Rover 416 GTI Auto - Restoring an old friend

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Plodder
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Re: Rover 416 GTI Auto - Restoring an old friend

Post by Plodder »

Montegoman wrote: Sat Nov 12, 2022 7:57 pm I think you will find that the panel on the o/s is there to protect the lock mechanism rather than look good.
Thanks for that sounds like a valid reason I'll assume I never had one and move on to something more important
1991 Rover 416 GTi Auto - Flame Red - Owned since Aug 97 :)
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Plodder
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Re: Rover 416 GTI Auto - Restoring an old friend

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Not made much progress since the last update having finally moved out of rented accommodation.
I now have a garage :D But it's full of everyone else's stuff rather than car stuff :sad :sad .
Including a lathe acquired whilst clearing my Dad's garage.

I'm sure it'll be useful, and safe, once I've sorted the 70+ year old motor wiring :S

Fitted the replacement seat belt buckle so now have a matched set again.

Image

Finally got the rusty joint on the offside suspension turret repaired at a company called AM Restoration in Plympton. Not big into Rovers but are into Triumphs, particularly Stags.

https://amrestorations.co.uk/gallery/

Repair was painted rather than sprayed as it kept the price down and it is hidden under the fuse box on a joint that's barely visible most of the time.
Looks and feels like a solid repair.

Sadly no in process shots, did ask but it didn't happen.

So it's difficult to know the extent of the rust, although more welding than anticipated was carried out it didn't appear that the rust had spread to far along the joint.

So I only have before and after shots

Image Image

Their respray quote again was very expensive starting at £12K and £15K for a bare metal respray.

Bit too expensive for me despite my love for the car :laughing2 .

I'll just keep looking and getting quotes

Thanks for looking
1991 Rover 416 GTi Auto - Flame Red - Owned since Aug 97 :)
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Plodder
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Re: Rover 416 GTI Auto - Restoring an old friend

Post by Plodder »

Image

Another year , another MOT. Yippee!
Not bad for 32 years old.

Slight trailing nearside brake that needs sorting, been stood too long rather than driven this year, but apart from that a clean bill of health.
Hopefully get some more work done on it over the winter rather than DIY around the house.
1991 Rover 416 GTi Auto - Flame Red - Owned since Aug 97 :)
StubbornPatriot
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Re: Rover 416 GTI Auto - Restoring an old friend

Post by StubbornPatriot »

Looks just great. Seeing yours reminds me just how far I've yet to go. Fabulous.
1989 216GSI + 1990 216GSI + 1997 416 Tourer + ? + Triumph T160V
James3990
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Re: Rover 416 GTI Auto - Restoring an old friend

Post by James3990 »

Looks great, well done on the pass!
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Mr Teddy Bear
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Re: Rover 416 GTI Auto - Restoring an old friend

Post by Mr Teddy Bear »

Plodder said;

"Their respray quote again was very expensive starting at £12K and £15K for a bare metal respray.

Bit too expensive for me despite my love for the car :laughing2 .

I'll just keep looking and getting quotes

Thanks for looking"

Paint cost fluctuate according to the depth of the classic car owners pocket! :D

I went for a quote to paint my hatch gutter to BCC Restorations just North of Bristol in Thornbury. They specialise in Jag' XK's by the way, full bare metal respray start at £20k :o

I got some nice people to do it in Longwell Green [ so walking distance ] for 325! so hopefully success :) They had a lot of difficulty getting the loom out etc, but it was all put back together as was much to my relief!
Teddy Bear

216 Sli SRS Charcoal Met 1996

214Si Silver? Tempest Grey 1993
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Plodder
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Re: Rover 416 GTI Auto - Restoring an old friend

Post by Plodder »

Been unable to fix the dragging rear brake so have invested in a replacement calliper.
Just need to swap it over now
1991 Rover 416 GTi Auto - Flame Red - Owned since Aug 97 :)
Mr Teddy Bear
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Re: Rover 416 GTI Auto - Restoring an old friend

Post by Mr Teddy Bear »

Plodder wrote: Mon Nov 27, 2023 7:22 pm Been unable to fix the dragging rear brake so have invested in a replacement calliper.
Just need to swap it over now
They are not worth stripping down any longer the needle rollers for the hand brake cam turn to mush and the two part piston seizes up. Now 50 quid used to be 160 from a dealer and needed stripping down! :S
Teddy Bear

216 Sli SRS Charcoal Met 1996

214Si Silver? Tempest Grey 1993
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Plodder
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Re: Rover 416 GTI Auto - Restoring an old friend

Post by Plodder »

Just a small update.
Finally managed to fit the new rear near side caliper that was identified as an issue on the the MOT.
Only taken 4 months to find the time between the DIY, taxi driving, cold weather and the rain.
So off with the old, that was fitted back in 2002, and on with the new! :D

Image Image.

The MOT station said it was slightly dragging, but not significant. Well with the wheel off I couldn't turn the disc by hand :o

Interestingly after replacing the rear caliper both nearside discs get warmer than the offside discs after a trip out, not sure why?

So the only original caliper is the near side front, I might just replace that for the sheer hell of it :D .

Next up a cam belt change, but still a long list of other improvements needed

Slowly getting more space in the garage to swing a spanner , so I'm hoping I'll have enough room to store and do the headliner later this year.
1991 Rover 416 GTi Auto - Flame Red - Owned since Aug 97 :)
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Plodder
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Re: Rover 416 GTI Auto - Restoring an old friend

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Well finally managed to get the car off the ramps just in time for the next MOT :D .
Should have done this over the winter rather than during the summer/show season
Replaced the brake reaction bar bushes and got the reaction bars repainted at the same time . Took a bit of time to get the fixing holes in the bars aligned with the lower suspension arm (see separate post).
https://rover200.org.uk/forums/topic/16346

But all done now
Image Image

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I think the bushes on the lower suspension arms might also need upgrading but happy to complete the job
Image

Trimmed the lip off the poly bushes to allow them to fit properly in the front sub frame and fitted them the opposite way round to the o.e. rubber bushes as recommended.
Image

Also cleaned the plastic sump guard of 30+ years of grime. Used an awful lot of tar cleaner and tooth paste but it came up pretty good.
Image Image

All just in time for the MOT next week.
I've done about 50 miles since the last MOT, which is rubbish , will make sure I do any work needed over the winter this time and enjoy next years shows
1991 Rover 416 GTi Auto - Flame Red - Owned since Aug 97 :)
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