024rs.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/Shamrockez/sub%20album/40600023rs.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/Shamrockez/sub%20album/9ba82bb2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/Shamrockez/sub%20album/40600026rs.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/Shamrockez/sub%20album/40600033rs.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/Shamrockez/sub%20album/40600035rs.jpg

The only real problem (other than the running) was a bit of accident damaged where she'd been reversed into something:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/Shamrockez/sub%20album/40600029rs.jpg

Not the end of the world by any means.

She was a little on the high side tho...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/Shamrockez/sub%20album/40600084rs.jpg

Put it this way - both at standard height - look at the height of the roofs!
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Robbie/6f30d6ef.jpg

(I've got to go out now, I'll carry this on when I get back)

[Shamrockez]

Right, now where was I? Oh yes, we'd got her running, pumped the tyres up and accessed the accident damage. It was around this time that Luke decided he wanted an old Bug, so I suggested that he should have a go in Bella to see how he got on. If he managed Bella he could cope with a 'better' Bug really well.... she was spluttery, untuned, kangaroo'd everywhere and had a habit of opening the passenger door when you put her into 2nd :o

Then Tom was introduced to Bella and he and Jim told me off by saying she was the easiest project in the world and should be roadworthy in about 6 weekends worth of work..... a year on she still has no MOT ;D

Anyway, after rather a lot of faffing round doing bits here and there, thing started to progress. The tyres she came with were really wide and had no tread - so along came some shiny new ones in different izes ready for lowering...

New and old:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/c4f7b0b8.jpg

Seriously need to do something about the ride height tho!
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/c2ed018c.jpg

So that was next. Tom narrowed the beam by 3.5 inches for me:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/67ed0728.jpg

and welded in some adjusters and cut of the shock towers because she’ll need custom ones due to the amount she’s been narrowed:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/b6c3d376.jpg

We lowered her off the jack and this is what we got:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/2368a43a.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/72146775.jpg

I don’t like the nose down stance so the next thing to do was lower the back end. Currently down 3 splines with no interior or engine, so we’ll probably have to raise her one spline to just get her to move!

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/74a1ee66.jpg

Spring plates were notched for extra travel
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/67745e1f.jpg

We then put her on the roller to paint her pans and channels with POR15:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/fc25a8c2.jpg

All painted up and shiny:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/74cc7481.jpg

We found the problem to the kangarooing – if you look on the right of this pic there is a round hole. In that hole (and the one on the other side) there should be a thread and bolt there. Instead they’d welded the mount to the chassis – so the gearbox was just moving about as the rubber stretched – hence the bizarre driving!
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/f2418609.jpg

So the gearbox was removed, oil drained, cleaned up and painted:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/60292990.jpg

So the mount was taken off and Tom welded on some studs for me, the gearbox went back in and she was put on her wheels again – check out the camber!
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/43b621ec-2.jpg

In the meantime I’d welded in the 2 rear bumper hangers to get rid of the accident damage:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/e3f212ec.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/11d175a0-1.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/d1e09ef9.jpg

I also did a 12v conversion on the 1200 engine I’d picked up for £50 as her original one was eating oil a bit.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/fed709ee.jpg

I cleaned the carb up and painted all the tinwear with POR15:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/555f2b50-1.jpg

After that I decided to see what she looked like underneath the primer – I sanded her down and this is what I was left with:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/3354b780-2.jpg

So she’ll look like this soon:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/27eaad6d.jpg

After we’ve lowered her a bit more using dropped spindles:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/771b3a24.jpg


So that’s the short story of where we’ve got with her. I’ve got a week off soon, and we’re going to try and get all her new brakes fitted:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/37552699.jpg

[Grahamini]

Very good Luce, looks like you`ve been a busy girl ! :D

[Shamrockez]

It's a years worth of work so not that busy lol. Not even done anything on her for weeks cos we've been concentrating on Joey.

[Shamrockez]

Just ordered a new loom for Bella. Not exactly right for the year, but I'm going to adapt it to get her semaphores working plus extra indicators (which will be hidden away when she's not being driven) for safety.

Plus some bumper bolts, battery clamp, glovebox for a stereo, and a few other little bits and bobs.

Hopefully after I've finished my coursework for uni we can get cracking on with her.

[Ali]

you make it all sound so easy!!!! clever clever and very brave girl!!!

[Shamrockez]

haha trust me, it's not!!!! I've got to work out how to get the indicators to flash and the bulbs in the semaphores to flash without the semis going up and down!

Found this useful bit of info tho - should help. Just gotta get my head around the wiring - it was never my best subject at school.....
http://www.restowagenuk.com/forums.html
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v606/glenn284/sem1.jpg

:-/

[billybug]

Yeah I saw that, you could always fit 'Ears' like Harry has ;) ;D

On the Samba.com they have the wiring diagram for US '58 bugs, as they had flashy indicators not semaphores, maybe that would be useful? Also instead of fitting indicators on the rear why not have the brakelight flash like on US cars - if thats legal?

Ghia 57 has some 'Ears' (LOL - Harry has ears! ;D) for sale, i'm tempted to buy em off him, depends if the chromes better than mine!

[Shamrockez]

Harry has 2 sets of ears then! *:o Cos he's got his Alberts too ;D

I wanna keep the semis cos they're funny (and they might help me if I drive off a cliff etc etc) and they actually work, which is always a bonus!

Oooh I shall have a looksie at that diagram and a normal one and hopefully make some sense of the 2 together to get her working. Shouldn't be too hard as the main compenents - headlights, brake lights, engine, battery, fuses are all very much the same. I may just have a few extra wires here and there which I'll need to tape up or something.

Brakelights flashing is a dodgy area. I think you can get away with it if the car's a US import... Bella can't really get away with being one tho cos she's not LHD. Plus 'normal' people wouldn't understand them any more than the semis!

[billybug]

Wow Harry must have really good hearing then! ;D ;D ;D

From looking at the two diagrams it looks as if there is an extra wire or two to the rear lights (or your rear flashy lights in your case) a flasher unit and wires going to the front wing indicators.

That diagram that guy did on Restowagen is good, and sounds like it works - although I bet it aint that easy! ;D

I imagine you'll have to wire it almost to US spec first to get the front/rear indicators flashing, then wire it like the diagram?

Aren't you tempted to make em flap just once tho ;) ;D

Ooooh and an idea on indicators, why not mount them behind the bumper, behind mesh or something, like on Jims bug? Looked pretty cool on his :)

I'll take a piccy of Harrys fuses later for ya!

Have you got the right kind of fuse box - I think VW Heritage do replicas :)

[Shamrockez]

I think the least number of fuses Heritage do is 10 - I looked earlier.

I was planning on putting the front ones behind her horn grills so you can't see them, and the rear ones I might make up a brackety thing which mounts onto the bumper iron under the wing which can be pulled out and made visable for when she's driving about.

I am tempted - but at the same time I don't want to burn them out! Yeah I think I'll have to wire her like a (say 63ish) later Bug then add in the bits for the semis.

[billybug]

What about Ghia 57 on VZi, he's breaking a '58 so is bound to have the correct fuse box(es) (theres two, one on the dash with four fuses, and one by the lights with two fuses)

And i'll bet he's cheaper and it'll be genuine VW :)

[Shamrockez]

Ah good point - I'm already getting a couple things off him so I'll ask if he still has them.

