Duchess The Volvo 340 CVT

[Chris_C]

That is a chunk of progress, rear strut towers in the shell look pretty good too, that's a favourite place to rust if the sill drain holes have been blocked

[benji1985]

That is a chunk of progress, rear strut towers in the shell look pretty good too, that's a favourite place to rust if the sill drain holes have been blocked

Thank you, I didn't know that was a place to rust, I'll check over with a fine tooth comb

Ben

[benji1985]

Good evening.
17/03/16. Today saw most of the remaining parts cleaned up.
Started with the plates that join the rear shock to the leaf springs (not sure what they are called).
Before
IMAG3930 by Benjamin Charlton, on Flickr
After
IMAG3931 by Benjamin Charlton, on Flickr

The next items that came to hand were the front suspension strut top spring cups, it was mentioned that these can crack, so cleaned as much rubbish off as possible, to find no cracks at all
Before
IMAG3932 by Benjamin Charlton, on Flickr
After
IMAG3933 by Benjamin Charlton, on Flickr

I then decided to work on the other front suspension strut, this one cleaned up nice and also the spring cups are in good condition, and also managed to drill out the broken bolts, the first broken bolt drilled out in minutes, the second however broke 4 drill bits and damaged many more, thankfully with help from the father in law and a pillar drill it came out, I was going to tap these holes and as much as I think the first hole would tap nice I fear the second one might break a tap, so just going to bolt through with a nut on the end.
IMAG3934 by Benjamin Charlton, on Flickr
IMAG3935 by Benjamin Charlton, on Flickr

The next parts were the calipers, I had been putting them off but cracked on with them.
They did clean up well too, but will need a rebuild kits and I am not sure if the pistons need replaced?
IMAG3936 by Benjamin Charlton, on Flickr
IMAG3938 by Benjamin Charlton, on Flickr
IMAG3937 by Benjamin Charlton, on Flickr

The rear lights have been finished off, all new wires added for earthing issues.
IMAG3943 by Benjamin Charlton, on Flickr
IMAG3944 by Benjamin Charlton, on Flickr
IMAG3945 by Benjamin Charlton, on Flickr

Also new parts arrived and with thanks to Tom who gave me some new wheel nuts, the longer wheel studs have arrived
IMAG3941 by Benjamin Charlton, on Flickr

This is all for now, back to work again, more to happen on Tuesday

Ben

[Chris_C]

viewtopic.php?f=52&t=5953&start=315#p125303

Start with the photo above that link for what it looked like before it was poked, then the amount that had to be chopped out

Something calming about seeing someone using brown wire for the rear cluster earth mod! Nice one

[benji1985]

viewtopic.php?f=52&t=5953&start=315#p125303

Start with the photo above that link for what it looked like before it was poked, then the amount that had to be chopped out

Something calming about seeing someone using brown wire for the rear cluster earth mod! Nice one

I am so glad mine is not that bad! But only time will tell.

Ben

[benji1985]

Hello all, well the progess has gound to a halt, mainly due to the wet weather...
But, my new bolts turned up to join the manifolds together, these are titanium aerospace quality bolts.... yes i had to get that in there, sadly they wont be seen

The bolts were 1 x M7x1x40 and 2 x M7x1x50 and as you can see they are not much different to the originals.

IMAG3952 by Benjamin Charlton, on Flickr
IMAG3953 by Benjamin Charlton, on Flickr

Also my caliper re-build kits have arrived

A big thank you to Mac for helping on the bolts and the re-build kits and also Tom for help with the bolts too

While i had a bit of sun for good friday, i decided to get the calipers and drums painted up
I cant say i am completely happy with the VHT paint, it is a nice colour but does spray a little strange (might very well be me and my lack of skills)
IMAG3961 by Benjamin Charlton, on Flickr
IMAG3960 by Benjamin Charlton, on Flickr

Anyhow this is all that has been achieved on Duchess, also did the front discs and pads on the mother-in-law's 307cc.
Heres hoping that the weather will improve so more work can go ahead

Watch this space for more updates

Ben

[bogbasic]

Epic work, space it out, man.

[benji1985]

Epic work, space it out, man.

I am trying to space it out, but once I start something I like to get it done. I know no patience lol

Ben

[benji1985]

Hello all, today i decided to try and get a few things sorted towards the car.
30/03/16
Today i received my package from Mac, my carb has been completely re-built, here's the story pictures courtesy of Mac.
Mac received my carb plus a second carb that i had that was no use to me,
image-3_zpsmx2kxdmf by Benjamin Charlton, on Flickr
mine was dismantled
photo 1-1_zps7tw5dpgr by Benjamin Charlton, on Flickr
then it was cleaned
photo 1-1_zps7tw5dpgr by Benjamin Charlton, on Flickr
photo 3_zpsceigp8fy by Benjamin Charlton, on Flickr
the holes for the studs were helicoiled
image-1_zpsnajl0yu6 by Benjamin Charlton, on Flickr
All the other parts were ultrasonic cleaned
photo 3_zpsceigp8fy by Benjamin Charlton, on Flickr

all these parts look amazing
photo 2-1_zpsn430itxb by Benjamin Charlton, on Flickr
photo 4_zpsjai1xevb by Benjamin Charlton, on Flickr
Carb ready to go back together
photo_zpsr84yojco by Benjamin Charlton, on Flickr
Then all put back together, I have to say i hardly recognize that this was once my dirty carb
photo 1_zps8iblm4y0 by Benjamin Charlton, on Flickr
photo 2_zpsa4ylwfev by Benjamin Charlton, on Flickr



