Lancia Motor Club

Just a quick question, (I will give more info. later on when I have a bit more time) I have come by a Dedra Turbo needing a little (Read a lot) of TLC to return it to the road.

There are some rust spots in the front chassis rails.  On further inspection they seem to be filled with foam.

I have done a little googling around the subject and it appears that this is done to either help reduce road noise and/or increase chassis stiffness.

Could any of the gurus advise if this a standard feature for the Dedra and if so, has anyone attempted to weld in the area with this foam behind it?  

The last thing I need is the car to car fire!

I will post some more pictures in a little while.

Many thanks for your help,

Lee

It seems nobody can help. I don't know if foam is standard but it would seem prudent to get rid of it before welding. I wonder if the spray cleaner for clearing the tubes of builder's foam cans would shift it?

I'm with Frank,
As the Dedra Technical Advisor and having owned 5 Dedra's I can't recollect ever seeing this on a Dedra, probably a previous owner at some point did this for whatever reason, even if you are successful in removing it with the method recommended by Frank, a fire extinguisher is something always that should be kept CLOSE when welding, just in case :o :o

Brian
8227 8)

Sorry for the delay in updating this thread, and many thanks for the feedback regarding the foam.

I came across the Dedra 2 years ago, it had been found in a barn after a 7 year slumber.  It was suspected that the head gasket had failed and there she lay.  With the barns ownership changing the dedra had to be moved, and this meant that for two years she was parked outside waiting for something to happen.

(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1657/25054552825_4d37b7ebaa_z.jpg), on Flickr(http://The now new owner had too many other cars to attend to and wasn't able to give the Dedra the attention she deserved, so I went to look at the car.  Common sense duly left in the car, and being a sucker for Lancias, it was a done deal.  I was the new proud owner.Picked up the car with high spirits and an easy repair in mind.  The paintwork had suffered being out in the open and the engine bay looked a mess with lots of surface corrosion.Therefore the plan was to remove the head, correct the head gasket issue, water pump, belts, oil BANG done.[img]https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1543/25054529285_301987a1df_z.jpg)

Head off:
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/7302/26959322272_a4ed3d65c3_z.jpg)

Piston 1, that doesn't look good!
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/7365/26448129494_82726936f3_z.jpg)

Head Gasket 0, water passage 1.
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/7192/26779116360_9d27d25dcc_z.jpg)

So that will be the problem then!

Closer examination of the block surface showed that there was corrosion (pitting) between the cylinder bore and the water passage.  This meant that even if I had the head skimmed, the block may still be a weak point.  Dam.

Therefore the engine block came out and that meant I could get better access to the engine bat and the sub frame that had some surface rust on it.  This is both a good and bad thing.

The brake callipers are seized solid (Front and rear) the hydraulic pipes have perished (to be expected).

And there is now the issue of the expanding foam in the front chassis rails.
This unforeseen 'upgrade' has caused quite a lot of damage in terms of trapping rain water and holding it against the inside of the chassis rail and bulkhead.  Rust has come through in a few places which will need to be attended to.

Where the bulkhead has rusted through has meant that the drivers side carpet is wet and the sound deadening is soggy and causing the inside of the floor to become rusty as well. :'(

There are some more horrors to be revealed I fear but I will face those when I get to them.

There maybe forum member that recognises the car as there is a Lancia Motor club sticker in the back and there are still the original number plates and dealer sticker (which will have to be carefully reinstated)

(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1511/24950860262_8ae1c72b62_z.jpg)

I am in need of a Jack, wheel wrench, screwdriver and tool bag/tray.  All seem to be missing.
Passenger roof grab handle (Blue)

So any word of encouragement greatly received!

As a sign off heres my other Lancia


Thank as all ways,
Lee

respect for taking this bad boy on! I used to have one about 16 years ago a car with real ability engine wise but so thirsty. good luck

Woodmans Garage was in Hadleigh Essex. Quite a successful dealership for a short while, but I never thought of them as real enthusiasts for the marque!!!

Good luck with your endeavours and, as ever, please keep us informed.

