Beige Imp sort of restoration

Post Reply
Roy Royson
Posts: 15
Joined: Sat Sep 05, 2015 7:17 pm
Club Member: No
Car Model: 71 Imp Super

Beige Imp sort of restoration

Post by Roy Royson »

Having wanted an Imp for a long time, last month I finally got the chance to get one.
I'm no stranger to old cars, having owned this for the past 5 years (and don't plan on selling it).

Image

I also owned this, but got rid of it in favour of the Imp (really didn't get on with this one, not a Beetle fanatic).

Image

I saw an Imp for sale on The Hillman Imp Club facebook page, in Aberdeen, around 120 miles away and jumped on it.
The next night I had it back at our unit in Fife.

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

The car isn't without it's problems, rot is the main order of the day but the head gasket is blown and the radiator is blocked.

Image

Image

I've already repaired the drivers side of the car, save buying some mk1 Fiesta rear arches, I've been able to make all of the other panels myself.

Image

I've bought a head gasket and a straight head from a member on here, plus a new radiator and a pair of heater pipes.
I think I'll turn my attention to the mechanical issues before tackling the welding on the other side of the car, to break up the monotony.
User avatar
Dave ' Linwood ' Lane
Posts: 2669
Joined: Sat Apr 15, 2006 4:55 pm
Club Member: Yes
Car Model: ,n/a
Has thanked: 130 times
Been thanked: 91 times

Re: Beige Imp sort of restoration

Post by Dave ' Linwood ' Lane »

Nice to see this being saved , i think the previous owner said it was for parts only , good man :)
Formally known as " Noddy "
Roy Royson
Posts: 15
Joined: Sat Sep 05, 2015 7:17 pm
Club Member: No
Car Model: 71 Imp Super

Re: Beige Imp sort of restoration

Post by Roy Royson »

:D
It's far from it, nothing a bit of welding won't sort.
User avatar
Dave ' Linwood ' Lane
Posts: 2669
Joined: Sat Apr 15, 2006 4:55 pm
Club Member: Yes
Car Model: ,n/a
Has thanked: 130 times
Been thanked: 91 times

Re: Beige Imp sort of restoration

Post by Dave ' Linwood ' Lane »

Roy Royson wrote::D
It's far from it, nothing a bit of welding won't sort.
thats the spirit , in the early 80s I scrapped off loads like yours as at the time they were worth nothing and a good source of bits .
Your relieving my guilt somewhat :lol:
Formally known as " Noddy "
User avatar
ImpManiac
Posts: 1855
Joined: Tue Feb 01, 2005 3:48 pm
Club Member: Yes
Car Model: Singer Chamois
Location: Houghton Regis, Bedfordshire
Has thanked: 184 times
Been thanked: 13 times

Re: Beige Imp sort of restoration

Post by ImpManiac »

As Noddy says, it's really great to see this car being rescued! :mrgreen: Good on you! Let us know if you need any advice or other parts.

It sounds as though you have some very useful skills. Panel making, welding, etc.

IM 8)
Paul Harrison
imp: a small demon : FIEND : a mischievous child : URCHIN
maniac: Raging with disordered intellect: affected with mania: MAD
Roy Royson
Posts: 15
Joined: Sat Sep 05, 2015 7:17 pm
Club Member: No
Car Model: 71 Imp Super

Re: Beige Imp sort of restoration

Post by Roy Royson »

These are rare cars now, not throwaways, in essence , they are most definitely worth restoring.
I say sort of restoration because this isn't going to be concourse, it's going to be usable, and solid.

I've had plenty of practice on some of the snotters I've owned :lol:
User avatar
ImpManiac
Posts: 1855
Joined: Tue Feb 01, 2005 3:48 pm
Club Member: Yes
Car Model: Singer Chamois
Location: Houghton Regis, Bedfordshire
Has thanked: 184 times
Been thanked: 13 times

Re: Beige Imp sort of restoration

Post by ImpManiac »

Usable, solid and on the road. That's the way they should be. :) I shouldn't have taken mine off the road.

