1988 Excel SE. Brief Update

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Hawaiis0
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Re: 1988 Excel SE. Brief Update

Post by Hawaiis0 »

I was watching. Quite a fight by all accounts :shock:
Nothing is fool proof. Fools are clever!

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Alan_M
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Re: 1988 Excel SE. Brief Update

Post by Alan_M »

bash wrote:
Sun Mar 21, 2021 15:04
Anyone on here bag the leather interior that was for sale in sheffield ?
Bash
Yep!!

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bash
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Re: 1988 Excel SE. Brief Update

Post by bash »

Well done dude.
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Re: 1988 Excel SE. Brief Update

Post by NigelD »

I missed it, but hope it is as good as it looked and you are pleased with it. Well done!
Out of interest, what colour and state is your existing interior? I need to redo mine, looking really poor now. :(
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Radar
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Re: 1988 Excel SE. Brief Update

Post by Radar »

Bugger sounds like I missed out. I am just gathering quotes to get the seats done next winter.

Mine goes in to have the nose painted on April 8th. Just a tide me over job until I can run to a full re-spray in 3-5 years time

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Re: 1988 Excel SE. Brief Update

Post by Radar »

The work continues on my Excel. I took it back over to Lotusbits on Saturday. The the heater fan had to be replaced. It had seized and kept blowing fuses. Once back home it was a big cleaning session with a friend who has some proper car cleaning gear. Rather irritatingly LH front collected a puncture thanks to an errand screw and that has now been plugged. This on my lovely new Toyos after only 200 gentle miles. To wrap up a busy few days Autowindscreens came out to reattach the top rubber trim to the screen which was a little loose after they fitted it while at Lotusbits in February. Next up the nose gets painted next week at long, long last.

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Re: 1988 Excel SE. Brief Update

Post by Pete Boole »

Other than the trim coming off would you recommend Autowindscreens? Do they only do work while it's at Lotusbits? Will need my screen fitting sometime!

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Re: 1988 Excel SE. Brief Update

Post by bash »

Me too, Im hoping they can fit the screen on a day trip, what do you think.
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Re: 1988 Excel SE. Brief Update

Post by Radar »

Autowindscreens fitted the screen at Lotusbits with their help. It is fitted fine with no paint damage and the exterior trim on the A pillars re-fitted well. The issue was with the rubber trim that runs along the top of the screen becoming loose. In fairness they came out promptly and restuck the trim without quible. So yes I would so they are ok, but get it done while your car is a Lotusbits if you can
Last edited by Radar on Sun Apr 04, 2021 00:45, edited 2 times in total.

Pete Boole
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Re: 1988 Excel SE. Brief Update

Post by Pete Boole »

Thanks Radar :D

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Re: 1988 Excel SE. Brief Update

Post by tonypoll »

Also, make sure they fit the spacers at the bottom. If they don't, and since the screen is fixed with a flexible glue, over a year or two the screen will gradually slide downwards, eventually leaving a gap at the top that lets in water.
I discovered this from the first guys who replaced my screen. The second time at Lotusbits has lasted over 10 years without a problem.

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Re: 1988 Excel SE. Brief Update

Post by Pete Boole »

Thanks Tony. Do you mean the little black rectangular "blocks" or the white trim-retaining clips (or both!)?

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Re: 1988 Excel SE. Brief Update

Post by tonypoll »

Pete - not sure!
I seem to remember (from some 10+ years ago) Lotusbits, when they replaced the screen, had said the lack of spacers had caused the screen to drop.
FYI - The Workshop Manual, section BC, page 6, sub-section 14, says you must use two 3mm thick spacer strips at each lower corner to prevent the glass sliding down whilst the Betaseal cures. Maybe that's what Lotusbits were referring to?
I've just looked at the car and can't see any obvious spacers that had been left in place, but the bottom of the screen had a liberal bead of black sealant so a spacer may be lurking underneath.
Tony

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Re: 1988 Excel SE. Brief Update

Post by Pete Boole »

When I took out my (cracked) screen I found some small black rubber spacers embedded in the Solbit, so they must have continued with them when changing over to Betaseal. These appear to just maintain an even mastic thickness, not to stop it sliding after fitment. Some other form of support will be needed to keep it in the correct position. I might commandeer some assistance and have a go myself :shock:

Pete

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Re: 1988 Excel SE. Brief Update

Post by Radar »

Well the Excel has gone off to have the nose cone and head lamp covers painted. No doubt at meets people will now tell me that it doesn't match the rest of the car. It will make a change from all the mentions of the horrific stone chips the paint job will be replacing! #youjustannotwin

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