                                    Andy

I've probably had more to do with Dedra than most so I thought the number rang a bell, but it isn't the one I was thinking of, I've also checked the registers of owners and their vehicles going back to 2000, but it doesn't show, so I'll have to go back to my original Dedra consortium lists of ownersthat I made up when I ran the Dedra Consortium, and my photos to see if I can find anything there.

Do you have the manuals? not much good for the Turbo engines as they weren't covered in the original manuals but had one of their own, that I've never seen in English, but was reputedly seen, I do however have the Dedra integrale manual which had the same engine, although it's all in Italian, but if you can work with the pictures and diagrams, or even better read Italian I can help, if you need a copy of the standard manual that more or less covers everything else I can burn you a copy CD in English, one of the CD's has the electrical fault finding, nearly a manual on it's own, that most other copies of the manuals I've seen don't have.
I can also supply a CD of the manual in German :D

Brian
8227

You also have my respect for tackling this one. As the sub-frame seems to be both rusty and encumbered with foam and you are tackling such a major job I wonder if a second hand sub-frame might be found. Also I have the factory "Overhauling Petrol Engines" manual which I believe covers the turbo which is in English.

Brian, would you like to have a look and scan anything useful to add to your resources?

Yes Please Frank.

Brian
8227 8)

Just to clear up any confusion:
The subframe only has surface rust (cosmetically challenged) and just needs a good rub down and painting.

The foam is in the engine bay chassis rails, which whilst awkward, is get at able thanks to some access holes all ready there.  Once this is sorted out I will cover the holes with rubber grommets to stop the elements from getting in.

I will take a picture tonight to hopefully show what is going on!

On a more positive note, I went to Tanc Barretts yesterday for some bits and pieces and Oh my god!

Having missed the whole Lancias for sale in a showroom experience in 80's and 90's (being a product of the 70's) this was heaven.  To see rows and rows of spares, on the shelf! no less, was fantastic.  Compare this to my local fiat dealer who can't even get spares for my Seicento!

Anyway rambling over - hopefully some progress will be made soon!

Sorry Dermist, I missunderstood. Good luck though.

Frank, No problem - I should have explained it better.

Brian, Ref the Turbo manual.  I have a paper copy of the Turbo manual in English, however the pictures are quite dark where they have been photocopied.  Would you CD version have better quality pictures?

If you want to copy my english 'Turbo' version you are welcome to.

As promised here are the pictures:
Looking into the drivers wheel arch
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/7009/27066196496_f5c948c16d_z.jpg)

(With engine removed) The screwdriver is pointing to the main clump of foam, but the hole top left and bottom right are full of foam.
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/7151/26493940674_dceae99518_z.jpg)

Again looking inside the wheel arch, with the grommet removed from the front of the sill.  When I was digging around inside the rusted hole and dislodging the foam - the foam found its way into this space.
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/7517/26493936144_bcb0b1919e_z.jpg)

So, once the engine has been rebuilt it will be out with the sparkly stick and foam eater!

Hi Dermist,
I don't have the engine manual on CD only the rest that is common throughout the model range. The photos in the integrale manual are clear.
Might I suggest that rather than block the holes in the chassis rails you  give the insides a coat of waxoyl or your preferred anti rust treatment, and leave them open, as if I remember correctly they don't get a lot of mud in there, but being open allows the air to dry out anything that does.
Couple of related questions,How soon will you be starting on the engine?
Will you be coming to the AGM at Northampton? I'll be there on the Sunday and I'll bring the whole Dedra integrale manual that you can borrow, if you can wait that long which is only just over a month away.
Where are you based? I'm in Bedfordshire between Luton & Bedford off the A6.
Brian
8227 8)

Sorry for the delay in replying, work and then half term have got in the way of the important things!

I hope to go to the AGM, I am attending car show just outside Milton Keynes, so I will stay over.

I am based in Somerset.

I have PM'd you my contact details.

In breaking news, having honed the bejesus out of the cylinder that had water sitting in it (to remove the discolouration and slight pitting) I test installed a new piston ring into the cylinders.

