1981 635 CSI (UK)

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Vertuser
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Joined: Tue Jun 14, 2016 4:32 pm
Location: Bristol (UK)

1981 635 CSI (UK)

Post by Vertuser »

Hello, new to the forum from Bristol (UK)

The short version of the story is, I have found a blue 635 and will be running a 3 stage project.

1, get it home and log all the spares that the owner has collected
2, get it through the MOT so the present owner can retain the private plate
3, rolling restoration and generally getting it to a condition that I will be happy with

Along the way I will be documenting all (yes all) the costs in a 2 Broke Girls style, and when I remember to take pictures they will be posted.

The car, well what I know so far;
Metallic blue.
Black leather, sports style seats.
Dog leg gearbox.
Been stood since 2002.
Sills replaced 2000.
Has rust in both corners of the windscreen scuttle, under both rear lights and probably other places.
Both front calipers have been removed, and are currently in the passenger foot well.
Lower dash has been removed.
TRX wheels swapped with something else (will confirm soon).
I believe it to be a series 1 after reading the survival guide.

I will take some pictures next time I go over and see it.

Does anyone have experience of getting an engine going after it's been sat for 14 years, advice appreciated?
Costs so far £0
Hopefully have an update next week.
Last edited by Vertuser on Fri Jul 03, 2020 8:29 pm, edited 1 time in total.
wattsmonkey
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Re: 1982 635 CSI (UK)

Post by wattsmonkey »

That sounds cool!

There's a couple of sixer owners in Gloucs, probably more in the undergrowth, so please stay in touch,

Rob
"Most of it necessary; all of it enjoyable." LJKS
'84 635CSi, dogleg...itbs and supercharger????? Eaton Mess
Vertuser
Posts: 21
Joined: Tue Jun 14, 2016 4:32 pm
Location: Bristol (UK)

Re: 1982 635 CSI (UK)

Post by Vertuser »

So went to see the 635 today, thought I took a proper pic of the rear as its front end is hidden in the garage but I didn't sorry.
Turns out the car is actually black, the drivers side is all pretty solid (apart from the rear see below).
Have tried the VIN Decoder but can't seem to get anywhere! last 7 digits 5550628.

Along with what you can see below,
passenger side;
Rear arch is very rusty in front of the wheel on the lower half
Front wing has rusted through where the gutter trim meets (the little rectangle bit)
In front of the windscreen has a bit of a hole through
Floor bung pulled out!!!

Drivers side,
Needs a polish
Floor seems better

Generally,
Get some better pictures
Has 16 inch type 5's
Dash needs reassembling
Needs a battery
Fluid change
Try and start the engine

I will sort out transport tomorrow, then some better pictures will follow.

Costs so far £0

I have also found a potential donor car in a field in Somerset, just can't seem to track down the owner!
Last edited by Vertuser on Fri Jul 03, 2020 8:28 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Vertuser
Posts: 21
Joined: Tue Jun 14, 2016 4:32 pm
Location: Bristol (UK)

Re: 1982 635 CSI (UK)

Post by Vertuser »

Anyway it looks like it's being picked up on the 8th July. So some better pictures will follow then.

Watch this space.....
TrevorB

Re: 1982 635 CSI (UK)

Post by TrevorB »

Hi Mate, welcome aboard! RealOEM provides your car was born April 1981.
Good luck with the build!
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olympia57
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Re: 1982 635 CSI (UK)

Post by olympia57 »

Good luck with your purchase but I'd certainly be forensically checking the structure of the car if the rear light bases are anything to go by.
To rescue a rusty E24 you really have to do it yourself . Paying a 3rd party to restore a bad car is just not economically viable as , although they aren't too complex , it's time consuming getting it right.
Your VIN shows a build date of 4-81 , a series one car .VIN decoders don't work with series one VIN's .
Re the engine , before anything spanner on crank pulley nut and gently rock it to see that it's not seized . If good to go then pour light oil into bores , let soak overnight and turn by hand for several revolutions to free everything up . Drain and change oil and filter before attempting to start . After sitting in a damp garage for 14 years that's probably the least of your worries.
It's worth noting that 80% of that car is different from the later E28 model and therefore much more expensive ( rare & sometimes difficult ) to get . I literally sourced parts from around the World ( and Wales :wink: ) for mine , don't underestimate your challenge . PM me if I can help sourcing parts .
Let us see what you find when you get down and dirty .......
Don
1981 635 series 1
Vertuser
Posts: 21
Joined: Tue Jun 14, 2016 4:32 pm
Location: Bristol (UK)

