Spyder restoration - long time coming

[squiglyzigly]

Hi Peter,
Is there only the one size for both bonded and rubber seal screens?

Ian

[peteracs]

Hi

Good question and they are different sizes, so no.

I will ask the question!

Peter

[rossocorsa]

I presume that all on that list are for bonded screens? The dates qouted are a bit odd and confusing but presumably allow for cars that were aged stock when first registered. I'm guessing that spiders always had bonded screens right up to 1982? I've never really took notice. Coupé changed much earlier, not sure about HPE.

[WestonE]

OK so now I have some doubt about what I have and a 12-14 week lead time is a wake up call to check.

What color combination was used on S2 FL Beta Spiders?

I think it would be wise for me to check both the color combination I have and the fit asap. I think I do not have any Spider screens for reference because the lash up Spider donor car had a VX screen in a rubber fitted and it is long gone complete with it's grinder burns.

Eric   

[peteracs]

Hi

This thread has some info on the rubber mounted screens, will update when I get a response from Pilkington, but the ones above are for the bonded screens.

http://www.betaboyz.myzen.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=3959.0

Peter

[frankxhv773t]

Am I wrong in thinking that S2 Betas had two facelifts so when talking about specifications you need to specify pre 1st facelift, facelift 1 or facelift 2?

[peteracs]

Hi Frank

There were certainly a couple of facelifts from what I have seen, but do not ask me what the second facelift involves...

Peter

[peteracs]

Interesting day yesterday. I needed a pair of new number plates and knew that you need to show proof of ownership to get new plates. I decided to get via one of the online sellers who have a good reputation, via Ebay. In their blurb they say you need to send them original documents which I was sort of ok with, but not enthusiastic about. However on buying them I then established a scan of the documents required and submitted via Ebay messages was sufficient. A good simple result.

Next up was a visit to the local Post Office who do deal with car tax. I enquired on changing the status to Historic Vehicle and the very helpful guy said he could not only send my updated V5C off for me, but could also tax it there and then. Took about 2 mins and I now have a taxed Historic Vehicle!

This was most surprising just how easy this was. Hope this helps others.

Peter

[Kevo]

I’m having a new screen fitted via my insurance with auto windscreens, spoke to the insurance company and got ref no text from auto windscreens yesterday and auto windscreens should be contacting me today when they find out how soon they can get the screen. Having it done here in my garage so hopefully they will visit first to check the screen.
I’ll keep you all informed as to the outcome.
Update ***
Booked in for this Mon 29th, 4716AGNBL. Wasn’t sure if it was green with blue strip or clear with blue strip so went for green blue as that was in stock.

[peteracs]

Hi

Hopefully will go smoothly!

I have just sent an email ordering a clear with green strip which was the original in my car.

The 4 screens I have all have some issues, some small, but as Eric (and my wife) has said, no point doing all this and later wishing you had gone for a new one. I know how much of a ball ache it is to remove them as have done it twice already on this car and on the ones I scrapped. If anyone can make use of any of the screens I have, feel free to get in touch as it seems a waste to simply scrap them.

Peter

[frankxhv773t]

Peter, Facelift 2 brought in black chrome and the new corporate grille, all as on the VX. I always think Facelift 1 could better have been called Series 3 because the changes were so substantial.

[Kevo]

Hi

Hopefully will go smoothly!

I have just sent an email ordering a clear with green strip which was the original in my car.

The 4 screens I have all have some issues, some small, but as Eric (and my wife) has said, no point doing all this and later wishing you had gone for a new one. I know how much of a ball ache it is to remove them as have done it twice already on this car and on the ones I scrapped. If anyone can make use of any of the screens I have, feel free to get in touch as it seems a waste to simply scrap them.

Peter

Hi Peter
The guy is coming next Thursday now as he’s their old school installer, which I think is good for me.
I decided to take the screen out myself yesterday afternoon to deal with a little rust bubble or 2 and I removed the internal plastic trim but a few of the metal spring clips were broken. I don’t suppose you would know where I could get some from quickly? If available.
Hope you get your screen soon and all goes well.
Cheers Kev.

[peteracs]

Hi Kev

What metal spring clips? Can you post a photo?

Thanks

Peter

[WestonE]

I am not sure which clips you mean, but maybe you mean the clips that hold the plastic trim onto the screen hole. Try Bresco  https://www.bresco.com/acatalog/Fasteners-p1.html

Eric

[Kevo]

Peter/Eric Thanks, yes the bresco d clips look similar, I’ll have a measure up and see. Yes it’s for the plastic trim that goes around the screen hole. I think the plastic trim is also designed to lift the screen slightly away from the frame.
Many thanks Kev.

[peteracs]

Managed another couple of half days on the car. Getting to the point where a load of small tidy up jobs are being done. List of jobs done.

First up was a weeping brake pipe connection to the master cylinder. I had tried tightening a couple of times, but still weeped some fluid overnight. Turned out to be a bit of an own goal. I removed the the pipe and found the brake pipe union was the correct thread but wrong type. There are two types of ends to the unions, one is concave at the end and the other is flat. You need the appropriate tool to form the flare on the pipe to suit. My tool is for the concave type, but I had accidentally put a flat union onto the pipe so the flare had been distorted and not happy, hence the weep. Correct union installed and fresh flare, bleed that section of circuit and no more leaking.

Modified the valve spring compressor to accommodate the spring cap on the head as it needed opening out. Now works well.

Painted the adjusters for the track rod and some bits of bare metal in the engine bay I had missed.

Fitted the push fit connectors for the rubber boots which go around the steering rack arms.

Test fitted the under bonnet cover. This was a new one originally from Mark which Neil had surplus to his needs and I bought a few years back. It is designed for the later bonnet, but just needs a few extra screw holes and cut out for the two bonnet retainers on early ones.

I noticed my door window glass when closed had a small gap on the leading edge. So to adjust I had to remove the door card etc to get to the  two bolts which allow adjustment. I was not looking forward to removing the door card as a fair few bits to remove, but it came off and went back together fairly easily thankfully. A bit of trial and error and the glass fits a lot better. The other door glass I managed to get right first time.....

Next was fitting the two front inner wheel arch removable panels. These are held in via self tappers into nylon clips. I used stainless screws and washers to hopefully make them last!

Last job was drilling the two small holes in each of the front wings to accommodate the wing indicators. The wings are fibreglass and have the large hole already, but not the two holes for the fixing screws. After some careful measuring a pilot hole followed by 5mm drill gave a nice snug fit. I also ordered some stainless nuts to help with keeping them ‘undoable’ if needed.

Peter

[chrisc]

On that windscreen list, do you think we're talking all of them are the same size / shape it's just tinting options? I note the code for all starts 4716 then varies depending on colours.

My screen is fine at the moment but with the windscreen scuttle as rusty as it is, no guarantees it'll come out intact.

[peteracs]

Hi Chris

My understanding is that they are all the same size, just differing tints and top colour.

Below is what I was sent re the size of the 4716 screen.

Peter

[mangocrazy]

As a matter of interest, what would a brand new screen from Pilkington cost?

[peteracs]

As a matter of interest, what would a brand new screen from Pilkington cost?

Hi Graham

The list of screens and pricing I posted on previous page on March 22.

Peter