Using a feeler gauge, cyl 1. was +.4mm, cyl.2 was +.4mm, cyl.3 was .85mm!! and cyl.4 was .5mm

I which I had done this before buying loads of stuff already for it.  It looks like I'm going to have to get it rebored and oversize pistons.

 >:(
I'm going to speak to my engine machinist tomorrow.

Just a quick question regarding the head lining of the Dedra.

Is it possible to remove it from the car via a door opening, or does a front / rear window need to be removed?

Also, does anybody have any tips for the above? (other than don't do it!)

Many thanks

Lee

Never removed one myself but I would have thought it should come out of the door or perhaps the boot with the back seat dropped down.

Brian
8227 8)

Many thanks for the prompt reply.
I will see what happens over the weekend. Currently all the interior is out awaiting the start of the weldathon!  Just wondering about possibility of sparks as the car is at 90 degrees at the moment!
Thanks
Lee

Lee,
Iv'e just had chance to check the Manual and it shows it coming out of the front passenger door on it's side, makes sense as the front doors open 90 deg.

Brian
8227 8)

I've removed a Thema headlining without taking out any windows. From memory, I already had the front seats removed and that would make it a lot easier. Make sure that the roof lining is supported as you remove the various screws. I've seen some that have been creased / snapped as they were still attached at the A pillars when they dropped.

It's not a bad job, just take your time and keep aware about how the weight is being supported.

The awkward third block
The story so far. 
Original block wrecked due to a failed head gasket allowing water to sit in the bore. 
Replacement block found to have been over bored for first size Pistons. This wouldn't be a problem usually but the block was a non turbo version and therefore had higher compression Pistons. This block also need a small amount of machining to turn it in to a turbo block. 

So. Last weekend the good people of the TDC (thema dedra consortium) of which I have become a fully paid up member pulled out another engine and striped it down to the bare block for me! 
This time it comes with the turbo oil drain pipe already machined (boo!) and the pleasant addition of piston skirt oil jets. 
Interestingly the piston crown design is different to that of my originals ones in that there is a depression over a greater surface area. I assume this is to lower the compression ratio? I should add that this is a block from a 16v turbo engine. So what should I do? Install my original Pistons or use the Pistons that were with the block? 

Doing some research into fiat / lancia engines ( as you do). It appears that there is a top level basic matching of Pistons to cylinder bore dimensions. I.e. A cylinder that is slightly under nominal ( but still within overall tolerance) is stamped up 'A'. This might typically be with a new tool / start of the day. As the tool wears and the machine warms up, the size the machine cuts might change and is now on nominal. These are marked 'B'. This carries on to a 'D' catagory dimension. 

When the engines are assembled a similar process has happened with the actual Pistons themselves, being marked 'A -D'. So as the block is assembled, an A piston is used in an A cylinder bore. This is to reduce the chance of piston skirt wear on the bores (so I believe). 
The issue that might crop up is that if i use my original Pistons in the 'new' block these were marked 'A'. The 'new' block has bores marked 'c'. 

Will nuns and kittens die? I'm not sure. But at the moment I am going down the route of sacrificing OMGMAXPOWER for let's get it on the road and taxed!

Enough with the theory, we aren't here to look through text books and poor over engineering drawings. What we want to see is ferrous oxide Italian style, man against rust. 

Luckily the Dedra chassis was fully galvanised when assembled so there isnt really a lot to show.................... who am I kidding, what follows is an orgy of rust, patches, sacrifices and months and months of work. Sit back, relax and be glad it wasnt you.

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5518/31255914520_32f9077e21_z.jpg)

Rear corner, Sun roof drain pipes

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5567/30818025693_cf6eb1b031_z.jpg)

Removing the Gear change tin work

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/239/31591326776_23821ee385_z.jpg)

Rust where the cable management clips are


(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/682/30786799864_3ee817dc73_z.jpg)

Front wheel arch, rust cut out and the dreaded expanding foam seen behind!


(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/152/31591227706_fdc556ff30_z.jpg)

Another patch cut out, but importantly the Foam has been removed.

