simon p Posted December 4, 2006 Share Posted December 4, 2006 Hey Del, it was my car you saw back in 2001. I was well chuffed as it was the cars debut and i picked up best in class and the best of show. As garrycroft said, black is so the colour for an A Series. quote:You have been doint some great work there Simon, at least the lads that need work done have somewhere to go and they can feel reassured that the car is going to be done right and not patched up id="quote">id="quote"> Thanks Robbie, i hope i can get a few more Mantas repaired properly for OMOC members in the future. As you saw when you can down, some Mantas have very badly repaired in the past. Suffolk County Mantas. Engine conversions,Customs, Full restorations, paintwork. http://www.suffolkcountymantas.co.uk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robbie Posted December 20, 2006 Share Posted December 20, 2006 I never did understand why people just patch up a car they intend to keep, the holes just come back in no time.[] Anyways its heading close to xmas now only another week to go, over this past few weeks we had a trip to England to pick up the engine shown on the previous page, once the engine was in the workshop it was promptly sorted for a test fit in the A series to see what problems there would be fitting it. The first problem that was hit encountered was the xmember. On the Early A series cars the cross member was different in that it had no brackets to mount the B series mount rubber to. http://www.mantamagic.com/DSCF0003%20(Small).JPG The brackets were cut from a B series crossmember( thanks Paul ) then new stronger rubber mounted were used with alloy spacers made up. It took a bit of time to get the engine sitting correctly with the right angle for the sump and oil pick up pipe, The height was also a tricky problem getting the engine just right so it cleared the steering rack but didnt sit to high and touch the bonnet. Another problem which is common with this conversion in both the A series and the B was the rear mounted dissy hitting the bulkhead around the heater box area. http://www.mantamagic.com/DSCF0001%20(Small).JPG In the above picture you can see some of the bulkhead cut to allow the distributor to sit properly, more has to be cut out and this area tided when the engine is out again after the test fit. The next problem was to sort out the gearbox selector, on the A series using an 1800 box the gear lever wants to sit 95mm futher back, this would be past the end of the tunnel, so either the tunnel was going to be lengthened and a new console made or the gear selector linkage was going to need modified. In the end I modified the gear selector linkage and modified the lever which keeps the interior standard looking. http://www.mantamagic.com/DSCF0015%20(Small).JPG Above is the modified lever housing which has to be cleaned and done up. Below shows the top part of the A series lever welded onto the B series lower part http://www.mantamagic.com/DSCF0016%20(Small).JPG With the engine mounts tacked in place and the bulkhead marked where it has to be modified and the gear linkages sorted its now time to take the engine and box out. Next jobs are to get the mounting brackets all welded up and painted, also the bulkhead has to be rebuilt and the linkages finished and tidied. grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr pics wont come up on the forum for some weird reason. try this http://www.mantamagic.com/broadspeed%20replica7.htm http://www.mantamagic.com OMOC N,Ireland Rep The New OMOC Northern and Southern Ireland Forum http://www.vxopel.com/phpBB/ id="blue"> OMOC 5706 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 21, 2006 Share Posted December 21, 2006 links aren't working either OMOC 5885 Hope for the best, expect the worst. How to post Images Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shug Posted December 21, 2006 Share Posted December 21, 2006 Works for me [] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ OMOC #5988 I hae a few guid reasons for drinkin’ And yin juist entered ma heid If a man canna’ drink while he’s livin’ Hoo the Hell can he drink when he’s deid! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robbie Posted December 21, 2006 Share Posted December 21, 2006 This link should work fine [] http://www.mantamagic.com/broadspeed%20replica7.htm http://www.mantamagic.com OMOC N,Ireland Rep The New OMOC Northern and Southern Ireland Forum http://www.vxopel.com/phpBB/ id="blue"> OMOC 5706 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon p Posted December 21, 2006 Share Posted December 21, 2006 Looks like it sits in there good robbie, i'm liking the modded shifter too. Suffolk County Mantas. Engine conversions,Customs, Full restorations, paintwork. http://www.suffolkcountymantas.co.uk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robbie Posted December 22, 2006 Share Posted December 22, 2006 Cheers Simon, was pleased with the linkage and shifter mod, just a bit more to do in the engine bay and then I,ll pop the engine back in and see how it all fits. Most likely be after xmas though might not get much time over the next few days. Once the engine is back in and bolted up, I can modify the gearbox bracket and get the angles right, http://www.mantamagic.com OMOC N,Ireland Rep The New OMOC Northern and Southern Ireland Forum http://www.vxopel.com/phpBB/ id="blue"> OMOC 5706 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shug Posted December 22, 2006 Share Posted December 22, 2006 How do you do this so quickly? You sure this ain't a blue peter 'heres one I prepared earlier' ? [] You seem to get more done in a day than I do in a month and its just not fair! [] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ OMOC #5988 I hae a few guid reasons for drinkin’ And yin juist entered ma heid If a man canna’ drink while he’s livin’ Hoo the Hell can he drink when he’s deid! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robbie Posted December 22, 2006 Share Posted December 22, 2006 [] I didnt think it was flying along, work appears to be going slowly, but i suppose when your working at something yourself you dont really notice the progress. Plus everytime i go to do something I always seem to spend ages cleaning / painting etc a bit that needs done up before i get the job done i wanted to do in the first place. Bit of luck I will get finished early today, then I can play for a few hrs [] http://www.mantamagic.com OMOC N,Ireland Rep The New OMOC Northern and Southern Ireland Forum http://www.vxopel.com/phpBB/ id="blue"> OMOC 5706 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pma Posted December 22, 2006 Share Posted December 22, 2006 I'm with Shug on this one,some of you guys strip/repair/respray/build engines/gearbox's and fit them all back in in 3 weeks,i only need to put mine back together,and i'm nearly upto 9 years!!!!!!!!!!!god i'm ****e Paul Ansell omoc 5963 (Birmingham) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robbie Posted December 22, 2006 Share Posted December 22, 2006 3 weeks I wish, [] just had a read back through the topic to see whats been happening over the months, I got the car home around the 18th feb and got working on it a right bit until the start of may, then my work went nuts so the car never got a spanner near it until the first week in october [] thats 5 months work lost [V] So to date the car has had about 5 months of spare time, which isnt to bad, considering it was totally stripped and disassembeled, worked at the car this evening and will take another go at it tmw then will get a few more pics taken [] Thanks for the comments, [] sure keeps the motivation going [] http://www.mantamagic.com OMOC N,Ireland Rep The New OMOC Northern and Southern Ireland Forum http://www.vxopel.com/phpBB/ id="blue"> OMOC 5706 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulmanta Posted December 22, 2006 Share Posted December 22, 2006 Its takes no time at all to strip them down, its the restoring/modding and putting back together that takes the time, i picked mine up in Jan, its still a shell and a pile of very shiny bits, But then i work a lot and get side tracked into other cars as well. -----it's lonely here, there's no one left to torture----- ---paulnewport "at" breathe.com--- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robbie Posted December 28, 2006 Share Posted December 28, 2006 You are sure right Paul, stripping takes no time [] and real life works so messes up our plans Anyways its almost goodbye to 2006 and hello 2007, Good from the point of view that all the shows will be starting again in a few months but not so good if you have still loads and loads of work to get done on the cars One good thing about this car now its starting to look like a car again rather than a bare shell and various boxes of bits, with the interior and various parts in boxes. All the welding to the brackets and bulkhead has now been done and various plates made up from some brushed stainless steel just to tidy up the engine bay a bit but still keeping the engine bay simple looking as this is the fun car []. The engine and gearbox has been installed back in and everything seems to be fitting as it should though only about 10mm of clearance in a few places, not just as much room in the A series bay as there is in the B. Above and below, Modified bulkhead area for distributor to sit into. 4 branch manifold has to be modifed and fitted to clear the antiroll bar. Radiator fan is on order and hopefully this will fit behind the radiator, ordered a Spal push type rather than the normal suction type. There is still loads of work to be done in the engine bay though it looks the part at the moment. These hopefully will get started after the new year 1 Wiring of engine bay area, lights indicators, battery, engine etc 2 Fitting of radiator fan and oil cooler 3 Manifold modifications 4 Rest of brake lines and Servo fitting in boot. Endless list but that will do for now http://www.mantamagic.com OMOC N,Ireland Rep The New OMOC Northern and Southern Ireland Forum http://www.vxopel.com/phpBB/ id="blue"> OMOC 5706 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devil Fish Posted December 28, 2006 Share Posted December 28, 2006 Looks stunning Robbie.