[billybug]

And failing that, i've just looked and Status VW do the correct 4 fuse boxes, £15 :)

http://www.status-vw.co.uk/shop/index.html

[Shamrockez]

ah ace, I didn't look there - cheers :D

[Shamrockez]

Well we had a note from the post office last night saying that they had the mirrors so we went down to get them today :)
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/cd9e0e3c.jpg

Very pleased with them - plus i got some free sweets with them too!!! :D :D :D no pics of them tho cos we've eaten them :o Cheers Adele and Steve :)

[billybug]

mmm mmmm mmmm! Looking very nice indeedy - can't wait to see em on Bella!

Just a tip to fit em - you'll have to remove the plastic washery things (that Harry doesn't have) from the very last trim hole in Bellas wings to get em on :D

[Shamrockez]

I need to replace all of them anyway cos they're all perished so I'll just leave that one out lol.

[billybug]

Can you still get them? I haven't seen them anywhere, the trim clips just snap in, no plastic things in the holes on Harry, then you stick the rubber gromet things on the back of em to make em watertight?

[Shamrockez]

Status do them:

Rubber Boot for Chrome Trim Clip 52-66 £ 0.15


Rubber boot for wide chrome trim clip. 39 required per vehicle. Genuine VW. Years 52-66. Sold individually.

113 857 219 A


The rubber bits should be already in the trim holes, then you put the trim inside them.

[Shamrockez]

Just agreed a sale on this gorgeous set of detailed Radars 8-)
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p210/liljimmy_bucket/IMG_1087.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p210/liljimmy_bucket/IMG_1366.jpg

[billybug]

They are gorgeous!!!

Gonna look aces on Bella!

[Shamrockez]

I know!!! Aren't they just?! He's detailed the inner ring bit too so they're a little bit different 8-)

He's just gotta find some new wheels for his then I can have the Radars - hopefully at Volksworld 8-)

[billybug]

8-) 8-) 8-) 8-)

[Vickie]

OMG how the hell did i miss this thread?!!


Luc they are gorgeous - I'm in love! And they are gonna looking amazing on bella! Where do you find all this cool bits? In the land of shiny stuff? ;D

[Shamrockez]

On Restowagen and Volkszone 8-) can't wait to get the wheels!

[bad_cab]

8-) very cool , i'd love to import a ride or 2 one day :) , are you going to mint it or keep it rat ??

[Shamrockez]

Gonna keep her ratty until I can find all the panels I need to make her mint :)

[billybug]

Gonna keep her ratty until I can find all the panels I need to make her mint :)

But she doesn't need any panels :-?

She's 100% solid, isn't it just some filler and paint she needs?

[Shamrockez]

Just things like wings and bonnet - her wings are all damaged and her bonnet isn't great all round. I might be able to patch the bonnet up but I'm not sure. But the wings have all had accident damage at some point and all have splits in them. Body and doors are all perfect tho :)

Just got these through in the post 8-) Iron cross jacking point plugs! :D
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/19ce2854.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/72b869f3.jpg

Hard to take a decent pic of them, but you get the idea!

[billybug]

Ooooh they'd look ace on Harry!

Where did you get them from - I want some!!!

And yeah if you were going to Resto her to mint you'd wanna get original panels for her

[Shamrockez]

I got them off this chap on Volkszone: http://www.volkszone.com/VZi/showthread.php?t=345840


£15 for a set of 4 delivered - bargain! :D

[Shamrockez]

Just been out to try them on Bella and worked out Bugs only have 2 jacking points ::) :-[ If you are going to order them, can you order 4 and i'll buy 2 off you so then we have a full set for Joey :) Split the cost £7.50 each?

[billybug]

Okies i've asked :)

If not do you wanna sell 2?

[billybug]

Dont worry got some :D

[Shamrockez]

:D

[Shamrockez]

Well Bella was well and truely spoilt this weekend at Volksworld! We spent faaaaar too much money - but got lots of shiny things - so it can't be that bad, can it? :lol:

My Bug came back full (pic was taken after we'd removed the box of safaris and our clothes bag):
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Meets/b6baedd3.jpg

Which made for some interesting peep holes in the rear and side window to look through to check my blind spot! :shock:

Anyway - she got an under dash shelf from Status:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/f79a7e24.jpg

And a rear blind. Now i know that some people don't like the repro ones, but I like them, and as a skint student, I can't afford principles!
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/cbb7c2f7.jpg

And after seeing lots of these in the Restowagen line up, and thinking that they'd be an ace idea for putting drinks, phone, ipod etc in when I'm driving - I got one of these baskety things:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/0186c391.jpg

And last but not least, I agreed a sale on these rather beautiful detailed Radars:
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p210/liljimmy_bucket/IMG_1087.jpg

Gonna pick then up next week most likely :D

[billybug]

Ooooh she's gonna look so pretty!!! *Those Radars are gonna look sooooo nice!

Harry got some new bits this weekend as well!

I'm ordering an underbonnet carpet from Spirit of the 50's (match his interior), i've bought jims wiring cover for the underbonnet, I got his new resto-quality running boards, a new interior light and those Maltese crosses :D

I just want him back now! :(

Other than his engine and a few pots of paint thats all i'm spending on Harry as I need to save for a house!!! :P

[Shamrockez]

Jim had a wiring cover??? :-? Lucky Harry - he's gonna have so many pressies when he gets home! any news on him?


Yeah they will do - he's just gonna touch up a couple stone chips in the detailing then i can go and get them :D

[billybug]

Jim had a wiring cover??? *:-? *Lucky Harry - he's gonna have so many pressies when he gets home! any news on him?


Yeah they will do - he's just gonna touch up a couple stone chips in the detailing then i can go and get them :D

Apparently so, he bought it but can't fit it because of his stereo so i'm gonna have it for Harry, should finish his underbonnet off nicely!

Have you heard about Jims hinge pin troubles?

No news on Harry yet, spoke to the chap on Friday and he said he was ready for paint and looking very good indeed, so he reckoned he'd be done today, but i've heard nothing yet :)

[Shamrockez]

Ah i see! I'd have the same problem then lol.

Oh cool! Bet you can't wait to have him back! Petal's supposed to be back this weekend too and I'm starting on Bella, so it's Bugs all round! :D

[billybug]

LOL! Cool - Harry will be put back together this weekend, and maybe undersealed (depends if I can be arsed! ;D )

The all thats left is finishing touches like colour coding his wheel centres :D

Oh and his engine swap but i'm not doing that!

[Shamrockez]

What happened with Jim's hinge pins?

When's he going in for his engine?

oooh the postie has just arrived and bought Bella's new loom with him! Heritage didn't think it would be in until early April, so that's a nice suprise!
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/7adad386.jpg

Now all I have to do is sit down and find out which bit goes where and where I'm gonna put the extra ad ons for the semis.

[billybug]

Jim swapped his old top pins for ones with a thread for his mirrors, now you can just pull the pins out the doors - he's even bought 2mm oversized ones and they are the same!

Harry goes in on April 4th for his engine swap :)

Ooooh Bella might actually work! ;D

[Shamrockez]

She might - be first I have to work out where everything goes :-/ there's no instructions so I've downloaded a wiring diagram and trying to mark off which bits go where....

Cool, not long then :) hopefully shouldn't take too long either :)

Oh right - oops! Nicely worn doors then! :D

[billybug]

When I get Harry back if you wanna look at his wiring to get an idea you're welcome to. its pretty much stock just a bit replacing the two headlight fuses with a relay, and a flasher box for his ears, just dont pull any bits off (Jim!) ;) ;D

[Shamrockez]

;D I shall look but not touch! ;D I'd like to look actually as the wiring seems to be seperated for some reason with connector blocks on the wiring diagram - and I have no idea what they look like ;D

[Shamrockez]

just found this ace close up pic:
http://www.mijnalbum.nl/Foto=VHD73RMK

[billybug]

They are such cool wheels!!!