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7009/27066196496_f5c948c16d_z.jpg)

This doesn't look to bad, Front wheel arch, 

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/385/31512411911_ac145f3708_z.jpg)

Cutting out the rot still, but now we are the root of the problem

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/139/31628624485_9dde79444b_z.jpg)
Mmm, maybe not.

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/160/31628713345_c8dd46c1b1_z.jpg)


(https://c1.staticflickr.com8/7048/26449960273_981306f868_z.jpg)
Front Bumper hanger and oil cooler support.  Looking a little battle scared.

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/776/31512776941_7630b261e7_z.jpg)
The area around the jacking point was just universally condemned.  It was all just Urghhh.  Therefore the decision was taken to cut out and reinstate in a simplified manor.  That’s quite easy to say, but what maybe doesnt come through in the picture is that most of the jacking point is sunk between the sill and the chassis member meaning that the disc cutter was only of some use and a pad saw had to be deployed.

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/330/31628319085_7110a5404a_z.jpg)
Jacking point partially removed, undersea lifting off, every thing red raw with rust.

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/290/30787162834_83da76c0cc_z.jpg)
Almost out, more rot under the ‘as new’ underseal!

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/470/31628740675_d8018f1c2a_z.jpg)
Other jacking point.

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/707/31262383000_9511e596b4_z.jpg)
Jacking point completely removed, and more rust removed from behind it.  The jacking point had rotted out part of the chassis member so this was cut out as well.

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/239/31591326776_23821ee385_z.jpg)
Passenger side, worse than the drivers with gaps along the sill / floor.  Cable management holes cause of rust patched seen felt tipped for removal.

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/317/30786926124_6e34d690ac_z.jpg)
Rear Floor perforation in evidence.

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/374/30787146064_9df8301efc_z.jpg)
Front floor perforation in evidence.
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/394/31634439085_a460d3c041_z.jpg)

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5594/31591327826_9e7ccb265b_z.jpg)
Sill end, rear wheel arch.

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/578/31256226080_2efa7a7120_z.jpg)
Continued wheel arch woes

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5582/30786916304_c6b7075b7c_z.jpg)
Other sill and wheel arch.

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/658/31628708975_b7e534d9ea_z.jpg)
Random rust spot

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/310/31811505394_eb78c427c3_z.jpg)
The outside of the sill look very good, would you consider changing it?  Cutting it out and looking inside reveals a very different story!

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/527/31512407241_812bfa780d_z.jpg)
Whats in the box? Only pattern parts! God bless  the internet and all who surf in her.
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/635/31634375765_d30ca50d5a_z.jpg)
Bumper hangers!! 16euros each!

Continued....

Lets start, any good body work repair thread should start with a TonyBMW bender.  See his excellent retrorides thread for build details.
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5556/31487896692_41e01eb5fa_z.jpg)

A quick sacrifice to the welding gods!
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/487/31518982221_b7a58b7e3e_z.jpg)


(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/664/30786767214_32dd65ae18_z.jpg)
Out with the old, Drivers side floor / Sill.


(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/277/31628640425_625dde02f7_z.jpg)
Cutting out the rot

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/459/31255878940_18d533b930_z.jpg)

New metal Patch being tried for size, Drivers side floor / Sill.

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/271/31628352215_163b020a2d_z.jpg)
Metal coming out! Drivers side floor / Sill.

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/523/31512733661_a87a6d9338_z.jpg)
Rear wheel arch

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/384/31628371825_0b1d0b4623_z.jpg)
Rear wheel arch was reconstructed as patch work quilt with large patches ‘blended’ in.

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/753/31512712641_753bc2e2fd_z.jpg)
Brace, brace.

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/657/30818130503_cc53bbe542_z.jpg)
Passenger floor patch being fitted.  Brace welded in to stop the car from ‘spreading’.

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/231/30818247993_608224f31e_z.jpg)
Front Drivers side piece being tested.

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/513/30786935754_b09a60c958_z.jpg)
Actual metal being put back in!

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/30/30787211744_9d095efa42_z.jpg)
More strength

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5567/31255908920_e0c33ca104_z.jpg)

Inside front wheel arch, repair to the bulkhead that had rotted through due to the
cavity being full of expanding foam.  The Foam trapped the water against the bulkhead
and rotted through, then allowing water into the cabin and rotting the floor out!

