Engine Detailing - Carbs. Wiper Motor and similar

[rhino_mac]

My TR3a is in my garage now for the winter and I'm planning on little bits of fettling for the next few months. I'm no home mechanic - this is my first proper classic and I haven't picked up a spanner since I was 19 and trying to get my 1982 Ford Fiesta through its MOT (I'm 40 now). But I'm keen to learn and little jobs like this are half the pleasure of owning a classic (in my head anyway, when it all goes wrong it's not so much fun)

 

However, I have managed a few bits and pieces over the last couple of weeks. The car sports a new front bumper which was missing entirely, and new rear over riders, plus I've fitted the hood frame now and I'm about to attempt to fit the new hood and hood sticks cover (the Tenax pegs for the windscreen and the Lift the Dot punch have just arrived).

 

I've whipped the air filters off for refurbishing but I want to get some of the engine bay detailed. In particular, the carbs look manky and the wiper motor is horrible. All the manifolds are looking pretty grim as well.

 

I don't want to go for a polished aluminium look for the carbs and would like to keep that brushed or matt effect. Has anyone had any success with this. I used a bit of Autosol on there which has helped but I'm worried too much and it will end up polishing them rather than having that burnished look. Would appreciate any ideas here before I wreck them!

The wipe motor I guess can be painted satin black where required, but does anyone have any suggestions on how to get the steel back to a decent condition. It's not rusty, just very black and old looking. I guess they were plated or something.

 

Should I be thinking of scotch brite style kits on a dremel or will this kill the finish entirely?

 

Any ideas welcome.

Thanks

Richard

[Rodbr]

So this is not your aim? Suggest that a very nice finish can be achieved using soda blasting. Wiper body is more correctly crackle finish, Take your time and follow the instructions.

[mike3739]

Cracking job Rodbr

 

Cheers

 

Mike

[Fireman049]

Rod is perfectly correct. The wiper motor body should be crackle black. I did mine after buying an aerosol

of crackle black. After spraying you need to use a hot air gun continuously until the paint has dried to

a crackle finish. It's very easy to do.

 

Tom.

[littlejim]

The exhaust pipes, when rusted, stick out a bit visually.

get them sand blasted and paint them with heat resistant paint. (POR do one that I used)

Glass bead blasting will get the effect you want on the carbs.

Edited October 25, 2014 by littlejim

[AlanT]

http://www.tr-register.co.uk/forums/index.php?/topic/45402-rebuilding-a-wiper-motor/

[rhino_mac]

Thanks for the advise guys.

 

Rod, those carbs look amazing but they would stick out like a sore thumb in my "anything but perfect" engine bay. Until the engine gets pulled for a major renovation I'm looking just trying to get them looking a little nicer.

Alan, thanks for the link to the wiper motor refurb. That looks really comprehensive!

[rcreweread]

Richard - check out D W Carbs on ebay - see item number

381033668349

Sorry but I dont know how to post a link on ebay but this is for a pair of SUs for an MGB but it gives you a good idea of the quality of his work. He does the carbs, manifold and linkages and they come back better than new!

He did my SUs and manifold for my TR4 and they still look good 2 years on.

Can't remember his name but he's based in Wickford near Chelmsford in Essex

Hope this helps

Cheers

Rich

[AlanT]

I have a small stock of wiper bits and refurbed motors if you need anything.