1985 FB Restomod

[MelloYello]

Some nice work there.
When are you making these available to the public

[DKWW2000]

They are looking good Rob, how far is away from MOT?

[Hobbawobba]

Looking really nice aye

[RB6102]

Thanks for the comments everyone!

I have been getting on ok and I'm hoping to put the elford turbo engine back together over the next couple of weeks so it will be driveable soon after that. There is still some more welding to sort on the rear left inner arch near the suspension arm mounts which I'm sure will be required for the MOT. There is also some rust in one area of the windscreen surround. After hearing the horror stories I've taken the trim off and confirmed it is very localised thankfully! The only thing is it has created a crack in the windscreen which will also need sorting for the MOT.

Regarding struts and shocks, I have no current plans to make other sets but might be persuaded otherwise if there was enough interest!

[decster]

Nice work! I like the idea of your custom struts/shocks. How's the ride quality so far?

[RB6102]

Thanks decster! I haven't tried it out yet but hope to soon. I'm going to be running somewhere around 140 to 170lb/in main springs, with nice digressive damping, but without the large rebound bias that is typical of a stock Bilstein. The setup is similar to a mk2 Escort front setup we have developed at work. Keeping softer springs and relying more on the damping it will feel direct but still retain compliance. I need to get the rears sorted next and get the engine running then I'll be able to tell you!

[DKWW2000]

Hi Rob,
How is it coming along, nearing completion.................will she be ready this season?

[RB6102]

Still ongoing! The rust repairs were taking me too long so I employed a local body repair shop to help. Wish I hadn't now, long story short I had to correct a lot of the work they did but at least it's all solid now. The whole car was stripped inside and out and is going back to together now. I got a bit sidetracked whilst rebuild the rear suspension. I couldn't believe how much the standard rear setup binds. With springs removed you can jack up one side of the axle and the whole thing moves up nearly level! Even with the watts linkage disconnected not much better. Anyway I've redesigned a lot of it. I've retained the stock lower arms but have replaced the two short uppers with one longer upper linked attached to the top of the diff. I've cut out a section out near the prop tunnel for this to pass through so it can attach to the raised structure at the rear of the main floor. I've then made a mount on the axle housing for panhard rod and am currently part way through fabricating the mount on the shell. Apart from that the Elford engine is in and ready to fire up but the fuel tank is removed at the moment whilst I'm welding so that will have to wait. I'm hoping next year I'll get it on the road and be able to join in events and shows.

[Hobbawobba]

No messing around then aye! Haha. Would like to see some pics of that setup :O

[TOOL]

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