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/33/31591354266_e646e125d3_z.jpg)
Closing piece now with complimentary inspection / waxing hole.

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/32/31481831112_053c34bf9c_z.jpg)
There is no such thing as a simple patch

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/417/30787131524_1557e3e195_z.jpg)
Internal sill strengthener replaced

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/287/31262268770_c89c4c8f80_z.jpg)
Rot cut out, this is under the rear seat.

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/433/31487843092_c9071ab599_z.jpg)
Rear corner of the boot, sunroof drain hole to be added still.

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/377/31823802323_ecdc8149f2_z.jpg)
Other rear corner, same problem.

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/559/31518910431_b22d22ed15_z.jpg)
Front wheel arch

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/487/31518982221_b7a58b7e3e_z.jpg)
Inside the rear of the sill, strengthener has been cut out and will be replaced.  All the rust (hopefully) removed and painted.

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/489/31792746404_51b79807e3_z.jpg)
Rear wheel arch finished.

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/592/32482598692_593afa8ce5_z.jpg)
Other rear wheel arch

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/416/32635746175_495f6e4887_z.jpg)
Spare wheel well patched in.

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/582/32482444562_0fabe1fed4_z.jpg)
Front sill closure plate (with the strengthener spot welded through)

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/772/32256270910_ed7a0d9cc1_z.jpg)
Patches, Patches

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/546/32513361301_ab1477b5ee_z.jpg)
Patches Patches

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/592/32482598692_593afa8ce5_z.jpg)
Patches Patches.  Even the threaded upstand had to be remade as it had rotted off!

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/669/32513279871_24391dcd06_z.jpg)
Rear sill and end closure plate made awaiting welding in, note again the complimentary waxing point.  The jacking point has been simplified.  It is now made from 3mm plate and welded with a support plate on the sill edge

Heres a better view
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/274/32482451742_8fef8295de_z.jpg)
And again,
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/351/31792868644_1dc841c9b6_z.jpg)
There is an additional drain hole which was gently punched through to assist with draining of the sill.  Plus the sill covers have plastic inserts that fit in rectangular holes, these had to be filed out.

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/770/32256262230_f4d73a0668_z.jpg)

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/521/32635750325_d5686748d8_z.jpg)
Rear seat patches in

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/535/32513356391_d22e92f704_z.jpg)
Front turret

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/767/32482556822_0af794d113_z.jpg)
Rear of Spare wheel well.


When I had an evening spare I noticed that the Fuel Filter bracket was falling apart.  Measuring the old one, i cut up some spare sheet and warmed up the old mangle.
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/487/31518982221_b7a58b7e3e_z.jpg)

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/703/32217677840_60f79b90c5_z.jpg)
Old and new.

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/677/32556386646_ea9dd92763_z.jpg)
Finished, just needs a lick of paint


The Italians it would seem are not with out a sense of humour.  After weekly updates to a friend in work, he came out with typical comment “You should call the car patches!” very drool I thought and moved on.  But this throw away comment stuck in my mind and I thought I wonder what patches is in Italian.  Well, google came back with the answer "Cerotti", it even has rot in the word! Brilliant.

So what have we learnt.  Thank god for galvanising, just imagine how bad it would have been without it.
Don’t get sucked into reading forum pages where multiple months work is condensed into a 45second skim read through.  The above work took months and months and months every weekend and multiple evenings getting things ready for another weekend bash.

I fell in to this trap of skimming through other peoples excellent rebuild threads, and letting my mind wonder about how easy and effortless it all seemed.  This isn't a don't do it rant, but realise that this stuff takes hours and hours to achieve sometimes very little!
Would I do it again, no.

Anyway, onwards and upwards, top coat and under seal, then engine rebuild and subframes!.

You won't regret it once you can drive it.

Frank, I must admit that I have had moments of clarity, where I wonder why I am doing this!  When I explain what I am doing to my non-car friends, it sounds mental even to me!

