Middle-aged new boy

[Colin]

Hello Mike,

Welcome and good luck with your new HB acquisition from another Shropshire Viva fan!

I would just echo what Fred has said about the rarity of HBs. Check out the 'how many left' site to see how few HBs have survived. They're really quite rare cars now - significantly more so than equivalent Esc**ts...

http://www.howmanyleft.co.uk/?utf8=%E2% ... ll+viva+hb

I'm sure your HB auto is in good hands!

Best wishes,

Col

[miketemplar]

I should love to keep her as she is but, being an auto means I don't have to enlarge the g/box tunnel in order to fit a 5 speed, and I've been looking for a HB for so long now I'm almost desperate to get one up and running. I've just about finished my Avenger and was specifically looking for a 2dr HB. Be rest assured that nothing will be butchered, I'll be starting from a sodium blasted shell and rebuild it just as it was, save for the stitch welding, and a small number of strengthening gussets.
Incidently, did you know that if I use the Ford "english" axle I can modify Avenger halfshafts and sidegears to fit in it? This gives the advantage of an "Atlas" sized shaft in a lighter casing, there are a number of specialists who can supply spring saddles and shock absorber mounts so I can mount this on the original pickup points. I was only aiming for about 180 BHP and this will be more than man enough for it.It was my biggest worry with the whole job, so I can get on now with stripping the car and cracking on with it.

[hbpeter]

Hello and welcome, whats the reg number of the HB and whats the est you have an option on? The est's are even more rare than the Saloon. Some pics of both would be good if possible.

Peter

[miketemplar]

Hi Peter,
Thanks for the greeting! I got the saloon home today, reg mark is FLX 275J, was covered in green slime but now looking much better after a 3 hour session with the pressure washer. The estate is still at the back of the barn, don't have the reggie yet (sorry)!
I took a number of pics today when I got home, but will have to wait until I've time to load them.
I had a good probe around today with a screwdriver and it appears that I need a pair of wings, rear of the n/s sill, 2 tennis ball sized patches under the rear seat, a similar one in the o/s rear wheel well, and a 6"x3" patch in the boot floor, so perhaps not so bad! Inner wings have been patched behind the hinge, she has her own sills, floors and rear arches which surprised me, oh and they both have toughened screens so it looks like I'll be ordering a batch of laminated ones from the manufacturer, I see someone here is already doing rubbers, which is good.
I'll start a rebuild thread just now and let you see how I'm doing, your input is always welcome!
Best,
Mike

[hbpeter]

Cheers, look forward to the pics and thread. Dont forget the Est!!

Peter

[miketemplar]

Don't worry, the estate will come my way, I don't want to pester the widow too hard though. I think I probably have a years work on the saloon, so there's no urgency.

[looneytune]

I'm putting 250-260 thru 1800 ohc axle and its holding out ok. Reliant scimiter axle with jag lsd or volvo axle. Ford axles arent that much stronger

[miketemplar]

Then I would probably go for one for the sake of simplicity. I'll be using a plate diff but won't be going over 200bhp, as this is going to be a roadgoing fun car that I will be using on a regular basis.
Having moved a few Scimitar axles I have to say It's too heavy and there are better alternatives, Volvo 240 axles are much better (Rally Design market them as "Titan" axles, they are almost unburstable) and Ford axles are so simple, with any parts needed easily available.

[looneytune]

Yeah, mines an everyday car aswell with a blast up the dragstrip a few times a year. My other viva runs a volvo 1031 axle from a late 244 volvo and takes the abuse from a tuned chevy 350

[miketemplar]

That's Volvo reliability! The "Titan" axle is as strong if not stronger than an Atlas, and even the 2.3 single ohc volvo engine can be cheaply tuned to produce over 300bhp from 8 valves. Remarkable!