Big Steve's RB Clio 182 Cup Restoration

[Big_Steve_T]

Can and if you chaps confirm where the “fuel return” pipe goes?? I found that the Carbon Canister pipe goes to the Inlet Manifold last night:

But now I’m wondering where the other one goes??

I’m also wondering where the outlets from the carbon canister go...?

Any help appreciated 😉

 

[Mbeau]

Can and if you chaps confirm where the “fuel return” pipe goes?? I found that the Carbon Canister pipe goes to the Inlet Manifold last night:
View attachment 1458176
But now I’m wondering where the other one goes??

I’m also wondering where the outlets from the carbon canister go...?

Any help appreciated 😉

Back to the fuel tank far as I am aware. It's just a stupid breather system for the tank. I so nearly removed all that pipework, but thought to myself, no one will want that, they all remove it 🤣

 

[Big_Steve_T]

Got the car up in the air on Saturday, and removed the front load bearing elements (Which all looked as though they'd been at the bottom of the bloody sea! ⚓) ready for re-work/refurbishment:

Then on Sunday, I re-fitted a few more pieces into the engine bay, including the Alternator Belt (whilst reminding myself what a bloody @rsehole of a job it is!! 🤦‍♂️)

Engine bay continues to come along:

Thanks for reading

 

[Big_Steve_T]

Can and if you chaps confirm where the “fuel return” pipe goes??

I "THINK" I've figured out that the return pipe to the fuel tank, starts at the Carbon Canister....?? If anyone can either confirm or deny that??

 

[Big_Steve_T]

Wheel bearings wrestled out of the Front Hubs in record time by the splendid chaps at Revolution Automotive :

Next step to get them blasted.

 

[Big_Steve_T]

Got a set of wheels chemically stripped to allow me to get them refurbished.

to ensure they match the OE Centre caps as close as possible, I’m going to spray them, rather than get them powder coated. It’s not as thought they’re ever going to see a rough daily use in winter, so I think the paint will be good enough.

The wheels came up well:

However the old corrosion has set into the back of a couple of them:

I think I caught it just in-time before the wheels start to get really bad.

I know the general consensus is that the offset is 44, but this casting mark suggests it’s 45?? 🤷🏼‍♂️

Thanks for reading 🙂

 

[Big_Steve_T]

Got hold of a “spare” rear axle in fairly good condition.

I’m going to get this one all cleaned up and powder-coated then I can just swap for the existing one when I’m ready to fit.

I was surprised the Clio 182 rear beam was simpler in construction than my R5/R11 with Just one torsion bar?

I just removed any of the clips & brackets on the beam:

Then screwed a couple of bolts into the rear shock mount holes, (with a bit of threadlock) to protect the threads during the blasting/powder coating process:

Thanks for reading 🙂

 

[Amos91]

Are there variations in rear beams? Swear my 182 one doesn't have the bar running through middle 🤔

 

[DomP182]

Got a set of wheels chemically stripped to allow me to get them refurbished.
View attachment 1458818
to ensure they match the OE Centre caps as close as possible, I’m going to spray them, rather than get them powder coated. It’s not as thought they’re ever going to see a rough daily use in winter, so I think the paint will be good enough.

The wheels came up well:
View attachment 1458819
However the old corrosion has set into the back of a couple of them:
View attachment 1458821
I think I caught it just in-time before the wheels start to get really bad.

I know the general consensus is that the offset is 44, but this casting mark suggests it’s 45?? 🤷🏼‍♂️
View attachment 1458820

Thanks for reading 🙂

My 182 was et45

 

[Big_Steve_T]

Before the rear axle goes off to be treated, I wanted to remove the rear axle bushes. I gave them a few tentative taps with a mallet but soon realised that they weren’t going to come out unless I had a serious word with them... so I got my serious face on.. 😠

First thing was to get a decent drill bit in a large enough size that you can get down into the space between the two metal bushes... where the rubber is:

Next you need to spend an inordinate amount of time drilling the rubber away. I found that getting a good quality sharp drill bit and rocking the drill left/right forwards/backwards soon had lots of rubber particles on the floor:

Drilling alone wasn’t enough to separate the bushes, so eventually I had to get the old mole grips out and give it a twist to finally tear the last strips of rubber:

Eventually after a bit of grunting, the central bush came out:

Next, I threaded the hacksaw blade thru the remaining outer bush, and gently cut a strip out of the bush:

I didn’t cut all the way thru the outer bush, as I didn’t want to cut the axle:

Once the “score” was made in the outer bush, I used a hammer and punch to peel the bush back, and tear the metal at the cut. After the tear started I continued it with a sharp flat chisel.

