1966 Sunbeam Imp MKII

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VWNate1
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Re: 1966 Sunbeam Imp MKII

Post by VWNate1 »

Wow ;

I can't wait to see this car in action ! :thumbs: .
-Nate
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whitebuffalo
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Re: 1966 Sunbeam Imp MKII

Post by whitebuffalo »

Now with the motor out of the engine bay, I can install new brake pipes and clean up the area and paint it. The color is Porsche Signal Orange and will be the color of the car when finished.
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Now able to install the fresh rear suspension arms and Spax adjustable shock and lower springs.
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Then wanted to see it on all it's wheels and to give it a bit of a bath, I pushed it outside.
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Engine bay in the sunlight shows the orange in proper light.
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Steve Simmons
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Re: 1966 Sunbeam Imp MKII

Post by Steve Simmons »

That color is GREAT for that car! :thumbs:
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VWNate1
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1961 Morris Minor W/ 1973 1275 CC engine & gearbox

Ural Solo Motos , old Honda 90 CC Tiddlers
Location: Sunny So. Cal. , land of fruits , nuts & flakes

OH , MY !

Post by VWNate1 »

Wow , that's going to be a real eye catcher when you're done :thumbs: .
-Nate
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whitebuffalo
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Re: 1966 Sunbeam Imp MKII

Post by whitebuffalo »

So, work on the Imp continues, started to build up the motor. Added a new clutch and am in the process of putting the water pump assembly together. I also added a new release bearing to the gearbox and fitted new mounts. Will paint the output shafts to make them look better and keep rust away.
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To take a break from the motor I then was able to remove the rear window without any problem. I was ready to break off screw heads and curse a lot, but every one just unscrewed as they should. I then added the new seals on the rear window aperture and hatch itself.
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VWNate1
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Vehicles Owned: LBC's

Mercedes Diesels OM 616 & 617

1969 Chevrolet C/10 pickup shop truck
250 I-6 , TH350 slushbox

1959 Nash Metropolitan FH Sports Coupe

1961 Morris Minor W/ 1973 1275 CC engine & gearbox

Ural Solo Motos , old Honda 90 CC Tiddlers
Location: Sunny So. Cal. , land of fruits , nuts & flakes

Re: 1966 Sunbeam Imp MKII

Post by VWNate1 »

Nice .

I love your garage floor ! I have to work outside (that's O.K.) on an old bit of coarse concrete that has lots of cracks and holes in it .

Sealed Concrete is wonderful to work on .
-Nate
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whitebuffalo
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Re: 1966 Sunbeam Imp MKII

Post by whitebuffalo »

I am fortunate to have that concrete, was on broken up asphalt and dirt until 2006 when my Mum surprised me with the floor. I was away at an AMA motorcycle race selling parts at Laguna Seca. When I got back on Monday it was done, complete with embossed buffaloes around the perimeter of the slab. Now I can't imagine not having it any other way.
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VWNate1
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250 I-6 , TH350 slushbox

1959 Nash Metropolitan FH Sports Coupe

1961 Morris Minor W/ 1973 1275 CC engine & gearbox

Ural Solo Motos , old Honda 90 CC Tiddlers
Location: Sunny So. Cal. , land of fruits , nuts & flakes

Re: 1966 Sunbeam Imp MKII

Post by VWNate1 »

Nice ! .

Having a Mum who understands must be terrific .

I'm glad I replaced my canvas canopy Monday as I spent most of to - day overhauling a turbocharger under it , watching the rain pour down and lightning too .

I thought it never rains in California ? :jester .

Now to find someone to follow me and see if the smoking and stink has been reduced .

More progress photos of this fine little car please ! :thumbs: .
-Nate
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whitebuffalo
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Re: 1966 Sunbeam Imp MKII

Post by whitebuffalo »

Finally got to work on my Imp. Added disc brakes to the front, switched out the 12 inch wheels for 13 inch and they fill the arches really nicely. It will get lower as the coils settle and the weight of the motor and other ancillaries sit on the suspension.

