R5GTT Project - Off the road since Sept 1998

[Lowiepete]

Hello Folks,

There's been a bit of an haitus in the progress of this resto of late. It has been
slowed up because of the state of the cooling system. The existing rad was
totally knackered, way beyond its initial presentation.

Then it came to removing the water pump. After a bit of a clean on the outside,
it didn't look too bad...



However, it was a bit of a fight to get it off without breaking bolts, and in the end
just one broke. That was simply down to Karl's patience, there should have been
more than one. Anyway, here's the reason...







So, it has come down to seeing just how much residue can be removed from the
rest of the cooling system. I ordered some Bars powder, which can be mixed up
with boiling water once the crystals have been dissolved. One other benefit being
that you can regulate the strength of the mixture.


Otherwise, all the pipework has been cleaned, the carb has been refitted and some
progress made toward getting the car started. Hopefully, that should happen by
the end of next week.



Regards,
Steve

[Nad-5GTT]

Nice update, I'd forgotten about this one

[B18ftMOJO5]

Good progress, quality work. Im looking forward to you getting it started

[Lowiepete]

Hello Folks,

More bits gathered. The 2 dishwasher tablets were also a bit of a surprise
to Karl when I took them round. They nevertheless got an instant seal of
approval...



Some other good news. One of my previous lodgers came to visit at the
weekend, saw the rear door badges and said: "You know that I've got
the originals off your car, don't you?". Well, seeing as I had hunted high
and low in every possible corner, knowing that I had not thrown them
away, this reminder came as a welcome surprise. They will get returned
to their rightful place

I did mention that I'd post more pics of the garage lighting in operation.
Here they are, but first, a couple of pics showing the door bump strips
in place....


Loking into the garage with the lights off...



...and then on



...and a close-up of the 21W LED



I had my mate Steve's black Honda under the "lights of doom" and they found
something that he wasn't aware of. So mixed feelings about finding the paint
looking a tad fragile along behind the top of the windscreen rubber

However, the clay cloth and some ADS Obsidian Wax on the rest of the roof
was very pleasing!

Just a quick reprise, how the garage used to look...



Regards,
Steve

[phase i 16 v turbo]

Nice 1 Steve, like the old style Renault banners

[Matt Cole]

Great update steve. Loving the garage. Wish I had that amount of space!

[Mr Raider]

Love the garage Steve, dishwasher tablets FTW

[Lowiepete]

Hello Folks,

So, another quick consultation with Karl today. Car should be ready for MOT by the
end of next week. That's the aim anyway. Bits under the bonnet are slowly being
reassembled. The water pump facing is next on the list. One stubborn bolt now
removed...



Note the use of the original style pipe clips...







A while back I bought a set of Bougicord leads from France. Turns out that
the king lead is 6 inches too short and missing its bung that goes through
the forward bulkhead. So, not quite the initial bargain

Following a long discussion, we've decided that the car won't be going back
on the road until 2015. Once we have heard the engine running and know it'll
pass an MOT, the car will be stripped down, everything above axle level.
We'll be taking engine and gearbox out, removing all the glass and returning
everything to mint.

Body will receive a complete repaint. Engine will be overhauled and new
clutch installed. Being as we have restored everything that's mostly hidden
underneath back to mint, there's no point stopping half way.

The painting will be done by Jason on the same site. He's just completed a
Mk.2 Cortina with a finish that looks like it has been enamelled. If he gets a
similar finish on the R5, I'll be a very happy bunny!

Regards,
Steve

[Nad-5GTT]

Excellent thread. Another year isn't going to make much difference. Looking forward to the updates

[Lowiepete]

Hello Folks,

For those who enjoy these things, I've placed links to 3 of my youtube videos
about this restoration into the OP of this thread

Regards,
Steve

[Lowiepete]

Hello Folks,

Before I upload a movie of the car coming home, with an MOT(!), I think
I need to bring things up to date.

There were a couple of reasons why it has taken this long to get to the
MOT. Mostly it was down to the cooling system being in quite a state,
though that was exacerbated by the carburettor flooding, meaning that
we could not get it running for long enough to properly flush the system.

I managed to secure another carb, though despite more cleaning out with
dishwasher tablets and rad cleaner, the system is still pretty murky. The
replacement carb was actually in better condition than my existing one,
although not quite as shiny.