Yep thats fine you can have a looksie! You'd best look before I fit the underbonnet carpet (which i'm gonna have to make myself from the carpet left over from Harry as spirit of the 50s wont be making any until July time! ::) )- If I ever get Harry back - getting bug withdrawal now ;D

[Shamrockez]

lol okies I'll come and have a nose as soon as you get him back! As long as I'm not working lol.

Oh, that's a long way off - wonder why they aren't doing anything till then :-/

[Vickie]

If I ever get Harry back - getting bug withdrawal now ;D



Mate.... I feel your pain! Lol *;D

Hope harry is back soon I bet he's looking fab *:D

[billybug]

I hope so, altho the guy doing him said a really weird thing when I rang today :-/

He said (and kinda mumbled this) in the course of the conversation 'you can really see where else it needs spraying now' and he didn't sound all that enthusiastic about it :-/ - now i'm not sure if he was on about the interior (dash and stuff) which is OK IMO, or if he was on about the new paint not matching the old very well - if thats the case then I'm gonna be very p##sed off >:( as he should be able to match the paint up!

I'm feeling really stressed about it now! Its a lot of money if it ends up making Harry looks worse (all be it more solid) than he did before :(

[Shamrockez]

I've got most of the loom labeled up. Hopefully we'll be able to start work on that over Easter. I'm picking up my alloys on Wednesday - can't wait! :D And today I swapped Joey and Bella around in the gararge and did a bit of sanding on her:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/P1010021rs.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/P1010023rs.jpg

Then couldn't resist trial fitting her Alberts - so shiny!
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/P1010022rs.jpg

[billybug]

Very cool, i'm sure i've seen them on another bug as well ;) ;D

Oooh I forgot to drop the Maltese crosses around last night!

There is a problem with em tho - they dont fit in the jacking points on Harry - I dunno if Bella's are bigger?

I might cut the ends off and stick them on ;D

[Shamrockez]

I have the same problem - I thhink perhaps they need hammering in? Same with Joey.

Yeah I think that other Bug may have been a little more shiny....

Speaking of stuff - we'll need the gearbox key back soon cos we want to check Joey's oil :)

[billybug]

Okies, i'll give it all to you Monday at the meet if thats OK? Or do you need the key before then? :)

[Shamrockez]

We might need it before then - depends if we end up taking the rear suspension apart or not - we want to lower his back end another spline and it'll be easier to get to it with the hub etc not in the way.

[billybug]

Okies let me know :)

[Shamrockez]

Been out removing the other side window and the rear window today in preperation for the laquer to go on at some point over the weekend.

Also undid a few old brake cables and started cleaning up the framehead area ready for some POR-15. Half way through:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Joey/P1010026rs.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Joey/P1010027rs.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Joey/P1010028rs.jpg

Almost ready for paint :D

[billybug]

Oh yeah, you know the connector blocks you were on about, on Harry they are just normal connector blocks, like you get in B&Q/Halfords etc - just black in colour ;D

[Shamrockez]

Do they just have an exit each end and screwed together with little screws? If so then Bella has white ones!

[billybug]

Thats them :)

[Shamrockez]

Blistered said the same - so that much be stock. I just assumed someone had messed up on Bella and put them in ;D

[bug78]

have you got dicovery turbo


they striped a bug on there ..thing it was wheeler dealer or auto trader show

was like lego 14 bolts to take the shell off ...

[Shamrockez]

Do you mean on Beetle Crisis or something else?

But yeah doesn't take much to take the body off :)

[billybug]

It could be Wheeler Dealers, didn't they turn a bug into a beach buggy on there?

[Shamrockez]

Yeah I think they did.


I've done some more sanding, but then the sander went mad and wouldn't stop revving! So I think I may need a new one lol.

So after that disaster I dug out her new bumpers and decided to fit the front one:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Joey/P1010031rs.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Joey/P1010029rs.jpg


Oh and yesterday when i was sanding I found this - how much does it look like an outline of the UK? :o
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Joey/P1010025rs.jpg

Oh and I pick up her shiny alloys tomorrow - very excited! :D

[Doodlebug]

Looks cool Luc, gonna be ace with the new rims on her. Have you much left to do now then?

[Shamrockez]

Loads :(

Remove old loom
Fit new loom
Fit new wheels to tyres then to Bella
Paint anything which comes into contact with the road in POR-15
Weld up cracks in the wings
Finish off sanding
Laquer
Get Tom to make shock towers for the beam
Fit dropped spindles
Redo brake system completly
Refit interior
Fit engine and hope it works
Bolt everything back on
Refit the windows


I'm sure there's more too... :-/

[billybug]

You might wanna stonechip or shcultz her underbelly after the POR 15 as well, cause it can chip off quite easily.

I'm gonna re-underseal Harrys when I can be arsed ;D

[Shamrockez]

I might do that. Waxoyl's more likely tho I think.

[Shamrockez]

Almost finished all the sanding - just got a few bits to do by hand - under the handles etc.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/P1010044rs.jpg

Seems weird to see her with a decklid on again!
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/P1010043rs.jpg

I wanted to see what her new wheels would look like:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/P1010045rs.jpg

Only problem with having no shocks is that you have to jack her up sooooo high to get the wheels off the floor!
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/P1010047rs.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/P1010048rs.jpg

Strange seeing 2 'whole' looking cars in the garage too!
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/P1010049rs.jpg

[Shamrockez]

Fitted rear bumper and rear lights:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/P1010051rs-1.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/P1010052rs.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/P1010053rs.jpg

She looks like a 'real Beetle now!

[Doodlebug]

Christ, she has come on loads, not so much left to do on her now Luc :)

[Shamrockez]

Still got a massive list to do on her, but hopefully we can get her laquered today - that'll be a big step forward :) Then I can get her alloys on! :D :D :D

[Doodlebug]

Lovely, once she is laquered and that she is going to look hot. :)

[Shamrockez]

Hope so! Can't wait to see her alloys on her :D

[billybug]

Soooo, did you get her laquered?

Have you got he wiring loom in yet?

She's looking V cool! :D

[Shamrockez]

No and erm... no again! I've decided to go over her with G3 to bring up the paint a bit before laquer. I have decided that I'll get the wheels put on her this week tho ;) Perhaps tomorrow :D

[Shamrockez]

Carefully balanced...
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/P1010076dgs.jpg

Wonder what's going on here...
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/P1010077dgs.jpg

Rubbed some G3 into the bonnet - guess which bit! ;D
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/P1010074dgs.jpg

[billybug]

Oooh, can I have one of her old wheels now? :D

Can you bring it on Sunday?

[Doodlebug]

That G3 stuff is magic! She is gonna look sick when you have done all of her with that :)

[billybug]

Tis good stuff G3, thats what Harry was mopped with :D

[Shamrockez]

Yeah I'll bring it on Sunday Lukey - any pref to which one? lol

Just uploading pics of the wheels...

[Shamrockez]

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/P1010080gr.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/P1010083gr.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/P1010084gr.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/P1010094gr.jpg

Then I fitted something I never thought I'd buy! I've never really been a fan of eyelids and I've always thought they were quite girly... but then again all the cars I've had before have been boys - Bella is the only girl. I've recently seen a few nice Bugs with them on which seem to have really suited them. So I got a set of Flat4 ones and trial fitted them when i did the wheels.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/P1010099gr.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/P1010100gr.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/P1010106gr.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/P1010111gr.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/P1010115gr.jpg

At the moment, I quite like them, so they shall stay on her for a bit methinks. Only take a minute to remove if I decide I don't like them anyways :)

[billybug]

WOW WOW WOW!!!!

She looks amazing!!!!!!

The eyelids really suit too!

