#460002 - Restoration

[lotusfanatic]

I guess fitting solid rivets would be the best method but almost impossible to install?
My only concern, if using blind rivets, is the possibility of the internal shank/head coming adrift and ending up drifting around in the coolant system?

Mark

[Serge]

I can TIG weld aluminium, so I'll quickly weld a few spots or bead around the end of the tubing. Should be fine after that.

Serge

[lotusfanatic]

that would seem the best way, if you’ve got access?

Mark

[Serge]

The tubing is not permantly attached to my chassis, so that won't be a problem.

Serge

[Serge]

Video on how I replaced the old rusty coolant pipes with new aluminium tubing.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRCQzEdPb44

[lotusfanatic]

Thanks Serge!

[Europaforever]

 

[Serge]

New video online!

Restoring the original instruments!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyBWbNYvxhg


At the moment I am doing all of the fiberglass work that is required, slow work, but quite rewarding!

Serge

[BDA]

Another great video, Serge! I would guess that those tubes for your warning lights can be bought from a Smiths dealer. I think there is quite a lot of interest in restoring classic cars and those would be common replacement parts for those older cars.

[lotusfanatic]

Hello Serge,
thanks for the latest video!
I’m looking forward to watching videos of the GRP repairs...

Mark

[Serge]

I'll try to get some fiberglass videos online!

In the latest installment I build my own aluminium fuel tanks. This was a first for me (like almost all of this!), but it worked out in the end!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDdLgLopw8g

Serge

[BDA]

Another great video, Serge!

I had aluminum tanks made for my TCS at a local race shop when I was building my car (I didn't know of any aluminum reproduction tanks at the time). After the shop finished welding the tanks, they put some coating on the inside. I think the coating was to ensure leaks would not arise down the road. I don't know what the coating was but they said it was the way to go. You might want to research this in case it ends up being something you want.

[Serge]

I know of some coatings to protect from the ethanol in modern fuels, but not sure if they would plug leaks. I’ll need to research it a bit more.

Serge

[RoddyMac]

I just "sloshed" mine with RedKote, it does fill pin holes (up to 1/32" or just under 1 mm).  I'll keep the group posted on the results or when I actually fill the tanks with petrol.  The prep for Redkote was simply wash the tanks out, let them dry, then dump the material in and roll around (30 seconds per side). 

[Serge]

I've done some research and there are some fuel tank coatings available on this side of the world, so I might need to coat these before I will be using the fuel tanks.


New video online! Restoring the rear light units. I restored the housings and got 'new to me' lenses online. I also got new electrical connections, but these haven't made it into the video. I still need to figure out how I'll be mounting these in the housings.

Enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkUQzXIMQ6U