Anyway, I've been pondering making a few further small modifications to the
car. Somehow, the existing parcel shelf got thrown out. However, I've
decided that I'm not going to replace it with one out a GTT. Thinking laterally,
when the car is out on parade in the future, it'll be standing in full sun on a
show field, with very little to shade the rear window. Being as it isn't fitted
with air-conditioning, the black shelf will act like a fantastic heater, when it's
least needed.

So, what's my solution? Well, many R5GTTs have a red carpet, mine has grey,
so there's room for a little more red inside the car. So, I bought a standard
R5 parcel shelf and I'm going to get it upholstered. However, quite by chance
there was an interesting sample in the swatch.

As you know, the red in the seats is not solid. The fabric I'll be using is almost
identical, so the red will be mottled with grey, an effect which tends to make
the overall colour lighter still. Even better!

So, here's the replacement parcel shelf. It's interesting that it is built much
more strongly than the GTT one. As you can see, it needs a bit of treating...



during...



...and after



I'm not stopping with the parcel shelf. I'm intending to do the front door cards
too. Before all the purists start screaming. I'll have standard door cards on
standby, just in case that day arrives.

Another Rare Find

Rummaging through eBay one evening, I came across a seller offering some
pieces that I've not seen before. Being as there isn't a made-up road twixt
my garage and the highway, whether or not these were fitted to the GTT is
quite frankly immaterial - they are going to serve a purpose.

What made this sale a little different was that the seller wasn't just offering
splash-guards for the front, he had some for the back as well. Anyway,
here's the goods (seller did warn that they were in a bit of a state)...







However, the real value of the deal was in these...





If the track to the garage happens to be a bit muddy at either end of a trip
out, it's going to be the work of moments to give these a wipe over, and
all that beautifully clean underneath will stay that way too.

Apart from the video (coming soon, I promise) I took 2 other photos today.
Just as we got the car home, we found a loose clip on one of the hoses.
That's Karl's hand in there, pushing it back on...



Then, if the day couldn't get any better, my mate turned up with my original
rear door badges. Yay!!



Anyway, that's enough excitement for one day. Oh, I also got a reasonably
good result from the quack today, as my own MOT results came through. Looks
like there's a reasonable risk that I'll be around for a bit longer.

Regards,
Steve

[Adam gt E]

Absolutely love this thread

[Mr Raider]

Niceone Steve, great it has an Mot. Must be time for a catch up soon, love to see the car too

[rabbitstew]

A while back I bought a set of Bougicord leads from France. Turns out that
the king lead is 6 inches too short and missing its bung that goes through
the forward bulkhead. So, not quite the initial bargain

Sounds like they are for the phase 1 rather than the phase 2, which has the ignition pack inside the engine bay, hence the kingpin lead is 6 inches shorter than the one which goes in the scuttle pannel and no bungl.

Excellent progress though, most of what you are doing is exactly the same as I am doing to mine, which has been off the road for about 11 years. Although, rather than replace bits with OEM parts, im replacing most of the bits with performance parts, so my build costs are about 3 times the price. Still be worth it when its all finished!!!

My next job is the cooling system and i dreading getting that water pump off.

[Lowiepete]

Hello Folks,

Part 4 sees the engine started for the first time, the revamp of the car's home
and its triumphant return complete with brand new MOT



Regards,
Steve

[LukeRobbo]

Brilliant work as usual you I always enjoy seeing your progress

[Lowiepete]

Hello Folks,

Well, it has been an interesting and not uneventful day! Karl came round at
lunchtime to fit the new clip over the leaky coolant pipe. The other objective
for the day being to sort out the dreaded yellow bung in the fuel tank. So,
it would be back to the workshop for it to be filled with some Milliput.

I just get about 100 yards from my garage, just round the corner and run out
of fuel. Got that replenished, and the wee beastie would not start. It plain
refused to respond to any throttle. So much for my first drive in it for nigh on
16 years!

So, we decide to push it back along the lane, getting my foot run over in the
process. Once back in my garage, it would be a case of checking over the
carburettor. Maybe I'd dragged up some muck from the empty tank. Half
way back, we decide to take a rest - remember I'm not too nimble on my
pegs - so Karl tries the starter again. Well, I be damned, the thing fires up
first time - what a relief..!

So, back to the workshop, filled the problematic bung, which was looking
quite sound, so any future problem averted. Got some proper coolant
added to the system too. Apart from one, possibly two, slightly loose
tappets the engine sounds sweet. The temperature guage is registering a
well cooled engine, though at this point the fuel and oil pressure guages are
not responding. That's a job for another day.