Hmmm, should I lower Harry......

Its amazing how wheels can transform the look of a car!

And can I have a wheel with all the hubcap tabs intact please :)

[Shamrockez]

Do it!!!!! ;)

I'm pretty sure they all have decent hubcap clips - I'll give them a through check tho before :)

Yeah it's an amazing difference - she looks somehow a lot closer to getting on the road!

[billybug]

I reckon you'll win some awards with Bella!

Ooooh, I tell you what I am really tempted to do to Harry tho (funds permitting) a twin carb conversion - apparently adds a fair bit of oooomph to the 1200 engine :D

[Shamrockez]

I didn't know you could put twin carbs on a 1200. I think any sort of speed would scare me in Bella tho ;D

Awards? :-? the 'I'm not sure how you managed to get here in one piece, but well done for doing so!" types? ;D

[Doodlebug]

Bloody ell Luc! That looks amazing! :) :) Love the eye-lids as well, give her even more character! :)

[Shamrockez]

Yeah I keep expecting her to wink at me tho :-?

;D :-[

[billybug]

LOL! she looks so good!

I might be getting Harry's tyres 'whitewalled' on Sat ;)

[Shamrockez]

Oooh flaps or paint?

[billybug]

Paint - Bay Area Dubs :D

just waiting to find out if the guy works Sat's ;)

I think i'll take Harrys wheels off tho, rather than driving him all the way there - it'll be quicker in the Mini ;)

[Shamrockez]

Oooh let me know how you get on - I wanna take Robbie there to get his done.

I think you need to have the car which you want it doing on there tho - I'm sure it says on the website that the car needs to be there? Don't know why tho? :-? I think they have a few Bugs down there tho so they might be able to bolt them to another one.

[billybug]

Yeah they said they have bugs there they could put them on.

And yeah you can twin carb a 1200 - have look in this months Volksworld - about the 60's rally bugs :D

[Shamrockez]

Cool I shall have a looksie!


Ah that's ok then :) Will look cool on Mr Harry!

[Vickie]

OMG Luc she looks amazing! And how did you manage to find those one of 3 pairs of fitting eyelashes?! Lol!

I need a tutorial, can't wait to see her in a bit! :D

[Shamrockez]

Ah well I found the secret trick - buy ones which cost loads more! :-/ These are the Flat4 ones and cost £35 - can't remember which... anyway I found some on VZi for £20 :D

[Shamrockez]

Masked up for laquer:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/P1010001hy.jpg

Laquer on:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/P1010008hy.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/P1010009hy.jpg

Weird spooky dark pic:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/P1010007hy.jpg

[witchywoo]

looks good!!

why are the wheels wonky on beetles? in shots where u can see the front and back from the behind, the wheels look weird.
i've noticed it on a few piccies.

[Blue Smoothie]

its called negative camber when a car is so low ;)

mine had enormous neg camber ;)

[witchywoo]

its called negative camber when a car is so low ;)

mine had enormous neg camber ;)

it does look like the wheels are gonna fall off!! :0

[Shamrockez]

Yeah it's negative camber due to the angle that the wheels are now at cos she's lowered. It's to do with the gearbox - this pic sorta explains it better:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/43b621ec-2.jpg

[Blue Smoothie]

the ONLY downside not everything gets oiled as it should as oil doesnt like going uphil (check shammys pic to understand!)

[Shamrockez]

Yup the wheel bearings go much quicker. Not such a problem for Bella cos she won't be used all that much.

[1958 Harry]

She looks REALLY good now she's laquered and SHINY!!!

I can't wait to see how low Bella goes once her engines in!

[Shamrockez]

And her spindles! :D She'll probably sit on the floor lol.


Looking forward to putting her all back together :)

[1958 Harry]

I'm looking forward to you getting her back together too - she will look awesome!!!

And Harry can finally meet her properly, she's been all shy hiding in the garage whenever he comes round ;)

[Shamrockez]

probably cos she's had only half her clothes on!

[1958 Harry]

LOL!

[Shamrockez]

Been working on Bella today. We managed to get the old main loom out and new one in in 30 mins! :eek: :D record I think! Took us days to do Joey's and we had to use Robbie as extra power to pull it out!

Gave in to temptation and ordered some shiny bits which I've wanted for ages:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/P1010034qw.jpg
Got the starter motor wired up and bolted in from the new loom... then thought it would be a good idea to pop the engine in cos it's always in the way... so we did!
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/P1010035qw.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/P1010037qw.jpg
And fitted the dual mount ariel:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/P1010039qw.jpg
Steve fixed the closing problem on the pass side door (it wouldn't stay properly shut).
All in all - a good day's progress I think :D

[Jono]

wow! you guys don't hang around! :)

J

[Shamrockez]

It's only sat in my garage for 2yrs ;)


Lol naaa, when things go smoothly, you can get a lot done in a day :) Plus we've done almost everything possible to do on Joey, so we're not learning on Bella the hard way :)

[Delenn]

Looking good Luce! You're gonna be lost once their both done

[Shamrockez]

I know - what will we do with our weekends?!?! Guess we'll have to start on the next project :D

[Buglet]

wow how cool does
Bella look now, luvin all the shiny bits :cool:

[1958 Harry]

Looking good Luce! :D

I cant wait to see how low her backend looks once her wings are back on!

And how hard are those aerials to fit? Have you seen Harrys resto pics yet Luce?

[Shamrockez]

Yeah just replied :)
Ariel was very easy - just 2 13mm holes and bolt it in :) The bottom hole was already there so I had to put something in... despite not having a radio lol. Plus it looks pretty :D

Yeah it'll look fab once the wings are back on. Prob gonna do the brakes before they go back on tho - bit easier to get your head in to replace the solid and flexi lines.

She feels a huge step closer to being on the road for some reason, even tho we've still got loads to do and only spent one day on her.... but engine in and loom through seem nice big steps to have done :)

[Shamrockez]

I forgot to say that we also replaced the accelerator cable (that one's bizzare, didn't expect it to come out on the other side of the tunnel!) and reconnected the clutch cable. Think i might have to put in my new one tho cos the old one seems a little stretched cos it's not adjusted quite enough yet, and i'm nearly at the end of the thread...
Also connected the gear linkage back up - almost had a very despressing thought that we'd have to remove the box to get the linkage to line up, but then Steve remembered that we should put the stick in 2nd to join it up - and hey presto, it went into line nicely :D

[1958 Harry]

Cool!!! All coming together - she might be at Bristol Volksfest yet then! :D

Do you have any tips for getting cables through the chassis, my heater cables go nearly all the way through, then will not go any further!

[Shamrockez]

Hopefully! :D It would be ace to get her there.

That happened with the acc cable on Bella - but then it wouldn't go forwards, or backwards - I found it where it was when i was bolting the linkage for the gear stick up and managed to push it through in the right direction.

I think the heater ones does through a solid pipe all the way through and come out on the forks at the back. Try twisting them as they're probably just too high or too low to go where they need to go to get out.

[1958 Harry]

Yeah, I was there fiddling last weekend, for nearly an hour, just got fed up in the end and pulled em out! lol!

It wont hurt for now anyway, it'll stop my heater channels rotting!

I might just get the eberspacher working instead! It'll probably produce more heat anyway!

At least I know where to come if I need a hand replacing my Clutch cable when it goes ;)

[Shamrockez]

yeah I imagine it will!

[Shamrockez]

Gonna add a list so I know where we are with her and what needs doing... this could take some time......

