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RobSA project Bella

Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 10:59 am
by RobSA
Hi Everyone,

I now have a 68 Bellett.

Some of you will recognize this car.

We spent this afternoon hanging stuff back on with one or two screws (got to find the rest).
As you can see she not look too bad.

Front has taken a hit sometime in its life.

Chris seems to think that the interior is 70's deluxe, anybody any other ideas.

Was a column shift, bench seat originally.
Hope the links work.

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Cheers
Rob

Re: RobSA project Bella

Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 8:28 pm
by 2ldohc
Hey Rob,

Looks like a good base to start from. That car really gets around but I hope it stays with you for awhile and makes it back onto the road!

I can also confirm that the interior is indeed from a '69 Deluxe as it is exactly the same as mine :) Looks good too, not too worn at all.

Good luck with the build and keep us posted as it all comes together!

Cheers,
R

Re: RobSA project Bella

Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2009 10:36 am
by BELLQLD
hi rob is that a gt under the tree looks like it to me ? great little car you have and welcome to the bellett forum regards dave in qld

Re: RobSA project Bella

Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2009 10:38 am
by BELLQLD
sorry rob front door is too short ........had another look regards dave

Re: RobSA project Bella

Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2009 11:36 am
by RobSA
Thanks Dave.

Yeah, not quite a GT, think more along the lines of a Chrysler Charger (no boot, LOL).

Re: RobSA project Bella

Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2009 11:40 am
by mrflibbles
looking better than the other day when i saw it!!

Re: RobSA project Bella

Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2009 11:55 am
by dave
Get in rollin then we need to have a cruise!!!!!!!

Re: RobSA project Bella

Posted: Fri Oct 23, 2009 7:25 am
by RobSA
As I don't yet have all the nuts and bolts to put it back together I have been mucking around with the suspension.

The book quotes stock springs as 367mm, the ones we pulled out are 400 !!
So now trying 300mm springs.

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Stock ride height and then some. Yes the jack is fully lowered.

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Lowered ride height, starting to look the part.

Cheers
Rob

Re: RobSA project Bella

Posted: Fri Oct 23, 2009 9:35 am
by 2ldohc
One step closer to being on the road :)

Re: RobSA project Bella

Posted: Fri Oct 23, 2009 11:23 am
by dave
Hey that may have been the stock height... I don't know if you noticed some of the original-style Bellett GTs (Lindsay's green GT and Bruno's blue GT to name two) had the stock ride heights at the front. It's HIGH. The sedans are no better usually!

My white sedan still sits like that. Stocky-style!

Re: RobSA project Bella

Posted: Fri Oct 23, 2009 11:32 am
by mrflibbles
lower always looks better!

Re: RobSA project Bella

Posted: Fri Oct 23, 2009 10:36 pm
by RobSA
Re: the ride height.

I was going to ask if anyone who has the later model workshop manual supplements has seen different springs listed.

It seems possible that Australia or maybe everywhere got longer springs than what the book says (in typical Bellett fashion it seems).

Some of the GT's and sedans look WAY HIGH in the front.
Has anyone measured these springs.

I'm curious about the rears, they will be the next to come out and be checked.

Cheers
Rob

Re: RobSA project Bella

Posted: Fri Oct 23, 2009 11:11 pm
by GTtoo
Great stuff Rob. As Dave suggested, my GT is one with original front ride height, but doesn't quite seem as high as some. (slightly lower with two big guys in the front seats, lol). It's on the agenda for next year to recondition the front end and lower it while I'm at it. Most of the other guys who have done this have put rear springs in the front as they are a bit shorter. This has worked well and by all accounts improves the ride.

Good luck, looking forward to seeing your "bellie" in the pack.

Cheers, B.

Re: RobSA project Bella

Posted: Sat Oct 24, 2009 2:59 am
by 2ldohc
Hey Rob,

The below thread shows some info on the springs and shows the colour markings and stocky heights.

http://www.bellett.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=122

Hopefully that'll help.

Cheers,
R.

Re: RobSA project Bella

Posted: Sat Oct 24, 2009 9:03 am
by RobSA
Well here is the result of a days hard work.
Must thank Paul for the help getting the springs and shocks.

These springs have a free length of 325mm.
Pedders Salisbury is the place to go, if you want these or the stock replacements.

Though we are still looking for a replacement that is midway between the stockers and these looooowwwwwwwwwww ones :)

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Cheers
Rob

Re: RobSA project Bella

Posted: Sat Oct 24, 2009 10:38 am
by mrflibbles
I like the ride height now looks like its ready to race....
cant wait to see how it rides once she is going!

Re: RobSA project Bella

Posted: Sat Oct 24, 2009 11:11 pm
by GTtoo
Awsomely cool lowered. Just need to tuck the rears into the guards a little more.....perfect !! Also comforting to see there are other belletts out there with similar front end "wear factor" as mine.

Cheers, B.

Re: RobSA project Bella

Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2009 2:12 am
by RobSA
Thanks guys.
Going to work on the rear suspension next.
Trying to get the engine started without some of the bits is slightly challenging !! : (
Got to find a way of re-attaching the engine to the gearbox !? Spare bolts anyone !?

Cheers
Rob

Re: RobSA project Bella

Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2009 4:53 am
by gt orphanage
Most of the bolts have been replced in my car with new stainless bolt looks neat and its a pleasure when they just screw in nicely without breaking. A lot of the smaller ones are around 35 cents.I just took a couple of samples in and they matched them.

Re: RobSA project Bella

Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2009 6:10 am
by rod
looks good lowered how much drop did you get its my beliefe that the front srings are 363 mm free and those pedders were 325 mm so you lowered it 38 mm that would be good for my gt as it needs to be lowered at front cheers rod tassie ,