RYL775E 998 Austin Cooper project

[colonel mustard]

Many thanks Kev
Really enjoying it now seeing it all come together.
Had another push this evening by finishing off the carpet trimming (Left to cut out the accelerator pedal), installing the seat brackets, cleaning the seats up and installing.
Absolutely loving this!

[AndyPen]

Looks like you are at a nice stage of things coming together - do hope to see this in the flesh one day

[colonel mustard]

Thanks Andy,
Trying to work from the back to front snagging as I go along.
Looking to get the hydro system pumped up over the coming weeks plus start putting the roof lining and vinyl sunroof back in.
Thanks again for your templates Andy.

[UHR850]

Another Cooper restored with an great very good looking Formula Speedwell steeringwheel in it.

Kees.

[colonel mustard]

Thanks Kees,
Although on the hunt for a Austin badge for the horn push as mine is very cracked!

[UHR850]

Maybe I have a better one, watch this space.

Kees.

[UHR850]

Very sorry but my spare one is also very cracked, I was hoping to have a better one.

Kees.

[jcr227e]

This is a good inspiration to get going on my project. Keep up the good work

[AndyB72]

Very nice! I'm at the same stage with mine, the best bit.

[colonel mustard]

Started to pump up the hydro system over the weekend. Had a few seeping leaks around the unions, which after stripping the unions down and cleaning up with a bit of valve paste has reduced the leaks down to 2no. The question is, when pumping up the hydro system, is the front meant to be higher than the rear (obviously the weight of the engine will bring the front down and hopefully redistribute to the fluid in the system to make the car sit a bit more equal?

I have only filled the system up initially to check for leaks and it will need more fluid in the system.
Also I the rear of the car on ramps and filled and emptied three times (until there were no noticeable air bubbles When fluid was released back into the Churchill pump.

Is this normal for a hydro system?

[colonel mustard]

Been a while since the last update
Been pretty slow and steady but it’s the smaller, finishing items that have taken the time!
Had the door handles, gear lever plus other bits and bobs back from the chrome plating guys, turned out really nice although a few issues with getting the barrels back in due to the extra thickness of the plating. A bit of gentle grinding and finally slotted in.
Set about installing the door handles and reading many threads on droopy handles I came to the decision to shim the handle within the locking unit, I ended up trimming and using the old shims from the replaced ball joints To pack out the movement within the lock. Once tightened up the handles lay level.

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Then onto the job I have been dreading, marking up and drilling the doors to accept the safety bosses . Started by making sure the handles stayed level, then taped up the door and offered the boss so it sat in-line with the handle and traced around. After searching through some draws at work, found a circle template that has markers on to aid finding the ctr. Used a 24mm dia hole template I found the ctr point and had faith I was drilling in the right location!

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Pretty happy with the way they line up!

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Onto finishing the dash and tidying up the rev counter cables

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[colonel mustard]

A few more

[colonel mustard]

And to add to the thread,
The hydrolastic had a couple of conical washers installed and has fixed the leaks and has stayed on pressure for over a week now.
Onto the engine stage now!

[colonel mustard]

It’s been a while since I last updated and it’s been slow progress but with the aim of Prescot and Shelsley Walsh on the horizon, the last minute sprint is on!
Collected the car from the trimmers today after finally getting the sunroof recovered and a sourced original headlining getting trimmed.
On with engine build! (And putting the windows in!)

[colonel mustard]

And some more
A few stains on the headlining but that’s the patina!

[AndyB72]

Who retrimmed your roof, looks very nice and perfect for the weather at the moment. Do you have the visor/deflector for it, it looks like you have the holes in the front alloy trim section.

[colonel mustard]

Hi Andy
It was a local guy in derby who does classic car upholstery works (mainly Aston martins). I managed to source the vinyl and he trimmed using a sourced headlining and the original britax sunroof.
Yes I have the deflector, just need to find the screws for the brackets and rivet into place.

[hanlminiman]

Try E-bay

[morris-miner]

mailto:d.balkwill@bbox.fr Or this guy I mentioned on the recommended suppliers page, I know he’s in France but he still might be able to help or point you in the right direction. Or the Bristol Sunroof Centre 20.Kenn Court, Hengrove, BS4.1UL 01179 728383.

[colonel mustard]

Been a while since the sunroof went in.
After a bit of forum guidance and advice I managed to get the front and rear screens installed on my own. The front went in with WD40, a bit wet but went in well. The rear I went with red rubber grease, still good, just a bit messy to clean up.
The chrome trim, again after some thinking and guidance, went in well with the red rubber grease, I found if a part of the chrome trim did not sit correctly I used the end of the chrome fillet tool to help as pointy enough but not sharpe!

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Been spending time over at dads house building the engine (apart from putting oil in an engine that’s about my knowledge and experience of engines!) it’s been great learning and with a bit of support from a local engine builder, it’s turning out well along with the gearbox. It was a momentous day this week as the engine went into the car, it was finally starting to feel the light is at the end of the tunnel!
Fingers crossed it will be at the Shelsley event mid June.

Will post with another update soon.