Optiions for stag rebuild

[seanwhite]

Hi there,
Having had my stag for almost 20 years now, the time has come for a full restoration. The plan is to go the whole hog, complete strip down to bare shell and start from there.
I'm looking for help and advice on the following points:

Soda blast or dip the shell ? Powder coat or paint on suspension parts etc.

Mechanically I would like to use this opportunity to improve but keep externally correct in appearance, so suggestions on tweaks to the engine during its full rebuild, improvements to the cooling system and fuel delivery system.
I have had a look at the usual sites monarch etc., but its always useful to have the thoughts and experience of other owners.

I suppose this is my stags bucket list.... feel free to make suggestions

[v8ken]

Hi Sean,
I still am unsure which way to go for the interior, I've had Paul from Moores trimming contact me, but he's stacked with work until June 2014.
I cannot recommend the header tank enough, I didn't buy a kit, I bought one for a fiver from a scrap yard(from a Rover 75)as it fits quite high in the engine bay but doesn't obstruct anything. I can still get to the spark plugs and head bolts.The system worked well through this summer(approx. 2000miles)with a steady temp guage reading of 'normal',
I believe a good working viscous fan coupling and a separate electric fan,as back up,are also sensible ideas.

[edd]

Hi Sean. I think to dip and blast depends on a few factors. Cost it first as they sometimes quote for a shell and that does not include doors boot bonnet. If your shell is really bad you will find most if what your having blasted will be thrown away I have seen some and thought what a waste of money. Don't forget the costs rise rapidly as you start to create the perfect car and then look at the box of rusty bits to go back on. I'm not a fan of dipping monocoque shells as a fellow member on here had lots of nasty acid that remained in the sections and started bleeding out. Maybe it wasnt washed properly. Dipping will also dissolve any seam sealer you can no longer get at. Don't expect this process to remove all rot it doesn't again I have seen the rot that's the real problem is seam and joins like the sills and out riggers or the arch lips. Once laminated steel starts to rot it has to come apart. Once you get the car to the shell state give the whole car a overview and purchase a spit they are really handy. Please don't take my advice its just my opinion.
Good luck with the project.
Edd

[jleyton]

I'm no bodywork expert, but when it comes to the mechanical side of things I'd thoroughly recommend powdercoating. I know some have said it can go bad if it gets damaged but I did my front suspension about three years ago and it's as good as new.

Although you hardly ever see it, it's great to know that your car looks as good underneath as it does on top - and it's not too expensive

Cheers

Julian


DSCN1442.jpgRear susp 2 after.jpg

[Motorsport Micky]

Having the car dipped not only removes paint but also any seam sealer that that the acid gets to and also any lead used in the original bodywork process. Not sure if lead was used to sort out bodywork imperfections by the time the Stag was in build, but there is quite a lot in TRs around the boot area and one of the pro body shops was telling me there's over 140 lbs of the stuff on your typical E Type ! That's a lot of stuff which gets washed out and then has to be replaced, also you need to be able to get to any box sections (lots) to wash out the acid and then get paint or anti corrosion preparation inside the boxes to help prevent future rusting.
As an alternative you could have it thermally stripped where the body shell is heated which removes any paint on the structure which still leaves you to get into the box sections to repaint for further protection, but hopefully then you don't have the removal of acid as a problem coming out in future years. Most people achieve this by drilling closed section bodywork (as large as possible) and then having the shell dipped in anti rust and pre paint preparation. Then after painting spray waxoyl or other chosen anti rust solutions into the boxed areas and finally seal the holes with a suitable grommet,(useful to select these before drilling the holes to suit).
As pointed out any multiple layer areas that show a tendency to swelling need cutting out and repairing first, otherwise all will be for naught !

Micky.

[seanwhite]

Good info guys please keep it coming.

[Stag therapy]

You should find a couple of threads on here about this. It probably boils down to your own views on the benefits and disadvantages of the different process. Then you need to throw into the mix, cost, availability of the processes if is being carried out by a third party, transport of the shell, time scales and of course your own time and facilities if you are doing the work yourself.

If you look on Drew's white/blue Bavarian Stag thread you will see he went for a blasting process. IIRC Edd in his thread removed paint etc., with a wire wheel. I chose an acid dip although not the SPL multi dip process.

As indicated by Micky, each process has its advantages and disadvantages. I went for the dip process because there was a facility about an hours drive from my home and i don't have a car size trailer, so cost of transport of the shell was acceptable. Also the cost I was quoted for the dip seemed to me to be reasonable, (certainly when compared to another quote I obtained).

If you have had your car 20 years you should at least have some idea of where problems on the body are likely to be, which may give you some idea as to the process most suitable for you.

Baz.

[seanwhite]

Its started,

car currently being stripped ready for the shell to be chemically dipped.

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[edd]

Looking good. I would be carefull not to remove to many panels and then move the shell without lots of bracing. Every panel goes toward the overal structure. I'm sure you know this already
Edd

[seanwhite]

Thanks Edd, yes next step to apply fixed bracing to the door gaps fore and aft and laterally as well

[m9fdb]

looks mad seeing a stag like that with the wings removed - good pics them

[seanwhite]

Back from dipping
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[dasadrew]

Those are really interesting pics! If you could take some detail shots of the areas in the front and rear wings and post them it would be a valuable resource. That water catchtank section is the source of many a problem!

Drew

[jleyton]

Those are really interesting pics! If you could take some detail shots of the areas in the front and rear wings and post them it would be a valuable resource.
Drew

Hear hear. We can never have enough of pics like that - Please Sean

Cheers

Julian

[Jeff]

Missed a bit