1. On recovery to home, reset cam belt timing ( belt seemed loose ? ) and attempted to start for about 10 minutes. On firing up definite bottom end noise.
   
   
2. Leave engine temporarily. Remove front seats to allow full interior clean. Strip covers off front seats and put through washing machine! Retrim seats and treat with leather care.
   
   
3. Remove centre console and remove old fuel pump relay. Secure new relay. Acquire top dash rubber mat.
   
   
4. Refitted all interior trim. Inside car now finished ready for use.
   
   
5. Remove sump and inspect engine for damage. Number 1 big end journal ran with no oil. Damaged beyond re-grind.
   
   
6. Remove damaged engine and acquire replacement, new engine to have fitted new cam belt, clutch kit and spark plugs. Refit replacement. Replace 2 anti roll bar suspension links.
   
   
7. While engine and gearbox was removed from car. Split gearbox in two and reseal, fit replacement drive shaft oil seals.
   
   
8. Major problems with running. General erratic running and misfire. On investigation problem sourced to a poor earth contact under thermostat housing. Fitted new bolt and clean mating faces. Replaced corroded radiator and replenish with new anti freeze. Run engine on fresh Shell Helix semi Synthetic for about 10 minutes, add engine flush. Replaced oil + filter and refill with fresh oils.
   
   
9. Fitted chrome grille sourced from a write off vehicle. Adjusted bonnet cable to allow shorter travel in release lever. Headlight trims sent away to be painted white. Fitted new number plates.
   
   
10. Replace failed centre exhaust pipe.
    
    
11. Replace 2 front tyres (on limits for MOT).
    
    
12. Take for MOT Saturday 28th December. – fingers crossed xx
    
    
13. Oops, failed on a) Trailing arm bush and b) Emissions. Replaced failed bush and “acquire” replacement oxygen sensor. Re-test on Tuesday 31st
    
    
14. Passed MOT, Ready for Taxed and insured.
    
    
15. Sourced Clear Indicators for front wings.
    
    
16. 7th September 2003
    
    
17. Anti freeze loss, replace all drive belts and water pump.
    
    
18. 27th September 2003
    
    
19. Replaced steering rack – excessive play in N/S track control arm.
    
    
20. Take to Silverline to check and adjust wheel alignment.
    
    
21. Now vehicle is running correctly we have decided to respray the complete car as the front end was stone chipped quite badly.
    At the same time my partner and I decided to “subtly” change the appearance of the car. Fitted Rover coupe front and rear bumpers and remove the grey lower half of the car. Deciding to colour code the mirrors and mouldings, number plate surround and front grille insert. The door mouldings were treated to a black self adhesive insert to match the bumper corners.
    
    
22. Next was the colour choice , Flicking through the colour charts from the reputable company House Of Kolor we settled on a Violet pearlescent flip over a white basecoat.
    Many hours were spent removing any dinks and body imperfections and generally prepping the car. The end result was…
    2 Coats of Rover diamond white.
    2 Coats of House Of Kolor Violet Pearlescent (code – PC6 )
    3 Coats of lacquer.See gallery pictures for the final product. The only downside is I wish I took more photos during the transformation, but we live and learn.
    The vehicles has now had a new home for over 12 months now and still see it regularly as a family member bought it. I promise I won’t mention the post what jumped out behind you and re arranged the rear bumper ;-)
    All this work is more than capable within our team at Lates600.com . Please feel free to check out our current vehicle a 216 Coupe completed now with a Honda twin cam engine and Air con for those infrequent summer months.

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