A couple of blows with the hammer and the outer bush starts to come free:

Then it was time for the official “give the bush the bird” picture 😂

I then cut the bush into smaller strips and then knocked them back into the axle, to “mask” off the bush faces when I get it powder coated.

Thanks for reading 🙂

 

[Big_Steve_T]

Are there variations in rear beams? Swear my 182 one doesn't have the bar running through middle 🤔

Good question!!! I’ll have a look at the one on the car now you suggest it!?? 🤔

 

[robzracing]

I "THINK" I've figured out that the return pipe to the fuel tank, starts at the Carbon Canister....?? If anyone can either confirm or deny that??

There is no fuel return to the tank on a 182. The pipe you see is a breather from the tank to the carbon canister. You can remove it all the way back to the tank but recommend replacing it with one of these if you do.

Petrol Fuel Tank Vent Breather inc Samco Silicone Hose For Motocross Enduro ATV | eBay

Samco Sport silicone hose - The highest of quality silicone hose. This one-way valve prevents fuel back-flow from the fuel tank in the event of a fall. Your fuel tank needs to let air in to replace the fuel that has been used which the vent breather allows to do so.

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[Big_Steve_T]

There is no fuel return to the tank on a 182. The pipe you see is a breather from the tank to the carbon canister. You can remove it all the way back to the tank but recommend replacing it with one of these if you do.

Petrol Fuel Tank Vent Breather inc Samco Silicone Hose For Motocross Enduro ATV | eBay

Samco Sport silicone hose - The highest of quality silicone hose. This one-way valve prevents fuel back-flow from the fuel tank in the event of a fall. Your fuel tank needs to let air in to replace the fuel that has been used which the vent breather allows to do so.

www.ebay.co.uk

Thanks very much for confirming that @robzracing!! I was suspecting it’s where it was connected to.. but wanted the confirmation. 👍

 

[DomP182]

What are the differences between 172, 172 cup and 182 beams? I'd like to pick one up to do the same as you on my ph2

 

[Louis]

Just burn the bushes out next time. Easier and more fun!

 

[Big_Steve_T]

Just burn the bushes out next time. Easier and more fun!

😂 Yeah that was my plan... until I realised my gas bottle was empty...


TBH it wasn’t that much effort to do with the drill..

 

[Krarl]

Some 182 beams came with strengthening strips under the rear spring cups. I had one on my old dCi

Other than that they're all the same/very similar iirc

 

[DomP182]

Some 182 beams came with strengthening strips under the rear spring cups. I had one on my old dCi

Other than that they're all the same/very similar iirc

Is it just the stub axles that were thicker on 182s giving a wider track?

 

[Krarl]

Is it just the stub axles that were thicker on 182s giving a wider track?

Yeah mate. Cup ones are 5mm more than standard

 

[Amos91]

@Big_Steve_T - Just checked mine and it does have the bar, so will be as @YorkshireKyle says. I think I was recalling that some had these rubber mounts in there, but by now they have fallen out!

Also when taking off the old rear beam, I'd recommend running the fuel tank low and then removing the bolts for the tank rather than the captive bolts through the bolt floor. Will save you a headache!

 

[Big_Steve_T]

@Big_Steve_T - Just checked mine and it does have the bar, so will be as @YorkshireKyle says. I think I was recalling that some had these rubber mounts in there, but by now they have fallen out!

@Amos91 Thanks for confirming that! I crawled under the car this morning and took this photo:

I noticed that little rubber bush is there on the original Axle, but not on the one I’m getting blasted?? I’d prefer it was there, but I’m not going to worry too much about it.

Also when taking off the old rear beam, I'd recommend running the fuel tank low and then removing the bolts for the tank rather than the captive bolts through the bolt floor. Will save you a headache!

Someone's been there before, so the original captive bolts are already missing and replaced with some dodgy looking coach bolts!! I'll get it all sorted when I re-fit the blasted axle.

