Saving another 172.

[DomP182]

Decided to take the big boat to work the other day as it was dry and sunny this week so the Clio had to be shifted out the way of the garage. It protested and dumped most of its power steering fluid on the floor so that’s another one for the job list

View attachment 1523577
Maybe as much of a project as my flamer then

 

[Jossman]

Another quick job, of course the inevitable happened

 

[OssPoop]

The car looks great, especially for the price. Hopefully it doesn't give you too much grief to get it into dialy duties.
What's this about swapping wheels? I'd keep it all original.

 

[Jossman]

The car looks great, especially for the price. Hopefully it doesn't give you too much grief to get it into dialy duties.
What's this about swapping wheels? I'd keep it all original.

Oh sorry I forgot to say this will be the worlds first Donk Clio.

22s inbound.

 

[OssPoop]

Oh sorry I forgot to say this will be the worlds first Donk Clio.

22s inbound.

3 spokes with spinners?

 

[Jossman]

Ha, no I think I’m going to try and pick up some TE37s or Advan RG3s, this will see some club sport changes so light wheels, sticky tires, better seats and some good suspension.

I miss my old R34 and Japanese cleanliness/car style hence the wheel choice and plans.

I work for a company that designs motorsport set up and chassis equipment so I’m looking forward to getting stuck in making it corner like a blue arsed fly.

TE37 inspiration:

 

[Jossman]

Away it went. More info tomorrow hopefully.

Also been working on an extension during my lunch break at work but it’ll take some testing before going much further with it. This is V1, I’m developing a V2 with the reverse release. Essentially I’d like more height and a more rearward

Once I’m happy with the extension version, I’ll design a complete shifter which is lengthened below the pivot point as well, to give a shorter throw despite the added shifter height. Basically a mid point between the stock and the PMS shifter, so it’ll use renewed standard bushings to avoid the rattle issue.

This current extension test piece is 60 grams so again, with some testing this will be adjusted.

We’ll see how we go anyway, it might be a non-starter.

 

[Jossman]

So, we can mark this 172 as officially ‘saved’.
What did it fail it’s MOT on after being sat for all those years?

2x CV gators.
1x Tie Rod.

So with those bits smashed out the way, the following was done:

Cambelt
Water Pump
Acc Belt
Dephaser
Crank Pulley
Replacement timing cover (cracked)
Cam Seals
Cam Blanks
Replacement top engine mount (cracked)
Tracking

and it’s maiden voyage was a riot - these Clios are a hoot.

Running it to and from work this week so will report back, but so far so good. She lives again!

 

[Alastair.]

Great stuff, minimal work for the MOT!

 

[Jossman]

Little round up after it’s first week of service:

FM radio doesn’t work - got a new aerial base to fit as soon as I can be bothered taking down the headlining.

Speedo has stopped working a couple of times, so might need a new sensor?

Seat spacers removed, this made a huuuuge difference to the driving position, just the gear stick to sort out.

And I gave it a wash because it was minging. Headlamps clouding up which isn’t great but that’s a problem for another day.

In other news, I took a deposit on my 68 Mustang yesterday and it’s going on Saturday. It’s just not getting any use with all this COVID cancelling everything so the Mrs and I have decided we’d rather put the money towards moving house next year, but it means I’ve got some bunce for wheels, tyres, brakes etc.

Got a lead on some wheels so more info next week

 

[lemonnobby]

Just remember to leave the spare out for the test now.

If you put a baldy cracked wheel in the boot for the test it will fail. But if you have nothing it will pass. Quirks of the MOT [emoji23]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Sorry but we don't even check the spare on a mot. It's roadworthiness of the car not the spare

 

[Alastair.]

Speedo dropping in and out will be the speedo drive on the gearbox, easy to replace. It’s sat on top of the gearbox just below the coolant tank.

headlights are pretty common to steam up in low temperature wet weather. You can pop a headlight cover off the back and it’ll demist pretty quickly.

 

[Jossman]

Champion, thanks

You wouldn’t think it’s been sat for so long, drives lovely, and @Alastair. did a cracking job of cleaning it up.

It got rained on straight after I cleaned it but it’s not bad given how long ago it was polished up.

 

[PP200t]

Really good to see another being saved and not ripped apart for bits! Congrats on the mot too, nice and easy!
regarding the speedo sensor as Alistair said it’s a simple job, I fitted one while waiting for my daughter to finish dance class.
look forward to seeing the progress you make with it!

