GTREA Posted January 31, 2014 Author Share Posted January 31, 2014 (edited) The Manta is ready to be picked up, I will try and get a car trailer tomorrow. First job when I get it back is to pull the front end out and finish off as I just slapped it back in to make it a roller, and has no front springs fitted, also needs the suspension arms strengthening kit welded in and all the new Ball joints and tie rod ends fitted. Then prepare for paint, then engine in, then 368'000 small jobs There was always a dent in the boot lid which he fixed for me as well No more rusty arches and inners, feels good to see it solid...not rotten! Front valance now has new fabbed ends....where there was no ends before Which tie in with the new guards, as they are from a later model (plastic bumper) they needed some extra holes welded up, and a little bit of panel beating Hmmmm dish If a little small compared to the Skodas 18's. I did not order gun metal centres, but there was a problem with the silver centred ones so took these for now, easy to change colour later. Edited January 31, 2014 by GTREA 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DiMarco Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 Looks Really good buddy and the best part is you drive on the same side of the road as us . Would love to move over there and work of the Heavy haulage chap from the TV show he has amazing trucks whata jobs http://www.hhagroup.net/ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GTREA Posted January 31, 2014 Author Share Posted January 31, 2014 Haha I run a small transport company myself, but my trucks are smaller....and less shiny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DiMarco Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 Haha I run a small transport company myself, but my trucks are smaller....and less shiny Ha ha ha small world . I only thought it was just a TV show like you get but it is a as it is in the programme its awesome would love to drive them beasts and would take my Manta A with me for sure . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GTREA Posted February 3, 2014 Author Share Posted February 3, 2014 Picked the car up today, could not resist trying the wheels and tyres on for fit No front springs fitted at all so sitting on Bump stops and still turns full lock with no rubbing, Thankfully I think I got the Offset correct! (15x8 +20 with 205/50/15) Bees dick Front clearance Rear Clearance, You can see where the guard has been rolled plenty of room, could have gone 9" with different offset Oh and they want us to evacuate or prepare to defend atm.......fuck that I have rims to try on! :mad: 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GTREA Posted February 3, 2014 Author Share Posted February 3, 2014 (edited) Fuck its like Baghdad outside, 6 or so Helicopters and 4 or so Water bombing planes.....and i'm trying admire my car! Cool first day back at school for the kids! The Skycrane is here now, I have at least made an effort and am out of my Jocks and have put some pants on just incase Edited February 4, 2014 by GTREA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
opelmantagsi Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 looks good with those wheels on it, like it better without the chrome trim to be honest, chrome bumpers and satin black window trim....oooo looks like you need to get the Manta on a trailer and the family in the wagon and get the hell out of Dodge mate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GTREA Posted February 17, 2014 Author Share Posted February 17, 2014 Its been a few weeks, but I am still plugging away at this thing. The suspension is at a mates house having the strengthening plates welded in, meanwhile I have been prepping the engine bay and other areas for painting. All underbody now complete with underseal, as well as chassis rails, and front end.....I like this stuff :yup: Strong durable and for the most part you do not see it. I am not a good worker on cars really, and am easily distracted, the brake drums have been annoying me for a while, so dropped tools and cleaned them up, with satin black paint. I am going to try and rock the drum brakes for a while, unless the engineer says otherwise, as I do not want to over invest in this diff by adapting Discs to it, I have a full refurb kit coming for them to. Then I decided I might like to try some filler. .....And then I was reminded of these. Im not going to use them but need one for the boot, as a pretty spare, so.... 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julian Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 You always have interesting posts, Fine job. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GTREA Posted February 20, 2014 Author Share Posted February 20, 2014 Ok, Flying along now with this thing! Engine bay, etch primed and primed. Still need a little filler here and there and some spray puttying, but i want to retain the factory look, so all holes and indents will remain. Same with the interior, although not bothering with imperfections here, it will be painted body colour, then Dynamatted anyway (not to mention the carpet) What do they say, Measure twice, buy once........ Ooooops, Core width 740mm, chassis rail width 690mm T'is a big radiator alright...won't overheat!.....got a bloke cutting 25mm off each end for me tomorrow, should sit snug then. I knew it would not fit between the Manta radiator side plate things, but did'nt even think to check chassis rail width! To keep it looking 'Factory' I am cutting the radiator side plate 'thingies' off and rewelding onto the chassis rail, which will still support this new radiator, and although wider to the untrained eye at least hopefully look factory. Booked in with my mate for the long weekend (not this one next) to fit the engine, so need engine bay painted and front end all back together by then For the life of me I cannot read the paint code on the build plate, maybe I have inhaled to many thinners, but this thing is Sapphire blue Code: 17 71 218 Yes? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
opelmantagsi Posted February 20, 2014 Share Posted February 20, 2014 (edited) this looks like a familiar stage in the build mate. :-) I think that rad will look seriously good when its cut back and I like the idea of trying to reuse the rad support brackets if you lots that step down each end of the rad header it will look like its meant to be make sure you have a female boss in the bottom for a temperature guage, bit hard to see in the pics, but if its not there get one in at the same time yeah you dont want to get into smoothing the engine bay, that's hours and hours of work as you know Edited February 20, 2014 by opelmantagsi 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Abbott Posted February 21, 2014 Share Posted February 21, 2014 Nice update and great pics as usual. The 9" drums are very good in prefect service conditions. We only put discs on as we are tarts :-) Derek needs to get his project back on as it's coming along in Facebook. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
