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5 GT Turbo Another Red Renault 5 GT Turbo On It's Way Back To The Road
- Thread starter Leigh5t
- Start date
Leigh5t
Well-Known Member
Thanks @DaveL485 That's incredibly generous! And it is reassuring to hear that it doesn't seem too bad so far. I guess the vast majority of the rot was most likely there when I took it off the road all them years ago.
I'll definitely take my time. Measure twice, cut once - I'm more of a measure-20-times kind of person
Chris74#
Well-Known Member
I had a realisation through my build! It was something I heard or read somewhere, I think it was a quote from Churchill! “Don’t let perfection stand in the way of progress” this changed my build plan and now I’m driving the car instead of waiting for the time, funds or whatever else while the car sits half built in the garage! Get it roadworthy and enjoy it! The other jobs can all wait and are something to look forward to 
Turbell
Well-Known Member
Looks straight and tidy, I don't see any drama dealing with the isolated rot on the sills, spruce the suspenders up if you feel the need, proper service , replace the odd ball joint, throw some brake bits where needed, turn it around for a grand , no problem, but then I'm an expert on skinning farts. If it's got other issues, or you want to go show and shiny, then the costs will go up, up and away.
Deal with problem areas, crack on and enjoy the car, easy for me to say cos the welding wouldn't bother me, but I'll hold your hand, if you need, as will the rest on here.
Deal with problem areas, crack on and enjoy the car, easy for me to say cos the welding wouldn't bother me, but I'll hold your hand, if you need, as will the rest on here.
Leigh5t
Well-Known Member
Yes @Chris74# I know the quote. I've gotten myself bogged down many times in the past. Setting unrealistic expectations of myself. When life is busy with kids, houses, work etc then you have to be more practical. As you say, I can spend time gradually improving it over time.
@Turbell you've got it. As you say, the prepping and welding will take me a little while but that's no big deal. I've also collected parts over the years that will give me a leg up on the rebuild. With regards to making it show shiny, the paint is going to need some attention as it has some pin holes/blisters from poor prep work, but it's not a full respray job. Without the rot I'd say it's just a few weeks work to get it back on the road. With the rot it might be a few years!
Thanks again guys for the help kind words!
@Turbell you've got it. As you say, the prepping and welding will take me a little while but that's no big deal. I've also collected parts over the years that will give me a leg up on the rebuild. With regards to making it show shiny, the paint is going to need some attention as it has some pin holes/blisters from poor prep work, but it's not a full respray job. Without the rot I'd say it's just a few weeks work to get it back on the road. With the rot it might be a few years!
Thanks again guys for the help kind words!
clarky_gtt
Well-Known Member
My perfection cost me 9 years of weekends 
You can easily turn the car around in good time. And have it looking and driving great.
Its when you go down the rabbit hole of stripping the whole car and telling yourself "while it's off, I might as well..."
You can easily turn the car around in good time. And have it looking and driving great.
Its when you go down the rabbit hole of stripping the whole car and telling yourself "while it's off, I might as well..."
Leigh5t
Well-Known Member
Oh no @clarky_gtt hopefully it was worth it for you. It certainly looks perfect!
I'm sure I'll head a fair way down the rabbit hole. It's inevitable! Maybe not as far as you!
I'm sure I'll head a fair way down the rabbit hole. It's inevitable! Maybe not as far as you!
Leigh5t
Well-Known Member
Managed a couple of hours today
Brake lines removed. They're actually in better condition than I thought.
I wanted to check around the engine bay for rust so started by removing the intake system.
I thought I'd test for play in the turbo. There's no play......but it doesn't spin freely. It turns but quite stiff. I guess it'll need a rebuild. Is this to be expected after being stood so long?
I've also just realised that I don't think there was a gasket between the turbo and elbow!?
Brake lines removed. They're actually in better condition than I thought.
I wanted to check around the engine bay for rust so started by removing the intake system.
I thought I'd test for play in the turbo. There's no play......but it doesn't spin freely. It turns but quite stiff. I guess it'll need a rebuild. Is this to be expected after being stood so long?
