Tezza's 242

So finally got the beast home last weekend to start getting everything done before it goes for paint.
Little bit about me, Mechanic since long before time, mainly in the early days cars and racers , then slowly decided to go back to trucks and buses. Raced Prodsports for a few years in a road registered MX5 2F, but finally decided that I'm too bloody old to keep climbing in and out of low uncomfortable but bloody quick car (LS 60.3 secs) Sold that and one of my drivers had the GT since 1998,and still had a FX ute to restore so I asked if he wanted to sell the car as he would never get it done,his wife agreed and now I own a gt.
The old toy @ EC, 3rd in 2F Cue 1 HR



the new toy



So since It's been home I've changed the fuel tank,cleaned out all the fuel system and fitted new injectors & filter,replace the LUCAS style harness, repaired the relay, primed the pumps and it started up first hit of the key after 7 years.
The rear bushes are supposed to be a weakness on these so I ordered from FCP new bushes, center bearing, water pump, timing belt and tensioner and a pile of other stuff. Well, bushes were all perfect but I did them anyhow, center bearing was fubed so fitted new bearing and rubber and uni's as these were stuffed as well. Overhauled all the calipers, what a shit of a job!!! repacked wheel bearing front and rear,diff oil, shocks fitted, pulled and rebuilt steering rack just waiting for a new end bush now along with panard bushes. Fixed the bonnet cable, fitted and wired relays for headlights and spots, wired in relay into fuel relay while I was at it.
Pulled the water pump and the heater pipe is fubed so on Monday I'll make up a new one, I have a new timing belt and tensioner so that will get done as well as the engine and trans mount.

So why do all this work? Once finished I'm going on holidays to SA via where ever I bloody likeand I don't want to have a single worry, beside that, "if ya gunna do it ya mite as well do it rite" is my motto with our buses, safety 1st, reliability 2nd and cost 3rd. So no reason to change just because it my car eh!!!

Terry

Thanks for your comment Egad.
Paint, well silver is not my favourite colour, and this has had plenty of repair work to the body, all the little dints have been repaired (except for one) and all the rust has been cut out and repaired and leadwiped. The rear boot panel is new, so I could change colour as its not that much more to do it, but the little plate say's silver, so silver it is so silver it will stay. It will be painted in two pack by the spray shop that does my buses, so I know it will be done right, they have too much to loose if its not done right. (But black or charcoal( think Falcon) would be nice...)

I am going to change the stripes though, I don't think I have seen a more hidious kit before, the side stripes will continue around behind where the 242gt badge is, across the back of the boot lid, the bonnet will stay stripe free.

I also ordered all the stickers from Dave Burton except the tyre placard, I have sent Dave the measurements and details for these in 15" and they are now available. My neighbour is a sign writer and he will do the stripes and fit all the stickers, nothing worse than a crooked stripe.

I need to keep ploding along doing this without distractions so hopefully I'll be on Hols in ??? April.


Terry

Thanks for the welcome @AshDVS, what are my plans???
Well I won't be racing it (maybe a track day dunno) but for sure a Sunday cruiser
when I can get away from being on call and spend some of my weekends doing what I couldn't do
in the MX5, get away with Mumma Bear in comfort....

No doubt I end up modifing engine and suspension bit and pieces, you know, just doing what you said
you wouldn't do on this car. I'm very lucky in that mumma bear and goldilocks both approve of the old bastard having a toy, so as long as I use my toy money I can do pretty much what I want ( within reason, like no "strike me pink " paint job)

Funny thing is when I spoke to a few of the MX5 crowd ( the grown up ones) it was amazing how many have owned a 242. One has already offered that when I'm over the Volvo he wants first option, as he missed out on buying the MX.

Terry

Sooooooooooo, a few questions, and no I'm not lazy, just trying to make sure I have all the bits I'll need for the W/E.
No dash lights, variable switch??? or teach me. Heater hose through the firewall, gen part only or just brass heater joiners, and does the A/C have a low pressure switch? I looked @ the wiring and under the bonnet and around the heater but!!!!! Also the hoses for the heater under the dash, genuine and if so who????
Gearbox mount and shifter bushes, and drop it on the ground, and start on the inside.....hopefully this weekend, hate being on call all the time, makes it sooooo hard to plan your work day.

Thanks
Terry