Looking forward to following you as you build the car up.

IM 8)
Paul Harrison
imp: a small demon : FIEND : a mischievous child : URCHIN
maniac: Raging with disordered intellect: affected with mania: MAD
The Nun
Posts: 2872
Joined: Tue Jan 23, 2007 7:02 pm
Club Member: Yes
Car Model: Imp
Location: South
Has thanked: 68 times
Been thanked: 100 times

Re: Beige Imp sort of restoration

Post by The Nun »

Dont fit your new heater pipes before welding the arches/sills or you might need new new heater pipes. :?
Watch out for the wiring loom inside the drivers side sill/arch too.
Peter Nunn...ey im member 00033
Roy Royson
Posts: 15
Joined: Sat Sep 05, 2015 7:17 pm
Club Member: No
Car Model: 71 Imp Super

Re: Beige Imp sort of restoration

Post by Roy Royson »

I moved the wiring loom out the way sufficiently but managed to melt a heater pipe - I had already decided to replace them before this happened though as previous owner said the heater didn't work very well!
So I'll definitely finish all the welding before fitting the new ones!
User avatar
colimp66
Posts: 702
Joined: Wed Dec 17, 2008 8:17 pm
Club Member: Yes
Car Model: 1970 Hillman Imp Deluxe.. "The Pest"
Location: Dunbar, East Lothian, Scotland
Has thanked: 59 times
Been thanked: 53 times

Re: Beige Imp sort of restoration

Post by colimp66 »

Well done Roy in rescuing the Imp. Good to see another saved.
Also like the look of the Fiat 127 in the Italian colours beside it in one of the photos. Is that a rollcage in it?
It takes me back seeing that as I remember a 128 painted the same that used to run around Leven in the eighties.

Cheers
Col
Roy Royson
Posts: 15
Joined: Sat Sep 05, 2015 7:17 pm
Club Member: No
Car Model: 71 Imp Super

Re: Beige Imp sort of restoration

Post by Roy Royson »

The Fiat was my mate's, he sold it the other day, it was a 127 rally car built in the 80s to compete in Isle of Mull rallies.
It had a rally cam, pinto carb, quick shift etc, it was a total nightmare to drive but the power would take your eyebrows off.

In other news, I took the Imp's head off, it passes the steel rule test so good enough for me.
I actually have access to a CMM at work to measure flatness but A) I can't be bothered B) I have a feeling the Imp head being slanted on the opposite side will make it a pain to set up on the table.
User avatar
long_gone_John
Posts: 112
Joined: Tue Jun 16, 2009 1:02 pm
Club Member: No
Car Model: 3 sal ('74/'64/'64)-all gone!!
Location: Wallsend-on-Tyne

Re: Beige Imp sort of restoration

Post by long_gone_John »

... you see I post on here too. [Granada Box]

LGJ
TooMuch power.. is not quite enough ;<)

875- GGR 640N - Scrapped
930- 533 KNX - Stolen
BV998- 884 KOE (Ex Sidecar motor!!)
Roy Royson
Posts: 15
Joined: Sat Sep 05, 2015 7:17 pm
Club Member: No
Car Model: 71 Imp Super

Re: Beige Imp sort of restoration

Post by Roy Royson »

Ahh, TooSavvy of AS/Arena Ford Cortina fame.
Roy Royson
Posts: 15
Joined: Sat Sep 05, 2015 7:17 pm
Club Member: No
Car Model: 71 Imp Super

Re: Beige Imp sort of restoration

Post by Roy Royson »

Head gasket fitted.

Image
Roy Royson
Posts: 15
Joined: Sat Sep 05, 2015 7:17 pm
Club Member: No
Car Model: 71 Imp Super

Re: Beige Imp sort of restoration

Post by Roy Royson »

Today's effort:

Why buy repair panels when you can make them

Image


I fitted that (you can see it a little in this photo) and also started work on fitting the other mk1 fiesta arch, after sorting the inner arch out.