Things which need to be wired in:
* Engine
* Ignition switch
* Rear lights
* Front lights
* Indicators
* Dip switch
* Speedo
* Headlight switch
* Horn
* Semaphores

Bits which need bolting/putting back on:
* Headlights & Eyelids
* Alberts
* Chrome trim
* Chrome trim into window rubbers
* Windows into Bug
* Front bumper
* Rear bumper
* Roofrack
* Striker plate on driver's door
* Dropped spindles
* Beam shock towers
* Fit front shocks
* Fit drivers rear shock
* Set tracking to what looks like roughly straight

Then test all the electricals and hope the engine still works!

Brakes:
* Front flexis
* Rear flexis
* Front solids
* Rear solids
* New front shoes
* New rear shoes
* New front cylinders
* New rear cylinders
* POR-15 the drums
* Add fluid and bleed system
* Adjust brakes

* POR-15 the front inner wings
* POR-15 the remaining running board
* POR-15 the insides of the wings
* POR-15 the frame head


So much to do..... so little time to do it in!

[Vickie]

OMG Luc Bella is looking so hot! She is one cool bug - I wanna steal her! Lol!

That is a big list, make sure you save time to do shiny stuff! :laughing:

Oh and if you need a hand with anything easy me and Ian will lend a hand, or we could just hold stuff for you guys or something lol! :)

[Shamrockez]

You any good at reading electrical diagrams? lol

Oh yes, there will be lots of time put aside for shiny things!!! :D

You back? Or still in Portugal?

[Vickie]

I'm back! Sunburnt and worse for wear but at least I took today off - needed that for the washing and unpacking which I'm meant to be doing... :laughing:

[Shamrockez]

That was a quick holiday! Any news of the Petal variety?

[Vickie]

It was yep, 3 nights so it was more like a weekend! :laughing:

No news about Petal, surprise surprise. But I mean be fair Luc, he's only had friday, monday and this morning to call ;) :rolleyes:

I'm gonna leave it til thursday. When it gets to then that will have been a week since I sent him a letter asking him to call (and since we went down). Then I'm going back to the Police. I'm not going before then as I think they will tell me to wait a week anyway to hear from him as that's probably a good amount of time!

[Shamrockez]

Any holiday is a good holiday - bet you wish you were still out there tho!

Silly man :( he's obviously not opened his shop up either cos the other chap would have called you.

Good idea about the police - but then he'll have had plenty of time to have sorted out something to get her back to you if he was willing to do so, or at least ring you and let you know the situation. You should go and have a looksie through the letter box to see if anything has moved.

[1958 Harry]

It was yep, 3 nights so it was more like a weekend! :laughing:

No news about Petal, surprise surprise. But I mean be fair Luc, he's only had friday, monday and this morning to call ;) :rolleyes:

I'm gonna leave it til thursday. When it gets to then that will have been a week since I sent him a letter asking him to call (and since we went down). Then I'm going back to the Police. I'm not going before then as I think they will tell me to wait a week anyway to hear from him as that's probably a good amount of time!

This guy is an absolute tosser, I cant understand what the problem is with giving you your car back and him getting paid for what he's done, its a no brainer, he'll be happy, he's got rid of Petal and got some cash, and you're happy(ish) as you've got Petal back - all be it not a lot better than 5 months ago!

[Shamrockez]

He is a prize prune :(

[Vickie]

Well, you never know. Maybe if I get the police involved I can get her back for free! Lol!

[Vickie]

He's also completely RUINED my Run to the Sun plans! :(

[1958 Harry]

Get the bus on the road!!!

I bet it wont take much ;) You've got nearly 3 weeks!

You guys going to the KDC Meet Monday? Its at the Whitehart this time.

[Shamrockez]

I dunno - I've got an exam the next morning :(

[Vickie]

Oooh this monday? Could do didn't know it was on!

Haha the bus - she's gonna have to go on hold for a month as this Petal thing has gotta be sorted first, plus I'm paying out for another holiday this month, so that's all my money gone lol! :laughing:

[sharkbait]

Hey Vic, I was reading some of your story about Petal and as others have said, it does suck big donkey balls :( Have you seen all the work that he says he's done? Maybe he's not giving her back to you because he's told you he's done stuff that he hasn't... and he doesn't want you to find out.
I had trouble finding a good garage when I lived in London, took my bug for an MOT and walking through town saw some chav going to the shops in her, revving the nuts off the engine with the stereo full blast. Was NOT a happy bunny I can tell you!

[1958 Harry]

Oooh this monday? Could do didn't know it was on!

Haha the bus - she's gonna have to go on hold for a month as this Petal thing has gotta be sorted first, plus I'm paying out for another holiday this month, so that's all my money gone lol! :laughing:

Its this (Bank hol) Monday at 5pm I think :)

Another hol! You lucky thing!!!

[Vickie]

I gotta get them in mate before I start paying for the Smart lol

Coolio we'll prob come along then. We'll see u there! :)

[Shamrockez]

You and Ian going up to Stanny on Sunday?

[Vickie]

Don't think so Luc as we're saving all our money for RTTS and Vanwest :)

[sugarbug]

Hey Shamrockez!

How's Bella coming along?

Will any of u guys be going to Stanford this Sunday?

sugar x

[Shamrockez]

Yeah we're going to Stanford on Sunday - wouldn't miss it! Just taking Robbie tho.... hope I can get him in the field this year - it's not exactly smooth and he's been lowered more since he last went! oops!

Bella's getting there - hopefully be able to get some hours in on her and she'll come forward in big steps - or that's what I'm hoping lol

[sugarbug]

Yeah we're going to Stanford on Sunday - wouldn't miss it! Just taking Robbie tho.... hope I can get him in the field this year - it's not exactly smooth and he's been lowered more since he last went! oops!

Bella's getting there - hopefully be able to get some hours in on her and she'll come forward in big steps - or that's what I'm hoping lol

I know ... the field next to the river was like drivin over sleepin policemen!

I've raised Mavis so she can actually get there! Fingers crossed for Robbie!

I'm sure Bella's comin on in leaps and bounds... once all the bigger jobs are done the little ones seem nothing in comparison and they're done in next to no time!

See u at Stanford then!

sugar x

[Blugg]

Luc :)

Will you be leaving it in the stripped Rat Look it is in now :confused:

That would look really cool if you did, i'm not however saying it wouldn't look cool with a complete re-spray which i'm guessing will come eventually. But for some strange and unknown reason i think it looks Awesome as it is.
Too have the interior of the Bug spotless and then to keep the exterior as it is now i IMHO think it would look Stunning. :cool: :D

[Shamrockez]

Yeah she's gonna stay rat look for a few years until I decide I want to spray her. There's a fair few people who I think might kill me if I painted her, lol.

[WillStaa]

she does have a certan charm in the rat look

[Shamrockez]

yeah I think it quite suits her :)

[Shamrockez]

got a couple mins to work on Bella yesterday so I rubbed down and painted the insides of the rear wings with shiny POR-15. I'll take some pics later or tomorrow.
After today I've only got 1 exam left and that's in 2 weeks time so I should have a bit of time to do some work on her. Would be nice to get all the POR-15 done and the wiring all in... perhaps even see if she starts!

[1958 Harry]

Cool, at least she's coming along! And more shinyness! :D

You gonna underseal her as well? I'm gonna do Harry soon, gonna buy Waxoil, brush on for all the easy to get to bits and spray on for the rest :D

I've also got Autoglass coming on Sat to fix the chrome strips into Harrys windows :D - more shinyness!

[Shamrockez]

No I don't think I will. I'll shove a load down the channels but I'll leave the floor and arches alone. She's not gonna go out in the wet or the winter to be subjected to the bad weather and salt.

Oh excellent - did they give u a quote for it? Wanna know if it's cheaper than buying the tool to do it with lol

[1958 Harry]

£78 all in to fit them.