opelmantagsi Posted February 23, 2014 Share Posted February 23, 2014 WTF is happening with the photos? Looks like the same issue I used to have and got sick of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GTREA Posted February 23, 2014 Author Share Posted February 23, 2014 Ran out of Bandwidth Derek, pay for membership or wait till the end of the month until the photos are restored is what the website is saying.....I think I will wait for now. Haha Kevin yeah the drums look 'Old Fashioned','uncool','low budget' and 'unserious' and I would prefer discs for those reasons, but I have some 296mm vented fronts coming, and with decent pads and fluid there is no way known on the street I am going to think to myself, god I wished I had upgraded to rear discs.......................................although I still want them Finished priming the engine bay, cabin and boot areas today, hopefully lay some paint down late next week! Photos to come March 1st Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
opelmantagsi Posted February 23, 2014 Share Posted February 23, 2014 (edited) Oh ok,I forgot about the photobucket bandwidth thing, should have as I ust renewed my annual subscription. I will have to hurry up your overtaking me! Look forward to the pics, have you had a trial run to see if the V8 and gear box will fit in ? Edited February 23, 2014 by opelmantagsi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GTREA Posted February 23, 2014 Author Share Posted February 23, 2014 Haha yeah but i'm only doing half the job your doing Motor fitment will be next weekend hopefully! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GTREA Posted March 2, 2014 Author Share Posted March 2, 2014 (edited) The second day of Autumn, and theres a definate chill in the air (36 degrees here in Perth today) so I went out to my Mates place to finally get the engine out ot the wreck which I left at his house in October. Hose all the snakes and bitey things out of it, also emptied a can of Insect spray inside! The car has never had front wheels, has always sat on the ground, so I have never had a look underneath, I need a front sump 1UZ for the Manta.......... WTF....I had read the internet, its never lied to me before!!!!!.....Soarers are supposed to be front sumps, then and only then did I realise Soarers are the SC400 not the LS400....I had somehow read the internetz wrong I hate Toyotas! http://www.lextreme.com/1uzfe_info.html Sumps The easiest way to identify an engine is by the sump location. All engines feature an alloy sump that adds rigidity to the block with a bolt on pressed steel cap for the sump pan itself. LS400/Lexus/Celsior all have a front sump. I suspect the Aristo does too. These work best with Hiluxes/Surfs/4-Runners and Altezzas. Crowns have a centre sump, whilst Soarers and ambulances have a rear sump No matter motors still coming out.......Out with the plasma cutter Hook the engine up to the Tractor and lift her out Now the engines out I can measure the Transmission, something I could not find an answer to on the internet. Mantas Transmission tunnel starts at 300mmm in width, the widest point of the 1UZ Auto Bellhousing is 340mm On the plus side, I spoke to my mate who runs Final Drive engineering here in Perth and he said the Slip yoke problem with the autos on the A340 (the tailshaft is bolted to the gearbox) which everyone carries on about as being a major issue is infact no problem at all. an easy fix, he has aluminum adapters and uses Hilux slip stubs within the driveshaft itself. Edited March 2, 2014 by GTREA 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
opelmantagsi Posted March 3, 2014 Share Posted March 3, 2014 time to get that plasma into the floor of the Manta I think Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GTREA Posted March 3, 2014 Author Share Posted March 3, 2014 (edited) Cutting the Soarer tunnel out and Grafting onto the Manta is the best / easiest option I reckon. Plasma cutter does not leave very precise cut lines though, just melts the steel Heres some rough dimensions from the engine we took out The Manta Trans tunnel is around 300mm at its widest point. 220mm wide around the Selector, (500mmm back from Firewall) 180mm wide (600mm back from Firewall) 740mm into the Manta trans tunnel (A340 gearbox length) takes you to the Handbrake bulge Manta trans tunnel is about 200mm deep at the selector, about 260mm deep at the fire wall Edited March 3, 2014 by GTREA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
opelmantagsi Posted March 3, 2014 Share Posted March 3, 2014 Time to take a deep breath and think it over. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devil Fish Posted March 3, 2014 Share Posted March 3, 2014 keep at it!! Will be worth all the blood sweat and tears! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
®evo03 Posted March 3, 2014 Share Posted March 3, 2014 (edited) just a thought, have you considered dropping front axle out of manta, complete with wheels etc. roughly mount the new donkey (soarer block), to front axle, rough engine mounts etc. get the engine where you want it. then offer it in from under car, this will allow you to see where manta shell is going to need modified. I'm guessing, front of bulk head, possibly wider tunnel. easiest tunnel I ever seen modified was split across top of tunnel, bulk head outer edge cut out, this allowed tunnel to be pressed out, (scissor jack,) small weld across top of tunnel, bilk head welder up, job done!! Good luck with your Mods! Edited March 3, 2014 by brady 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GTREA Posted March 4, 2014 Author Share Posted March 4, 2014 Yes I think we might try that method first brady. So it will end up something like this Probably a 100mm section around the edge of the firewall for the bell housing would need to go then the odd hole cut along the tunnel, and so forth where it fouls Or this is a Soarer Trans tunnel. Cut that out of my wreck, and use all or part of. Until we get the car and engine together hard to say which way to go really. I'm more annoyed about the sump issue atm! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Abbott Posted March 4, 2014 Share Posted March 4, 2014 Watch out for changing the manta handbrake if you want to keep the standard centre console I changed mine for a Sierra one and hated it so much I had to re weld a manta one back in. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonymanta Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 Keep the faith - that is one very original Manta - as you say all the trim is there, which after my experience with the Commodore GS/E A series coupe will be a huge cost avoided. Let's see some more pics soon. Cheers, Simon. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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