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The screen had to come out of my MG maestro in the paint shop. Ordered a new replacement rubber online. £20 delivered, which I didn't think was too bad. I've been advised by the screen guy to fit a Citroen BX rubber, apparently its much better than the original plastic trim, time will tell... |
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Mar 14, 2017 14:44:45 GMT
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Just managed to drop off my sump guard template to the fabricators and discussed what materials to use. The only alloy he had was 3mm checker plate and he said it wouldn't really be good enough, wanted 4-5mm at least. He advised just to use steel so going to get it done in 3mm steel will definitely be man enough! Hopefully won't be too heavy, but can cut some holes out if necessary. Should have it back in a fortnight or so  after i get this sorted I can sort out the new stance finally  |
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Mar 18, 2017 22:02:55 GMT
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Had the screen taken out in the week and to my 'suprise' it was rusty... most of it was surface rust and came off with a grinder but the drivers corner was particularly crusty, no wonder it leaked!  It required a bit of welding so cut out the rust.  Then cut some steel and formed it into the correct shape and got it stitched in into the gap. Gave it a gentle grind and turned out like this.  Then sealed the weld with chemical metal and filled it to shape. Then bare metalled the aperture to be sure to remove any rust. Then I primed and painted the whole aperture ready for the new screen on monday.  The other thing I tackled was the sun visors. Since I've had the van they have been lovingly made out of masking tape as the original fabric must have disintegrated. I had a pair of number plates I was given when I went to work in Spain last year. So the obvious use for those are sun visors right?    Even put a mirror in for the other half  |
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Mar 19, 2017 11:54:34 GMT
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Good work so far, at least the gout has gone.
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1980 Vauxhall Cavalier MK1
1970 Mobyleete 40T custom
1978 Mobylette 50V
1965 Moulton Standard
1979 Raleigh Grifter custom
1980 Raleigh Grifter
1982 Raleigh Grifter BMX custom
1982 Raleigh Bomber
1987 Strida
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Mar 22, 2017 17:58:22 GMT
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vulgalour
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 7,279
Club RR Member Number: 146
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Mar 22, 2017 18:09:33 GMT
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Best MG fabric ever, FACT. BX windscreen seal a surprising choice, I wouldn't have thought it was anything like the right thing given how different a shape the screens are. Looks really nice now you've had all that done.
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Been busy with work stuff lately so haven't had the time to put the sump guard on and wheels. But finally getting some time Monday to do it, so stay tuned...
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Apr 18, 2017 19:53:14 GMT
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So I finally got round to lowering the maestro van a bit more! First up was getting the new sump guard to fit. I had a local fabrication bend it up from a template I made. Then I offered it up and cut out the slots and a bigger hole for where the gearbox mount hangs down and it looked like this.  I gave a a few coats of paint and a bit of stone chip on the front, (although I knew it was gunna scrape off underneath but what the hey!) then I could fit it on. I slid it up between the engine mount on the front crossmember, and bolted it up through the sub frame, which had some convenient holes Seemed to fit quite well and feels very sturdy!   With that on I set about winding down the coilover on the front which was relitively easy just made sure the height was equal each side by measuring it regularly. kept lowering a bit, then letting it down and checking the gap etc. When I was happy it had room to settle but was low enough I took it out for a test drive; and straight away scraped the sump guard coming out a small bump on the way out of the workshop! Drove down the lane to the main road and skimmed the floor in a couple places but nothing major as it is a very uneven surface. Went round the block which is perfect for finding rubs as its a typical un even country lane. No arch rub so ideal. Only thing that happened was the mud flap touched the ground on a steep turning, and there is a very harsh dip and tapped the sump guard on the road when I floored it, but just have to watch out for that bit! Next was onto the rear. For this I had already fitted 2" blocks but had ordered some 1.5" blocks as the difference in wheel diameter compared to the previous tyres is just over an inch each side. Also there had always been in difference in height between each side, so have enough to cut a bit off one of the the blocks and even it out. Started on the previously higher (passenger) side and the whole 1.5" fitted in the gap and got the nuts on just past the nylock so ideal, but wasn't that confident it would fit without touching the arch... Then did the other side and cut the difference of the block (14mm) and put that one in too. Then the moment of truth as the back was now 3.5" lower in total! Lowered it down and the fitment looked great, then my mate watched for clearance whilst I jumped on the back to try and get it to touch, but result it didn't, which I was surprised about. As it turns out I am basically running on the bump stops! Anyway took it out round the block again and it didn't rub the arches and I did chuck some stuff in to simulate a load in the back. Enough Waffling, here it is.....    And Just for a bit of comparison, this is what it was like before on the passenger side  I have put the Volvo wheels back on until I get the tracking re done hopefully this week... |
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richie
Part of things
Posts: 114
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Apr 19, 2017 15:25:17 GMT
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That looks nice now it's that bit lower.