Off to the filling station for a tad more fuel, just in case. The car turns heads;
just that burble giving its approach away as something unusual. I get home
and decide that I'm going to do some cleaning. Considering the length of time
since the car was last waxed, I'm amazed at the condition of the paint. There
is hardly any swirling, and no more than about 4 fairly serious water spot
etches. Here's some before photos...



The bucket contains a clay cloth soaking in a mix of ONR and car shampoo.















The door shuts are seriously filthy. I'll be having a good go at them tomorrow!




This photo was taken to try and pick up the two water spot etches on the
bonnet. Looks like that wasn't successful.

With the car going back in October, I'm not going to be treating this paint to
any long-lasting potions. The last thing I want is for Jason, the painter, to
encounter bonding problems. So, my work today was to get the paint as clean
as I can and to really inspect the bodywork. Some of the rust spots are just
surface, though some look potentially more serious.

Now to some after photos. I gave the door glass a really good clay cloth
and polish clean, just to make life easier for the electric motors, which are
working fairly well.











I'm still blown away by how well the ADS clay cloth works. The smoothness
of the fnish just has to be felt to be believed.



Now we come to a couple of areas where there's going to be some serious
restoration work to do, by comparison with what's gone before, anyway.





When I first got into the car, I found myself banging my head against the
edge of the sunroof surround, being a 6 footer doesn't help. Managed to
adjust the seat back a tad, then after a little while realised that I had
forgotten just how comfortable those seats actually are, but then I
should not be surprised, Renault have always known how to craft a
very comfy seat!

If the weather behaves, there will be more fun to be had tomorrow. I may
well take a ride out to Beccles and back. So far, I've not got it up into 5th
gear on my short travels. Oh dear, all this excitement!!

Regards,
Steve

[Lowiepete]

Hello Folks,

Do you know, I'd quite forgotten just how much fun it is to drive a Renault
5 GTT - I'm now quite cross with myself for letting this car lie low for such
a long time!

This post is a mixed bag of bits. First off a bit of cleaning...



New 10w H3 LEDs are now fitted, and given back to Karl for testing out. I'm
guessing they should be bright enough for the show ring, which is about the
only use they will get.

More LEDs fitted into the number plate lights...



The car has now been almost entirely clay clothed, still a bit more to do. It'll
be the engine bay next. Not until later in the week though, I've got a Ford
Granny to revisit for the next couple of days.





Don't You Just Love Careless Couriers? NOT!





Pressed plates came from Elite Car Care. Alex was soon on their case and I now
have nice flat ones still wrapped up, ready to apply at some point.

Another, "I Just Knew It" moment...

If you've been following this thread, you'll know that I spent loadsamoney on
a replacement front bumper. When the car came back from Karl, there was
this lower hole in that bumper...



Boy, has that been jarring me..! However, in the back of mind I had this nagging
suspicion that I didn't need to purchase another. We've had some problems with
the engine idling when it gets warm, so I've been scouring my premises and both
cars to find the carburettor kit I bought, in the hope it contains a new idling screw.
Lo and behold, at the back of the R5's glove box, what do I find...?





Regards,
Steve

[Lowiepete]

Hello Folks,

Well, 95 miles covered today, almost faultlessly.

However, one or two little jobs to complete first. Like the hot air feed pipe
which had disintegrated...





...and replaced with a silicone re-inforced one. It'll be trimmed to proper
length once the engine is replaced after the re-spray...





The anti-percolation fan also replaced. I had hoped to repair the one that
came out, but it looks like it has been knackered for a very long time
Making enquiries about buying new, only available "sur le continong", with
prices starting at Euro: 210



Two other jobs done. The fog lights have been temporarily replaced, looking
better than blank holes



...and the towing-eye blanking plate also re-inserted...



So, now we come to its first proper trip out in 16 years! A 46 mile run up to
Snetterton for the Novice Track Night. Here's my proof that the car made it...





It's amazing how other drivers react to the car, especially people who don't
know what it is. The number of drivers on my way home who saw an old car
and thought: I better get in front of that else he'll be holding me up. Would
have loved to see the expressions on their faces as I not only chased them
down, but left them for dead...

I laughed out loud today as I did one of my traffic light party tricks. The
BMW driver didn't know quite what to do Anyway, it has been an
eventful and exciting day all rolled into one. I've just got to get the exhaust
rattle sorted and give the cooling system another flush out. This trip has
blown out more than just a few cobwebs...