 

[Jossman]

Mustang left today, sad day so I thought I’d brighten my mood by knocking out a couple of quick jobs on the Clio. First was the aerial base, which was a bit of a pain to do but nothing too dramatic, however the radio still doesn’t work so some more investigation needed there. Plays CDs fine but FM radio is near silent.

Next “straightforward” job was change the speedo drive. As many people said it was easy enough to find but can I get the fucker out? Not a chance.

I suspect it’s welded itself in there having not seen any heat cycles for 6 years or however long this car has been sat for. I’ve taken a break for now I’ll let the weather brighten up a bit and then have another go

 

[Alastair.]

Twist back and forth whilst pullingon the speed drive, spray a bit of lube around where it enters the gearbox

 

[Jossman]

Twist back and forth whilst pullingon the speed drive, spray a bit of lube around where it enters the gearbox

Ive left it soaking overnight to try and get it free, but that thing withstood three different sets of mole grips, and about 1hr of twisting and yanking, it wasn’t going anywhere I’ll get it out somehow I just need to embrace the rage and harness it

 

[NBG182]

Mustang left today, sad day so I thought I’d brighten my mood by knocking out a couple of quick jobs on the Clio. First was the aerial base, which was a bit of a pain to do but nothing too dramatic, however the radio still doesn’t work so some more investigation needed there. Plays CDs fine but FM radio is near silent.

Radio problems on mine turned out to be the head unit itself. Swapped it out for one from a 1.2 in scrappers and it was sorted. Before that it would only get radio 1, and even the reception on that wasn't great. Worth a shot maybe?

 

[Brigsy]

The headlamps fog up all the time especially if not used daily, mine have marks inside from condensation even with the rear covers off from sitting.

Did you notice a difference of paint colour under aerial base? My blue clio was a different colour due to mega fade.

 

[Jossman]

Thanks guys. Will try a different radio and see how I get on. And yes the paint colour difference was hilarious, I gave it a quick polish to remove the worst of the crap trapped under the aerial and it showed the difference even more the cars filthy again mind.

Success on the speedo drive today, after soaking all night in WD40 and another 30 or so minutes of pulling I managed to get it free. Looking at the state of it, it’s no wonder it wasn’t coming out!

I did pull a vac line off by accident without noticing it so spent a few minutes trying to figure out why I had no brakes, found the culprit and reconnected but the brakes will need bleeding I suspect to get the feel back.

No bother, as I’ll be ordering suspension, brakes, braided lines, etc tomorrow as soon as I can decide on some pads so it’ll all come apart next weekend and I’ll get the Mrs to help me bleed them.

Cheers chaps

 

[Jossman]

Brief Update - Spent a ridiculous amount of money with a few firms today, namely @Kev@KAM, JDMDistro, few eBay sellers, so this week I'll have wheels, tires, suspension, brakes, cosmetic bits, engine bay bits, etc showing up hopefully to be fitted at the weekend.

Not exactly an update but I'm excited and needed to tell someone, since I can't tell the Mrs!

 

[Alastair.]

Anyway to get this thread changed into jossman name @Daniel ? As Joss is now the owner

 

[Jossman]

Anyway to get this thread changed into jossman name @Daniel ? As Joss is now the owner

Fed up with the notifications? that would be handy though thank you.

 

[Alastair.]

Fed up with the notifications? that would be handy though thank you.

Lol no, I like seeing progress. Just thought as it’s yours now and you’re updating the thread then you should take over

 

[Kev@KAM]

Brief Update - Spent a ridiculous amount of money with a few firms today, namely @Kev@KAM, JDMDistro, few eBay sellers, so this week I'll have wheels, tires, suspension, brakes, cosmetic bits, engine bay bits, etc showing up hopefully to be fitted at the weekend.

Not exactly an update but I'm excited and needed to tell someone, since I can't tell the Mrs!

Thanks! The kids get a bigger bowl of gruel tonight! Coilovers are on their way already. I've emailed you about the brake hoses as theres a bit of a delay on those but we have alternatives...

 

[DomP182]

The headlamps fog up all the time especially if not used daily, mine have marks inside from condensation even with the rear covers off from sitting.

Did you notice a difference of paint colour under aerial base? My blue clio was a different colour due to mega fade.

My flamer is like this, the colour under the bonnet and under the rear badges is far darker.

 

[Jossman]

My flamer is like this, the colour under the bonnet and under the rear badges is far darker.

