Gravel Express restoration project

[TomB]

Hi all, a while ago I bought a lovely Gravel Express, and really enjoyed it. I had some great help and advice from a few members on here, thanks very much. 

Trouble is, it cost far too much to run going back and fore to Bristol from Tenby, so I bought a far more sensible diesel. The GE was left on the drive and wasn't used much. The Battery went flat, then the tyres and so on. 

I've now decided to get it fixed. I won't start it until I've had the belts changed, as I've no idea when they were done. It's showing 127000km,so it's probably overdue. I'm also redoing the brakes. I shall have the rear arch fixed with a proper repair panel and fully sprayed, and the rest of the body mopped. The wheels also need doing. Basically, it'll be restored to as it should be. 

So, advice is once again needed. I intend to change the spark plugs, and it makes sense to change the leads. I'm aware that I have the original individual coil per cylinder and have been offered these for £65. Are these what I need? I know about the conversion, but I won't be able to do it. 

[savage bulldogs]

Hi tom , they look like standard classic coilpacks from the pic .

If you're gonna stick with 2nd hand classic coilpacks, just make sure the insulation around where they connect to the spark plug isn't cracked and the wires or "pigtails" haven't  got any cracks,splits in too .

[TomB]

Quick update for anyone interested. I've now accumulated all the parts needed to get back on the road. So as I've got a week off, I thought I'd get it cleaned out of all the crap my female has stuffed into it, and get the inside sorted. I put in a new JVC Bluetooth radio, and after for attempts i got the centre back together. Moving backwards, I was deep in looking for the rear wheel hanger latch which I seem to have mistakenly throw away. Looking into the inner spare wheel well, I found it to be full to the brim with water. Not happy, but i suppose that's what happens when a car is left outside with leaking rear lights. The lights themselves were resembling a nice aquarium. After using my lads fish tank syphon to get the water out of the well, I have re-sealed the lights and used clear hot glue to seal any possible joint i could find. I'm hoping to get some tape to cover the gap between the body and the clusters to stop any water running that way. One thing I did find was that the evil person who put the securing nuts where they are should be put to death. 

Luckily I've found a supplier who can get a new latch from Japan, so all is not lost. 

 

[TomB]

 

[TomB]

 

[TomB]

Well, it's gone. This morning we pushed it out onto the road as I'd left the handbrake off, and loaded onto the truck. That's going to be cambelt, water pump, tensioner, coil packs, plugs, full service, brakes all round, and whatever else is found wanting. 

[TomB]

Finally, I will pick up the car today! Haven't driven it in well over 2 years, so really looking forward to it. 

[TomB]

At last, the car is back on the road. It flew through the MOT with no advisories, even after being sat for so long.

My mechanic mate has even painted the calipers and Waxoyl'd the underside after getting rid of and surface corrosion. Handy to have a Subaru enthusiast friend as a mechanic. Only cost £500 for all the work. 

Drives beautifully, quick as I remember, but now I don't want to sell! 

[Jay762]

Great to hear - Feel free to share some photos 🙂

 

[TomB]

41 minutes ago, Jay762 said:

Great to hear - Feel free to share some photos 🙂

 

Cheers mate, I will. 

[TomB]