alistair j (3.0 v6 conversion diary)

[alistair j]

well decisions made the three litre is the next engine. have got a lock up soughted and pulled the car of the road for the winter so have six months to sought this one out. will put all the pics up as i go along and try to build a guide as to wahts involved too.

still trying to work out of i go for motorsport or show inside the car. but i will sought the engine out and decide this in the later stages of winter.

main points with the car is the fact the rust is so bad in my astra it will need to be stripped to a bare shell to be fixed. the rack has already been welded after snapping off. Also i love the car but have absolutely thrashed it in the two years i have had it so should be quite a bit of damage underneath it.

oh and am just learning to weld so might be a difficult time ahead.
pics of the strip down will be up by tomorrow.

[Sipo]

Re: alistair j (3.0 v6 conversion diary)

Sounds like a good project matey! Will look forward to seeing it coming along, I think youive got quite a task ahead of you, good luck!!

[alistair j]

Re: alistair j (3.0 v6 conversion diary)

ha very true. some pics will be on of the gte and the omega am using tomorow. the rux=st and condition of the astras bulkhead is rather shocking and an indication of how dangerous a mk2 will deglect can be. looked immaculate on the outside but was like a rotten apple. inside its dead.ha

the cracks in it and damage to the front cross member are concerning to say the least,

[Ian T]

Re: alistair j (3.0 v6 conversion diary)

Sounds like it can all be fixed reasonably easily while the engine is out, you can get all the panels you will need to replace the front end if necessary.

Keep us posted.

Ian.

[Mark T]

Re: alistair j (3.0 v6 conversion diary)

There's a How To on my site for how I did mine, if you get stuck on anything.

[Tom]

Re: alistair j (3.0 v6 conversion diary)

ha very true. some pics will be on of the gte and the omega am using tomorow. the rux=st and condition of the astras bulkhead is rather shocking and an indication of how dangerous a mk2 will deglect can be. looked immaculate on the outside but was like a rotten apple. inside its dead.ha

the cracks in it and damage to the front cross member are concerning to say the least,

Was`nt fun finding that lot matey

[alistair j]

Re: alistair j (3.0 v6 conversion diary)

ha yeah after you left it got worse too.ha can be fixed tho which is all good.

yeah cheers mark i have been looking at the sight absolutely brilliant that is. thanks for the help so far too. very much needed.

no pics today tho was trying to sought my friends golf last night but defo have some on tomorrow.

[alistair j]

Re: alistair j (3.0 v6 conversion diary)

Well here are the pics of the cars rust. think its a case of know your enemy.ha and seems to be everywhere.

rust in the front end under the headlighti. this is rather bad and the picture doesnt do the rust justice to be honest.



The dangerous rust is located on the arm behind the rust under the head light. Most of the gearbox mount has corroded away and will come out by hand. Not good.



Upon spotting that i was concerned, but turns out the astra had left the best till last on this weeks problems. I know when i bought the car it had had the steering welded up onto the bulkhead, but did know what type of job had been done. Well turns out it was a rubbish job, as can be seen from this picture, and to top it of the welds had not been treated, so have rusted.



This was a concern and at this point, tom gte and myself did know where to look. And to be honest was lossing interest. But when you see it from the back it is worse.



The last picture shows rust with a hole enogh to get your little finger through at the bottom of the bulkhead. Another bit thats gonna be a pain.



This topped it of for the day. There is other little bits of rust couple of holes here and there. However these pictures show the worst of it. felt like crying, but can be fixed and with time and patients will be soughted.

[Mark T]

Re: alistair j (3.0 v6 conversion diary)

Ouch.

[alistair j]

Re: alistair j (3.0 v6 conversion diary)

ha i was thinking the same thing. been read mr stricklands sight today to get some tips as to bracing it up. think myself and tomgte are going to be welding all year, if it doesnt rust away first.

[dangte8v]

Re: alistair j (3.0 v6 conversion diary)

I still have my shell you can have mate, if it helps.

[alistair j]

Re: alistair j (3.0 v6 conversion diary)

oh right, its okay thankyou for the offer that is very kind indeed, ive already had this one painted and prep and all matches so its a case of i will be loosing big money to swope the shell. i might take you up on that offer as i still have the back end to strip and uncover more damage.ha

[BazW]

Re: alistair j (3.0 v6 conversion diary)

reading this is making me nervous, i've got mine to do soon

[alistair j]

Re: alistair j (3.0 v6 conversion diary)

be nervous. the pictures dont do justice to the damage. i knew it was there but didnt know that bad. it can all be fixed. baz check out tom stricks website he has the welding all pictured on there and thats what am gonna do it like something on them lines.

just got to grin and bare it. as soon as the carpets are pulled BACK YOU SEE THE HELL.HA

[BazW]

Re: alistair j (3.0 v6 conversion diary)

be nervous. the pictures dont do justice to the damage. i knew it was there but didnt know that bad. it can all be fixed. baz check out tom stricks website he has the welding all pictured on there and thats what am gonna do it like something on them lines.

just got to grin and bare it. as soon as the carpets are pulled BACK YOU SEE THE HELL.HA

that made me feel better lol i've spotted the inner wing near the gearbox mount is rusty, not looking forward to ripping out the sound deadening off the bulkhead and seeing what horrors are waiting for me