A Little Detailing

[Wretched]

Got bored a couple weekends ago and decided to do a little detail work on the old VP V6 in time for the Cruise for Charity 3, considering it'll still have the old engine in it.

I took off the water pump and power steering pulleys and gave them a spot of paint, as well as the alternator fan/pulley in gloss black.

I also bought a chrome bonnet spring and safety latch when putting the new bonnet on...

[afrothunder]

where abouts can u buy the chrome bonnet latch and spring.

[Wretched]

American Autos, Rare Spares... they're Hot Bitz pieces

[ant]

yeah id like to know the same. also rough price. engine bay is lookin sweet as ben.

[Wretched]

cost about $55 for both. There's been a comment or two about the Hot Bitz chrome quality in terms of longevity, but i'll withold comment until it starts to flake off

[1 TRICKED VS]

Hey Ben,

How easy is it to fit to my VS?? I know how to get the spring off, but I am unsure how the latch comes off.

Any help would be great mate as I am going to get them, mine are really shite.

Thanks.

[Wretched]

it is easy as, Cameron. There's a single pin going through the latch as you can see from the pic. Beside that there's just a spring arrangement that you need to fit like the original was; so have a good look at it before taking the old one out.

[CRZYVH]

looks sweet just a nice little tidy up

[1 TRICKED VS]

Thanks for that Ben :).

[rip-vc202]

Don't want to run off topic, but have you ever thought of the berlina or calais boot trim and rear tail lights? the dark lines look trick, and if you were to colour em somehow that would make it look pretty damn unique.

By the way, how the hell do you keep the VP looking so damn clean?!

[Wretched]

i like the simplicity of the exec lights and against the white paint, they look quite dark most of the time, creating a single unbroken horizontal line across the back of the car making it appear wider. so i guess i like it how it is.

as for cleanliness, i just keep the trim clean by no leaving any rubbish in it, or eating anything messy in it and wash it every week or so, taking time to wipe down the engine bay each time and always cleaning the inside of the wheels and brakes, too. and a tip, buy an interior/vent brush to get the dust out of the vents and the cracks in the trim

[BLO 767]

that looks ripper :D great timing too, im after those chrome parts also. they look like pretty decent quality, and hay, even if it does flake off, just sand em and take em to mirror finish or something ;) also, hit it with some metal polish, and it should protect it further ;) is there any way you can adjust those pieces? i found when i polished my latch, one side has been completely covered in rust from where it bottoms out, across the inside of the slot, in the radiator support. same with the spring, the hole it goes into has paint scrath on one side, how can you adjust them so they dont hit?

[Wretched]

i don't see how you could adjust the latch, but the spring, yes

[BLO 767]

yeah me neither :headscrat giving me the shits cause i dont want it scratching up my new paint/chroming. ill try a new one ^ and see if it works. worst case scenario, ill have to widen that hole. bloody shonky Vns' :p already adjusted the spring, now the bonnet sits nice and level :D

[Wretched]

you coming on the red nose day cruise on saturday?

[BLO 767]

unfortunately no, im picking up my new daily......swift......yawn from up the coast. i'll be there for the charity cruise, even if just in person without my car, if its not running. i'll come say gday ........ if i can find you! hehe its gunna be BIIIG by the sounds of things :)

[bewshay]

Cleanest V6 i have EVER seen

very inspirational Ben!

good stuff

[jozza87]

What paint did you use on the pulleys ben?? looks neat!

[Wretched]

used a primer, flat black and gloss clear over the top. you could probably get away with primer and gloss back, too.

i used all PowerPlus paints. I normally use Holts, but haven't been able to find any lately.

[joe562]

looks neat painted

[Fu Manchu]

I just did the very same parts but I did mine in tungsten pearl with lots of clear coat.

hey wretched, you should touch up the little plate on the throttle body and the throttle linkage bit on top of the throttle body. I did this and made a nice difference. I didn't pull the throttle body apart, just masked it up and did my best and hey presto :) I use stainless allen key bolts where ever possible.
i am stoked with how it turned out :) ...and with how yours turned out Ben :)

[freeman]

I just did the very same parts but I did mine in tungsten pearl with lots of clear coat.

hey wretched, you should touch up the little plate on the throttle body and the throttle linkage bit on top of the throttle body. I did this and made a nice difference. I didn't pull the throttle body apart, just masked it up and did my best and hey presto :) I use stainless allen key bolts where ever possible.
i am stoked with how it turned out :) ...and with how yours turned out Ben :)


surely u have some pics for us then.... :)

[Wretched]

i'm not going to go all out because all going according to plan, it shouldn't be in the car for much longer.

[PantaRei]

i'm not going to go all out because all going according to plan, it shouldn't be in the car for much longer.

what's gonna happen to this engine ?

[Wretched]

Boofski has put his hand up for it, but not confirmed. exhaust is as good as sold and manifold won't be sold.

[PuPSV]

u bought new chrome bolts for the powersteering pulley too?

[PuPSV]

you missed a spot ben



:p

[Wretched]

man, i've tried and tried to clean that rear half of the chassis rail, but i think it must be some brake fluid stain or something. Last time i tried Shift-It but it almost took paint off.

[bewshay]

used a primer, flat black and gloss clear over the top. you could probably get away with primer and gloss back, too.

i used all PowerPlus paints. I normally use Holts, but haven't been able to find any lately.


Repco sell Holts, have u given them a try!

Powerplus is still ok, pulleys look awesome!!!!

btw Ben, did u lightly sand the pulleys before the primer or did u just clean them up a bit (shift-it)?

one more: have u got any more pics of the VP's engine bay? instead of these close ups? its just soooo clean, like the rest of the car, i love it!!!!

[Wretched]

Repco i went to didn't have Holts. Ended up at Autobarn.

Definitely did sand the pulleys first, also sanded them during the priming phase.

[tinka]

hay ben that was looking horn at the red noes day cruise

[Wretched]

Thanks Tinka! wait until you see it with the Alloytec, hidden wiring and repainted bay!

[rayder13]

lookin nice dude. its a pity you're losing the buick but at least you're puttin another awesome engine in. been waitin for someone to do it for ages cause i still haven't seen any around.

[Fu Manchu]

The alloytec in our vz knocks on cold start, leaks trans / power steer oil and makes a noise like a drop saw on mild acceleration once on about 1500rpm?

Hope you don't get any issues Ben.

P.S. I will chuck up some pics of the pulley I painted up but this is to do with XXX so will do in paint and body work but do a link in here tomorrow :)

edit>> and here it is (http://forum.streetcommodores.com.au/showthread.php?t=8475884) :)