In other news, I got my ECU bracket back from the powder-coaters, and chuffed with how it come out:

complete with 👂!! 😝

Thanks for reading

 

[Big_Steve_T]

As we're all now dam near confined to our homes thanks to Chinese Flu, I figure I might as well continue to work on the Clio. I mean being confined in my house, or the garage is the same thing right..? 🤷‍♂️

I took the "new" rear axle to be powder-coated, so whilst that's being done, I took the old one off the car by removing the axle with the brackets attached so I didn't have to go removing the petrol tank. I'm going to get those brackets blasted and powder-coated too, so they needed to come off. The bolts were a right @rse to get off, even with my BIG BOY Impact gun.. I know it would have been a struggle on the car.

I got the front hubs back from the powder-coaters, they look great! but they needed a little clean up on the brake caliper mounting flanges, don't want the powder-coat in-between the hub and the caliper to melt if the brakes get hot and then the caliper becomes loose..

The inlet manifold had picked up a couple of small scratches and damage as it was being moved around my garage, so I thought I would give it a bit of a birthday. First I gave the lettering a polish, with some metal polishing wheels I have, in the drill. (Sorry for the crap photo, but you can just about see the difference it made)

Next it was a case of spraying the inlet manifold, and then carefully wiping off the paint that was on the letters, with a rag and some thinners, before it had chance to dry:

The finished result looks much better!

Thanks for reading

 

[RustyMojo]

Loving this build! cant wait for the further updates and finished build pics.

 

[Big_Steve_T]

Got the rear hubs back from the powder-coaters:

...and the rear axle to body shell mounting brackets:

they look so much better than they did!!

*Yes I am trying to get it all done before everything turns to s**t with this Chinese Flu!

Thanks for reading 🙂

 

[cat171]

This is proper!! I'm loving this resto!

 

[Big_Steve_T]

Thought I would have a go at this V-logging malarky whilst we have all have all the time in the world.. and thanks to Cliosport, I followed this guide on HOW TO REMOVE YOUR DOOR PANEL and removed the drivers door panel as the drivers door lock doesn't seem to be working.

When I whipped the door panel off I found the solenoid was unplugged so figured that was the only issue and plugged it in, unfortunately there does seem to be more of an issue with the lock, so I whipped it out. Whilst I was messing around with the door, I figured now was the right time to replace the window seal for a new one I came across, that hasn't got any rust or distortion. Hope you enjoy the video!











I then fitted a set of new rear axle bolts inside the car whilst I had access to the inside:

Then I spent a bit of time figuring out where the coolant hoses go!

She's coming along nicely now!!

Thanks for reading/watching!

 

[Big_Steve_T]

Fitted the front driveshafts, hubs, Brake discs, (BigRedd) refurbished calipers and front Bilstein coilivers today:


Chuffed with how it's all come out. Here's the Offside:

And Nearside:

I wasn't sure how the dark blue on the calipers was going to look, but I really like it now it's on.

Plenty more things to do to keep me going thru the Corona LOCKDOWN!!

Thanks for Reading

 

[Krarl]

Proper pervert levels of clean! Love it mate, cant wait for it to be all done so we can watch you eat your dinner off of it😂

 

[Amos91]

Maybe I’m just anal, but the shock bolts go thread at the back, head at the front.

 

[Big_Steve_T]

Maybe I’m just anal, but the shock bolts go thread at the back, head at the front.

😂😂 No more anal than me @Amos91.. I was checking the Dialogys system as I was assembling the hubs..

I’ll be swapping that one bolt round now.. 😉

 

[Jekyll]

Amazing Steve. Purely!!

 

[mossyv6]

Awesome work Steve

 

[frayz]

Love this build. Beautiful and inspiring job 👍🏼

 

[Big_Steve_T]

Got the engine bay 99% complete today fitting:

• Radiator, condenser and fan assembly
• Remaining air con pipes
• Filled with coolant and pressure bled
• Air filter box and inlet
• Battery cover

Thanks for reading 🙂

 

[Louis]

Got the engine bay 99% complete today fitting:

• Radiator, condenser and fan assembly
• Remaining air con pipes
• Filled with coolant and pressure bled
• Air filter box and inlet
• Battery cover

View attachment 1463400View attachment 1463401View attachment 1463402View attachment 1463403View attachment 1463404View attachment 1463405

Thanks for reading 🙂

Looks fantastic!

 

[andy_coops]

Stunning work. Just stunning 👍👍

 

[Krarl]

Belter!! When you gonna eat your dinner off it?

 

[Stefan.]

That is a stunner!

Cracking work.

 

[Coops Mk1]

As said on messenger, awful, 6/10

 

[Big_Steve_T]

As said on messenger, awful, 6/10

Pleased with that @Coops Mk1, as I know your standards are VERY high.