That's under the wings, right? They are only bolted, so I could give that a check...

These problems are really down to the car's having so much manual labour during production. I've got some weld spots in areas where there should't be any (middle of nowhere). And some body sealant rests. Must be a dirty drawing somwhere yet

 

Daim
removing the wings is a very good idea if you really want to get to grips with any hidden rust, or to verify that there is not any. The wings are bolt on, BUT they are braised at the front to the lower quarter panel that runs round under the bumper to the lower grille. So if you want to remove them entirely it is more difficult. If you are very careful you can unbolt the wing tops, the hidden bolts just in front of the top door hinges, and the bolts behind the wheelarch (rearmost one) baffle, and the bolts around the bottom of the headlight nacelle, and then ease the wing away to see what's what round the scuttle and as importantly, the sill at the front.

FWIW, I have found that blocking the rooftop/A pillar drain hole at the top with gunk is the best way to protect the A pillar and the scuttle. I have never been soaked entering or leaving the car in 14 years after doing this. Then you can rust protect under the A pillar brightwork, and the scuttle under the wing, and under all the wingtop bolts etc etc. I attach a pic of the GiF scuttle drain system I rigged up, which I think is very important to keep this area dry, as water pools up here and has nowhere to go.
More work for you, if it's any comfort, it does eventually all get done!
Greg

 

I'be basically got the front end in pieces so I might as well take the wings off... Just need that front splitter/chin spoiler off and I can also replace a piece of metal down there. I know the piece below the lower grill is scrap.

 

I'll do the wings later. Tgus may sound stupid kr weird but I need to get the engine bay sorted first. When that is done, I'll look around the invisible areas. I need the double layered shock mounts welded yet, as they are just starting to rust...

 

While you have the car apart take the guards off and check under for rust. My car had almost NO rust. But was badly rusted under the RH guard.

I like what Greg did with the drain. I did it slightly differently but I think Greg's approach is better.

 

What ģuard do you mean?

 

Front guards, americans call them fenders

These

 

Ah, I know them as wings

 

Finally! I can nearly call one part of my "restoration" nearly complete

The front subframe has been reassembled, apart from the brakes. The threaded rods arrived today and even though I thought it would take for ever, 60 minutes later, the springs were fitted and everything else around it was done.

Thanks @ Greg, Doug and Grant for the tip with the rods! If I've forgotten anyone else: feel thanked and smiled at!

I've got a few little spots, where I have to touch up the POR15, as some brute force was needed every so often (first screw fitted resulted in the pan slipping about 1 mm, enough to allow the screw not to fit). But otherwise I am quite happy. Next step is to put the steering rack and steering links back on and then install it back in the car. The brakes are staying off a little while longer... Especially since I need some welding done prior to reassembly...

 

Lookin good..........

Are your springs standard rate and ride height? if so where did you get them?

 

Yes, bog standard ones. Part number RTC2751.

I ordered them from SNG. I specifically wanted standard height springs. They are the same as in the XJ6 with the XK 6 cylinder (as heavy as the V12).

They were the same height as my old springs when removed and had the same material diameter...

 

Is your car a sports pack Daim? I think I'm going to reuse my old springs when I rebuild the front subframe.

 

I always thought it was, but it isn't as it looks...

 

It's a problem with these old cars!
I'm fairly sure mine is as it has the sports pack style steering rack bushes (same year as yours;1989), But the sports pack springs seem impossible to find new.

 

Mine has no antirollbar... It has the sporty steering wheel. It has the sportier seats. But there are no markings anywhere. The only ones being some light blue paint stripes on the front springs, like the ones I got again...

So I'm not totally sure... I am happy I don't have the sportspack as like you said, springs are nearly impossible to purchase...

 

Just read this thread in its entirety; really good stuff Daim.
May I ask what diameter the stainless tube was which you used for the water rail?

 

There is a plate on the rack with a part number, you can check this against JDHT part number for a sports pack rack. I guess that is as long as someone has not replaced it.

 

It is 19 mm. Good old polished stainless. Shines nicely

 

Thanks Damien, I have 30% uprated on the rear but want standard on the front, they are not available here in Aus, King and Lovells only have 30% uprated standards height front springs.

 

Aight, been not so busy lately, so not much going on. Due to lack of parts... So I'm doctoring around on some stuff I can do indoors, like the throttle bodies

I took both throttle bodies apart, disc, spindle, nuts, etc., everything is in pieces, so I could assess which parts I need to buy and which parts I can have refurbed.

Both throttle body spindles had a little bit of play on one of the ends (mainly the end the linkage attaches to). So I'll be replacing the bushes in the housing when I am ready (haha). The same goes for the bush in one of the lever arms on the end linkages...

The parts are currently being galvanized again to look like original. I was considering going with nickle or chrome, but the effect would be nice, but a bit pricey, as the little pieces would require many coats of zinc, copper and co to build up and be smooth for a shiney chrome layer. So I'm going yellow zinc what ever it is called The bloke from the shop said straight away that the parts were galvanized, just by looking at the corrosion... The screws which mount the end caps to the intake manifolds will also be done. Just to make it all look tidy again. No rust (at least for a few more decades ).









More to come when all is done - at least I hope so!