Regular visitors will know I've had a few distraction over the summer (Well one large Silk Red distraction to be more accurate). I can't believe it's so long since I added something to this thread.
Fortunately I had a small part of my restoration "in the bank" and finally this week end I picked up the finished Powder coated unit. - It's the Water Header tank.
Earlier in the thread I commented that "plan C" was now to try and bring the car back to as close to standard as possible. My header tank had lost the main 5/8" water outlet at the bottom through a severe attack of tin worm. All new replacements were pattern parts, mainly made out of Aluminium. - Not much use if you want originality. Acquired an intact original from LB, but it's very rusty and even if sound now, would not have lasted much longer.
I'd acquired a short flared outlet pipe somewhere in the distant past, so a plan was hatched to remove the end plate, graft it into my old tank, shot blast, replace end plate then get powder coated..
Took it along to a guy who convinced me he could do a neat job with MIG. Lesson 1 - He couldn't. Then took it to shot blast. Lesson 2, do the shot blast bit first in future. It would have served better in the kitchen as a colander than as a pressurised water tank
So time for a rethink.
Acquired a selection of metal stock with intent to fabricate an inner tank, external dimensions just smaller than the inside of the old colander.
Many hours of cutting, drilling, filing later it was off to a guy who could do a TIG job this time, and what a job he did. Made me think I should have just got him to re fabricate a full tank - but then it wouldn't have been original would it !!
More work with the file, hammer, drill etc, back to the welders, then finally a trip the the powder coater and "Bob's your uncle" - Simples....:
There's a few holes to now fill with P38, then I'll respray with rattle can, but at least I know I have a good base for longer term protection. Overall, very happy with the end result.
When time permits, I'll put the full works into a separate thread on the forum.
Tony
What goes together.... Must come apart.