Regards,
Steve

[Dave Reed]

I bought a brand new perc fan back in the day and that was like 200 odd notes, doesn't surprise me they are that price.

I think I've still got it too if you want me to look?

[Lowiepete]

I bought a brand new perc fan back in the day and that was like 200 odd notes, doesn't surprise me they are that price.

I think I've still got it too if you want me to look?

Oh my, for the size of the thing, how did they ever justify it? Did you buy one
and never fit it? It would be good to have a spare, though I'm wary of any
big outlays before the car goes back in October for the engine and glass out.
I'm a bit fearful of what we'll find when the windscreen comes out...

Regards,
Steve

[Lowiepete]

Well, doesn't time fly when you're enjoying yourself? Seems a while since I last
posted, but the car isn't forgotten! It's had a few outings since passing its
MOT. On Friday this week it goes back to being SORNed and into the workshop.

First on the agenda is to remove the glass. So far, I've been very lucky with
so little tin-worm activity. I'm hoping to be present when the guy comes to
remove the windscreen. The scuttle panel below does have some surface rot,
but it'll be interesting to see what's below. Sharp intake of breath time??

Has anyone here replaced an R5 windscreen? Will I need to replace _all_ the
surrounding rubbers? If so, then November is going to be an horrendously
expensive month...

After Some Research
With the windscreen to come out any day, I've been exploring the cost of its
replacement. With the rubbers, I costed them at about £260, not counting
either fetching the glass from Southampton, or the cost of fitting, which I
gather takes about 2 hours, allowing for adhesives to set.

So, being that it's chilly out, I went to the Autoglass web site to take a bit
of a look-see. In the hope of getting a quote, I found the only way was to
pretend to book an appointment. Having very carefully read the screen before
"proceeding" I eventually gave in. Well, almost...

I spotted an on-line chat button and gave that a go. Chatting to a guy called
Andrew, very personable chap with a sense of humour, his initial quote, after
discount was around £140 inc VAT, fitting and car lifetime guarantee. That
was about £70 off "list price".

It gets better. I then enquired about which replacement rubbers were to be
included, and the price if not... Back came the list price (sharp breath intake)
quote of £347, which after a bit of haggling came down to £244, depending
upon price of the rubbers (suppliers' prices dependent) at the time of ordering.

So, that's the trip to So'ton put on hold for a bit...

Regards,
Steve

[Mr Raider]

Hi Steve, remember my windscreen was about £100 from Direct Windscreens on Vulcan Road Norwich, they put one in my raider, then in 2012 a new one in my 11 turbo

Regards

Karl.

[Lowiepete]

Hi Karl,

Hi Steve, remember my windscreen was about £100 from Direct Windscreens on Vulcan Road Norwich, they put one in my raider, then in 2012 a new one in my 11 turbo

We've got a Windscreens Direct in Lowie...
Did those prices include any / all replacement rubbers?

Update
Just given them a call...
£150 for the screen replacement
+£55 if outer seal needs replacing

Regards,
Steve

[Mr Raider]

On the raider price included newer style rubber & fitting, on 11 re-used existing rubber as they supplied screen only. Let us know how you get on

Regards

Karl.

[Lowiepete]

Hello Folks,

Well, the screen is out. It also came out in one piece! However, that's not the news...

The good news is that apart from a few patches of surface rust, the metal behind is
just as sound as a bell. Even the two drain holes at the base of the screen, although
surrounded by surface rust, were not blocked!

To say that I'm ecstatic does not come close. I even warned Karl to keep his distance
lest I kiss him Yeah, I know, the post is useless without pictures. I will go armed
tomorrow afternoon. It means that funds can be spent in places elsewhere. I'm not
going to be spoiling this ship for a ha'porth now...

Regards,
Steve

[Mr Raider]

Great to hear Steve, looking out for those all important pictures! Did you find a replacement windwscreen and rubber ok?

Regards

Karl.

[Matt Cole]

Excellent. Another good bit of news. Goid luck steve.

[Lowiepete]

Here are the pics...





















Regards,
Steve

[mingblus3]

that's all light rust. Looking good. Have you taken the skirts off yet?

[Lowiepete]

Hello Folks,

I went round to the workshop today to drop off a door card for strengthening
before it goes to the upholsterers. What I found was a hive of activity around
the R5 with Karl preparing the front bumper for its primer.



That's not all! We've removed the near side side-skirt and most of the wing
trims as well, came the triumphant call. There was no echo of this being bad
news, so I dared to ask the question: "What's it like?"