[Vickie]

Luke have you spoken to Moo? He works for autoglass so may be able to give you a good price/deal or maybe even cash in hand! :beerchug:

[1958 Harry]

No! I didn't realise that!

As you know him, you couldn't ask him for me could you Vick? :)

[Shamrockez]

Right got a new bits done today. I pulled out the carpet in the bulkhead area - no nasty suprises there - all lovely and solid :D Removed the master cylinder and the headlight dip switch. Rewired the dip switch. Wired in the ignition switch and headlight switch - pig of a job - half the wires are too long, half of them are too short :rolleyes: so much for a RHD loom....
And then I found rust :( :( :( the bottom of the a pillars has always looked suspect, and when I bought her, the chap said about them. So today I gave the insides a good poke with a screw driver and made a nice hole.... and a load of bolts and stuff fell out :lol: The channel is 100% solid around it, and the outside of the inner wing and a pillar. What I think happened was when I got her, the bonnet never closed right because they'd fitted later bonnet struts with springs - obviously rain had got into the bonnet and ran down the a pillars. A couple patches should put it right tho :)

[1958 Harry]

Cool, at least you know why that welding looked dodgy there now, and at least it'll now be 100% solid :D

[Shamrockez]

:lol: it wasn't welding Luke! It was crusty metal!

[Shamrockez]

Righty - a few pics. Sorry for the terrible quality - it was quoite gloomy in the garage and Joey was in the way so I couldn't get in Bella for decent pics so just had to aim the camera where I thought I was trying to take the pic, and hope for the best!
Anyway - driver's side rust:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/P1010068qw.jpg
Pass side rust:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/P1010072qw.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/P1010073qw.jpg

Lovely solid bulkhead:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/P1010075qw.jpg
And painted the other side of the framehead in primer ready for - yes you got it - POR-15!
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/P1010079qw.jpg
Also replaced a couple brake lines and put metal ready on the dropped spindles.

[Shamrockez]

Righty - drop spindles are painted and so is one of the front wings - ran out of POR-15 :( so need more before i can finish the other one.

I also did some welding. Behind the beam there was a couple little random holes:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/P1010134qw.jpg

And some drilled ones in the inner wing:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/P1010135qw.jpg

Bit of weld later:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/P1010136qw.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/P1010137qw.jpg

Grind them down and cleaned up the inner wing ready for POR-15 when the new stuff arrives:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/P1010138qw.jpg

Then I decided it would be fun to start on the brakes - so I removed the hub:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/P1010139qw.jpg

Took all the brake parts off and the backing plate. Gave that a clean (is it ok to paint this or is it best left?), and removed the spindle:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/P1010139qw.jpg

Just gotta work out how to get the other bits (king? link? both??) off the spindle and swapped onto the dropped one. I can't work out how to do it tho!
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/P1010141qw.jpg

[Shamrockez]

Been out in the garage again for an hour or so today.
Got a bit of paint on the backing plate and the drum:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/P1010006we.jpg
Pic of the painted spindles from yesterday:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/P1010005we.jpg
Put a load of primer on the inner wings - every little helps!
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/P1010003we.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/P1010002we.jpg
And got the drum off the pass side - this one came off really easy - didn't even have to adjust the shoes!
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/P1010001we.jpg

I started to remove the spindle, but I had to stop as I gotta be at work at 2. Pic of how she looks as a whole:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/P1010009we.jpg

[Shamrockez]

Been out working on her this morning before work.
Painted the inner wings n black and the frame head. They need another coat so I'll do that later today or over the weekend.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/P1010011we.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/P1010012we.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/P1010014we.jpg
One of the brakes are assembed - just need to work out how to get the springs back on which sit on the shoes- they're not so fun!!!
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/P1010010we.jpg
Bit worried about the star adusters tho - nothing seems to have a thread on it, so how do they adjust?

[Shamrockez]

Pics from today. Only got time to work on her in the afternoon cos we were house shopping in the morning (if anyone wants a massive 3 car garage with a 3 bed house at the end of the garden in Bristol, let me know ;) ) anyway - I degreased the arms from the beam and the other backing plate and hub and put some primer on them:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/P1010043we.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/P1010044we.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/P1010045we.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/P1010046we.jpg

[Blugg]

Not sure what they are, but there looking clean now :)

[Shamrockez]

The round things are part of the brakes and the L shaped things hold the brakes onto the front beam :)

[Shamrockez]

Finally got the springs on the shoes - I used Steve's man strength :D
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/P1010047we.jpg
Coat of black on the backing plate and drums - not as bad as it looks in the pic - the flash makes it look bad and it was still drying.... honest!
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/P1010048we.jpg
Arms:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/P1010049we.jpg
Brought the windows, rubbers and trims in to hopefully get them fitted.

[1958 Harry]

Good luck with the trims! :lol:

It takes a good 2-3 hours to fit them and the windows!

[Shamrockez]

Any tips? We've put windows in loads of times before, so that's no probs - just need tips on getting the trim in. Did they have to use glue?

[Shamrockez]

Also did they use the tool? If so, which one - we've got about 8 different ones!

[Blugg]

I've heard string is a good tool for window rubbers :)

[Shamrockez]

String's no good - it breaks :)

Washing line is the best thing we've found - it's really strong, and the plastic coating means it doesn't cut into the rubber :)

[Shamrockez]

Fitted to the rear windows:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/P1010050we.jpg
Just gotta put the centre clip bit in when the windows are in the Bug.
Rear window with rubber on:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/P1010056we.jpg
Trim fitting tool was useful:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/P1010057we.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/P1010058we.jpg
Just gotta fit the centre bits:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/P1010063we.jpg
Had a disaster with the front one tho - didn't fit at all! So we've come to the conclusion that the ebay seller may have lied and it's not the right type!

[Blugg]

Sorry to hear that luc ;) But i see your trying to hide your next project ;)

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y33/champ4gne/redies.jpg

[Shamrockez]

:lol: I've got 2 of them :D they're the CD player ones.

[Blugg]

Theres me hoping for some R/C competition at shows with Blugg Jnr :laughing:

[Shamrockez]

Righty - given up on the windows for a bit before I break them!
Had a look at the rot in the drivers side a pillar:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/P1010072we.jpg
Tickle with the grinder:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/P1010073we.jpg
Dunno what the l shaped white bit of brackety thing is tho? Won't come out anyway!
Someone decided to use filler to repair some of it - tut tut!
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/P1010078we.jpg
Looks like I shall be needing to take the door off after all - except I'm not strong enough to undo the screws..
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/P1010079we.jpg
This bit of windscreen surround needs a blob of weld:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/P1010081we.jpg
And the new brake lines Steve put in for me at the weekend :D
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/P1010082we.jpg

[1958 Harry]

Awww poor Bella!

Its weird how they all rust in different places!

[Shamrockez]

Yep! This is bizzarely the only place she has too!

Fitted the trim and one of the alberts on this evening:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/P1010084we.jpg
Painted the steering bits red - I got bored with black lol
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/P1010085we.jpg
The loom came with the wiring for the rear lights as a seperate part - so I've connected them up on the pass side:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/P1010086we.jpg
And i bought some new inner track rod ends at GSF earlier - got my foot caught in the door on the way out - which was very painful and made me feel quite sick and faint! Anyway - I also got a new coil:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/P1010087we.jpg
But it has no brackety things to fit it on - so how does it fit on?

