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Cottees' 1980 Chrysler Celeste Lancer LC GT A73M Resto

Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2011 11:20 pm
by Cottees
Here is my latest purchase. A 1980 Chrysler Lancer LC GL. I was half looking for another car to use while I took my Sigma GN off the road for a while to fix some things up properly, something I can't do when I am using it as a daily driver. I was umming and ahhhing for a while when I saw the 2x LC Lancers that were for sale. I ended up succumbing to curiosity, taking a look at the cars, and after some negotiations, I finally said yes to buying them. I am keeping the Blue/Silver Lancer, and parting out the Orange one.

It is pretty much ready to register and drive, but I am going to fix up a couple spots of rust before doing that.

The Car
- 1980 Chrysler Lancer GL (A73M)
- x60,444 kms
- Two tone blue over silver paint job.
- Engine replaced with a Jap-Spec Celeste GSR G52B + KM132 5sp

Carburettor:
Dell'Orto DHLA 40 G
Choke : 32
Aux Venturi : 7848.3
Idle Jet: 58
Main Jet: 145
Main Emulsion Tube : 7772.10
Air Corrector : 240
Cold Start Jet : 80
Cold Start Emulsion Tube : 7482.3
Throttle Butterfly : 7481.3

Restoration plans:

- Rebuild + modify the G54B : Done!
Bore, hone and deck block, 1mm oversized pistons, skim and straighten head, Crow Cams mild street cam, Dell'Orto 40

- Fix side vent and under bonnet rust : In progress
Cut out and weld in new panels or body filler for the rust that is on the rear driver's side vent, and under the bonnet.

- Swap hatch for rust free hatch : In progress
Paint and put the rust free hatch onto the car.

- Minor rust on bonnet : In progress
Repair the minor rust on the bonnet.

- Repair Paint : In progress
Repair any small problems with paint, especially around the 2 rust points, and respray the rear hatch.

- Dash pad restoration : Pending
Repair or replace the cracked dash pad.

- Re-trim seats : Pending
Re-trim the part of the driver's seat that has cracked, or replace with another seat.

- Re-trim door panel : Pending
Re-trim the driver's side door panel that has cracked, or replace with one that is not cracked.

- Re-trim headliner : Pending
Re-trim, repair or replace the headliner.



- Repair centre console : Pending
Repair or replace with a centre console that has not been cut for an after market radio.

- Replace side mirrors : Pending
Replace the door side mirrors with JDM fender mirrors.


These pics are not mine, they were what was advertising them. It is pretty much what I am starting with.


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Re: Cottees' 1980 Chrysler Lancer LC GL Resto

Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2011 11:22 pm
by astronturbo77
wanna sell me the other hatch steering wheel? nice hatch btw lol

Re: Cottees' 1980 Chrysler Lancer LC GL Resto

Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2011 11:32 pm
by Cottees
astronturbo77 wrote:wanna sell me the other hatch steering wheel? nice hatch btw lol
lol, I'll see in 6 weeks when I get them. I took a good long look at them, and what I have listed is about all that needs fixing or replacing. I might have a spare steering wheel, but I'll wait till I have another good look as I am stripping the orange one.

Re: Cottees' 1980 Chrysler Lancer LC GL Resto

Posted: Sat Apr 09, 2011 7:38 pm
by A112H
Any news on the spitfires?

Re: Cottees' 1980 Chrysler Lancer LC GL Resto

Posted: Sat Apr 09, 2011 11:27 pm
by Cottees
Galant_GT0 wrote:Any news on the spitfires?
Yeah, they are no longer available.

Re: Cottees' 1980 Chrysler Lancer LC GL Resto

Posted: Sun Apr 10, 2011 7:47 am
by A112H
:(

Re: Cottees' 1980 Chrysler Lancer LC GL Resto

Posted: Sun Apr 10, 2011 11:17 am
by orangelancer
congratulations on the purchase. theyre a great car to drive. it looks very straight as well

Re: Cottees' 1980 Chrysler Lancer LC GL Resto

Posted: Mon Apr 11, 2011 1:22 pm
by Cottees
Just got something interesting in the mail!
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Some of the pages are starting to disintegrate, so I'll have to be really careful of it. It contains a heap of info, so might have to scan some of it in and post it since I have yet to find some of it on the net.

Re: Cottees' 1980 Chrysler Lancer LC GL Resto

Posted: Mon Apr 11, 2011 3:16 pm
by Cottees
Some original specs for the 1980 Chrysler Lancer (Aus Spec Lancer Celeste).