[] South Wales Rep OMOC 5643 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mickappy Posted December 28, 2006 Share Posted December 28, 2006 feck!![] youve been busy. love the strips on the chassis rail tops. omoc member 5918 400r trackday turbo on its way.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lewis p Posted December 28, 2006 Share Posted December 28, 2006 [][][] FAIR PLAY!!!!!! omoc#5825 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 29, 2006 Share Posted December 29, 2006 good work robbie - wish my engine and bay looked as good! will the remote servo have enough suction being in the boot? i'm going with your recommendation of a remote servo as the bias pedal box Rallyspares made for me needs godzillas leg to give it a good shove! what route you taking for brakes/suspension? interior? Garry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robbie Posted December 29, 2006 Share Posted December 29, 2006 The servo in the boot is a suck it and see job lol, wont know until i have tried it, seen a few cars done that way before and they seemed to be fine. brakes I,ll drop a set of 16V calipers on the front and matching redrilled discs, the rear I may leave for now but if the brakes need sharpened I,ll pop a rear disc converision on the same as the V8 , cosworth rear calipers. Suspension wise I have put in KYB shocks front and rear and uprated springs. I used gaz spaxs on the V8, so can use a set of them if the kyb shocks dont stiffen the car enough. Not going to get at the car now really over the next 2 weeks, to many better half chores to do [] Just hope i get enough time to get the car out for the summer [] http://www.mantamagic.com OMOC N,Ireland Rep The New OMOC Northern and Southern Ireland Forum http://www.vxopel.com/phpBB/ id="blue"> OMOC 5706 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 3, 2007 Share Posted January 3, 2007 hopefully see you at billing??? it'd be my first time there and wouldf love to meet up and chat with you and simon. don't think mine will compete with your engine bay though! Garry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robbie Posted January 3, 2007 Share Posted January 3, 2007 I,m not that bothered about bringing a car over Garry, just as long as I get there for the beer and fun I,m happy [] Just great to get so many Manta petrol heads in one place [] http://www.mantamagic.com OMOC N,Ireland Rep The New OMOC Northern and Southern Ireland Forum http://www.vxopel.com/phpBB/ id="blue"> OMOC 5706 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon p Posted January 3, 2007 Share Posted January 3, 2007 C'mon robbie, bring something over, i'm looking forward to seeing you and your A Series too Gary. Suffolk County Mantas. Engine conversions,Customs, Full restorations, paintwork. http://www.suffolkcountymantas.co.uk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 8, 2007 Share Posted January 8, 2007 all being well i'll be there simon. what's your direct email address as i'd like an idea of cost on a couple of bits. (oh the joys of having no garage!) robbie get one of your cars there!! be great to see all three together. Garry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon p Posted January 8, 2007 Share Posted January 8, 2007 Hi Garry, if you click on my website address below, you can contact me through there. Suffolk County Mantas. Engine conversions,Customs, Full restorations, paintwork. http://www.suffolkcountymantas.co.uk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 8, 2007 Share Posted January 8, 2007 Meh, I was pretty much gutted on concours day when I didn't have a car to clean. [] Or polish. [] Or to put up for the big display [] OMOC 5885 Hope for the best, expect the worst. How to post Images Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manta Mal Posted January 9, 2007 Share Posted January 9, 2007 id="size3">Hi Robbie, just spent an hour reading through the whole build to date. Perfection or what!, an amazing level of restoration. Would be nice to see the v8 or the 16v at Billing 2007 or both! Will post my 'A' series build soon. OMOC #6022 Start your Manta restoration today.... before its too late! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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