hillman imp restoration

[nightrunner]

hi there, i have just bought a hillman imp for restoration which i consider to be in good condition but does anybody know of any points or areas around the car which i should pay particular attention to, both mechanical and bodily structure.

thanks

[ChuckFickens]

check the imp websites if you've not already done so.

http://www.imps4ever.info/misc/buying.html

(I've not driven an imp for years, they are are great laugh to drive)

[Graham-W]

With it being an all alloy engine, head gasket was always a problem.
If I remember correctly the heater hoses run through the sills. Can be a problem to replace and a real problem if welding new sills on.
I always preferred Imps to Minis. Probably because of rear wheel drive.

[sddsddean]

Problems I had.

1. Check the heater hoses. There are about 20 feet of them as the engine is in the back and they are susceptible to perishing/leaking. Wet feet are not nice!!

2. See if you can get at the furthest forward spark plug. On some you have to drop the engine to get at it, which means removing the rear cross member (a fun little job!).

3. Check the steering king pins. Mine seized totally and had to be burnt out. (Another fun job!).

4. If the car has been sitting around for a while, check the doughnuts. These are 'rubber rings' that act as a sort of UJ between the gearbox and rear drive shafts. Could be perished if not moved for a while (not too bad a job to do.

Apart from that, have fun. They are great cars...especially in summer when you can drive with the back window open!