One Retard, a broken Capri, and a Wife... and a V8?

Please post current V8 projects IN BUILD NOW in here, Any non relavent posts will be removed,

Moderator: phpBB2 - Administrators

JonnyEnglish
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 27
Joined: Mon Oct 19, 2015 12:40 pm

Upholstery 101

Post by JonnyEnglish »

Friday 29th January 2016

Hello! It's Mim here, borrowing Jon's account so that I can let you all know how I am getting on with re-upholstering the chairs! First off, I have never done this before so if any one has any hints or tips as I go it would be much appreciated! Especially ideas on how I can speed it up...

So after watching a few YouTube videos, I felt that I could give re-covering the chairs a good go even though the chairs that we have are slightly different. I have a fairly good background of using sewing machines but I would really recommend anyone giving it a go just to be able to say that you have done it!

I removed the front seats from the car first and after taking what felt like an excessive amount of photographs I started to remove the plastic trims and handles. I don't normally mind getting my hands dirty but for some reason, the dirty foam, rusty runners and damp smell grossed me out a bit (yep, I was a stereotypical girl at this stage!) and so got Jon to get rid of the nasty bits! After removing all trims I then went about taking photos from every single angle to show how all of the pieces should end up like.

Carefully removing and labelling every fabric piece that came off was really, really important and even though I came home with about 50 photographs, I regret not taking more! Next time I do this, I will label the exact order that I took parts off as for some reason it doesn't seem clear. I think I can still bodge it to being a good job still but it will be much easier with the order list.

Some of the fabric pieces are held in with plastic strips - I have googled these for ages and can't find what they are called, possibly plastic retaining clips. These are very brittle and although I have removed almost all of them without snapping, my machine won't be able to sew through them again. Essentially one strip is sewn into the fabric and one strip is fastened to the seat base and they slot into each other. Does anyone know if these clips can be replaced with staples and hog rings only? Or if I need to source some more? If so, how should I attach them to the fabric with only a basic home sewing machine?

After I had removed all of the fabric off the first front seat, I took these home to mess around in the warm!! I purchased myself some foam boards as recommended by YouTube to create my new pattern pieces and set to work with even more photos! Whilst the seat covers were all in one piece, I numbered the parts, marked where each seam met and where the fabric folded into the corners.

Image

Image

Image

Once I was happy that I knew where everything was supposed to end up, the fun began! I cut along each seam and then used these shapes to trace around on the foam boards. Everything was going swimmingly until I realised that cutting into the foam boards was not the easiest. I am definitely purchasing card boards next time and saving myself the hassle and mess of tiny bits of foam everywhere!! A junior hacksaw, two pairs of scissors and a very cross Mim later... and the pattern was ready!!

Image

These patterns pieces were then transferred onto my LOVELY new fabric that Jon has bought for me!! The chairs are going to be made in faux leather as real leather was way over budget. The side edges are going to be black, whilst the center cushions are bright yellow.

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

I started with the yellow sections, cut them out and have sewn as many seams as I can without trying out the fit. It's a bit of a risk doing so much work just in case, but I feel fairly confident that my pattern pieces are accurate and The Captain loves too far away for me to just pop down in an evening.

Anyway, here is the work so far!!

Image

Image

Image

Image

We are going to try them out later this afternoon so I will let you all know how it goes! If these all fit well, I will be starting the black edges - the goal is to finish one of the front seats in about a fortnight. I am hoping that the back seats will be much easier and faster (at least according to YouTube that is correct anyway haha!)

Speak to you all soon,

Mim



unstable load
Top Dog
Top Dog
Posts: 1278
Joined: Mon May 04, 2009 6:53 am

Post by unstable load »

Looking good, Mim!
As long as the seats will accommodate them, hog rings should work. Recaro uses the clips because they allow a more even fastening of the trim which minimises the possibility of pulling and ugly folds/creases forming where the load is concentrated around the hog ring.
You could add a piece of fabric on the inner edges that will allow you to staple or lace to the outer panel if the rails are too big for hog rings.

I hope you are using a leather needle in your machine. Leather needles have a rounded tip that pushes through the fabric while a regular sewing needle is sharpened and actually cuts through the fabric. A regular needle will create a tendency to tear along the stitch line under load when the panel is stretched.
Cheers,
John

JonnyEnglish
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 27
Joined: Mon Oct 19, 2015 12:40 pm

should i be disappointed....

Post by JonnyEnglish »

Hi guys,

Jut wondering if anyone can help? I've located the engine code for my v8 and was wondering if anyone can tell me whether I should be disappointed or not the code is D8VE-6015-A3A (8E2) from what I gather its from a 1978 Lincoln Continental :( was hoping for something with a bit more power! any advice?

Thanks,

Jon

unstable load
Top Dog
Top Dog
Posts: 1278
Joined: Mon May 04, 2009 6:53 am

Post by unstable load »

I can't speak for the original spec of the engine, but if you are going to open it up for a look-see inside, then you could replace cam/pistons to give it a boost in power while you are in there.
Cheers,
John

JonnyEnglish
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 27
Joined: Mon Oct 19, 2015 12:40 pm

Post by JonnyEnglish »

Hi mate, I think I will look at some performance upgrades I hmjust dont no where to start! Theres stuff that I have to buy like a carburettor, exhaust headers and other bits that the engine didnt come with but I dunno what else to do!

Any help/links to parts would be awesome! Was hoping for 200bhp but think Il be lucky to get 150 out of this one :(

unstable load
Top Dog
Top Dog
Posts: 1278
Joined: Mon May 04, 2009 6:53 am

Post by unstable load »

I am pretty sure there is a wealth of knowledge o here as to what you could add and where to source it, I am not UK resident so I can't help with sourcing and also know nothing worth anything about Ford V8's.

If you are going for headers etc, my advice is to get the highest spec you can afford even if a bit OTT for the current application, because you WILL get mission creep that warrants the additional capacity in due course..... :lol:
Cheers,
John

scudderfish
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 486
Joined: Sat Feb 28, 2009 6:53 pm
Location: Harpenden, Hertfordshire

Post by scudderfish »

Your rust problem could be a _lot_ worse http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/301858531142? ... rmvSB=true

unstable load
Top Dog
Top Dog
Posts: 1278
Joined: Mon May 04, 2009 6:53 am

Post by unstable load »

Bloody hell!!
I like the part where the seller says "Bring a broom" :lol:
Cheers,
John

Post Reply

Return to “Your Garage Scene”