Re: 1982 635 CSI (UK)

Post by Vertuser »

Thank you, so I finally got her home withe the help of Tony "Low Loader".
The kids wanted to help by cleaning, when they have gone to bed I will take some pictures of some holes.
Last edited by Vertuser on Fri Jul 03, 2020 8:29 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Vertuser
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Joined: Tue Jun 14, 2016 4:32 pm
Location: Bristol (UK)

Re: 1982 635 CSI (UK)

Post by Vertuser »

Went to BM's on the green in Weston Super Mare, there was an S1 and Some S2's there and the subtle differences, I really didn't realise.

There will be some pictures of holes very soon, but for now a costs update.

£60 low loader
£136 insurance
£10 2 x plus gas
£10 4 x spray paint cans
£4 wire brush drill bits
£4 zinc galv spray
£25 welding clamps, clips and magnets

Total costs so far £249.00
Vertuser
Posts: 21
Joined: Tue Jun 14, 2016 4:32 pm
Location: Bristol (UK)

Re: 1982 635 CSI (UK)

Post by Vertuser »

Didn't realise it had been so long!

Since the last post 4 years, oh how time flies!

I had an 18 month hiatus, where Uncle Buck has been stored somewhere else, moved house and generally procrastinating about where to start.

I sorted the rust under the rear lights and some in the boot, outside my last house.

Moved to the new house at the tail end of last year and moved him into a temporary garage (tent) about 2 months ago.

Since then I have repaired the right hand front wing, removed the dash, RH door and windscreen.

Getting ready to brace the body and start on the lower A pillars which are quite bad.

Sorry about the lapse, now trying to get him sorted for sharkfest 2021! Pics to follow later!

So if anyone has some lower A pillars kicking about let me know, will post in the wanted section too.
wattsmonkey
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Re: 1982 635 CSI (UK)

Post by wattsmonkey »

I have been posting about progress on my project car - a four year gap between posts seems to be a theme in the South-West!

Do you mean the A pillar underneath the outer wing, below the door hinge? The end of the sill/floorpan/lifting pad bit is a favourite!

Post some pictures!

Cheers,

Rob
"Most of it necessary; all of it enjoyable." LJKS
'84 635CSi, dogleg...itbs and supercharger????? Eaton Mess
Vertuser
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Joined: Tue Jun 14, 2016 4:32 pm
Location: Bristol (UK)

Re: 1982 635 CSI (UK)

Post by Vertuser »

The A pillar, basically around the bottom corner of the windscreen, along the scuttle and up the pillar where the trim over the door seal screws on!

I will find a hosting site for pictures and post some up!
wattsmonkey
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Re: 1982 635 CSI (UK)

Post by wattsmonkey »

I have a really good cut from a complete front screen surround.

Are you the Cheltenham side of Bristol?
"Most of it necessary; all of it enjoyable." LJKS
'84 635CSi, dogleg...itbs and supercharger????? Eaton Mess
Vertuser
Posts: 21
Joined: Tue Jun 14, 2016 4:32 pm
Location: Bristol (UK)

Re: 1982 635 CSI (UK)

Post by Vertuser »

I live in North Somerset, but work in Emersons Green, North Bristol.

I will be in work tomorrow, but we are working sporadically, on a 4 day week so pretty much free Friday through Sunday.
wattsmonkey
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Re: 1982 635 CSI (UK)

Post by wattsmonkey »

Hang on though, yours is a Series 1 car - I'm pretty sure the windscreen glass is the same, plus the side glass, doors roof and bonnet - so the general dimensions should be right (if I'm right about all of the above), but the metalwork I've got is cut from a Series 2 car - I dare say someone will know if it will fit.
"Most of it necessary; all of it enjoyable." LJKS
'84 635CSi, dogleg...itbs and supercharger????? Eaton Mess
Vertuser
Posts: 21
Joined: Tue Jun 14, 2016 4:32 pm
Location: Bristol (UK)

Re: 1982 635 CSI (UK)

Post by Vertuser »

Ahh, yes I think the side gutter trim termites on the wing of a series 2 car and mine on the extreme edge of the scuttle panel. Will ask.
Vertuser
Posts: 21
Joined: Tue Jun 14, 2016 4:32 pm
Location: Bristol (UK)

Re: 1982 635 CSI (UK)

Post by Vertuser »

Hi @wattsmonkey, here is what I have, unless anyone says otherwise, would it be possible for me to at least have a look at the panel, the drivers side is not quite as bad and most of the structure (albeit rusty) is still there.