Image

Then ran out of welding wire, but good progress today.
Roy Royson
Posts: 15
Joined: Sat Sep 05, 2015 7:17 pm
Club Member: No
Car Model: 71 Imp Super

Re: Beige Imp sort of restoration

Post by Roy Royson »

I've now completed all the welding, 2 new rear arches, a fairly sizable repair to each sill, front wings and rear corner panels.
Just filler and paint to do on the bodywork side now.

Also changed the heater hoses, I was cursing the Imp at first but got the hang of it, the second one was a breeze.

Image

Image
User avatar
ImpManiac
Posts: 1855
Joined: Tue Feb 01, 2005 3:48 pm
Club Member: Yes
Car Model: Singer Chamois
Location: Houghton Regis, Bedfordshire
Has thanked: 184 times
Been thanked: 13 times

Re: Beige Imp sort of restoration

Post by ImpManiac »

The car is coming together nicely. :)

IM 8)
Paul Harrison
imp: a small demon : FIEND : a mischievous child : URCHIN
maniac: Raging with disordered intellect: affected with mania: MAD
Roy Royson
Posts: 15
Joined: Sat Sep 05, 2015 7:17 pm
Club Member: No
Car Model: 71 Imp Super

Re: Beige Imp sort of restoration

Post by Roy Royson »

It's getting there, I'm a little disappointed after putting it all back together and noticing blue smoke from the exhaust, I'm assuming my piston rings are worn or my bores are glazed.
Also I took it up the road for a drive and when trying to accelerate the car makes a strange noise, hesitates and then goes, I think this might be a faulty accelerator pump diaphragm, though, I'm unsure where to get a new one of these?
The Nun
Posts: 2872
Joined: Tue Jan 23, 2007 7:02 pm
Club Member: Yes
Car Model: Imp
Location: South
Has thanked: 68 times
Been thanked: 100 times

Re: Beige Imp sort of restoration

Post by The Nun »

You can get a whole new carb for 35 quid from club spares.
You need to be a club member though to take advantage of that facility
Peter Nunn...ey im member 00033
Roy Royson
Posts: 15
Joined: Sat Sep 05, 2015 7:17 pm
Club Member: No
Car Model: 71 Imp Super

Re: Beige Imp sort of restoration

Post by Roy Royson »

I'll have a look, is it perhaps a better idea to seek out a single stromberg and slowex adapter?
User avatar
long_gone_John
Posts: 112
Joined: Tue Jun 16, 2009 1:02 pm
Club Member: No
Car Model: 3 sal ('74/'64/'64)-all gone!!
Location: Wallsend-on-Tyne

Re: Beige Imp sort of restoration

Post by long_gone_John »

I ran a MiNi SU on an elbow, 90deg, with a banana '28/36' inlet....

100% reliable 4 me :lol:

LGJ
TooMuch power.. is not quite enough ;<)

875- GGR 640N - Scrapped
930- 533 KNX - Stolen
BV998- 884 KOE (Ex Sidecar motor!!)
imporium
Posts: 67
Joined: Wed Feb 04, 2004 7:28 pm
Club Member: Yes
Car Model: Hillman Husky Singer Chamois Commer Imp Van
Location: Somerset
Has thanked: 6 times
Contact:

Re: Beige Imp sort of restoration

Post by imporium »

The Nun wrote:You can get a whole new carb for 35 quid from club spares.
You need to be a club member though to take advantage of that facility
Not £35 !!!!.....petrol pumps are £35............ :lol: Husky003 Van001 Imp003 Imp009
" Keeping the Imp Alive & Kicking & Imp Club Parts support with discounted Parts Supply"
http://www.malcolmanderson.co.uk
kilty
Posts: 305
Joined: Tue Jan 20, 2004 8:16 pm
Club Member: Yes
Car Model: Imps
Location: Bristol. Somerset.
Contact:

Re: Beige Imp sort of restoration

Post by kilty »

imporium wrote:
The Nun wrote:You can get a whole new carb for 35 quid from club spares.
You need to be a club member though to take advantage of that facility
Not £35 !!!!.....petrol pumps are £35............ :lol: Husky003 Van001 Imp003 Imp009
Ha! Nice one Malcolm!
Drew Aitchison. Messing about in Imps since 1967!
Roy Royson
Posts: 15
Joined: Sat Sep 05, 2015 7:17 pm
Club Member: No
Car Model: 71 Imp Super

Re: Beige Imp sort of restoration

Post by Roy Royson »

I've seen a couple of Solex carbs on ebay, I think if I don't find anywhere to buy just a diaphragm I'll buy one.
Ultimately I want to put the 28/36 that's on the Cortina on the Imp and put Weber 40s on the Cortina.
However, for now, I just want to get the Imp up and running.
Roy Royson
Posts: 15
Joined: Sat Sep 05, 2015 7:17 pm
Club Member: No
Car Model: 71 Imp Super

Re: Beige Imp sort of restoration

Post by Roy Royson »

On the road now and took it to a car meet we organised.
It was very well received and people wouldn't stop talking to me about it!

Image

Image

Image

:D
It's misfiring a lot on full throttle and leaking lots of oil from the cam cover gasket.

MASSIVE thank you to "Hugh L" who sorted me out with an exhaust manifold and a few other parts.
User avatar
long_gone_John
Posts: 112
Joined: Tue Jun 16, 2009 1:02 pm
Club Member: No
Car Model: 3 sal ('74/'64/'64)-all gone!!
Location: Wallsend-on-Tyne

Re: Beige Imp sort of restoration

Post by long_gone_John »

I wouldn't roll in anything that didn't look as 'fixed up' as yours M8...

Mine were always WIP :wink:


LGJ
TooMuch power.. is not quite enough ;<)

875- GGR 640N - Scrapped
930- 533 KNX - Stolen
BV998- 884 KOE (Ex Sidecar motor!!)
Roy Royson
Posts: 15
Joined: Sat Sep 05, 2015 7:17 pm
Club Member: No
Car Model: 71 Imp Super

Re: Beige Imp sort of restoration

Post by Roy Royson »

That's how I roll too, too many projects for them all to be pristine!
Might need to get a TS bridge shot soon.
User avatar
617sqn
Posts: 1146
Joined: Fri Dec 05, 2003 11:17 pm
Club Member: Yes
Car Model: Hillman Imp 1972
Location: Sussex, England.

Re: Beige Imp sort of restoration

Post by 617sqn »

Good work Roy..... Going to become a club member ? ( That was as gentle as I can muster, as there are a few on here who detest the efforts of those who try to cajole newbies into joining up - It's a long story about Imp ownership versus Imp Club longevity ). :roll:

Love that Mk1 Cortina, mind :D

Andy G. Image STAN

A Sussex AC member, and proud of it. 8)
Member No. 7500, and Stan's best mate.
User avatar
long_gone_John
Posts: 112
Joined: Tue Jun 16, 2009 1:02 pm
Club Member: No
Car Model: 3 sal ('74/'64/'64)-all gone!!
Location: Wallsend-on-Tyne

Re: Beige Imp sort of restoration

Post by long_gone_John »

Oooff! The 'selfie of Doom', eh?

Image

If it aint Linwood, it aint Kosher...... :lol:

LGJ
TooMuch power.. is not quite enough ;<)

875- GGR 640N - Scrapped
930- 533 KNX - Stolen
BV998- 884 KOE (Ex Sidecar motor!!)
Roy Royson
Posts: 15
Joined: Sat Sep 05, 2015 7:17 pm
Club Member: No
Car Model: 71 Imp Super

Re: Beige Imp sort of restoration

Post by Roy Royson »

Thanks mate, I'll join the club when I need to buy some spares - I'm already paying for a couple of other car clubs so until I need something I can't justify it.

That's the one TS...
Post Reply