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1985 Reliant SS1 rebuild/upgrade
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Apr 25, 2012 | 02:34 PM
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pauluspaolo
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From:
Leeds
April 2012.
I fitted a new radiator to the SS1 last month. It’s actually for a 1 litre Polo (I think) but these radiators are used in Zetec engined kit cars & my friend, who’s rebuilding a Westfield with a stage 3 tuned crossflow engine, is using one of these radiators. It’s slightly smaller than the standard SS1 radiator so required a couple of raising blocks, new mounts & some re-routing of the coolant hoses.
I’ve also used a Polo cooling fan which fits directly onto the old Reliant fan mount with no modifications at all – bar some washers/spacers to keep it away from the anti-roll bar. This must make it one of the cheapest/easiest upgrades available for the SS1 & the original fan looks pathetic next to it.
I was going to use a second-hand DGAV carb but whilst renewing the gaskets, needle valves etc I found that it had some parts missing
Sod it (or words to that effect!) I thought & decided to dip into the piggy bank & order a new DGV carb (no fuel return or auto-choke). Could've have done wthout the extra expense but at least I know the new carb will be set up properly (it’s being jetted for a 2 litre Pinto). The old black rubber heater hoses have gone & been replaced with blue silicon ones; unfortunately I’ve ordered the wrong sized hose clips so I’ll have to re-order & fit these later on.
As well as all the above I’ve refitted the sump, starter motor & cross-member.
Next step is installing the Megajolt – not sure where to start to be honest – after that the exhaust manifold/system will be the next big headache as the only manifold I’ve found that fits is the standard Mondeo cast iron one – not exactly free-flowing – and there’s damn all room/clearance for a down pipe So I think it’ll have to be a bodge job until I can afford something better – but that’s a bridge I’ll cross when I come to it.
Finally a couple of photos of the new cross member painted up & in position.
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