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Since part of the manual was falling apart, I took those pages out and scanned in the Aus Spec stuff. It was just the wiring diagrams at the rear of the book. They can be viewed in my Photobucket folder if any one is interested : http://s620.photobucket.com/albums/tt28 ... er/Manual/

Re: Cottees' 1980 Chrysler Lancer LC GL Resto

Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2011 3:25 pm
by Cottees
I saw a Mitsubishi Delica earlier that looked to have a similar colour scheme as the Lancer.
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Re: Cottees' 1980 Chrysler Lancer LC GL Resto

Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2011 8:18 pm
by Cottees
I got some more goodies in the mail ready for when I take delivery of the Lancers.
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Re: Cottees' 1980 Chrysler Lancer LC GL Resto

Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2011 11:06 pm
by A112H
Cottees wrote:I saw a Mitsubishi Delica earlier that looked to have a similar colour scheme as the Lancer.
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I think that is a Chamois model and that would be a factory colour.

Re: Cottees' 1980 Chrysler Lancer LC GL A73M Resto

Posted: Sat Apr 30, 2011 11:06 am
by Cottees
Only 1.5 weeks left till I get the cars! While still doing research while waiting, I came across this pic:
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After seeing this, I might change the direction I am taking with the engine in the LC. Probably wouldn't be doing something like this for another year or so, so plenty of time to research.

Re: Cottees' 1980 Chrysler Lancer LC GL A73M Resto

Posted: Sat Apr 30, 2011 12:00 pm
by leoca64
Not bad ...yep they drive great...unusual colour scheme, maybe the top was done blue to cover over crazing/sundamaged silver by the previous owner.

Is that silver trim over the wheel arches?

Re: Cottees' 1980 Chrysler Lancer LC GL A73M Resto

Posted: Sat Apr 30, 2011 12:18 pm
by Cottees
leoca64 wrote:unusual colour scheme
Yeah. From the research I have done on the Lancer/Celeste, I have yet to see another with that kind of paint job. I quite like it though.
leoca64 wrote:maybe the top was done blue to cover over crazing/sundamaged silver by the previous owner.
Could have been. Either way, it looks like a professional job though.
leoca64 wrote:Is that silver trim over the wheel arches?
I only noticed it after you mentioned it. I am not too sure, but I'll take a heap more photos when I get it, and take a closer look.

Re: Cottees' 1980 Chrysler Lancer LC GL A73M Resto

Posted: Wed May 11, 2011 8:17 pm
by Cottees
Finally picked up the Lancers today.
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To get the Lancers to fit in their new temporary home, had to play some Car-tris.
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And the Blue/Silver LC in it's new temporary home. I was going to take more photos, but it was pouring with rain at the time. you can see some of the rust that is in the side vent.
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leoca64 wrote:s that silver trim over the wheel arches?
When looking at it today, yes it is silver trim over the arches.

Re: Cottees' 1980 Chrysler Lancer LC GL A73M Resto

Posted: Fri May 13, 2011 9:49 pm
by Cottees
While I was first looking at the car, I was told the gear box was from a 'GSR'. Automatically I thought of the Sigma GSR. On closer look at the engine + trans, it looks like they both might be from a Lancer Celeste GSR.

The rocker cover looks like the one from that model.
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The block is labeled with 'G54B', has a side balance shaft inspection plate, and has a 'MCA-Jet' head.
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Checking the transmission extension housing.
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The cross member looks to be slightly modified. I need to check out the other Lancer's trans cross member to be sure.
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Now for the problems....

Some strange way to mount the dizzy:
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Driver's side vent rust:
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Hatch rust:
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Rust on the bonnet, and there is also rust under the bonnet (no photo):
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Rust above the weather strip:
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Rust in the quarter panels:
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Some of the interior falling apart:
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Looks like the reverse on this transmission sits lower than the original transmission:
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The dash mat is held in with screws :@
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Now some good stuff...

The wheels appear to be genuine Globe Bathursts:
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I did get a little progress on it today. I got the fuel pump working today, and the engine running again.

I also took off some of the paint around the side vent rust to see how far it had progressed. It seems to be not too bad, but looks to of been repaired once before with bog.
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Re: Cottees' 1980 Chrysler Lancer LC GL A73M Resto

Posted: Mon May 16, 2011 3:30 pm
by Cottees
The Lancer is now registered. Just a matter of patching up some parts, tidying up some others, and I can start driving it, and take the Sigma off the road. The only problem now is re-learning how to drive a Manual. It has been something like 4-5 years since I have driven a Manual car.

Re: Cottees' 1980 Chrysler Lancer LC GL A73M Resto

Posted: Mon May 16, 2011 9:52 pm
by gaz914
Cottees wrote:
Some of the interior falling apart:

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Tip of the Day:

TR/S Magna rear-view mirror will bolt straight in. :D

cheers
Gaz

Re: Cottees' 1980 Chrysler Lancer LC GL A73M Resto

Posted: Tue May 17, 2011 10:01 pm
by Cottees
A little more rust repair.
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Also bought some cheap seat covers to stop any more damage to the seats till I get them re-trimmed.
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gaz914 wrote:Tip of the Day:

TR/S Magna rear-view mirror will bolt straight in.

cheers
Gaz
I'll check that out. Thanks.

