The M10x1 looks too fine though, and the m10x1.5 not enough. Saf seems to think theyare m10x1, but they didn't fit. Hmph

I have just ordered some gauges from flea bay, so that should sort that. Its a quick job, so as soon as i know the thread and get some bolts, it'll be a matter of minutes for me to just whack them up. Having the suspension hang low is quite handy actually as it allows easier access to the brake components that I'm still fighting with. Seriously, this needs to be finished by the end of next week. The nearest nut and bolt place is screwfix anyway, and they dont tend to let you browse the merch

Edited 31 May, 201214 yr by prankstar2003

Got the gauges, and it turns out the thread is m10x1.25. I had ordered some of these anyway, but they're not here yet, and won't be now until weds at the earliest new hel lines expected then too. Have gone with banjo ends this time

All wheels polished and waiting for tyes to be fitted. Carb inlet smoothed also. Just need this weather and public holiday to bugger off

Had to spend a few hours changing the brake pads and discs on the 9n too. 105K on the clock, and the pads just been changed. Amazing

i really hope you can get this to poloshow!! whats left on the list before MOT then?

Oh it will be! Brakes will (should) be finished eventually this week. Then it's just a case of checking torques, getting the exhaust kick made up (when welder Dodge pulls his finger out!) and then need to check electrics and bulbs. Fingers crossed!

Progress eventually!

Got the tyres fitted today, so mounted up the wheels. Meant I had to put the whole rear brake setup back on since I took it off last week. One of the hand brakes wasn't working so i had the caliper apart and fixed that. Torqued up the rear end bolts and generally did a few little jobs whilst it hammered it down outside! Hopefully more to show by the end of the weekend

awesome!!! looking forward to pics!

any progress with the engine? hows it running?

The bank holiday pissed me off. I've had to wait until today to get things I was waiting for in the post. I spent yesterdat Ralphing up after contracting some food poisoning tuesday. But half terms and holidays are what I do the job for

Got the new HEL lines today, and they are going to work much better with the banjo ends. So fingers crossed Ben, these should work out better this time

Regarding the engine, it hasn't run in a while. Hasn't been dry enought to fit the carbs, and the fuel pump was playing up recently, stuggling to get fuel to the carbs. But now she's back on four wheels I'm hoping this problem has been alleviated

I was out the game yesterday. But litres of lucozade have gotten me through today

Nope, phone HEL direct. They'll custom make any line for about £35 per pair, inlcuding postage.. Includes all fittings (so banjo bolts if needed) and the construction is all stainless steel, unlike the goodrige ones which are plated mild. Just be sure you are specific with what you want

Edited 7 June, 201214 yr by prankstar2003

yeah if your low on the fuel with the car jacked up it will starve the pump a bit, did it on mine lol

There's half a tank in there, so i wouldn't have expected it to struggle. Was nose down though, but not like it was parked on a hill or anything. Which is a worry

Thanks for that Ben. So the one I can't see is the battery to alternator then? On a normal set up thats the thick red one that goes to the alternator? How would you aatach such a fat wire to alternator terminals? Mine has a block plug arrangement. I don't see any fuses there though, have you sacked them off? Will definitely be doing this

Bit more progress today. Dodge said he'll be round this weekend, so hoping to have the exhaust finished middle of next week. Tightened all brake lines today, so much happier with the way the brake lines are running now, so will take advantage of having dodge about and bleed the brakes too. Few pictures. Couldn't get an decent profile ones as there was a dirty clio in the way and i know the spaced wheels aren't to everyones taste but i think it gives it a mean look about it. Not sure I'm too happy with the ride height, need to get it on a flat surface and let it settle a bit.

Adios

Edited 8 June, 201214 yr by prankstar2003

Thanks again then Ben, will likely have a look at doing this in the future

Updates from today. Welder Dodge was on other business today, so the exhaust is on hold until tomorrow. Had a few other small jobs to do though to fill my time with.

First the brake light switch. For those who might not know, early mk2s have a pressure switch on the M/C that activates the brake lights but since I've gotten a new M/C, the pressure switch isn't there. On later mk2s, there is a mechanical switch located on the pedal box with a bracket on the pedal itself that closes the switch. To remedy this situation originally, I got a small break to activate switch and mounted it on the pedal box, but this didn't last long. So instead I've modified a later mk2 switch. It would be possible to swap the whole pedal box out from early to late, but it means removing the steering column and I couldn't be arsed with that. So I made up some brackets and stuff. Looking back, It may have been less effort to have the steering columns out actually!