Today was a productive day, was able to fit engine and transmission as well as the light weight engine mount. The transom panel fits up nicely and I will have to figure out how to mount it to the car.

13 inch wheels with lowering springs.
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Engine and transmission finally in place! :thumbs: Note to self, always make sure locating dowel pins are removed from one side or the other, two pins opposite each other makes it difficult to fit trans to motor!
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Transom panel fits well, needs holes or brackets to affix it to the car somehow.
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whitebuffalo
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Re: 1966 Sunbeam Imp MKII

Post by whitebuffalo »

Finally put some time into the Imp after a year. Replaced the old red interior with a better, newer back interior. I also rebuilt the shifter mechanism and installed the radiator , water pump and all new hoses and heater hoses. The front cargo area covers were looking rather dingy so I painted them. Now I need to figure out a linkage set up for the carburetor and hook up some electronics and I should be ready to start her up and drive her for the first time since 1974.

Fresher looking cargo area.
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Fresher black interior and seats with door capping too.
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Radiator is in with new water pump and hoses.
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VWNate1
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Mercedes Diesels OM 616 & 617

1969 Chevrolet C/10 pickup shop truck
250 I-6 , TH350 slushbox

1959 Nash Metropolitan FH Sports Coupe

1961 Morris Minor W/ 1973 1275 CC engine & gearbox

Ural Solo Motos , old Honda 90 CC Tiddlers
Location: Sunny So. Cal. , land of fruits , nuts & flakes

1966 Sunbeam Imp MKII

Post by VWNate1 »

Looking very good there .

I hope we see it in person ere long .

I have (maybe) finally found someone willing to make me a BMC 'B' series engine support adapter for my Met's engine, with some luck I'll begin assembling an engine (1963 MGB 1800) for it this Summer ;) .

I'd love to have a ride in this Imp if at all possible .
-Nate
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whitebuffalo
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Location: Lancaster, Ca
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Re: 1966 Sunbeam Imp MKII

Post by whitebuffalo »

Worked more on the Imp. Replacing the weather seals so took the windscreen out and will add a new seal.

I also painted the dash panel as it was white and reflected onto the screen when in the sun so now black will blend in.

I also put the new carb in and found a linkage that I bought ages ago and modified it to work on this application. I bought the 32/36 DGEV for a Fiat 850 I had back in 2003 and got a different carb to work for it so had the Weber sitting around all that time.

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whitebuffalo
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Location: Lancaster, Ca
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Re: 1966 Sunbeam Imp MKII

Post by whitebuffalo »

Moving closer to the road!

https://youtu.be/HuzvaoP6hTo
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VWNate1
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Mercedes Diesels OM 616 & 617

1969 Chevrolet C/10 pickup shop truck
250 I-6 , TH350 slushbox

1959 Nash Metropolitan FH Sports Coupe

1961 Morris Minor W/ 1973 1275 CC engine & gearbox

Ural Solo Motos , old Honda 90 CC Tiddlers
Location: Sunny So. Cal. , land of fruits , nuts & flakes

Re: 1966 Sunbeam Imp MKII

Post by VWNate1 »

Wa-HOO ! . :bow:
-Nate
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whitebuffalo
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Re: 1966 Sunbeam Imp MKII

Post by whitebuffalo »

Get well soon, you can't very have a ride with casts on :lol:
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VWNate1
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1969 Chevrolet C/10 pickup shop truck
250 I-6 , TH350 slushbox

1959 Nash Metropolitan FH Sports Coupe

1961 Morris Minor W/ 1973 1275 CC engine & gearbox

Ural Solo Motos , old Honda 90 CC Tiddlers
Location: Sunny So. Cal. , land of fruits , nuts & flakes

Re: 1966 Sunbeam Imp MKII

Post by VWNate1 »

No but ;

It's only my _left_ side (even the broken ribs) that's busted up so as soon as the Dr. says it's O.K. I'll be driving .

