Beno1983 Posted July 28, 2012 Author Share Posted July 28, 2012 A progress update as its been a few weeks since we did anything of note. After a bit of prep work over a few nights this week we managed to get the vent panel in primer meaning we could paint it this weekend. Put the new bulkhead to vent panel seal on and then fitted the vent panel, we didnt even have to fight it that much - only took about 15 mins which im told is pretty good! It makes a big difference to the overall look of the vehicle, its starting to look like a Lightweight now! We have also managed to fit the rebuilt heater and finally bolt down the dash now the heater wiring is in place, for hopefully the last time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Burley Posted July 29, 2012 Share Posted July 29, 2012 What a fantastic restoration.:thumbsup: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amphibi boy Posted July 30, 2012 Share Posted July 30, 2012 Totally amazing, will look better than new when finished. As long as you won't be scared of driving it once completed. :nut: Cheers shaun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJM110 Posted July 31, 2012 Share Posted July 31, 2012 Very nice, oh BTW when can I come by and pick it up:-D, cheers Dennis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beno1983 Posted September 9, 2012 Author Share Posted September 9, 2012 Been a while since the last update so I thought it was about time! Sent a load more bit for powdercoating and got them back (Excuse Jims duvet cover) Cleaned up the fly screens and fitted them Also a new windscreen surround as the old one was bent in the middle Fitted the air filter and the wiper motor assembly oh yes and we started the engine for the first time in 2 years, runs nice too, check out the video on the below link! http://s1090.photobucket.com/albums/i373/beno1983/?action=view¤t=A47765AA-9B01-4C01-8CAA-6D228E1543EA-12792-000007BAAA9E8455.mp4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sirhc Posted September 9, 2012 Share Posted September 9, 2012 Very nice, but where is the Wolf spare wheel mount going? The rest of the vehicle looks too good to have non standard items like that fitted! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beno1983 Posted September 9, 2012 Author Share Posted September 9, 2012 Thanks for the comment but not to worry as the spare wheel mount is for another vehicle! :cool2: Well spotted! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beno1983 Posted November 30, 2012 Author Share Posted November 30, 2012 Hi All Been a while since the last update so here we go Started work on the back body and had to find a good TIG welder after our own attempts did more harm than good (Its a dark art I tell you!) Found a guy called Jeff of Linear Products about 5 mins down the road who I can only assume is some fort of magician judging by the way he welds! Tub had the usual corrosion on the front mounts which needed looking at as well as the usual holes from aftermarket modifications which needed filling. Heres how it looked when we got it back from Jeff Really happy with the welding and wouldn't hesitate in recomending him, all we needed to do next was the easy job of getting about 8 layers of paint off Nearly ready for fill an primer, we had just enough time last weekend to put the newly galvanized grab handle on And the Grill Also made some new rubbers for the newly galvanized tub supports Had a load of galvanizing done by Arkinsal Galvanizers. After rejecting half of the first lot of parts they went back for another go at it, second time round was better but then they did lose 4 parts in total. When asked if they could find them (Bearing in mind they were given a comprehensive list of parts that had been sent) they said no as this happens from time to time. Lesson learned wont be using them again, let this serve as a warning, dont send anything to them if you value it and what it back! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beno1983 Posted February 17, 2013 Author Share Posted February 17, 2013 After what seems like forever we have finally made some progress with the tub. Paint and underseal stripping Etch Primer High Build Primer Back on the Chassis Next step is to get it in top coat and put the supports and tub rails on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeePig Posted March 2, 2013 Share Posted March 2, 2013 Love all the pictures, when do you think it will be ready? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beno1983 Posted March 3, 2013 Author Share Posted March 3, 2013 Thanks, would love to say soon but we've got a lot of bodywork left to do and there's also the radio table and radio gear to go in so I think it will be a while yet! Will make sure to keep posting updates. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beno1983 Posted March 3, 2013 Author Share Posted March 3, 2013 Little bit of progress from yesterday as we had some half decent weather for a change, decided to have another go at getting the tub painted. managed to get the original re galved tub supports back on, next steps are to get the other side of the tub pained then finally bolt it back onto the chassis, after that we've got a lot of riveting to look forward to! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beno1983 Posted June 16, 2013 Author Share Posted June 16, 2013 some updates.....at last! We have had a lot of problems getting paint to match for the tub which has been a big part of why progress recently has been so slow. Lesson learned tho, never buy anything from Jawel auto paints as they cant mix paint consistently, even after 3 attempts! Found a place in Nuneaton called Nuneaton Replacement Panels who can and did first time! Here are some photos of the tub being painted And having its galv put back on and gun mounts A few bits left to go onto the tub and then its onto the radio table! