Is it worth mentioning that on a 2CV it isn't necessary to remove an engine in order to fit a replacement set of pistons and barrels?
Different story if it was a Mehari or an Ami, mind you...

Far better to concentrate on those tasks which are really easy to do when the body is off the chassis, but a drag when the body is in place;
Check and grease axle bearings, especially at the rear.
Replace rear brake pipes.
Replace rear bearing on gearbox mainshaft and Loctite rear nuts on mainshaft and pinion shaft.
Peen selector ring on 2nd/3rd sliding pinion to prevent 'unwinding'.
Separate engine and gearbox, check condition of clutch and replace if near the end of its life.
Replace spigot bearing in rear of crankshaft.

ken

There are probably a few more which I've forgotten to list, but these are jobs which I'd always carry out during a chassis change, unless I'm certain that they've already been done.

Checking the wiring from the fuel sender, make a good ground lead/point.
Fuel pipe on top of the sender unit, check the state. Saves you getting the tank out on a hard shoulder
Change the gearbox support, it's doable with the body on, but a lot easier with the body off.

And indeed, use copper-slip.

13h should be enough to do the chassis, if everything needed is by hand.
You could already spray penetrationfluid on all bolts and nuts, especially the nuts from the suspension.
Propper tools are also quite handy

Thanks ken
Was considering a new flywheel (heavy) but that'll be a faf
I will do the list you've listed.
Brake pipes I was going to do anyway,
But the rest I wouldn't know where to start
If Russ is still up for helping, can we achieve that Russ?

Thanks Tom
Ive got proper tools so we should be fine

Ive been thinking about all this and due to my own lazyness have been reading stuff on the forum without logging in.

I just thought "good for James"....he has done the sensible thing and got himself a chassis, a few local guys to help and set it all up......that's the way to go.

So I logged in to write a reply to encourage him and then got a PM from James saying it was at my place on 8th October !!!

James and others, that is a tad difficult for me as I am not around that day at all....I am booked on a gig in Lewes for the whole day. This is the first I knew of that date !

Please do not take this the wrong way James, I am indeed very happy to help you, return the favour and give you my time freely as you did for me. It could be possible to use my place to do this and I am very happy for Sam, Russ and folks to come over and all get stuck in....sounds a great plan well up for that........but you needed to talk to me about the date first. Weekends are difficult for me, not impossible, but often difficult.

As for the work, again happy to help. You are very much capable of the job, you were great when you worked on my car. I am not sure of the logistics in what you want to do in the time available, there is a big difference in getting the car off one chassis and on to another as opposed to doing all the other jobs that would be advisable at the same time. The thing that worries me above all else is the amount of cutting out and welding that could/should be needed.

For the record, I am not a mechanic, welder or have any desire to take your money in any capacity of those jobs. It is great you have offered, but I simply am not happy to charge you for work on your car as its not my profession and I merly wanted to help you as a friend and to return your favour to me.

Dont get me wrong, I am very happy to look at dates and times to help you. We can use my place, but not on the 8th. Is there really no other place nearer to you ?....and another date ?....I am happy to come over your way if you can find a different place and time.


PS - Get Ben over to do your rear brake pipes

I LOL'd. Stop panicing James, and don't assume you can use other peoples facilities like that! I'll write a list of what you need to buy beforehand. If you buy it all i will give you a hand for sure.

oh James. Oh my dear James

Buy the stuff you need. If you need somewhere to store the chassis until we do the job let me know.

Once you have everything you need we'll sort a date.

Sorry squeeze I was trying to fit it all in, I of course wouldn't expect you to say yes, o probably worded it wrongly in my pm,
I have back up plans, which i (stupidly) didn't mention these, the back up plan would be if you where not. Able to or available to then we'd do the back up plan!

I never assumed I could use Johns place, it would be wrong to assume that, and obviously a slight mis understanding?
I think I'll be able to use work to do it, so venue should be sorted,
And ive got a list I'll send to you russ
I of course wanted to talk to John first. I merely arranged for
Others to be available, and if John couldn't wouldn't or shouldn't ve free 8th then it'd still be fine

And I'm not panicking at all

James,

Calm down !....even if you are not panicking, don't start now !

No offence taken, I would willingly let you use my place and am very keen to help you and be a part of this project. I simply didnt recal us setting the date for the 8th, (you didnt word it wrongly in the PM, you just didnt mention the actual date ) and I can not do that day for embarrassing squeezebox reasons of having to play for a morris dancing side in Lewes Folk Festival !!

If that is a good time for others and you have another possible place then go for it. Get on with the job and that is great.

If it takes you more than that day, then I am happy to come over on the 9th with any bits, tools, etc and help out on the Sunday. I can get over to you in Chichester on the Sunday if you need another person to stand around and wonder why it wasn't all done the day before

Or do another date.....no issues, offence or problems here....pick up the phone and call me if you need to arrange stuff here...with the greatest of respect, forums, email and face book are Ok...but I still find the telephone quite good, you have my number !!....and if you do still go for the 8th, then call me if you need me to bring stuff over on the 9th.

Might I suggest however that you think through the project, you know what is involved. Get in all the bits, parts, tools, beer provision, pizza etc. THEN put up a post here and I am sure enough of us "local" people will find a place and a time to help you on your way.

However, might I also suggest that it will take more than one day. I totally understand that in ideal cases a chassis swap could be a days work. But the outer bulkheads alone can take a bit of time. ( I can get some made up for you if needed) You need to work out other things and look at whats really involved and take on board the experience and advice of the other guys above this post who have been there and done it more times than you and I.

Again, we can work here and it would be fun, but the reality is that I am about two hours drive (each way) from you, Russ, Sam etc, I whilst I cant do the 8th, its still a long days work if we then have a non running car on my drive on any other date and need to find another time. If you find a place and date near you I owe you the time and travel and will help if I can.

Are you going to the Pompey Piddleducks ?....maybe we can sort it all out then ?

James contact John "beerbunny" on this forum he has just fitted 9:1s on his car and as a relativley 'newbe' too he will be able to tell you how it went , what difference it made etc etc.