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E30 Restoration
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Alternator is just about ready to go - can't say I've ever dealt with anyone in the motor trade before who is so straight up, and thorough - he sent me details of the bebuild:
Just a quick update on the alternator.......
As mentioned the other night got her stripped down and checked over on Tuesday evening.......
The two bearing inside the alternator were really showing their age,
both were rough to spin and the larger of the two shown below was
starting to seize..........
These are all the changeable parts inside the alternator, the two bearings,
the brush pack/regulator (on the left) and the rectifier (top)...........
Collected all the new bits after work yesterday evening..........
the slip rings that the brushes ride on cleaned up perfect with sanding........
Once everything was cleaned the main body of the alternator was rebuilt.........
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You realise just how naff German style reg plates have become when you see them on a Mitsubishi Galant (complete with E46 M3 style side grilles!). Ordered these from eireplates.com - very quick delivery as usual.
I always opt for those pressed-plates too.
(However, Eireplates always seem to use the smaller 'strokes' on all their plates - the larger 'strokes' would be correct for your plate).0 -
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Managed to get out today to get the alternator fitted. Was relatively straightforward, and was pretty excited fitting the new battery and getting ready to start her up. Bearing in mind that it hasn't been running in a year or so, it ran great - took a quick video after a minute or so of idling:
Unfortunately, after putting a multimeter across the battery terminals, it was only reading 12.2V, so it wasn't charging. Didn't have time to do any further investigation, but hopefully its something simple.
And as promised, a photo of the car -
Its pretty dull looking, but am hopeful that it was be gleaming by the time I get it to Carcraft for a paint touchup.
Here's the highlights of the paint damage - I think this should be easily remedied.
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Not a huge update today - drove the car home the other evening, took a chance on the battery surviving, which it did. Battery was still reading 12.2V by the time I got home, so think theres a chance the alternator is charging - just not at the right voltage. Will be sorted soon enough anyway.
Managed to get all the interior trim back in place over the weekend - some dash bits and a doorcard were off, and replaced some missing fuses and some blown ones. Still having an issue with the windows, power antenna and cigarette lighter which I think are all connected, but its not a priority.
Gave it a good cleaning, so thankfully it looks less like an abandoned car than before the wash!
After:
Also dropped it off at some local mechanics to get a quote on a full mechanical overhaul to get it through an NCT prior to the manual box being fitted. Currently drives like crap! Have a full brand new blueflame exhaust I picked up for it which I'm now going to sell on, so if you're interesting in it drop me a PM.0 -
Some more minor updates - nothing to get too excited over!
First up is a little toy I was delighted to see arriving in one piece from the US. Its a light dimmer relay which replicates the effect you get in a newer model like an E46 which gradually dims the lights after you close the door, rather than them just turning off. Probably will go unnoticed by most people!
Next up was a new head unit - the one I had in it was giving me issues. Had a search for something OEM looking, and couldn't really find anything except for the Becker units - which are going for big money. There's a chance I'll go for one at some stage, but for the moment, this cheap Pioneer unit will do the trick. Has audio streaming from the iPhone and is a fairly plain black finish. It looks a bit 'brighter' in the photos will the light reflecting back off it.
New model badge on the boot - I know debadging is particularly popular, but I'm going to try my best to kick off the rebadging craze!
And lastly, a pic of the brakes I picked up ages ago - these fit under the 15's so are ideal. Added stopping power is definitely required.
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Brian popped out today and got the alternator up and running again - turned out I'd fried the voltage regulator when I connected it up wrong first time round. Battery is charging nicely now thankfully. Unfortunately he also brought his minty M3 out with him (this one - http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=108356&start=0) so my E30 looks particularly fault ridden in comparison!
Anyway - a few bits arrived for it during the week, so really hoping to get it in next week for the mechanical overhaul.
Full set of shocks (Bilstein B4's)
Rear brembos and ferodo pads - very quick to arrive and very cheap from mister-auto.ie
Not much left to do once this overhaul is done - manual box, some paint, and some minor fixes (windows, antenna etc)0 -
Got the subframes in today from Dave Gormley who breaks BMW's down in Wexford - he posts on E30Owners.com - very quick turnaround!
They're in fantastic condition compared to the ones in place. Cleaned them down with engine cleaner and went over any light surface rust with a drill and wire brush attachment.
Having spoken to a few people about how to finish them off - I decided against powder coating them and went with a chassis paint. First coat is on - once finished I can drop the car in to have the major overhaul done.
In other good news - the steering wheel arrived back from Jack @ Royal Steering Wheels. Very happy with their work as usual.
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Got a call from the lads today at Coolmine Motors to pop over and have a look at the progress they've made. Was pretty delighted with it to be honest - the front end is completely finished. There was a bit of a delay caused by the new front subframe I provided being bent out out shape - presumably from a front end smashed car. They only noticed after bolting everything up to it and attempting to fit it.
They took the old one off (I only provided new ones to save time in cleaning them up) and did a great job on it. Also did the wishbones while they were at it, and the front struts, chassis rails etc. Its resembling a new car from underneath at this stage.
Front brakes all fitted up neatly too -
Rear subframe is off and the one I provided will be fitted tomorrow -
New bushes are all fitted, new wheel bearings are going in as well as the dust shields for the brakes, and of course the new discs and pads as well. The diff was also checked over and is in perfect health - hadn't noticed before, but seems there was an LSD fitted from new. The lads are just cleaning it up slightly before refitting.
Also ordered a new Eisenmann exhaust system today - so should be driving around in it pretty soon.0 -
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New exhaust arrived today - top quality as expected.
Its an Eisenmann exhaust with the TuV approved sound level - so shouldn't be really any louder than stock, and it retains the swept style tailpipes. Having this fitted with the Eibach Pro-Kit tomorrow.0 -
Exhaust is in place, as are the new springs - very happy with how it worked out. Springs are an eibach pro-kit. Car is sitting slightly better now, ride has improved too. The exhaust was fitted fantastically by the lads at Coolmine Motors - they're particularly fastidious about their work as I witnessed when they wouldn't let me take the car without getting it on the ramp to ensure I was happy with it. Its all welded up properly where it should be - not a clamp in sight.
They also fixed a buckle in the drivers side front wheel which was causing some funky handling, and fixed a wiring issue with the nearside sidelight. New HT leads (Beru) were fitted too - its reduced an ever so slightly lumpy idle - distributor cap will be done soon too.
Pictures also show the newly sprayed front bumper - am delighted with the job Carcraft did, the finish is excellent. Someone tried to by it off the garage today while it was being worked on, so at least one other person likes it!
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