And So It Begins....

[SanRemo78]

Thanks once again Peter - you're a mine of information! One of the rear inner races came off with the bearing but the other is still in situ, I'll have a look for the drift holes tomorrow, I'm sure it'll pop off easily enough. One front wheel bearing/steering arm and one rear hub cleaned up this afternoon with a wire brush on a drill. I'll treat them both to a quick coat of rust converter to kill anything that forms over the weekend and then a coat of paint or two. Probably red oxide and then a satin black rattle can, avoiding any bearing surfaces and threads. The brake dust shields are a little more fragile but the same treatment should work okay, I'll consider having them powder coated instead of painting them. Just a few dents to straighten. New bearings to press in and new lock rings and it'll be ready to go on the shelf for the rebuild.

Guy

[SanRemo78]

Wire wheels on the drill and the stub axles/hub carriers are starting to look better! Ready for a coat or two of paint as soon as the shell makes space. That’ll be tomorrow then 👍

[WestonE]

Impressive work on a job I have always used the Sandblaster for after masking the bearing surfaces with tank tape.

[peteracs]

If they are before rust treatment which they look like, very impressive, mine are not as clean as that after the wire wheel has done it’s job.

I have to say it is one very mucky job, necessary but not my most enjoyable bit of the restoration. The end result is however worth the effort.

Peter

[SanRemo78]

Photos are just after wire wheeling a front and rear with it's pair for comparison to show what I started with. All four are done now, it's not a fun job but satisfying when they all come out okay. They'll get a Ku-Rust coat to kill anything lurking followed by a coat of Nitromors Red Oxide and then Nitromors Satin Black to finish off. A few weeks in a box fully curing will be followed by new bearings being pressed, lock rings fitted and new bushes ready for reassembly. I've yet to tackle the rear brake backplates but i hope they'll come up okay. I did briefly consider consigning them to the box for shot blasting and powder coating but I think that might be a little too harsh on thin steel. If it fails in years to come it'll be a localised repair, I'm not going to destroy a new bearing and locking to get them off again!
Guy

[peteracs]

Hi Guy

If you treat them then I would imagine they will probably outlast both you and me….. after all they have lasted 40 years without being as well looked after.

Peter

[mangocrazy]

Very impressed with the finish on those parts. Is that achieved solely by using a wire wheel on a drill or grinder? My only concern with using the wire wheel (apart from pieces of wire flying off) is that it tends to polish the surface, which means that paint or primer doesn't adhere as well as it could. When I refurbished the uprights that Peter kindly provided I degreased them, then had them blasted, then took them to my local platers for black phosphate treatment. This is a genuine surface treatment in that it doesn't increase the dimensions of the part, but actually sinks into the surface. These are the parts that are still waiting patiently to be fitted:

[SanRemo78]

Just a wire wheel or ten on a drill. I’m comfortable with the treatment they’ll get, they’re in better condition now than when I got them.

In other news. Shell and panels were collected today.

[peteracs]

Hi Graham

You are probably correct, but as Guy says this technique is good enough for me, ie I can get on no do it myself and this car is costing way too much already…! The rust treatment I am using also acts as a primer so has some interaction with the metal from what I understand, though time will tell how effective it is.

I think some protection is better than none and as mentioned above, these parts will outlast me so happy with carrying on.

Peter

[SanRemo78]

Help? Amongst spares I’ve collected were the pictured brackets and…. I haven’t got a clue if they’re Beta Coupe or not! There was nothing like them removed from the shell by me but given the car was incomplete when bought they may be needed!

Top right has a clip on the back that may take a rubber strap? Maybe something to support the jack?

Guy

[mangocrazy]

Guy,

If it was me I'd get them blasted and re-plated while I was figuring out what they might be for.

Graham

[Neil-yaj396]

Top right might be the cover for the top of a jack?

[SanRemo78]

Thanks Neil - my jack came from 2 sources the missing top was a piece of plastic and looked nothing like this bit. Might it be a bracket to hold the jack? Don't know! I also got some Fulvia and Fiat 131 parts mixed in with the bits I've acquired so these may all be wild goose chases!

[SanRemo78]

Right, more for the Wire Wheeling Weirdoes out there (I’m going off it now)….

One rear strut top mount ready for a quick coat of rust converter and paint. The stub axles and backing plates are done boxed up now until reassembly starts.

Guy

[peteracs]

I hear your boredom, it seems like a never ending job, the reward is the finished painted item free of oil and dirt and you can handle it without having to wash your hands…..

Peter

[SanRemo78]

Ho hum. Wire Wheeling play stopped by dead drill. Half a front lower top mount done. Second one isn’t pretty and I may opt to replace it once I’ve had a go at it. The two rear top mounts are slowly curing after rust converter, primer and topcoats. Happy with them.
Guy

[SanRemo78]

And in the post yesterday/today were the tools from Chris (VXMan - lock ring and camshaft shim tool) to fit the lock rings front and rear. Two fronts and a rear were in stock and another front and rear arrived today. The Stratos also uses the Beta front lock ring so spares stock is replenished!
Guy

[SanRemo78]

Right, I’m not liking the condition of one of the front suspension parts. The lower half of the top mount which the spring sits on. The steel is looking very corroded and the edges are splitting/separating. It’s obviously weaker than it should be after an hour with wire brushes and a power file so I think this one needs replacing. Unless you lot think otherwise? Anyway, shout out time! Does anyone have a spare one in good condition or a lead to a new one? Or two new ones?

[peteracs]

A bit on the ropey side. Do not forget to take the bearing plate out of the centre.

Peter

[mangocrazy]

I've always found that cleaning up rusty parts (once they've been degreased) is normally best done by immersing said rusty part(s) in a solution of citric acid. It will convert what rust it can into a stable compound and provides an excellent base for plating. Citric acid in crystal form is readily available for cheap on ebay and I either use it in an ultrasonic cleaner to clean up bolts and small parts or in a plastic tank for larger parts.