Harry 1976 Sopru

[Cbus]

Yes, that's right Greg. One of the conrods was bent slightly all this time so it was no wonder I was never able to sort the problem. 

Ironically, the engine runs too cold now LOL. I'm waiting on an oil cooler thermostat to arrive at Vintage VeeDub so I can get that fitted and get the 500km oil change done at the same time. Takes too long to warm up fully for now, but tops out at 90 deg C at 100 km/hr up and down hills.     Doesn't even have a fan on the cooler; just air flow from driving. Perhaps I should have fitted the cooler a long time ago, but I just knew there was some underlying problem that I hadn't found.

Old engines with unknown history can certainly throw some curve balls

At least we now know we weren't totally crazy
A cooler would have only hidden the real issue given the strange readings previously.

Good to see a gain.
Now for more enjoyable tinkering .

[Mr Beckstar]

Here are some pics on Harry's rust repair journey. Yes, he had a lot of rust in the roof from the windscreen back to the B-pillars but rust in the roof is common, especially for pop tops. However, there was literally no rust in the rest of the roof (you can see the rust free original frame behind the b-pillar in the 4th photo), which I find amazing! All the rust below the roof was cut out (not much frame left as you'll see in the photos) and new frames welded in. The roof is a complete brand new roof panel.
   
   
   
   
   

[Mr Beckstar]

Also, Harry's pop top has been restored too :-)

   
   
   

[Elsie76]

Also, Harry's pop top has been restored too :-)

Woohoo Chris, looking good. 

[Mr Beckstar]

Woohoo Chris, looking good. 

I'm excited to get him back hopefully in a couple of weeks. I haven't done any body work or paint below the roof other than the two rust spots in the photos. But now I know he's really rust free I can tackle that down the track a bit and know I'm not wasting time/money. Prior to this I didn't quite know how bad the rust was going to be. 
I want to get the rims restored next so they're nice and shiny .

[Oldman]

Lookn’ great Chris……….nearly there 

[Barry]

Credit too the panel beater - that was fast work for a difficult job

[Mr Beckstar]

Credit too the panel beater - that was fast work for a difficult job

I can't believe the progress he has made on the job. And without me pressuring him too! It's great when you find someone who knows their stuff and gets on with it.

[T1 Terry]

I can't believe the progress he has made on the job. And without me pressuring him too! It's great when you find someone who knows their stuff and gets on with it.

Wanna give the panel beater a plug so the rest of us know who we can trust to actually cut the rusted panels out and replace them rather than fill the holes with bog and a coat of paint over the top ...... My '74 really needs some body work and I just don't seem to have the time any more ...... so much for reaching retirement age   

T1 Terry

[ruby6689]

Wow what a fantastic job.