Re: Cottees' 1980 Chrysler Lancer LC GL A73M Resto

Posted: Thu May 19, 2011 12:30 pm
by Cottees
Just got these in the mail. Just have to clean up the centre caps ready for them.
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I got them from here : http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll ... 0260929195

Re: Cottees' 1980 Chrysler Lancer LC GL A73M Resto

Posted: Tue May 31, 2011 12:33 am
by Cottees
The rust in the hatch and under the vent are a little tidier. Just have to do some more sanding to make it look better.
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Today I took the opportunity to take a better look at at the parts car. The front bumper is straight, and everything else is good except for one of the indicators which is broken.
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The engine needs a good tidy, but will turn over by hand.
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Some of the interior isn't too bad. The carpet seems to be in ok condition too.
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The rear bumper is bent on one side.
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The rear hatch seems to be in good condition. Am yet to find any rust on it. It looks like it is from a Yellow LC, but was quickly painted Red.
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The rear window WAS good, till I knocked it with a screw driver :banh:
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Found some interesting things like old movie tickets etc. But one thing that was interesting was what appeared to be part of an old number plate, but was made from plastic.
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Re: Cottees' 1980 Chrysler Lancer LC GL A73M Resto

Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2011 12:31 pm
by orangelancer
glad to see your progressing well with the rust repairs on the blue/silver one. you gonna strip the orange one bare or restore it aswell?

Re: Cottees' 1980 Chrysler Lancer LC GL A73M Resto

Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2011 1:05 pm
by Cottees
metry wrote:you gonna strip the orange one bare or restore it aswell?
I didn't want to have to use the spare LC as a parts car, but considering that the parts are becoming harder and harder to get, I'll have to part it out. Things like the 4G32, I'll probably fix it up and put it in the good LC to replace the G54B. As for parts I get off the orange LC, I don't really want to part with them, but might sell or swap some to get parts I need for the blue/silver LC. The blue/silver LC is pretty much complete, there isn't anything really missing. The only part missing was the charcoal canister. The other parts I'd need for it would be parts to replace broken or worn parts.

Re: Cottees' 1980 Chrysler Lancer LC GL A73M Resto

Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2011 2:21 pm
by orangelancer
thats cool. was just curious as to her fate. from the pictures it doesnt look like its that bad hence why i thought you might fix it up aswell

Re: Cottees' 1980 Chrysler Lancer LC GL A73M Resto

Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2011 5:50 pm
by ISKA8
she looks awsome buds,ive never seen these lancers on the road here in melb..nice colour scheme,you keeping it the colour??

To get the Lancers to fit in their new temporary home, had to play some Car-tris.
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man are they all your cars?? you own the street.. :P your neighbours must love you!

Re: Cottees' 1980 Chrysler Lancer LC GL A73M Resto

Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2011 7:21 pm
by kenvv
i think the former owner lived near me....used to see them in his yard as i drove past sometimes. you had no room before buying these :D nice project!

Re: Cottees' 1980 Chrysler Lancer LC GL A73M Resto

Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2011 10:39 pm
by Cottees
ISKA8 wrote:nice colour scheme,you keeping it the colour??
I had seen LCs around, and I thought they looked good, but it's the colour scheme on this one that made me buy it. I know it's not a stock paint job, but I really like it.
ISKA8 wrote:man are they all your cars?? you own the street.. your neighbours must love you!
My cars in that pic are the 2 LCs and the white GN further up the street. The rest are 84GKSIG's. Since I can only have 1 car at my place, he has been nice enough to look after them for me.
kenvv wrote:i think the former owner lived near me....used to see them in his yard as i drove past sometimes.
The previous owner lived in Seacliff Park. They had the 2 cars I have now, and his gf had a restored orange LC as well. From what I was told, there has been several owners since they were unregistered. Last registered owners were in Elizabeth and Enfield areas 10-11 years ago. They also both originated in SA. I know this since they both came with the original owners manuals and some receipts. Unfortunately not enough info as to how many times they'd be around the clock.
kenvv wrote:you had no room before buying these :D nice project!
I wanted to take my GN off the road as it runs well, but not perfect. There is plenty to do like rebuild the custom intake, install the supercharger + intercooler, so all I wanted was a car to drive while the GN was off the road. Really didn't want another project car, but I have one now. But fortunately I can get away with tidying it up for now, and then do more work on it after the GN is finished.

Re: Cottees' 1980 Chrysler Lancer LC GL A73M Resto

Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2011 9:26 pm
by Cottees
Did a bit more stripping of the orange LC.
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It has some rust, but not is huge amounts.
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TR/TS on the left, LC on the right.
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Re: Cottees' 1980 Chrysler Lancer LC GL A73M Resto

Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2011 10:13 pm
by astronturbo77
sell me the steering wheel 8-)