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Panda (Classic) Engelbert the H reg Dark Green Sisley Progress Log

Introduction

https://www.fiatforum.com/panda-cla...ng-h-reg-sisley-needs-home-5.html#post3514984

So today I took delivery of the above mentioned Sisley, who I have decided to name Engelbert after the last 3 letters of his numberplate (I always name my cars in this way). All is explained as to how he came to be in my possession from the above thread so I wont touch on that too much here but will say the seller is a very kind lady. She was understanding about the transport frustrations I had and was very honest about the condition of the car.

This first post is going to be very pic heavy by the way!! I got it and did a quick assessment (I will do a more in depth assessment tomorrow) but I am extremely pleased with the condition generally, it obviously will need work but I am prepared for this (hence the project log). It has every sisley extra apart from the grille badge and is missing two centrecaps and the horn push (I am not counting the compass in this), though I wasnt expecting there to be as much of the sisley trim etc as there is! I am in the process of compiling a list of required items too.

Required Items/work required

Side repeater indicator
Front part of Airbox assembly (or new clips)
two sisley centrecaps
Front grille sisley badge
Instrument surround (See photo)
possibly bonnet vent (there is a small crack in this but I actually dont think it matters too much)
Possibly new bonnet or just work to the bonnet
Rubber headlamp rear cover
Rubber boot seal
Refurbish wheels and new tyres
Sisley Horn Push
New Battery
Aerial
Wiring repairs (wiring next to battery at least)
Repair front seat fabric
Under bonnet screwdriver
wirebrushing and undersealing, possible welding at points
Front bullbars
rear bullbars Palio I havent forgotten about this, but will wait till funds are more available if thats cool?
Obviously a stripdown and recommissioning generally of the engine is required as it hasnt run in 4-5 years


The general condition is pretty good indeed, though some rust curing and prevention will obviously have to be done. But I gave it a quick clean and it has come up very nicely, I am struggling for things to say about it as I have so much swimming in my head at the moment with it, im overwhelmed, need to sleep to digest it all! I will let the pictures and videos do the talking (still need to upload videos)
So after flushing the system through I put fresh new coolant in the system and its working well, the engine is running great, the temperature sensors are working and the fan is kicking in. Very pleased. Still a long way to go with this though. I had a list I had prepared, but my dad gave me some other recommendations for the MOT roadworthy list. Basically this is what I reckon is still to do for MOT:

Brakes
Gear linkage bush (yep still having trouble, and yes I've tried every lubricant I can think of, boiling water and hairdryer. I will be putting the car up on ramps and then should be able to apply more pressure.
Radius rod bushes/dustcover
Air filter
Spark plugs
Probably could do with another engine oil and filter change, the oil is black already and it has only been moving in my drive way??! I guess because it sat so long before I got it.
 
hmm Talons oil is still a dark golden colour.. it has been like that now for over 2000 miles
i did however flush the engine.. twice.. with engine flush.

just to be sure..

I'm going to do that when I change the oil again, should improve matters. I am getting ever closer to getting him on the road legally :)
 
So my plans for today were to change the spark plugs, air filter, HT leads and distributor cap, but unfortunetly only the dizzy has arrived from eBay! So I have only changed the dizzy over (the old one had a small crack on the inside and was in poorish shape generally, thought it best to fit a new one as a matter of course). Possibly just my imagination but the idle seemed ever so slightly smoother and the car seemed to start easier. Probably imagination but its not going to hurt anyway!

Also took one of the connectors off the brake reservoir, and tried the handbrake. The handbrake switch works fine. The light is just signalling that there is low (or no) brake fluid.
 
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Photos from today, gutted that the HT leads didnt come today, that would have finished off my work nicely :) Going to have to wait till potentially next weekend to do that now, they wont arrive on a sunday :(

It was rocking Champion sparkplugs too, (I am not a fan of them, don't know why, just always use NGK,) I think its because I think of Champion as Lawnmower sparkplugs, (my dad builds lawnmowers). In any case the engine is again starting better and certainly running better, its amazing the difference fresh spark plugs can make! I can only imagine once the new HT leads get here there will be yet more improvement, I think I can get a good bit better performance out of this engine.

Chamber 1 - Worn and oily (Everytime I have changed spark plugs on a fire engine chamber 1 is always oily, Im clumsy when filling with Oil I guess and it runs down into the chamber)

Chamber 2- Worn on one side and sooty on the other << putting it down to the timing belt being out, gases burning at the wrong time?

Chamber 3- Very sooty

Chamber 4- Very sooty

I dont know when these spark plugs were last changed, they certainly seem old, so I will be keeping an eye on the new ones.

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I am uploading two videos at the moment as updates, as always I will post them when uploaded.
 
I have the same issue! tried wd40 with mole grips, pipe grips, g-clamps... might have to take the exhaust off at the manifold to gain better access but am worried that the old nuts will shear off! does anyone have any advice for pressing the bushes onto the ball joint?
 
I have the same issue! tried wd40 with mole grips, pipe grips, g-clamps... might have to take the exhaust off at the manifold to gain better access but am worried that the old nuts will shear off! does anyone have any advice for pressing the bushes onto the ball joint?

Hairdryer helps but it turns hard again almost instantly
 
Hairdryer helps but it turns hard again almost instantly

The Haynes just says installation is the opposite of removal and that a set of mole grips should do it! Frustrating.

My new (new old stock I think) fuel tank arrived yesterday too, so removed the old one today which was a struggle. One of the main captive bolts sheared too so am going to have to weld a new one on tomorrow (once the fumes clear a bit).

Going to try and get mine through an MOT soon... crossing fingers
 
The Haynes just says installation is the opposite of removal and that a set of mole grips should do it! Frustrating.

My new (new old stock I think) fuel tank arrived yesterday too, so removed the old one today which was a struggle. One of the main captive bolts sheared too so am going to have to weld a new one on tomorrow (once the fumes clear a bit).

Going to try and get mine through an MOT soon... crossing fingers

I'm hoping with a bit more height I should be able to apply more strength to it, I'm 26 and 16.5 stone, I feel like I really shouldn't be struggling with it as much as I am!
 
I'm hoping with a bit more height I should be able to apply more strength to it, I'm 26 and 16.5 stone, I feel like I really shouldn't be struggling with it as much as I am!

I've just done it! Had to use another long clamp to get the exhaust away from the joint. Then used a huge set of pipe grips to crush the two together. took for or five attempts and was really hard whilst laying on my back under the car.
 
I've just done it! Had to use another long clamp to get the exhaust away from the joint. Then used a huge set of pipe grips to crush the two together. took for or five attempts and was really hard whilst laying on my back under the car.

I have to thank you mate, you gave me the motivation to ramp up the front of my car this evening, and with the increased height and a small block of wood to lever with, I managed to get the bush on! Thanks man! A good weekend all round then :)

Gears are selecting perfectly, its like a brand new gear selection like out a new car!

The photos make it look like its loose or something, its only because I didn't have the other end of the rod connected when I took the photo :)
 

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I have to thank you mate, you gave me the motivation to ramp up the front of my car this evening, and with the increased height and a small block of wood to lever with, I managed to get the bush on! Thanks man! A good weekend all round then :)

Gears are selecting perfectly, its like a brand new gear selection like out a new car!

The photos make it look like its loose or something, its only because I didn't have the other end of the rod connected when I took the photo :)

I need to get a new bushing for the gearstick end now. any idea where i can get one?
 
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