'74 164 (T)E Conversion

carnut222

Looking forward to seeing this project progress, and hope I can convince you to take some spare parts or a car (or three) out of my driveway! :)

I will look at coming over later next week when I am back from interstate work to see what is left of then. There will be a couple of parts I would like to grab if possible. Thanks

Finally got through all the boxes that came with the car, around 18 plus a lot of loose parts, and listed what I have on hand. It ended up over five types pages with roughly 400 items. Once I determine what will be added to the car there will be a lot left over that could be available for other 164 projects.

As I have noted above my plan is to upgrade this to TE spec, replicate the previous one that I owned. Based on memory of the car and current research I think the differences from E to TE are as follows:

-         Headlight wipers/washer (motor and connections in place and just need to source the wipe arms),

-         Airconditioning (unit with car and will need to install),

-         Rear head rests (have the head rests with installation parts, one will need recovering),

-         Rear reading lamps (in hand to install),

-         Carpeted boot (have a carpet set but in a different colour, can use as a template),

-         4 speaker 8 track player with radio (not planned yet what will be used, my previous car had a different unit installed).

I also remember there was a TE badge on the boot (alongside the tail-light) and I am not sure is the badge on the front guard just had 164 or also TE on it.

My intent is to repaint the car to the metallic gold/copper (105) colour.

I would appreciate any information in relation to any points I have missed to cover the full TE standard. Currently checking what parts I have and will need before starting the conversion.

Thanks

Thanks @carnut222, will PM you my email.

I would like to thank @carnut222, I was able to get some parts for the 164 from his collection of cars. Picked up a couple of rear mud-flap attachment brackets, front jack point structure and an automatic selector mechanism and trim. Thanks again and much appreciated.

The tow bar has been removed, available if anyone is interested. I will even throw the tow ball and old trailer plug in for free.

It has been a bit of time since last update, bogged down with work, kids at home school and lockdowns. I have had the alternator checked (it works) and advice on wiring. This has been installed along with the radiator. While filling found a leak, still to investigate but looks to be the water pump gasket.

Hooked up a battery for a general test. Only half the lights are working with some not wired or broken bulbs. I did find some incorrect wiring at the rear which got both indicators working. Next to look at is the fuel pump. The relay in the engine bay clicks when the ignition is on but there is no sound from the pump.

Found a paint shop that can supply the gold/copper colour, one other was not able to. I got a small sample to test, they supplied three different versions. It looks to the base version that I am after.

Collected one of the 164s that @carnut222 has in Daylesford, for the gearbox, ended up with a second spare engine. Started pulling some peripheral parts off to detail. I have had the exhaust manifolds treated with a ceramic coating, they have come up well (will add a photo soon).

Hope soon to get some time back in the shed to get some work done.

Here is a photo of the ceramic coated manifold on an old engine.

With the car that I collected from Greg’s there was more rust and holes than solid metal in it. As I cleaned out what was in and on the car more rust was found. With the front section cut off it was not worth keeping for restoring.

The engine/gearbox has been removed along with the early dash assembly. I plan to hold on to this for a future project.  

Given the condition of the shell, it was either scrap it or have a play before scrapping. The first step was to see how it would look as a 2-door hardtop. Weld in the back door and some rough cuts and results are shown below. A brace has been added across the two B pillars.

This is more a trial to see how it could look rather than any final endeavor. Will need to consider glass sealing and how the glass sections would lower. Next step would be to see how it would look with about 2” chopped from the roof height.

Over the weekend I was able to finish a rough roof chop on the 164 that was changed to a 2 door hard-top style. I aimed to take out a bit over 2 inch in vertical height. The difference in height can be seen with the original roof line.

Now that this is done and I have picked up a lot of ideas to make it easier next time, I will remove some final parts from the shell and clear it from the shed.