[Shamrockez]

I found a brackety thing on Joey's old engine - yay! So I painted it up while painting the othersides of the things that I painted yesterday:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/P1010088we.jpg
Fitted the exhaust apart from the ones where it joins the inlet manifold - it doesn't seem to fit... at all!
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/P1010089we.jpg
Bolted on one rear wing, drilled a hole in the bumper mount for the wiring and fitted the rear light:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/P1010090we.jpg
Did more wiring - with little sucess!

[Shamrockez]

:eek: She lives! :D

[1958 Harry]

Oooooh did you sort the battery problem? :D

[Shamrockez]

Yes - charged it up again and the engine spins :D The brake light on the side I've connected up is stuck on tho.... :o think it must be wired into a constant live somewhere - need to find out where tho.

Not fired her yet tho cos the tank's not in.

[1958 Harry]

Cool!!!

Whens the tank going in? :D

[Shamrockez]

When the beam's finished.... whenever that may be!

[1958 Harry]

Fair enuf :lol:

Cant you use a petrol can to test the engine before Bella's all built?

[Shamrockez]

Yeah we might do that. Got a fair bit of pipe left, so could work! Need to find where to get a woodruff key for the top pulley first tho....

[Shamrockez]

Found a company who can do the king and links into the new spindles - I'm gonna take them down on Wednesday and he said I should have them back by the weekend :D

[1958 Harry]

Who's that? Gems bro needs his doing :)

[Shamrockez]

Company called CSB on the Wells Road. 0117 9779779.

Llcombes also do them but they're full until 2 weeks time! :eek:

[Shamrockez]

She sees!!! :D


Well out of one eye! :D

[Shamrockez]

And I've made a decision - I want to take Bella to Volksfest Wales on 17-19th August... which gives me....

http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/d/4;9;127/st/20070817/e/days+till+VFW+Deadline/dt/5/k/fb13/event.png
(http://www.TickerFactory.com/)
2 months 1 week 3 days!
Then i need at least 3 weeks to get her MOTd and registered.... so really I've got 1 month 3 weeks and 3 days (I think).....

[Shamrockez]

She breathes!!!! :eek: :D :D

After a bit of flighting - which involved cutting myself, burning my elbow on the heat gun and her giving me an electric shock, she finally decided that I'd earnt enough pain to get a reward - and she fired up! :D chug chug chug chug chug! So I rang Steve and put him on load speaker and fired her up again! Then I worked out I had a video function on my phone so filmed it - but I dunno how go get it off my phone :(

[Blugg]

Open up a Yahoo email address

Goto create a new MMS message on your phone. Select insert item, and select the video.

Then instead of entering a number enter your yahoo email adress ;)

Hotmail adresses don't like video from a lot of U.K. providers :( ;)

Or use a cable to connect to your P.C. if you have one :)

[Shamrockez]

I have a lead but can't get it to work with the comp. Won't let me send the vid either :(

[Shamrockez]

Oooh I've managed it - thanks Danny! :D


http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/th_07-06-07_2024.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/?action=view&current=07-06-07_2024.flv)
http://s14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/?action=view&current=07-06-07_2024.flv

Ok so my phone is the worst quality in the world, but you get the idea! :D

[Shamrockez]

Yay the pass side door is off! Had to drill the screws out in the end cos nothing else would shift them! Supported the door with a jack while I got them out:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/PIC_0041we.jpg
And found a pile of crap which came out of the pillar :lol:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/PIC_0042we.jpg
And yes - that is a 14mm socket and extension bar!!!
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/PIC_0043we.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/PIC_0044we.jpg

[Blugg]

Time to get the sander and filler out i believe ;)

[Shamrockez]

Filler??

[Shamrockez]

All welded in and primered up. Just waiting for it to dry so I can seam seal it and wack on some POR-15 :D
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/PIC_0047we.jpg

[Blugg]

Welded :confused: I thought old Beetle owners used filler ;)

[Shamrockez]

Not if you want to survive an accident!

You must always weld metal, especially when it's in a structual area such as the A pillars - otherwise if you had a bump, the car would fold like cardboard.

Filler is to be used only for cosmetic purposes - such as over the top of welds to make it all neat, fill in small dents etc.

[Blugg]

Pity they haven't got "Who want's to be a Beetle Millionaire" ;)

Learn something new everyday on evvo :)

[Shamrockez]

:lol: I might win some money! :D

Of course not everyone does weld stuff - my first Beetle was repaired using expanding foam and filler :rolleyes: sooooo glad I never bumped him! But he shall be welded up properly - one day :)

[Shamrockez]

Been out and slapped some seam sealer on the a pillar. Whilst that was drying I pulled out the carpet from that side. Every inch of the stuff on the channels was stuck down with glue so it took (what seemed like) forever! Once it was off, I gave the pan a good hoover. Thankfully no nasty suprises - just a bit of surface rust and some flakey paint :)
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/PIC_0048we.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/PIC_0049we.jpg
Slapped on some POR-15:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/PIC_0050we.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/PIC_0052we.jpg
Job done! :D

[1958 Harry]

Looking good Luce!!!

Harrys gear stick is different at the bottom to that I think - weird.

[Shamrockez]

Really? Perhaps it's a year thing?

[Shamrockez]

Picked up the dropped spindles earlier:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/PIC_0053we.jpg
So far fitted one of them:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/PIC_0055we.jpg
Earlier this morning i spent more time with my drill getting the other door off - this one was a little bit more stubbon, but I got there in the end. Pulled up all the carpet again - thankfully no nasty suprises - just a lot of glue!
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/PIC_0054we.jpg

[1958 Harry]

Looking good there Luce!!!

Is Bellas beam all done now then?

[Shamrockez]

No not yet :( still the same. Hopefully it'll be done soon :)

[1958 Harry]

Ah right :(

A quick Q about the beam, you know where you've cut the top off it to narrow it, shouldn't you put a cap or something on the top, otherwise surely water is gonna get inside and rot the beam?

[Shamrockez]

There's gonna be an F shaped brackety thing welded onto that to make up the shock tower :)

[1958 Harry]

Ah right, cool :D

[Shamrockez]

Spindles are on and she's back on her feet!
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/PIC_0057we.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/PIC_0058we.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/PIC_0059we.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/PIC_0060we.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/PIC_0061we.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/PIC_0062we.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/PIC_0064we.jpg

[1958 Harry]

Are both A Pillars done now?

[Shamrockez]

No just one. I'll do the other on Tuesday I expect :)

[Shamrockez]

Thought I'd take some pics of where she sits on a level surface (the garage)....
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/PIC_0065gr.jpg
Pretty low :D :D :D







So then I got Steve to stand on her front end to perhaps show what height she'd be with a fuel tank, interior and passengers....

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/PIC_0068gr.jpg
:eek:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/PIC_0069gr.jpg

:D

[Doodlebug]

Christ! Thats a bit low Luc :) How long off now till she gets released into the wild?

[Shamrockez]

I know, I think I'll have to raise her a bit lol.

Hopefully her first show will be Volksfest Wales - that's what i'm aiming for anyways :)

[Shamrockez]

Other A post now all welded up :) Sorry no pics cos the lead is at Steve's house. unless I find my other camera and take more pics - miracles might happen lol.

[Shamrockez]

Just been out and put another coat of POR-15 on both pan halves.. shiny :D
Then while that started to dry I decided that it would be fun to see what she'd look like with a wing on....
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/Image076we.jpg
i liked! :D
So I loosely fitted her bonnet and bumper:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/Image077we.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/Image079we.jpg

When the POR-15 is dry I might go and start putting her interior back in.

Sorry about the quality of pics - they're from my phone!

[Blugg]

The edge of that wing by the filler looks a strange shape. Or is it just the way the pic is taken :confused: :)

[Shamrockez]

It's a 48yr old wing which has seen a few too many other cars/fences/objects :)

[Blugg]

But no low bridges ;)























Yet :laughing:

[Vickie]

Oh my god luc I LOVE Bella! She is so cool - I think she is def my fav vdub of yours!

