How I've wasted my spare time for the past couple of months

[Byteme]

Completely restored the under bonnet section of the E-Type.  Removed everything forward of the firewall and cleaned, stripped and repainted everything.  All new brake and clutch hydraulics, all new hoses, replated all the hardware with zinc and yellow chromate.  Adjusted the valve clearances, rebuilt the carbs and distributor, made new ignition wires, polished all the aluminum bits, rebuilt the front suspension, all new AC hoses and drier.  New exhaust manifolds, new belts. 

Next, it goes to the painter. 

[MexicoCityM3]

Wow. In awe.

That's not "wasting", more like "investing" your time. Congrats.

[CaminoRacer]

Looks fantastic!

For some reason I thought you sold this.

Is that the stock subframe with square tubing?

[Byteme]

Looks fantastic!

For some reason I thought you sold this.

Is that the stock subframe with square tubing?

About 5 years ago I sold my red 1969 Series II 2+2.  This is the (soon to be) red 1969 coupe I bought last July.

Yes, those are the factory engine and radiator support frames.  the engine frames are mainly square and rectangular, in cross section, Reynolds 531 alloy tubing, but there is one section that is round.  The radiator support frame is mainly round Reynolds 531.  Reynolds 531, as you probably know, is lightweight tubing used for years in expensive bicycles.  I didn't weight it but I'd guess the entire framing system weighs under 40 lbs.

[shp4man]

[FoMoJo]

A jewel.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

Hmm, no before picture?

I'm guessing this is how you got it, you just spent the last few months drinking beer and eating chips. Then you snapped a picture of the engine bay and came up with some story about all the stuff you did.

[Byteme]

Hmm, no before picture?

[FlatBlackCaddy]

Before pictures......how convenient.

[Eye of the Tiger]

This is splendiferous.

[SVT666]

Holy crap. You did beautiful work. I can't wait to retire....

[Byteme]

Before pictures......how convenient.

Well, you asked for them. 

Who doesn't take photos to document a restoration?

[Madman]

That is not wasting time.  You are doing (imaginary) God's work!

I salute you, sir!   

[Morris Minor]

That is such a gorgeous-looking engine.
(Leonard Setright used to say that nothing beats a straight-six for inherent smoothness & balance)

[ifcar]

http://dilbert.com/strip/2013-02-11


But seriously, looks great! You weren't really doing justice to your efforts without the before pictures.

[shp4man]

Interesting alternator mounting position. 

[Byteme]

Interesting alternator mounting position.

Moved there because the AC Compressor went where the alternator went on non-AC equipped cars.

 

I've spent the past 2 months doing minor bodywork, door dings and block sanding the entire car  I've got about half the outside of the bonnet to go.  I'd guess I have probably 300 hours in sanding, stripping, getting proper panel fit and block sanding.  I'd guess I have 40 hours on the inside of the bonnet alone.  The whole car will have been hand sanded, hit with glazing putty and hand sanded block sanded again before it goes to the painter.  Ask me why really nice paint jobs cost so much. 

It will probably go to the painter the first part of April. 

[AutobahnSHO]

Wow. In awe.

That's not "wasting", more like "investing" your time. Congrats.

+1

I wish I could do stuff like that. I can barely do anything to save my life.

[Rupert]

Some people are really good at that kind of stuff, The rest of us learn to conceal our mistakes.