Reliant Regal, How to Restore
Your Step-by-Step Colour Illustrated Guide to Body, Trim & Mechanical Restoration
Published on 15. November 2005
Book
Paperback/Softback
208 pages
978-1-84584-004-4 (ISBN)
Description
The book offers a guide in how to find a suitable Reliant Regal 3/25 or 3/30 for restoration. It then proceeds with a fully illustrated step-by-step guide on how to dismantle a Reliant Regal, and then fully restore the body, chassis, electrics and engine back into showroom condition.
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Publishing group
David & Charles
Dimensions
Height: 270 mm
Width: 207 mm
Weight
887 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-84584-004-4 (9781845840044)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
The author has been a Reliant enthusiast since owning his first 3-wheeler in 1990. Since then his passion in the subject has grown and he has become the web master for the Reliant Owners Club and is also the creator of www.3-wheelers.com, which is possibly the largest 3-wheeler web site in the World. The increased presence of the Internet has found Elvis helping many TV and radio broadcasters with Reliant related topics in addition to magazine articles and helping authors with information for their books. Elvis _x0019_ latest project is the restoration of a Reliant Regal Supervan III, which is the vehicle that features heavily in this book.
Content
Acknowledgements 7 Using this book & essential information 8 Using this book 8 Essential information 8 Chapter 1. Choosing your Reliant Regal 9 Deciding on your Regal 9 Regal history 9 Chapter 2. What to look for when buying 15 Identifying the cars Regal 3/25 & Regal 3/30 15 Vehicle identification numbers 16 Body, paintwork & trim 17 Star cracks 17 Body damage 17 Doors 21 Window winders 22 Paintwork 22 Trim 22 Chassis & swinging arm 24 Wheels 25 Electrical test 25 Mechanical matters & road testing 25 The Regal engine 25 Non starter 27 Oil & petrol leaks 27 Road testing 27 Engine 27 Water temperature 27 Brakes 28 Suspension 28 Steering 28 Gearbox assessment 28 Rear axle & propshaft 29 Transporting your Regal 29 Conclusion 30 Chapter 3. Establishing a restoration plan 31 Stripping the car 32 Fibreglass repairs & painting 34 The mechanics 34 A typical home restoration plan 34 Recommended restoration sequence 34 Spare parts 35 Chapter 4. Body restoration 37 Overview of body 37 Removing the body from the chassis 39 Fixing the body back onto the chassis 45 Windscreen removal and refitting 46 Windscreen removal 46 Refitting the windscreen 46 Repairing the doors 46 Bodyshell repairs & repairing the gelcoat layer 50 Star & surface cracks 50 Repairing the gelcoat 50 Major cracks 50 Holes 50 Sandblasting & welding the chassis 57 Chapter 5. Painting 61 Preparing the bodyshell 61 Planning the painting 68 Equipment 68 Painting the bodyshell 69 Paint finishing 71 Chassis painting & rust prevention 72 Wheel finishing 72 Chromework 72 Sign writing 72 Chapter 6. The engine 74 Overview 74 Simple engine starting 75 Removing the engine 76 Stripping the engine 85 Removing the cylinder head 90 Reassembly tips & head re-torqueing 100 Reinstalling & testing the engine 103 850cc engines 106 Chapter 7. Gearbox 108 Overview 108 Gearbox & clutch problems 108 Removing the gearbox 109 Clutch 109 Dismantling the gearbox 109 Reassembly 115 Gearbox lubrication 115 Chapter 8. Carburettor & fuel system 116 Overview 116 Problems and adjustments 117 Dismantling 117 Dismantling Zenith 30IZ 117 Dismantling Solex carburettors 121 Dismantling the fuel pump 124 Fuel pipes and sender unit 125 Fuel 126 Chapter 9. Steering & suspension 127 Suspension overview 127 Suspension problems 128 Front suspension & swinging arm (radius arm) 128 Front bearings & king pin assembly 129 Reassembling the king pin 131 Rear shocks & semi-elliptic springs 132 Steering overview 133 Steering problems 133 Dismantling & rebuilding the steering box 133 Chapter 10. Rear axle, propeller shaft, & wheels 136 Axle 136 Axle faults and remedies 137 Rear hub bearing/seal 137 Removing & dismantling the axle 138 Reassembly 140 Propeller shaft 140 Wheels and wheel nuts 140 Chapter 11. Brakes 142 Overview 142 Brake lines 144 Dismantling brake shoes & adjusters 146 Dismantling brake cylinders 149 Dismantling and replacing the master cylinder 150 Replacing the front brake adjusters 151 Bleeding the brakes & pedal travel 151 Handbrake 152 Chapter 12. Electrics 153 Overview 153 The electrical loom 153 Reusing/creating a new loom 153 Calculating current flow 154 Making & testing your loom 154 The flasher circuit 158 Removing/installing exterior lights 158 Headlamps & front indicators 158 Rear light units 160 Removing/installing dashboard clocks & switches 162 Removing/installing the coil, solenoid, fuse box & regulator 166 Adjusting the control box 166 Removing/servicing/installing windscreen wipers & motor 167 Removing/installing the heater 169 Restoring the heater 169 Starter motor & dynamo overhaul 170 Battery 172 Chapter 13. Trim 173 Overview 173 Dashboard 174 Dashboard & headlining 174 Seats 179 Dismantling and rebuilding 181 Doors seals 184 Door trims 184 Carpets 187 Hubcaps & wheel trims 189 Badge types for various models 189 Regal 21E trim 192 Chapter 14. Conclusion & UWX 875L history 193 Conclusion 193 UWX 875L 193 Appendix 1. Dating your Regal 198 Appendix 2. Alternative spare parts 200 Index 206