I hope to be astride two wheels by Christmas .
-Nate
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VWNate1
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1969 Chevrolet C/10 pickup shop truck
250 I-6 , TH350 slushbox

1959 Nash Metropolitan FH Sports Coupe

1961 Morris Minor W/ 1973 1275 CC engine & gearbox

Ural Solo Motos , old Honda 90 CC Tiddlers
Location: Sunny So. Cal. , land of fruits , nuts & flakes

Re: 1966 Sunbeam Imp MKII

Post by VWNate1 »

I neglected to mention : the engine sounds sweet and smooth :thumbs: .
-Nate
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whitebuffalo
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Re: 1966 Sunbeam Imp MKII

Post by whitebuffalo »

80 miles of driving and loving every minute of it. Got to get use to the reverse being to the left and back as opposed to right and back on the Minis. I have stalled it a few times trying to get the clutch catch just right. Got to remember to take it out of gear and let go of the clutch as if you try to push the clutch in and start it, it turns very slowly, if clutch is released then it turns properly.


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Last edited by whitebuffalo on Sat Jul 15, 2017 9:47 am, edited 2 times in total.
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Steve Simmons
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Re: 1966 Sunbeam Imp MKII

Post by Steve Simmons »

Wahoo! Another one on the road. Nice job!
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VWNate1
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Mercedes Diesels OM 616 & 617

1969 Chevrolet C/10 pickup shop truck
250 I-6 , TH350 slushbox

1959 Nash Metropolitan FH Sports Coupe

1961 Morris Minor W/ 1973 1275 CC engine & gearbox

Ural Solo Motos , old Honda 90 CC Tiddlers
Location: Sunny So. Cal. , land of fruits , nuts & flakes

Re: 1966 Sunbeam Imp MKII

Post by VWNate1 »

? Does it have a carbon block typ through out bearing ? .

Going to leave the unobtanium bumpers off then ? .

I like wherever you took the photos .
-Nate
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whitebuffalo
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Re: 1966 Sunbeam Imp MKII

Post by whitebuffalo »

VWNate1 wrote: Wed Jul 12, 2017 12:06 pm ? Does it have a carbon block typ through out bearing ? .

Going to leave the unobtanium bumpers off then ? .

I like wherever you took the photos .
It is a carbon/graphite or something similar to that for a throw out bearing so it does drop the RPMs when engaging. When I get the bug to do it , I can replace it with a roller type.

As for the bumpers, the pair that came with the car are too beat up to worry about and was going to do a racer look, but am contemplating adding a set to it. I have a light weight engine mount that uses a replacement sheet metal cover that goes on the back, but a bumper would add more weight nullifying the lighter engine mounting. Perhaps make up some modded VW Beetle nurf bar bumpers/shin scrapers.

Pictures were taken at the end of Bouquet Canyon where it Ts into Elizabeth Lake road.
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VWNate1
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Mercedes Diesels OM 616 & 617

1969 Chevrolet C/10 pickup shop truck
250 I-6 , TH350 slushbox

1959 Nash Metropolitan FH Sports Coupe

1961 Morris Minor W/ 1973 1275 CC engine & gearbox

Ural Solo Motos , old Honda 90 CC Tiddlers
Location: Sunny So. Cal. , land of fruits , nuts & flakes

On The Road Again

Post by VWNate1 »

Thanx ! I was thinking 'I know that road' but so many good roads look similar... I _do_ know and enjoy those particular roads :drive .

"Get well soon, you can't very have a ride with casts on :lol:"

Please don't bother me with facts, logic or reality ~ if I cared about that stuff I'd be driving some soulless appliance-mobile penalty box and planning to kill myself .
-Nate
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Re: 1966 Sunbeam Imp MKII

Post by Larry Kluss »

That's neat!
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whitebuffalo
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Re: 1966 Sunbeam Imp MKII

Post by whitebuffalo »

Fit some GAZ adjustable height shocks on the front, looks sweet, but too low. Will adjust a few turn to give a little room between the arch and tire.


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tannyo
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Re: 1966 Sunbeam Imp MKII

Post by tannyo »

Looking good.
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