Mac has also supplied some re-built drop links which look amazing too
image-5_zpsqzsilrxh by Benjamin Charlton, on Flickr

I decided to rebuild my calipers, both have new rebuild kits but re-used the pistons and i think the blue calipers and silver caliper carriers are a good contrast
IMAG3962 by Benjamin Charlton, on Flickr

Also decided to change the part on the steering rack to make the rack work with the 340 instead of the 360, thank you Tom for the part.
IMAG3963 by Benjamin Charlton, on Flickr

Again with help from Mac and his hub bearing tool, the outer race were removed
IMAG3964 by Benjamin Charlton, on Flickr

Thank you Mac for all your help so far and thank you Tom for the steering rack part.

[benji1985]

Good evening all, so more work done today.
31/03/16
today all the cleaned up parts have had the first coat of paint - picture to follow once they are done.
While the parts were drying the rear axle got a POR15 topcoat and some more dismantling happened
first the bumper came off
IMAG3967 by Benjamin Charlton, on Flickr
then the headlight came out ready to be dismantled and clean
IMAG3966 by Benjamin Charlton, on Flickr
IMAG3970 by Benjamin Charlton, on Flickr
also removed the alternator
I attempted to remove the exhaust, knowing that the back box was holed and the downpipe was very rusty sadly the exhaust would not separate, so it .....erm...... bit the dust, managed to get the downpipe saved
IMAG3968 by Benjamin Charlton, on Flickr
the prop shaft was removed
IMAG3986 by Benjamin Charlton, on Flickr
IMAG3969 by Benjamin Charlton, on Flickr
I removed fuel tank
IMAG3987 by Benjamin Charlton, on Flickr
IMAG3988 by Benjamin Charlton, on Flickr
Then the CVT units came out and separated
IMAG3971 by Benjamin Charlton, on Flickr
The CVT mount was dismantled as the rubber mounts would not come undone
IMAG3972 by Benjamin Charlton, on Flickr
IMAG3982 by Benjamin Charlton, on Flickr
IMAG3983 by Benjamin Charlton, on Flickr

Now the CVT unit, the fuel tank, prop shaft and exhaust are out, good chance to look over the underside, over all she looks good, there is a little bit of surface rust, the chassis looks really clean and good.
IMAG3974 by Benjamin Charlton, on Flickr
IMAG3975 by Benjamin Charlton, on Flickr
IMAG3976 by Benjamin Charlton, on Flickr
IMAG3978 by Benjamin Charlton, on Flickr
IMAG3979 by Benjamin Charlton, on Flickr
IMAG3980 by Benjamin Charlton, on Flickr

So se shall see what tomorrow bring

[benji1985]

Hello all the next days installment
01/04/16
Today I painted the other side of the parts and top coated the suspension struts, the rear axle is now finished.
IMAG3989 by Benjamin Charlton, on Flickr
Front suspension struts
IMAG3994 by Benjamin Charlton, on Flickr
IMAG3995 by Benjamin Charlton, on Flickr
IMAG3996 by Benjamin Charlton, on Flickr
IMAG3997 by Benjamin Charlton, on Flickr
ARB links
IMAG3991 by Benjamin Charlton, on Flickr
Torque rods
IMAG3990 by Benjamin Charlton, on Flickr
Brake drum back plates and handbrake leavers
IMAG3992 by Benjamin Charlton, on Flickr
Torque rod (i think)
IMAG3993 by Benjamin Charlton, on Flickr
Lower suspension arms, front suspension top mounts, rear suspension shocks to leaf springs and engine beam mounts
IMAG3998 by Benjamin Charlton, on Flickr

So this is it for a little while till the weather clears up a bit, but the next job is the re assembly of the rear axle and cylinder head also have some more parts to get cleaned up, this will happen while it rains lol

Enjoy and watch for more updates

Ben

[benji1985]

02/04/16
As the weather was nice today I decided to make a start on the cylinder head.
The end plate came off quite easy
IMAG4000 by Benjamin Charlton, on Flickr
next the rockers and valve came out
IMAG4006 by Benjamin Charlton, on Flickr
all the manifold stud were removed
IMAG4007 by Benjamin Charlton, on Flickr
next was the studs that hold the rockers and cover
IMAG4008 by Benjamin Charlton, on Flickr

Then i had a basic clean up, removed the remaining gasket material.
cleaned up quite nice.
IMAG4009 by Benjamin Charlton, on Flickr
IMAG4010 by Benjamin Charlton, on Flickr
IMAG4011 by Benjamin Charlton, on Flickr

All ready for a good clean now
IMAG4012 by Benjamin Charlton, on Flickr

more to come next week

Ben

[thododd]

Is that the spare head?

[benji1985]

Is that the spare head?

It is indeed, cleaned up nice?

[MCHUDD]

Hi mate.
That is some work your putting in there. Brilliant.
Cheers Mark.