I've also just realised that I don't think there was a gasket between the turbo and elbow!?
Certainly following this thread as you may know i have a certain thing for a little restoration....
Word of warning Disassembling a car taking grotty bits off is addictive, but before too long you're staring at a mountain of work, cost and time. Think its better for you to work thru it step by step
By the way, don't forget to get into the proven habit of #turborenault on your Insta posts
Other links are now defunkt. 
Word of warning Disassembling a car taking grotty bits off is addictive, but before too long you're staring at a mountain of work, cost and time. Think its better for you to work thru it step by step
- Rear Axle
- Fuel System
- Front axles
- Engine bay
- Braking system
- etc..
By the way, don't forget to get into the proven habit of #turborenault on your Insta posts
Other links are now defunkt.
Leigh5t
Well-Known Member
Thanks @Big Steve - Raider
I know you're partial to a restoration or three. I remember drooling over your Raider years ago
Thanks for your advice, it's much appreciated. Agreed, I'm having waaay too much fun stripping it down. It's like you get hypnotised!
then before you know it you're in DEEP. I keep having to sneak parts in to the house and up in to the loft. It's like the great escape but with rust rather than soil!
You caught me red handed with the insta tags. Sorry about that. I was away for many years and didn't realise how things had changed. Although I've not met many of you in person, I recognise quite a few of your usernames from back then (circa '05) so I know how much experience there is here. There's no better company to be going on this journey with, that's for sure.
I know you're partial to a restoration or three. I remember drooling over your Raider years ago
Thanks for your advice, it's much appreciated. Agreed, I'm having waaay too much fun stripping it down. It's like you get hypnotised!
then before you know it you're in DEEP. I keep having to sneak parts in to the house and up in to the loft. It's like the great escape but with rust rather than soil! You caught me red handed with the insta tags. Sorry about that. I was away for many years and didn't realise how things had changed. Although I've not met many of you in person, I recognise quite a few of your usernames from back then (circa '05) so I know how much experience there is here. There's no better company to be going on this journey with, that's for sure.
Leigh5t
Well-Known Member
Interior is out!
I must admit, I had wondered if maybe the carpet was the only thing holding everything together. I had visions of it crumbling to dust once I pulled it up
Pretty chuffed with what I'm seeing so far. A few areas to tend to though. I'd love to know what you guys think.
Bit of daylight appearing there
Not looking to good in there!
One of the MOT repairs has made it's way to the inside
The other side maybe not quite as bad
Driver's foot well is a bit ropey.
Passenger side doesn't seem as far gone
That doesn't look nice though
Cheers for looking
I must admit, I had wondered if maybe the carpet was the only thing holding everything together. I had visions of it crumbling to dust once I pulled it up
Pretty chuffed with what I'm seeing so far. A few areas to tend to though. I'd love to know what you guys think.
Bit of daylight appearing there
Not looking to good in there!
One of the MOT repairs has made it's way to the inside
The other side maybe not quite as bad
Driver's foot well is a bit ropey.
Passenger side doesn't seem as far gone
That doesn't look nice though
Cheers for looking
Turbell
Well-Known Member
Build sheets I would of thought, get them saved in a folder, another grand on value there!
If you drop rear beam , check mountings for any swelling between skins, if there's none, ie it's not bulging , making spot welds more visible, I'd treat em, and wax insides and save a shit load of graft.
If you drop rear beam , check mountings for any swelling between skins, if there's none, ie it's not bulging , making spot welds more visible, I'd treat em, and wax insides and save a shit load of graft.
Leigh5t
Well-Known Member
Bit of a sketchy one man job but the rear beam is off.
Is supporting the shell ok on this section?
I've got two more just-in-case axle stands that I'll move around. They're currently sat under the jacking points.
I'm a bit gutted though! I used my rattle gun on the beam bolts and initially didn't counter hold them and it's tore in to the body.
Is supporting the shell ok on this section?
I've got two more just-in-case axle stands that I'll move around. They're currently sat under the jacking points.
I'm a bit gutted though! I used my rattle gun on the beam bolts and initially didn't counter hold them and it's tore in to the body.
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