First up, with the brake pedal removed a small stainless bracket was made that will close the switch when monuted to the pedal

Attached to the brake pedal

Then made a bracket for the pedal box, again made from stainless. This was then bolted to the pedal box

With it all mocked up, I marked the area that the switch would have to sit so the bracket on the pedal would close the switch. A hole was then drilled and shaped to accept the lugs on the switch itself

And all wired up

On to the next little job, the temp sender. I wanted a stealth solution here to keep the bay tidy.

Take one thermostat blanking plug

Drill an 8mm hole down the middle and remove the cross of plastic from inside the top half

And then tap with an M10 x 1 thread

Didn't take any pictures of the finished article, will do tomorrow.

And a few more photos of the car

Wheel fitment. Perfect IMO

Really needs a wash and a polish. Something I may do this week

Thats all folks

Edited 10 June, 201214 yr by prankstar2003

Some of these issues due to having an early Mk2 are getting on my tits tbh lol

Give me a shout if you have any problems. I've now mounted my rear brakes 'upside down' so that all the cables run correctly. I would have stuck with the earlier tank to to save buggering about with the handbrake mech, but you obviously want the ability to carry a little more fuel. What other problems are you having?

Looks good- general rule of thumb for thread engagement is 1.5 times diameter of fastner (or sensor in your case) but seems you've only got ~3mm on an M10 fitting, I'd have thought this will leak, might be worth getting something machined out of ally before it pisses coolant over you nice polished bay!

Well because of your update it seems i need/want a later pedal box.

I just bought 2 pairs of handbrake adapters off ebay.de just incase i have issues with the pair i got off the lad on here. Like you though having better brakes seems to be the biggest ballache with these things. Going to buy some new copper lines this week so i can get that sorted now i have finished painting the underside. Atleast my front brakes shouldn't be hard as I'm still using the VWII brakes just with 256mm discs.

Ah, thanks for that yoof. So what would the minimum 'depth' need to be to pervent leakage: 15mm? I'll look at getting something machined up. I was going to put some sealant round it too, but I guess that won't work

Well because of your update it seems i need/want a later pedal box.

I just bought 2 pairs of handbrake adapters off ebay.de just incase i have issues with the pair i got off the lad on here. Like you though having better brakes seems to be the biggest ballache with these things. Going to buy some new copper lines this week so i can get that sorted now i have finished painting the underside. Atleast my front brakes shouldn't be hard as I'm still using the VWII brakes just with 256mm discs.

You can buy pressure switches that screw into one of the outlets on the M/C from ebay. That was just going to be too untidy for me. The major problem with swapping pedal boxes is the steering column. I will probably swap mine at a later date as I want to swap to the later type steering column too. So whilst its all out, I'll do the lot

What is the difference between columns?

First off is the splines, earlier a small but later have a big spline adapter on. These can be reomved, but I've never had any luck. The main difference though is the way the two halves of the column connect. the earlier one has a more fussy design with several bushes and apparently these can wear, leading to sloppy steering.

Had all this early to late stuff with my saloon with it being an '83 model and you're right, it is a ballache.

Everything is now late spec on the car but it's delayed the project by quite a while.

The steering column is an inbetween spec in that it's the later one piece item but with early splines as I have to run that to fit the steering wheel I have.

This is almost a twin of mine at the mo(except it's Gambia red not Monaco blue) even down to the engine

Aha! They are similar! I don't have the spoiler, but I'm thinking of getting one. Though I'd need a spare boot lid to drill through

To get your small splines did you just remove the adapter?

Yep, and used the spring, spacer and interference fit washer from the early stuff.

You can get this set up ready to go from late '87/early '88 model year cars.

I've had the spoiler for years and like you, didn't want to drill the original boot lid so I got another and had it painted, hence why it now has the VW roundel next to the Volkswagen script as it's from an '89 saloon.

Much as I like the wheels, they don't fill the widened arches out enough so they're not a permanent feature