shifter prob

[Jay-Vee]

Nice work! So thats grandma's recipe for cleaning alternators then eh? lol

[deansweet]

but not having any mechanical experience is a bit of a problem...
Im not useless, just never played around with cars...

I am starting to wonder of your lack of experience?

[DesktopDave]

Im not a big fan of rust so I put the parts thru my magical rust removal process..

We've had big fights in my family regarding alternator cleaning. Grandma always swore by vinegar...Mum uses ketchup...I use EvapoRust...but that molasses really does the trick, doesn't it?
 

[normboudreault]

Nice work! So thats grandma's recipe for cleaning alternators then eh? lol

You got it!!  Dont stick rusty parts in her apple pie though!! That'll piss her off!!!

[Slowered318]

Sounds great.

Although you might need something to snack on while the parts clean, so any left over can be used for baking molasses cookies. Yummy!

[Darky]

I'm a fan of white vinegar, but one thing I know for sure is that we are all mental.
Soaking engine parts in cooking products is the second sign of sanility!

[DesktopDave]

I'm a fan of white vinegar, but one thing I know for sure is that we are all mental.
Soaking engine parts in cooking products is the second sign of sanility!

I used vinegar on a few parts, with good to excellent results. Then I tried it on a motorcycle fuel tank.    Won't do that again. I learned that all these agents require total immersion - if not, it'll mark the position of the bath permanently. Worse, if you don't rinse well with a base like baking soda, it'll also remove good metal. I was left with a few pinholes...not a good idea.

I also did some reverse electrolysis; that's a bit messy and hard on the charger.

I prefer Evaporust or other chelating rust eaters, but they are expensive and unkind to zinc. But I'm going to try the feed molasses and water for my next chelating job. I'm told it'll ferment in a few days though, anyone have some first-hand experience? Does rust make for a decent rum? 

[normboudreault]

I'm a fan of white vinegar, but one thing I know for sure is that we are all mental.
Soaking engine parts in cooking products is the second sign of sanility!

I used vinegar on a few parts, with good to excellent results. Then I tried it on a motorcycle fuel tank.    Won't do that again. I learned that all these agents require total immersion - if not, it'll mark the position of the bath permanently. Worse, if you don't rinse well with a base like baking soda, it'll also remove good metal. I was left with a few pinholes...not a good idea.

I also did some reverse electrolysis; that's a bit messy and hard on the charger.

I prefer Evaporust or other chelating rust eaters, but they are expensive and unkind to zinc. But I'm going to try the feed molasses and water for my next chelating job. I'm told it'll ferment in a few days though, anyone have some first-hand experience? Does rust make for a decent rum? 

Does rust make for a decent rum??

 

Priceless.... 

[normboudreault]

Small update... 

Getting ready for the subframe cleanup! First had to crack-free the four bolts holding the trailing arms to the rear beam... It was an EPIC battle, one for the books for sure, but I did manage to get them loose!! I now firmly believe restoring a car is all about forearm strength... atleast 95% of it anyways....

Dirty rotten bast*rds out and bagged:


Whats left:




Also got to work on the rear sway bar...



Removal, with the subframe out, was easy for a change... The bolts gave easily, probably scared by the beating those subframe bolts got!!   



Not too shabby but a little rusty in spots and the bushings and links were FINISHED...


New kit, including bushings and brackets, links and bolts..



Took her out in the incessant cold and cleaned her up... lots of fun when your hands are numb... 



With the cleanup complete, a few coats of anti-rust paint applied and the bushings as well. I used KY jelly, uh, cause it works...





Fuel tank is next!!!!!

[normboudreault]

Well fuel tank is next... With the subframe out of the way this isnt a huge job - but throw in 24 years of rain/road salt/snow/sand/dirt and it gets interesting... 

Thinking ahead, I started WD40ing the bolts a few weeks back..

Here you can see the state of my brake lines ( a wee bit of rust there..) and the rusted seam of the fuel tank:





To get started first I disconnected the fuel filler hose here on the right:



Here was the result of my first bolt removal attempt:



 

I took a moment and thought "This is going to be fun..." 

Undetered I continued on.. The tank has 3 attachment points facing forward, two bolts far left,
 and center and one nut which attaches to a stud on the far right - that's good to know cause I didn't...

Luckily I took it easier and got the 2nd one off.. Here is the stud:



On my car the far left forward bolt has the fuel filter
 in the way..While a small pain in the *ss it came out...





Out:



Being optimistic about my chances of actually getting this thing out I disconnected the fuel lines to the filter
and put a support underneath the tank...





Oddly enough the rear facing bolts came out no problem -  go figure... and I was able to drop the tank:



However there are a few lines to disconnect: Electrical supply to the pump (previously removed)



Fuel line to the filter:





Vent lines:



This line, at the top of the pic below is a vent line to the charcoal filter. Its completely useless and will be completely removed. I will also not be reinstalling the charcoal filter. The vent line from the venting system (black part of it on right) will be rolled up with a small fuel line filter attached and vented to the atmosphere...



with something like this..



The frame of the car with the tank out: Brake line and fuel line replacement is a breeze now...   





Almost out:


Out and uh, in the way...   

[deansweet]

Did you find it odd how light the fuel tank is?
Be careful with S-pipe that connects the two tubs as that short 12" pipe costs $40 from BMW and the only place you can get it from...

[normboudreault]

Yes I did notice it was a lot lighter than the differential - which happened to make a small dent in my foot when I "removed" it... 

I did remove the S line too, stored away already...  thanks! I will be getting a new tank from Spectra here in Montreal at some point...

[normboudreault]

As most of you know I bought a new house with a big fat double garage to continue this build in style. 25 years and she'll be all paid for... hahaha

As a result, there may be a slight dearth of updates while I get things done. First thing is to move the car. Then all the other shit I own. Move date scheduled for end of May.

Should have some updates with my first stab at welding up in a little while though.

Please, no PMs telling me how my welding sucks.

Thanks. 

[Jay-Vee]

Cool, still looking forward to the progress

[Darky]

Nice

Where the engine?