I'll let the pictures do the talking. Here's the car in its new home...



...and closer inspection revealed this...



The car started first time and was driven out for me to take these pictures...













I got the impression that the guys were pretty impressed with what they
found, leaving out the car's age and history! Of course, I'm beyond thrilled!

Regards,
Steve

[jamie_clioGTT]

what a great example of an un molested 5 you have. well done for bringing it back to its former glory, its certainly worth it!

[Mr Raider]

This is the fantasy/dream that 99% of 5 gt turbo owners are hoping for on removal of the kit! Very solid indeed and good for another 25 years, keep the the good work Steve

[Matt_S]

Good going.

I need to pop my skirts off over the winter. I'm dreading it.

[Lowiepete]

Hello Folks,

With Karl coming round with a stack of internal plastics yesterday, came a
suggestion that I go round today with my camera. On arrival, the car is out
of the storage garage and moved into the studio. As ever, I'll let the pictures
do their bit...





















Apparently, the driver's side front wing has had some work done to it and
there's some filler around the rear wing too. Quite why hasn't been determined
and there's no clue in any paperwork I hold.













...and with most of the interior now stripped, here's some inside views





Sorry, a bit of camera shake on this next one...





There was also a bit of a surprise, with Jason saying I might like to follow him
into the painting booth, where some priming has started...



























You might notice that the front bumper isn't pictured. That's been held back
for the DRLs to be set in place. Before I get heckled, the idea is to install
these as stealthily as possible, where their presence will only be felt when
they're illuminated...

All of this is getting far too exciting for an old man - I need to lie down in a
darkened room for a while

Regards,
Steve

[Matt Cole]

Its hard to believe how good that shell is after all that time in storage!

[Bubblebagmagic]

Yep looks mint another great read, just got mine checked all original sills still mint apart from the lip that meets the inner were thesissor jack goes 👻

[Mr Raider]

Very solid shell, all that time in the garage has preserved it well. Looking forward to the next installment as this has come such a long way

[Lowiepete]

Hello Folks,

How have you guys resolved the swelling problems associated with the seals around
the front windows? Mike only has one, not sure which side. Seems I need to replace
both of them...

With Season's Greetings,
Steve

[Bigfoot]

Hello Folks,

How have you guys resolved the swelling problems associated with the seals around
the front windows? Mike only has one, not sure which side. Seems I need to replace
both of them...

With Season's Greetings,
Steve

You talking about where water has got caught in there and swelled them up? I don't know of a way apart from trying to find a replacement set. Are they not available from Renault anymore then?

[Lowiepete]

Are they not available from Renault anymore then?

I had assumed not, but that is an avenue I'll explore in the New Year...

With Season's Greetings,
Steve

[Mr Raider]

They should be available, they corrode & swell up. Got part no.s if thats a help? Fitted my new ones earlier this year

[Lowiepete]

Got part no.s if thats a help?

Yes please

With Season's Greetings,
Steve

[Mr Raider]

77 00 758 100 - LH Outer window door seal
77 00 758 101 - RH Outer window door seal

Roughly £80 the pair when I got mine from Holden Renault Norwich last year.

Seasons Greetings

Karl.

[Lowiepete]

Hi Karl,

Roughly £80 the pair when I got mine from Holden Renault Norwich last year.

Job, jobbed. £83 the pair. Many thanks!

With Season's Greetings,
Steve

[Matt Cole]

Hi Karl,



Job, jobbed. £83 the pair. Many thanks!

With Season's Greetings,
Steve

Make all the difference these when new!

[Junglist]

Hi Karl,



Job, jobbed. £83 the pair. Many thanks!

With Season's Greetings,
Steve

Something I need to buy soon. Great thread m8

[Mr Raider]

No worries Steve, I wasnt far out! where did you get them from in the end? Some dealers say they can not get them and the reason for that is they got fed up ordering them, upon delivery found they got bent in transit and had to return them to get some more!. They do make alot of difference and once lubed up with a little silicon grease, make it slightly lighter work for the window motors.

Season Greetings

Regards

Karl.

[Lowiepete]

Ta for the kind comments guys. It'll be details like this which will properly make the
finished product complete.

I got them from Mitchells, just around the corner from me. They reckoned there was
little or no trouble getting them; there was even UK stock. These came in
flat boxes with not a mark on them.

With Season's Greetings,
Steve

[Scoobykilla]

What an interesting read it has come far in such a short ish time frame cant wait to see the finished product