I want her - I'll swap ya for Lola? Lol! :laughing:

[Shamrockez]

:lol: wait till we have our next fight and she'll appear on your drive and Lola will be gone :lol:

[Blugg]

Oh my god luc I LOVE Bella! She is so cool - I think she is def my fav vdub of yours!

I want her - I'll swap ya for Lola? Lol! :laughing:

:lol: wait till we have our next fight and she'll appear on your drive and Lola will be gone :lol:

So did you get her back from the invisible mechanic :confused:

[Shamrockez]

Lola is Vickie's new puppy :)

[Shamrockez]

Just fitted the seats:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/Image080we.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/Image082we.jpg

[1958 Harry]

Ooooh she's taking shape now!!! I can't wait to see her finally finished!

Whens the doors going back on?

[Shamrockez]

When I can find some unsuspecting helper to give me a hand :lol:

[1958 Harry]

I'm off work today and mighty bored, I can give you a hand if you like :D Just need to buy an oil cap from GSF then I could pop round if you like?

[Shamrockez]

We're at Steve's today :( Recovering from Wolfsburg :lol:

I'll be there the rest of the week tho if you've got a spare hour or so in an evening?

[1958 Harry]

:lol: Yeah i'm about in the week, just say when :D

[Shamrockez]

Ace :D I'll have a looksie when I get back to see that I've done everything I need to do for them to go back on and let you know :D

[Shamrockez]

Okies, back from a weekend away with Evvo in Germany. Went to Bad Camberg and Wolfsburg - highly reccomended!
Anyway - back to reality with a bump - and onto the rear brakes. Finally managed to get one of the hub nuts off! Woo hoo!
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/PIC_0258we.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/PIC_0259we.jpg
All pulled apart, wire brushed and given a coat of POR-15.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/PIC_0260we.jpg
More after lunch :)
Oh and here's the welded in other a pillar repair pic:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/PIC_0078we.jpg

[Blugg]

Interesting, heard of drum brakes but not scene them in the flesh before.

But am a bit confused now. Painting the brakes with the por stuff, won't that affect the braking :confused:

[Shamrockez]

No cos I've not painted any of the friction surfaces :)

[Blugg]

Ok

[Shamrockez]

Shiny new brakes are in:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/PIC_0264we.jpg

If anyone sees anything wrong -please say! :)

[Shamrockez]

i put her alloy back on, refitted the rear wing and the running board and pushed her out for some more piccys:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/PIC_0266we.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/PIC_0267we.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/PIC_0268we.jpg
And a little video of her being lowered off the jack onto her wheels:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/th_7178bbb0.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/?action=view&current=7178bbb0.flv)

[Shamrockez]

Been out playing with her again today. Got the other hub nut off:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/PIC_0269we.jpg
Pulled all the brakes apart and painted up the face of the drums and the backing plate. This time the bolts for the backing plate to come off came off, so I'm replacing all the seals etc.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/PIC_0270we.jpg
And I managed to get a semaphore working :D
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/PIC_0271we.jpg

More when they've dried.

[Shamrockez]

(From yesterday):

Today I did some more wiring, it's about 80% done now, which is good.

Then Steve got home and Lukey came over to help me put the pass side door back on - which didn't take long... but getting it to shut right took Luke forever to do! And then the gaps were way off so it's all gotta be done again :( but for now it's staying shut!
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/PIC_0273we.jpg
Got the rear brakes all together too. Sorry about the pic - couldn't find my camera at the time (yet again!) so had to use phone:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/Image085we.jpg

[Shamrockez]

Did I forget to update this again? First bit from yesterday, last pic from today...

Steve, Jim and I have been working on Bella today - think she was a little shocked to find it wasn't just me lol!
Weeks ago Jim told me to make sure I didn't take the semaphore wiring out when we did the loom.... I stupidly didn't listen to him.... and have spent about 3 weeks trying to get it back in with no success! So when Jim arrived he took the spare accelerator cable out of his Bay and fitted the semaphore wiring in a matter of minutes!
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/PIC_0274we.jpg
That pic shows how badly the door gaps are, but for now it's closed to the 2nd click which is needed for the MOT - good door gaps aren't, so I might leave it till she's MOTd.
Jim also refitted the pass side rear wing:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/PIC_0275we.jpg

Whilst Steve and I fitted the new shoes to the pass side front brakes and put the hub all back together, then tighted the bearings on the other side cos they were worryingly loose lol. For some reason I didn't take any pics :( But we also fitted most of the brake lines to the front and the new master cylinder. We also adjusted the shoes so they're 'just' touching when you spin the disk by hand.
Jim also lent me his 'magnet on a stick' so I could fish the ratched bit of the handbrake mechanism out of the tunnel.... it's a lot deeper than i thought and got about an inch of goop at the bottom - eugh!


Todays:

Today we didn't do much on Bella. We ended up watching the F1, seeing Vic's puppy and tidying up the kitchen cos we've got people coming to value the house on Wednesday!

Anyway - I did get the rest of the brake lines connected. None of the sections in the kit had the right length for the line going from MC to pass front brake so I had to put a few more bends than I would have liked in that one. Also i had to reuse the old pipe from MC to resevoir as the new kit didn't come with one. I will tidy up the red wires btw:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/P1010096we.jpg

[Shamrockez]

Righty - I was bored in work today and I made a new list - and scared myself by setting a deadline for just over 2 weeks!
Fit front pass wing
tighten rear pass wing
fit pass running board
tighten drivers rear wing
fit drivers front wing
fit decklid
fit rear valance
connect number plate light
fit pass side rear light & wire in
fit and wire in pass headlight
fit and wire in driver's headlight
connect pass side semaphore and indicator switch
fit and wire in horn
fit windscreen
fit rear screen
fit rubber bung to master cylinder
bleed brakes
adjust brakes
fit drivers door
fit and wire in wiper motor
wire in wiper switch
fit wiper arms and blades
tidy wiring
fit bonnet
get her running again
drill beam leaves again to make them a little deeper
make shock towers
paint beam
fit shocks
refit drums etc
refit steering box
fit track roads
connect steering column.
fit fuel tank
The last deadline on which I need her MOTd by is the 2nd August! So i gotta get cracking!

[Blugg]

Righty - I was bored in work today and I made a new list - and scared myself by setting a deadline for just over 2 weeks!
Fit front pass wing
tighten rear pass wing
fit pass running board
tighten drivers rear wing
fit drivers front wing
fit decklid
fit rear valance
connect number plate light
fit pass side rear light & wire in
fit and wire in pass headlight
fit and wire in driver's headlight
connect pass side semaphore and indicator switch
fit and wire in horn
fit windscreen
fit rear screen
fit rubber bung to master cylinder
bleed brakes
adjust brakes
fit drivers door
fit and wire in wiper motor
wire in wiper switch
fit wiper arms and blades
tidy wiring
fit bonnet
get her running again
drill beam leaves again to make them a little deeper
make shock towers
paint beam
fit shocks
refit drums etc
refit steering box
fit track roads
connect steering column.
fit fuel tank
The last deadline on which I need her MOTd by is the 2nd August! So i gotta get cracking!

:eek: You quiting work too :confused:

[Shamrockez]

lol looks like I might need to!

[Shamrockez]

Ticked a couple things off - pass wing and running board on:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/P1010099we.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Bella2/P1010100we.jpg

[Doodlebug]

Looking lush Luc :) Im sure ul get her finished soon enough, then we'll have to head out for a photoshoot :)