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beno1983 Posted June 22, 2013 Author Share Posted June 22, 2013 Some more progress Nice NOS Shunt box, been in its packet for years in Jims garage. The old unit while working had some a sheared connections and was missing the wiring for the dial illumination. Original (although not going to be used) Larkspur cables refitted to the tub Tailgate chains refitted Started fitting the rear lights Seems like after so long of not really getting anywhere its really moving forward now. (Jim has even cracked a smile on the last 2 weekends running! - either he is genuinely happy or the planets must have aligned!) The next task it to start prepping the unitary radio station while the bonnet and seatbox go to be welded as they are suffering with stress fractures in the usual places. We have also had a batch of powder coating that need to be returned as there is visible rust forming, luckily the place where we had it done is willing to take them back and sort them. Most of the parts that are affected are for the seatbox anyway so there not going to hold us up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beno1983 Posted August 16, 2013 Author Share Posted August 16, 2013 Bit of an update, over the last few weeks we have been trying to get the radio table stripped and sorted, mainly because all of the other body parts (Seat box, Bonnet, tub sides) are with Jeff the welder to fix the cracks that appear in the usual places on Lightweights! Managed to get the basic radio table back together tonight so thought it would be a good idea to post some pics. Should hopefully get to play again tomorrow so will post some more of our progress then also. First some of the table stripped down Then in primer Top coat Starting to put it together And finally back where it should be (Not on the floor in Jims garage!) Need to find a few parts to finish the radio table so if anyone has any of the following or know where they are available please let me know 2 x Radio table plastic battery trays and lids 4x Red 4 x black radio table terminals An amphenol lead As ever comments or question or pointers are welcome Thanks Beno Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beno1983 Posted August 17, 2013 Author Share Posted August 17, 2013 Continuing on from yesterday work managed to make some more progress on the radio table. Started with the wooden table top, looked pretty rough until it was sanded and stained to seal it While it was drying decided to have a go at the battery connectors in the table itself, came up pretty well with a bit of brake cleaner Dexion was next to go on and then started on the table door Both on Hinge mechanisms back on Lower tailgate installed and some more photos with the supports installed Still got a few bits to put back onto it, started building up the radio operators seat but ran out of time. Think were onto the wings next fun times!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beno1983 Posted September 7, 2013 Author Share Posted September 7, 2013 Done some more work on the radio table, last weekend and this painted the rest of the radio table parts and the wings. Took stock of what we have got and what we need to get. At present looks like were going to go with 2 352 sets, most of which we have got already and a 353 set which we need to source. Im sure there will be plenty of items we need at Peterborough tomorrow! Had to regenerate the diagram from scratch as the old one was past it Starting to look a little more FFR now! got loads of little bits to work on and then its onto the seatbox. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WCMatt Posted September 8, 2013 Share Posted September 8, 2013 Wow that is some amazing resto work going on there! I have a 1974 S-3 airportable lightweight myself that is a resto project. This thread is an inspiration to me! Thanks for posting! Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beno1983 Posted January 26, 2014 Author Share Posted January 26, 2014 Put a few bits on last month but didnt really thing they were post worthy on their own. After a searching on the web managed to find these Turns there a Cessna aircraft part, found a supplier in Germany!After spending the last few months working on various bits we finally manged to get some parts onto the vehicle this weekend. The main focus has been getting the seatbox sorted. Its was covered in underseal much like the tub, but unlike the tub there were more hard to get at areas. We had to soak it in jizer on several times to shift it. Also sorted the headlight boxes Next were onto fitting the O/S headlight box and finishing off some bits on the seat box, then its onto the tub sides! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WCMatt Posted January 26, 2014 Share Posted January 26, 2014 Man, this is going to be the nicest lightweight....EVER! You are an inspiration to lwt owners everywhere. Thanks for sharing.. Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robin craig Posted January 26, 2014 Share Posted January 26, 2014 Your vehicle never looked that good even leaving the factory I am thinking, painstaking attention to detail Credit to you R Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter4456 Posted January 26, 2014 Share Posted January 26, 2014 Brilliant work - and your photos have invaluable help with the 'conservation' of my Lightweight - with work like this, I'm not calling it a restoration! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beno1983 Posted January 26, 2014 Author Share Posted January 26, 2014 Just wanted to say thank you to all that have replied with such great comments. Having posted pictures and info on other sites in the past we have had some not so positive feedback, looking at some of the restorations on HMVF and the sheer dedication to preserving these vehicles we are really happy that you seem to approve! The primary reason for creating this thread was to document the restoration and provide assistance to others that find themselves searching google or the like for hours on end try to find out how something goes back together! Without fail every time we have asked the forum for assistance you have delivered, this is a great site with great members and a massive amount of knowledge. Thank you to all that have helped us so far, we will continue to keep this thread up to date whenever we make decent progress!!! (Weather and WAGS prevailing!) Ben Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter4456 Posted January 26, 2014 Share Posted January 26, 2014 Well said! You're obviously busy with restoring, but if you get the Vehicle History Card / Merlin record / DVLA registration history, let me know and I'll 'translate' them for you - you've helped me enough (without knowing it!) so I'm happy to help you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WCMatt Posted January 26, 2014 Share Posted January 26, 2014 Just wanted to say thank you to all that have replied with such great comments. Having posted pictures and info on other sites in the past we have had some not so positive feedback, looking at some of the restorations on HMVF and the sheer dedication to preserving these vehicles we are really happy that you seem to approve! Ben Wow! Really? That's strange, indeed. I could see this thread being very popular over on the couple of the lightweight forums I post on. Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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