Amazing how an inch makes a difference 😅
How far off the road does your sump guard sit?
I noticed you are running a bit of front camber, mine sits a bit like that even adjusted right out. My front wheels toe in a bit as well now it's been lowered, did it affect yours in the same way?
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Apr 20, 2017 11:00:44 GMT
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That looks nice now it's that bit lower. Amazing how an inch makes a difference 😅 How far off the road does your sump guard sit? I noticed you are running a bit of front camber, mine sits a bit like that even adjusted right out. My front wheels toe in a bit as well now it's been lowered, did it affect yours in the same way? Thanks At the moment it's about 60mm from the ground but I think there is room to bring it up 10mm or so. Yeah I need to get the toe done as lowering directly effects it, think it's 0 degrees if I remember correctly. As for camber I have it like that to keep the tread under the arch! But does not cause any premature wear as long as the toe is correct. But what I do have fitted are camber bolts for a mk2 golf, they fit in the top hole and are eggcentric shape so gives you more adjustment, and makes it easier to get an accurate setting. |
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Have loved using the van now the weather is nicer and have the wheels on. Took it on a drive it day run with my local club. It handles even more like a go-kart with no tyre wall flex and even lower ground clearance. I almost forgot how much difference the wheels make to the stance and overall look of the van...  Also went out for the first picnic of the year with the other half up to our favorite spot on Exmoor; but this time we took the camping stove and some burgers   And I know its another picture but I just love the way it's sitting now...  Not bad for a maestro eh? |
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rude
Part of things
Posts: 537
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Nice. I have an annoying soft spot for maestros, I think it stems from the even more annoying soft spot for allegros and other BL boxes. I had a van years back and repainted it in dulux high gloss for extra shine. Swapped it for an XR3 on the bumpstops but later I was told the sub frame was cracked on the van... lucky escape.
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1986 Haunted BMW E24 635CSi
1999 Povo spec BMW E36 1.8i Touring Work Hack
2001 Petrol annihilating Discovery V8
2000 Jaguar S Type 3.0 V6 ~NEW~
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That is a really nicely done Maestro van, good work  |
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Midas
Part of things
Posts: 515
Club RR Member Number: 14
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Looking for some thick checker plate to make a sump guard to... Potentially useless bit of information, but someone used to make Maestro sump guards commercially. All the Forestry Commission vans used to be fitted with them, quite a big lump of dural from memory. |
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Looking for some thick checker plate to make a sump guard to... Potentially useless bit of information, but someone used to make Maestro sump guards commercially. All the Forestry Commission vans used to be fitted with them, quite a big lump of dural from memory. Interesting, I made mine out of steel in the end, and it's proving to be very useful at taking the scrapes! |
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Just have to say that This is an epic thread.
I have one of the other 7 maestro 700s left on the road. Bought off the original owner in brum in order to be a mongol rally car.
how was the final fitting of the cross brace? Do you still have the template for your skid pan?
My poor van is gunna be raised and modded for cross country/world survival but will need to fit those bits to mine too
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Just spotted this when searching for something completely different... |
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Ich habe kein Geld!
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Jul 10, 2017 21:01:45 GMT
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Just have to say that This is an epic thread. I have one of the other 7 maestro 700s left on the road. Bought off the original owner in brum in order to be a mongol rally car. how was the final fitting of the cross brace? Do you still have the template for your skid pan? My poor van is gunna be raised and modded for cross country/world survival but will need to fit those bits to mine too I haven't got around to fitting the brace yet as it's a bit daunting drilling holes in the strut tops! I may have the template if I look for it, give me a pm Also will update the thread soon, not much changed but just a few bits here and there 😎 |
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Jul 11, 2017 11:39:14 GMT
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Jul 11, 2017 11:45:10 GMT
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looking good , tidy repair on window
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after i get this sorted I can sort out the new stance finally 