Maybe we need to turn our cars inside out and go from there?

 

[DomP182]

Respray, only way to go I think. Really not worth the expense but at least I'd be satisfied

 

[Jossman]

Busy weekend fitting the BC DS coilovers this weekend, 9kg front/8kg rear.
Haven’t set the height yet as I’ve got wheels coming tomorrow so I’ll get them refinished and fitted before proper set up.

Quite pleased with the quality of them, they ride very nicely as well. I’ve had lots of different brands on lots of different cars (and different disciplines!) and these are up there for the money.

Got loads more to fit, due this week hopefully. Also got my new plates on and replaced the missing front splitter which makes a lovely difference.

 

[Jossman]

My wheels arrived yesterday so they have gone off for refurb ready for my NS2Rs to be fitted. I also booked a track evening at Brands in 2 weeks as a shakedown.

“Just a daily”

I was originally after some TE37s but these came up in ideal sizing, price and already in the UK.

SSR Type C 15x7, weighing around 4kgs each

 

[Jossman]

More work done today:

New rear discs with bearings
New rear pads
Stub axle spacers
New HC front discs
PBS front pads
Braided brake lines
Filled with Motul RBF660 and bled
Coilover covers fitted all round

Also replaced the plethora of badges with the obligatory upgrade. It’s been hard work the last couple weeks but it is now just waiting on the SSRs and a proper geo setup and it’s pretty much ready to for a proper shakedown next week.

 

[Alastair.]

Looks cracking with the coilovers on.

 

[Jossman]

Still technically ‘saving’ the car:

Was out front painting the house with the Mrs today (she goes up the ladder, I don’t do heights ) and had a spare hour left once we were finished before having to see the in-laws. I figured since I was filthy and covered in paint already, I’d whip one of the skirts off and try and de-rust and protect the sill.

The long-dog was next to no help, lounging around. She’s got the sports pack, comes with lower suspension, bronze detailing, and is useless for day-to-day use.

Classic case of incorrect jacking, front sill was mangled and starting to rust. I wire wheeled and wire brushed off the worst of it, and coated it in Kurust first of all to remove the leftovers. Then 1 coat of black hammerite, straightened the sills back together and then another coat to help protect it as best I could.

In an ideal world id have gone over it with body colour but I don’t have anything to hand, and at least being smooth gloss black, if it gets marked or damaged during use it should at least show up pretty easily.

I’ll do the other side tomorrow, as long as it’s not snowing like the forecast says

I didn’t take many photos chaps sorry

(I did use Axle Stands, the final photos were grabbed as I was dropping the car back down)

 

[Jossman]

Sunburned from yesterday, snowed on today. Still, the passenger side wasn’t too rusty but just as deformed. Still, it got the same treatment as above, so hopefully it’ll be a little more protected for now.

 

[Touring_Rob]

Overnight oil drain, that’ll do for today.
Will be refilled with 5w40 elf and a genuine Renault oil filter tomorrow.

No oil leaks either, result!View attachment 1520131

Did you check the gearbox oil mate - I don't see the OEM mess of box fluid everywhere. Great work.

 

[Jossman]

Got the SSRs back from powder coat today. They still need the SSR stickers putting back on, and some GTecniq sealant, but I did a quick test fit to check brake clearance.

I’m still waiting on some stuff from Kam racing, namely some spacers and camber bolts, so I’ll get it all dialled in and suspension set up properly at the weekend ahead of Brands on Monday.

 

[Touring_Rob]

Got the SSRs back from powder coat today. They still need the SSR stickers putting back on, and some GTecniq sealant, but I did a quick test fit to check brake clearance.

I’m still waiting on some stuff from Kam racing, namely some spacers and camber bolts, so I’ll get it all dialled in and suspension set up properly at the weekend ahead of Brands on Monday.

View attachment 1531454

They look incredible mate - top work.

 

[Jossman]

Thanks!

 

[Jossman]

Cracked on with sealing and stickering the wheels up, and threw them on the car.

Need to do the geo setup on Saturday but figured I’d throw them on for the Friday drive to work to get the tyres scrubbed in and decide on ride heights etc.

Rides so much better on these tires because of the CHONKK

 

[Jossman]

Didn’t get parts in time but had to align it ready for Monday anyway, so did a quick geo today and gave it a wash ready to go. Not happy with how it sits but looks aren’t everything I suppose!