greg Posted August 1, 2008 Share Posted August 1, 2008 Having taken delivery of the car last thursday 24/07/08 it has since sat on my drive awaiting my mid week break from work this week. Having read the ebay advert, MOT failure sheet, and having had a quick look underneath before buying I knew that the jacking points were in need of replacement and that the sill area around the seatbelt mounts needed attention along with a small amount of welding needed on the inner wing near the washer bottle. The rest looked good as was heavily covered in a wax undersealent, indeed these were the only areas picked up for the MOT. On wednesday I decided to make a start on the above areas beginning with the jacking points which I had intended to remove and replace with some steel bar on a temporary basis to get it through the MOT. As I began to peel away the underseal it some became apparant that it was hidding more rot, infact rust was coming away with the sealant and revealing holes in its place. After about 1 hour it became clear that she wouldn't be just a quick patch up job and the decision made to strip the car down and do a proper restoration. The rest of the day was spent labeling and removing the whole wiring loom and the nosecone inorder to get the car ready for the engine and gearbox to come out. A few pics of the rot found so far at front from a quick look in the usually bad areas. Battery tray which looked fine until sealant was removed. Washer bottle area where sealant had lifted slightly. Was hoping to get the engine out still attached to the cross member, but was hampered due to the fact that nearside brace bolt has at some point been welded to the chassis leg Opinions of the car so far are that the engine install and upper body work have been done to a high standard. The sealant applied to the underside and the floor inside the car seems to have either trapped moisture in that was there before it was applied or has absorbed it like a sponge. Seeing that the car passed it's last MOT in April 07 the amount of corrosion in 12 months is incredible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mantadoc Posted August 1, 2008 Share Posted August 1, 2008 If the bulkhead is that bad water will have got inside the car..... Carpets and sound proofing out before you go any further would be wise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maher the hermit Posted August 1, 2008 Share Posted August 1, 2008 think the fact it stood on charlies drive for a year and didnt move hasnt helped? i knew it was in need of TLC thats why a couple of years ago i bought a brand new manta hatch shell to completly refurb the car, but couldnt afford to do it due to tight finances and had to sell the shell on to another manta member didnt realise it was that bad tho, so glad its gone to a good home and it will be sorted Mick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg Posted August 1, 2008 Author Share Posted August 1, 2008 If the bulkhead is that bad water will have got inside the car..... Carpets and sound proofing out before you go any further would be wise. The soundproofing is wet through in both footwells, so am expecting more work there. Am working my way from front to back with the strip down so once engine is out will start on the interior. Got a feeling mr MIG will be kept busy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sutty2006 Posted August 1, 2008 Share Posted August 1, 2008 Holy crap that washer bottle tray is like mashed potato. what are the chassis rails like? or havent you ventured that far yet/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick-Manta Posted August 1, 2008 Share Posted August 1, 2008 Ah! I feel better now! Can't you angle grind off the welded crossmember bolt? Pulling out the engine on the front suspension is ideal to access everything you need to weld up. Saying that I don't know how easily the bolt can be replaced. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keith1200 Posted August 1, 2008 Share Posted August 1, 2008 I don't think i've seen such rot on a manta's bulkhead area before! I have to say tho; mega respect greg if you sort this one out. I might be worth getting an 2nd opinion. GL with project Keith Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mantadoc Posted August 2, 2008 Share Posted August 2, 2008 Never mind the engine get the front carpets out. No point pulling the engine if you find the rust too much as it will be wasted effort. At least that way if the car is beyond you, you can assemble and sell on instead of breaking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg Posted August 2, 2008 Author Share Posted August 2, 2008 Engine will be coming out as the car will be going on a spit to get proper access to the underneath. Don't fancy laying under it to get the sealant off, as it'll need heat to shift it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mantadoc Posted August 3, 2008 Share Posted August 3, 2008 Make sure the rails are secure to the bulkhead / floor before tipping it on a spit in case it sags as it will be taking stress in a plane it isn't designed for. If they are really loose and suspect shugs approach may be better. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg Posted August 16, 2008 Author Share Posted August 16, 2008 After spending yesterday and today on the car the rot has unfortunately gone too far. Both chassis rails rusted through round the swan neck and already been plated in the surounding areas. Cross rail under transmission tunnel is like a pair of fish nets. "A" pillars both need work where it meets the sills. Both sills need replacing. Floor non-existant over both jacking points, which are both in need of replacement. Car is also twisted! When I removed the brace between the inner wings the windscreen cracked! Measured car and N/S chassis rail is raised approx 4mm compared to the O/S when measured on the flat length in the engine bay. Car is sadly now being broken. Engine will be going in my coupe. Will also be keeping the lights,wings and doors. Everything else is available will list over the coming weeks. Anyone who wants anything let me know. Plate is on retention and as it's too new for my other cars I'm open to offers for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick-Manta Posted August 16, 2008 Share Posted August 16, 2008 Oh no, what a nightmare! At least you have some good use for the manta ready 24 valve monster though and even that numberplate could recoup you some cash or transfer it to one of yours?! Car is also twisted! When I removed the brace between the inner wings the windscreen cracked! That's quite scary! Some were telling me that the inner wing brace I had on my V8 doesn't do anything, obviously not eh!? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg Posted August 16, 2008 Author Share Posted August 16, 2008 Car is also twisted! When I removed the brace between the inner wings the windscreen cracked! That's quite scary! Some were telling me that the inner wing brace I had on my V8 doesn't do anything, obviously not eh!? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MANTAMAN Posted August 17, 2008 Share Posted August 17, 2008 If your interested John Barton (one of the trio that sells Manta parts at the bottom end of the auto jumble at Billing) is looking to sell the rolling shell of an Auto hatch,it's very rot free including the sunroof,give me a call and i can give you his details. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GTEPETE Posted August 17, 2008 Share Posted August 17, 2008 Plus you have the plate number.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maher the hermit Posted August 17, 2008 Share Posted August 17, 2008 Thats such a shame its being broken!!! cant beleave taking the strut brace out would crack the windsceen how ever rotton it is? still amazed how bad its gone in the 18 months standing outside that i havnt seen the car, tho i hadnt done any work on it for at least 3 years bodywise, just a note the rear quarter panels were brand new not so long back and worth saving if you can be bothered to remove them? Mick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg Posted August 20, 2008 Author Share Posted August 20, 2008 Mantaman, thanks for the offer with the shell, but I will be slotting the engine into my coupe with a 5 speed Monza box. Was going to V8 it but hey plans change. Mick, I'll be saving as much of the car as possible as there are still many good bits left. I have the Reg on retention so if you want it you have first dibs. If anybody wants any parts except the engine rear axle, bonnet and wings pm me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sutty2006 Posted August 20, 2008 Share Posted August 20, 2008 Greg, PM'd you a few days ago about a load of bits did you get it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg Posted August 20, 2008 Author Share Posted August 20, 2008 Sutty, thought I'd replied but can't find it in my sent box so have sent a new message. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg Posted August 24, 2008 Author Share Posted August 24, 2008 Car has now been cut up and will be getting weighed in on tuesday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toni Posted August 24, 2008 Share Posted August 24, 2008 gutted for you looked a great car - at least the price of scrap is high at the minute Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maher the hermit Posted August 24, 2008 Share Posted August 24, 2008 C 3 GTE RIP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick-Manta Posted August 24, 2008 Share Posted August 24, 2008 I'll be saving as much of the car as possible as there are still many good bits left. Is the chrome strut brace for sale? (and postable?) ...and how much for the windscreen, battery tray and floor pans? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg Posted August 24, 2008 Author Share Posted August 24, 2008 Sorry Rick, The strut brace will be going into my coupe along with the engine. If the other bits would improve your car then the next MOT maybe a problem Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick-Manta Posted August 25, 2008 Share Posted August 25, 2008 Aw! My Manta is nearly as rotten but I waited so long to find an early B, as much as I want to, I can't give up on it Plus I was lucky enough to have some new parts donated Keep us posted on your coupe's engine conversion Greg. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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