I recently sold off all my projects and consolidated all the parts and nick knacks I collected over the years only to realize I was very unhappy without something to work on. So I stared searching for a little project. I was telling a co-worker about some “toy cars†Ive been looking at. He mentioned that he had a 63 series III alpine just sitting in his garage collecting dust.
He said that the car was complete but the top and interior are ripped up badly (to be expected for the age). He said it was a southern car, the engine was rebuilt a few months before it was parked (about ten years ago). He couldn’t recall for sure, because its been way too long, but he said he didn’t think there was any major body damage or rust.
My plans are a sympathetic restoration at first; just clean up what is there get it to good road worthy condition and enjoy it. I plan on keeping it for a good long time and working on it when time an money permits. I am very confident in my skills and my resources (Im a 4th generation mechanical technician by trade; My grandfather, father and all my uncles have owned countless MG’s and triumphs so I am no stranger to British “gremlinsâ€).
With all my resources, however, none of them have ever owned any sunbeams so I would love to know:
#1 what are typical rust spots to look for on this car?
#2 What parts should I make sure are included with the car that are often a pain to find replacements for?
#3 any tips or tricks to getting this car started / road worthy again?
#4 I plan on doing the following work before I attempt to drive it:
-replace the wire harness with a new re-pop (perform negative
ground modification)
-replace all rubber brake hoses
-rebuild all brake components
-replace all ridged brake lines if there is a hint of rust
-replace brake shoes
-rebuild carb and fuel pump, flush fuel tank, and replace lines if they
look rusty
-rebuild clutch master and slave cylinders
-replace transmission, engine main, axle and wheel seals.
-repack wheel bearings with grease
-add a master power and fuel cut-off switch
-get new tires
is there any thing else I should consider doing for safety sake?
#5 is there any one making a pre bent ridged replacement brake line/fuel line set? I would like to replace them but would hate to have to bend them all my self!!
Any input/tips or answers will be much appreciated.
He said that the car was complete but the top and interior are ripped up badly (to be expected for the age). He said it was a southern car, the engine was rebuilt a few months before it was parked (about ten years ago). He couldn’t recall for sure, because its been way too long, but he said he didn’t think there was any major body damage or rust.
My plans are a sympathetic restoration at first; just clean up what is there get it to good road worthy condition and enjoy it. I plan on keeping it for a good long time and working on it when time an money permits. I am very confident in my skills and my resources (Im a 4th generation mechanical technician by trade; My grandfather, father and all my uncles have owned countless MG’s and triumphs so I am no stranger to British “gremlinsâ€).
With all my resources, however, none of them have ever owned any sunbeams so I would love to know:
#1 what are typical rust spots to look for on this car?
#2 What parts should I make sure are included with the car that are often a pain to find replacements for?
#3 any tips or tricks to getting this car started / road worthy again?
#4 I plan on doing the following work before I attempt to drive it:
-replace the wire harness with a new re-pop (perform negative
ground modification)
-replace all rubber brake hoses
-rebuild all brake components
-replace all ridged brake lines if there is a hint of rust
-replace brake shoes
-rebuild carb and fuel pump, flush fuel tank, and replace lines if they
look rusty
-rebuild clutch master and slave cylinders
-replace transmission, engine main, axle and wheel seals.
-repack wheel bearings with grease
-add a master power and fuel cut-off switch
-get new tires
is there any thing else I should consider doing for safety sake?
#5 is there any one making a pre bent ridged replacement brake line/fuel line set? I would like to replace them but would hate to have to bend them all my self!!
Any input/tips or answers will be much appreciated.