Phil's Exocet Build Thread

[philt]

I think I got the vast majority of it! I think I missed a few of the things that weren't connected to anything, so I'm just going to assume that anything without a label was redundant.

Oh, and I've decided to keep the PAS.

[philt]

A bit more progress.  Slowly removing wishbones, anti-roll bars etc.  The drop-links were rusted to hell and back and had to be severed with the angle grinder.  One of the tie-rod-end ball joints was even worse, and had to be angle-ground then pushed out with a removal tool. One of the rear shocks is still attached because the captive nut it bolts into has come loose. The support frame bolted to the bottom of the rear subframe is also fighting me pretty hard!

[philt]

Much progress this weekend (by my standards, anyway). The entire rear subframe, wishbones etc. assembly is dismantled!



The long bolts attaching the wishbones to the rear uprights were, predictably, hard to remove. Following the advice on this forum from Kev80 really helped, though. Basically, use a long breaker bar on the bolt head, try really hard to move it both ways, use lots of penetrating oil.

I also ended up having to destroy the brace frame thing on the bottom of the rear subframe.  It did not want to come off but I found a suitable replacement on eBay for £17, so not a big deal.

[philt]

Since last update, there hasn't been too much to take photos of. I've been servicing the engine (timing belt change, oil seals, spark plugs etc.).  Ran into a few problems with that, involving the harmonic balancer being rusted in place.  Got it off with a 2-legged gear puller in the end.  Anyway, I took the opportunity to paint the valve cover.




I also did some work on the wishbones.  Need to burn out a whole load more bushings when the weather cheers up a bit!

[philt]

Engine serviced (cam belt changed, oil seals, ancillary belts when another one arrives, spark plugs).  New silicone radiator hoses installed. Painted parts back in place.  Looking pretty nice!

[philt]

Got all the bushings burned out now, with the good old blowtorch.  Pile of metal parts waiting to go off for powder coating.

[philt]

Haven't updated in a while, but I got all the powder coated stuff back just before the lockdown began and some progress has been made. Nearly to the stage where I need the kit to make any further progress.

Clutch has been replaced, engine serviced, steering rack reconditioned and depowered, gearbox and engine oil renewed.

[philt]

After a large lockdown-related delay, I have at last got my kit and can make some progress!




Painted the backs of the seats black



Floors cut to size:




Holes marked and punched






Sneak preview of floors

[hutchey]

Nice, did you replace your water pump, cam belt, tensioner and so on already? If you haven't then get that done before you put body on etc.

[philt]

Yes, did a full cam belt service and also replaced the clutch. Just hope I put it all back together correctly - haven't seen the engine running for months now!

[hutchey]

ok cool, thought it best to check
don't forget a 2nd rear exhaust hanger on the offside as I noticed the bright orange hanger on the left.

[thephilstrongproject]

Where did you get your suspensiony bits powder coated? How much was it if you don't mind me asking?

[philt]

I went to the place that Stewart from MEV uses. Metafab Coatings in Cinderford. It was amazingly cheap - everything shotblasted and powdercoated for under £150!

[thephilstrongproject]

Cracking stuff, I shan't even bother taking it anywhere else for quotes at that price. Thanks.