[imgImage0598E2C0-7FB2-4F85-84BD-CF76B38F7A13 by Shaw Beattie, on Flickr][/img]
wattsmonkey
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Re: 1982 635 CSI (UK)

Post by wattsmonkey »

scuttle.JPG
scuttle.JPG (104.84 KiB) Viewed 11010 times
took this before I saw your post!

I think earlier cars used full fat coke
"Most of it necessary; all of it enjoyable." LJKS
'84 635CSi, dogleg...itbs and supercharger????? Eaton Mess
Vertuser
Posts: 21
Joined: Tue Jun 14, 2016 4:32 pm
Location: Bristol (UK)

Re: 1982 635 CSI (UK)

Post by Vertuser »

Yep, Full Fat is mandatory!

That looks exactly like wat I have, only difference is 2 holes for the screws to hold the retaining clips for the side trim!
wattsmonkey
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Re: 1982 635 CSI (UK)

Post by wattsmonkey »

...and posted the above without reading your post, this lockdown zoom meeting business is playing havoc with my prioritising!

You are more than welcome to come and look, with the caveat that I'll need a bit of help as the screen surround is hanging from the right-hand wall of the shed and will require some extracting...
shed june 20.JPG
shed june 20.JPG (80.06 KiB) Viewed 11009 times
The above picture is of the project car in its current state of undress, so I can take more pictures to help to establish compatibility.

I'll PM you my contact details.

Cheers,

Rob
"Most of it necessary; all of it enjoyable." LJKS
'84 635CSi, dogleg...itbs and supercharger????? Eaton Mess
Vertuser
Posts: 21
Joined: Tue Jun 14, 2016 4:32 pm
Location: Bristol (UK)

Re: 1982 635 CSI (UK)

Post by Vertuser »

Thanks for your help today Wattsmonkey.

Was great to see another works in progress!

So I probably won’t be able to list all costs like I said in the first post, but what I will do tonight when the kids go to bed is post up the photos so far of stuff that I have done.
Vertuser
Posts: 21
Joined: Tue Jun 14, 2016 4:32 pm
Location: Bristol (UK)

Re: 1981 635 CSI (UK)

Post by Vertuser »

So here goes potted history, I seem to have lost some pictures though.

Stuff I have bought;
New repro tank £80
Pair of doors in better condition than mine £50
Lower front bumper £10
All new bushes for the rear subframe
Epoxy Mastic 121

Photos
When Uncle Buck arrived in 2016
ImageUntitled by Shaw Beattie, on Flickr
Rear suspension before
ImageUntitled by Shaw Beattie, on Flickr
Rear suspension after
ImageUntitled by Shaw Beattie, on Flickr
Rear subframe
ImageUntitled by Shaw Beattie, on Flickr

This and some welding to the rear end, front subframe mounts and inner sills is all I got done before we moved house.

Here he is going on the trailer to the field over Christmas
ImageUntitled by Shaw Beattie, on Flickr
In the field!
ImageUntitled by Shaw Beattie, on Flickr
Vertuser
Posts: 21
Joined: Tue Jun 14, 2016 4:32 pm
Location: Bristol (UK)

Re: 1981 635 CSI (UK)

Post by Vertuser »

Here he is in his new home!
ImageUntitled by Shaw Beattie, on Flickr

After removing a shed, building many more, cutting down bushes and shifting about 2 tonnes for soil.
ImageUntitled by Shaw Beattie, on Flickr
ImageUntitled by Shaw Beattie, on Flickr
ImageUntitled by Shaw Beattie, on Flickr
ImageUntitled by Shaw Beattie, on Flickr

Then started the strip down!
ImageUntitled by Shaw Beattie, on Flickr
ImageUntitled by Shaw Beattie, on Flickr
ImageUntitled by Shaw Beattie, on Flickr

Repaired the worst bits on the RHS Wing
Image2411DAF0-B8B5-483A-8E8D-3640BC002A58 by Shaw Beattie, on Flickr
Image2C0CABF6-EC01-485B-A951-F6E248357E1E by Shaw Beattie, on Flickr
Image81D45708-AC18-4DF8-AF1B-D086E87C7DFB by Shaw Beattie, on Flickr

So that's kind of where I am at the moment.
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