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NZ V8 progress...

Posted by socram

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NZ V8 progress... #1
socram Ray Green Auckland NZ, New Zealand 1956 MG Magnette ZA 1970 Marcos Volvo 3L 2002 Mini Cooper S 2010 Land Rover LR2	Posted: December 04, 2010 12:55AM Registered: 4 years ago Posts: 161

After far too much money and far too much time, my Magnette V8 is now at the paintshop.

Should be back before Christmas but I still haven't done the boot and bonnet panels nor the sill covers... Follow the progress on www.tops.co.nz but I am just condensing the pages, so don't be alarmed if after page 7, you need to shoot through to about part 14 before you get the next stage!

After the first coat of etch primer. Note the recessed fuel filler in the back panel that will be covered by a flap and a high level stop light.

The doors have already been primed, filled, primed again and sanded, so are now ready for paint. The front original wings/fenders have been re-used as I ran out of time (and ability) manufacturing fibreglass ones.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/04/2010 01:00AM by socram.

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Re: NZ V8 progress... #2
geezer charles durning Magee, MS, USA 1958 MG Magnette ZB "Chick Magnette"	Posted: December 04, 2010 11:45AM Registered: 2 years ago Posts: 400

Ray,

Looks great!!

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Re: NZ V8 progress... #3
enigmas Vince Stok Melbourne, Australia	Posted: December 04, 2010 04:34PM Registered: 3 years ago Posts: 393

Yeah that's a heap of work and looking forward to seeing the finished car...this should make for a few interesting V8 Magnettes on the block.

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Re: NZ V8 progress... #4
socram Ray Green Auckland NZ, New Zealand 1956 MG Magnette ZA 1970 Marcos Volvo 3L 2002 Mini Cooper S 2010 Land Rover LR2	Posted: December 04, 2010 10:18PM Registered: 4 years ago Posts: 161

A slightly older pic but showing the pointy end but before the radiator and fan were attached.

Thanks for the kind comments. I am really pleased that worldwide, there are several around and all are different.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/04/2010 10:19PM by socram.

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Re: NZ V8 progress... #5
enigmas Vince Stok Melbourne, Australia	Posted: December 05, 2010 04:40AM Registered: 3 years ago Posts: 393

Ray did you go the power steering route in the end? Also do you have any detailed pix of the front suspension mods. I like the idea of the rod ends on the upper wishbones for adjustment.

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Re: NZ V8 progress... #6
427ZA Ian Metcalf Milton Keynes, United Kingdom	Posted: December 05, 2010 08:43AM Registered: 4 years ago Posts: 661

That's a very clean build, the engine looks like a factory option sat there like that.

Nice work. thumbs up

www.enigmaracing.co.uk

A work in progress!

1955 ZA Magnette, 427ci Small Block Chevy, TH350, Ford 9"

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Re: NZ V8 progress... #7
socram Ray Green Auckland NZ, New Zealand 1956 MG Magnette ZA 1970 Marcos Volvo 3L 2002 Mini Cooper S 2010 Land Rover LR2	Posted: December 08, 2010 10:23PM Registered: 4 years ago Posts: 161

Hope that helps Vince!

The power steering option doesn't seem to be required as the little bit of trundling around I have done shows it to be no heavier than the MGB and lighter than the cast iron engined Marcos 3 litre.

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NZ V8 progress...painted doors #8
socram Ray Green Auckland NZ, New Zealand 1956 MG Magnette ZA 1970 Marcos Volvo 3L 2002 Mini Cooper S 2010 Land Rover LR2	Posted: December 08, 2010 10:39PM Registered: 4 years ago Posts: 161

The black is BMW Sapphire Black - a slight metallic. Silver is BMW silver so that it matches the Mini!

The door assembly can begin - but see other thread... Any advice welcomed so that I don't scratch them!

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Re: NZ V8 progress... #9
enigmas Vince Stok Melbourne, Australia	Posted: December 09, 2010 04:12AM Registered: 3 years ago Posts: 393

I like the position of the separation line on the doors. I want to do something similar when I get to carving up the roof and doors of my car but keep the roof colour separate from the body colour as it'll be a coupe.

I admire the quality and standard of your work. I started modifying mine in my late teens (3 different engines discounting the original 1500)and it maps my increase in skills over the past 30 plus years.

Great project keep the pix coming.

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Re: NZ V8 progress... #10
socram Ray Green Auckland NZ, New Zealand 1956 MG Magnette ZA 1970 Marcos Volvo 3L 2002 Mini Cooper S 2010 Land Rover LR2	Posted: December 09, 2010 10:25PM Registered: 4 years ago Posts: 161

The first mock up of the revised door panel with armrest and pocket plus hole for the speaker.

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NZ V8 progress... #11
socram Ray Green Auckland NZ, New Zealand 1956 MG Magnette ZA 1970 Marcos Volvo 3L 2002 Mini Cooper S 2010 Land Rover LR2	Posted: December 15, 2010 12:55AM Registered: 4 years ago Posts: 161

Partial dash rebuild progress pic - I think you get the general idea...

I never really cared too much for the original mix of mahogany and burr walnut and I think the mahogany cheapened it, though having seen on here, someone's rebuild, it looks a stunning restoration, but that doesn't actually make up for poor initial design.

A considerable amount of time was spent working out the instrument placements, ergonomic switch and warning light placement. In front of the driver are circular speedo & rev counter ex-MGB. (Rev counter/Tacho was converted from 4cyl to 8 cyl.) Plus, oil pressure gauge, clearly visible through the MG Montego wheel.

One of the joys of NOT doing a 100% perfect restoration is the total freedom to incorporate one's own ideas whilst not destroying the ambience or 'feeling' of the car. Repowering with a V8 - even if it carries MGB V8 badges will still possibly upset the purists and I can sympathise, but this was a wreck of a car and destined for the scrap heap!

Transmission tunnel is removable and the exposed aperture was strengthened to restore rigidity. Underside of the tunnel is covered with foil backed fabric (wool?), normally used in the manufacture of reflective fire suits for the fire brigade.

A hinged flap normally covers the radio aperture.

Even 1970's Aston Martins and MGB's are lacking in ergonomics as with your hands on the steering wheel, at least one instrument is obscured. Sorry, no excuses!

The under-shelf is ex P6 Rover, cut down.

Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 12/15/2010 01:42AM by socram.

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Re: NZ V8 progress... #12
enigmas Vince Stok Melbourne, Australia	Posted: December 15, 2010 03:01AM Registered: 3 years ago Posts: 393

Looks good Ray. As for ergonomics I managed to locate the ignition switch behind the indicator stalk...didn't notice it until it was too late!

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Re: NZ V8 progress... #13
socram Ray Green Auckland NZ, New Zealand 1956 MG Magnette ZA 1970 Marcos Volvo 3L 2002 Mini Cooper S 2010 Land Rover LR2	Posted: December 16, 2010 03:19AM Registered: 4 years ago Posts: 161

Keeping parallel with Vince's progress, this is how I tackled the heater problem.

First of all, I used the original heater blower, mildly modified to give clearance from the carb.

Inside the rear of the left wing/fender is a cavity that sits behind a splash panel. Inside the metal box is a Mini heater radiator matrix. The blower feeds into that box and on the inside of the car, the warmed air is piped up to the screen-vents only. By my calculations (OK, guesswork!) I won't be cold enough in this country to warrant a heater!

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NZ V8 progress... heater #14
socram Ray Green Auckland NZ, New Zealand 1956 MG Magnette ZA 1970 Marcos Volvo 3L 2002 Mini Cooper S 2010 Land Rover LR2	Posted: December 16, 2010 03:32AM Registered: 4 years ago Posts: 161

From the interior. Incidentally, I struggled to find the right dimension flexible tube but happened across a vaccuum cleaner repair shop. They had heaps of tubing in two different diameters and were happy enough for me to take what I needed. If only other items had been so cheap... Even some 3/16" x 1/2" countersunk set screws were $1 each!

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Re: NZ V8 progress... #15
enigmas Vince Stok Melbourne, Australia	Posted: December 16, 2010 06:12AM Registered: 3 years ago Posts: 393

That's a clever solution to the heater problem. The cavity to the side of the footwell and inside the PS mudguard is just wasted space otherwise. A nice piece of lateral thinking.

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Re: NZ V8 progress... #16
427ZA Ian Metcalf Milton Keynes, United Kingdom	Posted: December 16, 2010 04:06PM Registered: 4 years ago Posts: 661

Heating????

I think I'll have to rely on the engine and exhaust heat to keep mine warm. thumbs up

www.enigmaracing.co.uk

A work in progress!

1955 ZA Magnette, 427ci Small Block Chevy, TH350, Ford 9"

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NZ V8 progress... rear lights #17
socram Ray Green Auckland NZ, New Zealand 1956 MG Magnette ZA 1970 Marcos Volvo 3L 2002 Mini Cooper S 2010 Land Rover LR2	Posted: December 17, 2010 12:58AM Registered: 4 years ago Posts: 161

The indicator lamps are incorporated into the standard unit. I removed the festoon lamp holder from a trailer lamp and using one of the three original holes in the bodyshell, simply attached the lamp holder. A small hole drilled through the lamp unit and bodyshell for the cable and job done. It is a tight squeeze but it works OK.

I have moulded and modified a new rear bumper but it isn't yet ready for paint.

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Re: NZ V8 progress... #18
socram Ray Green Auckland NZ, New Zealand 1956 MG Magnette ZA 1970 Marcos Volvo 3L 2002 Mini Cooper S 2010 Land Rover LR2	Posted: December 17, 2010 01:15AM Registered: 4 years ago Posts: 161

I was originally going to blank off the old trafficators but when I stripped them, it didn't take much effort to get them working again. One is obviously much newer than the other. I had always intedned using an LED in the pillar and the pic might just show exactly where!

Having thought I was being smart, I then realised that if the trafficators were wired in with the flashers, they would be going beserk, so I'll simply run a new wire from the trafficator to another switch somewhere - but it will be just for looks really! I may need to remove the trafficator housing again as I think I should consider water ingress (and egress...)

I also intend to add a thin red pinstripe just below the black/silver join line, but as I am still reeling from the painting bill, it won't be just yet.

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Re: NZ V8 progress... #19
enigmas Vince Stok Melbourne, Australia	Posted: December 17, 2010 03:55PM Registered: 3 years ago Posts: 393

I'd like to see the whole car Ray. What you've shown looks fantastic.

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NZ V8 progress... #20
socram Ray Green Auckland NZ, New Zealand 1956 MG Magnette ZA 1970 Marcos Volvo 3L 2002 Mini Cooper S 2010 Land Rover LR2	Posted: December 17, 2010 10:06PM Registered: 4 years ago Posts: 161

Which bit would you like to see! Wings haven't yet been refitted. Home made bonnet and boot lid plus sills are unfinished... My website covers most of it Vince. www.tops.co.nz It includes one or two blind alleys too. Happy to post any pic of any area that interests - you or anything you think might be of interest to others.

I am currently finalising the wiring at the rear end so nothing much to see today.

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