Part of the problem is that I have not had the benefit of bonding with the car before total strip down and great expense broke out.  I have to focus on the end game (as you say driving it!) and then it will be all worth while, but I have to maintain focus and push it over the line.

Phil and Dave from the TDC have been a great help, I am slightly ahead of where the story finished, and they feature strongly in the next instalment.

You have my utmost admiration!

+1!

Am in awe of lots of the guy's talents on the forum, its utterly fabulous to see.

Keep at it you will get your reward!

P

I agree, great to see such effort, dedication and workmanship. Good luck with everything to come!!!

                     Andy

Brilliant, a real labour of love and the first Dedra I know of that has been bodily restored to this level, it will be nice to see another on the road.

Brian
8227 ;D

With the skills you have shown so far, I think you should fabricate yourself a bloody great medal for all that effort. Good on yer!

John

You can also bear in mind that you are learning skills and gaining experience as part of the reward for your labours and the expense.

I loved the Dedra Turbo we had. Really good to drive and as a passenger.

Is the big "U" between sill and floor to stablise it in-and-out or up-and-down?   I noticed the card and tape on the corner and looked for the matching pool of blood on the floor.

A link to the bender build:

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/simple-bender.15516/

http://retrorides.proboards.com/thread/70135?page=4#973572

One of the comments on the link suggests just putting two bits of angle iron in the jaws of a workmate. I have tried that and found the location of the two deck pieces on the workmate aren't strong enough to take the load. The sheet bending wasn't very crisp or accurate and the workmate was strained. I shall have to look at making one of these.

A request for help please?

I am trying to track down a radiator for the dedra and I am struggling to identify which specific model I have?

I have two options:
LANCIA DEDRA (835_) 2.0 i.e. Turbo (162Hp) petrol from 04-1991 to 04-1999
LANCIA DEDRA (835_) 2.0 Turbo (177Hp) petrol from 11-1990 to 11-1994

My car was built in December 1990 and has a A8 engine, (not an A8.046), I think, as the engine number is different that originally supplied!  Nothing is straight forward with this car.

EPER seems to be down at the moment so I can't check on there.

Any help is appreciated.

Regards
Lee

Ok, some more high level googling reveals this based on Turbo suppliers info:

Modello: Dedra 2,0 Turbo (835AQ)
Codice Motore: 835A8.000
Cilindrata: 1995
Potenza Del Motore: 177 Cv
Periodo Di Costruzione: Nov 1990 to Jun 1994
Codici Identificativi: 465103-0002 / 7729471

Does the collective agree ?

The Dedra Turbo was introduced into the UK a year later than the rest of the range, i.e. April '91 and it had a 165 BHP engine. Wasn't aware there were two versions, although perhaps by the time it became the HF Turbo in 1993 it possibly had a cat fitted (detuned?)

Hi All,

I used to own L136SWS a 1994 Dedra Turbo which bemused MOT testers every year as it had no catalytic convertor which I believe was regulation by 1994. They could see it was a genuine factory exhaust system and had not been modified in any way. To this day I regret selling it as it was a near perfect balance between performance and comfort, even the good lady loved it. My 2nd series Delta I have now is basically a LHD Dedra Coupe, but the firmer ride in HF spec. certainly compromises the comfort. Your efforts in returning your Dedra to the road will be well worth it for this underappreciated model. good luck.

Regards

Ian

Arch de Trimophe,
 
So, what has been happening since I last checked in?
 
Well, progress has been made and a potential world first achieved.
 
During the welding and bodywork phase Father Dermist commented that the rear wheel arches really were in a terrible state.  This I think was partly due to the fact that FIAT (Lancia) didn't know what to do with the wheel arch / rear wing interface.  Theres gaps for mud to get into and little ledges looking to attract corrosion.
 
So as the welding came to an end my dad had some spare* time to devote his talents to tackling the thorny issue that FIAT failed to get to grips with.  
 
Cue, Chicken mesh.
 
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3944/33194753710_c70a12207d_z.jpg)
 
Ok, this is mark 1. The chicken mech was formed to the shape of the wheel arch and then 1.5mm thick length of steel approximately 20mm wide were strengtheners where added to form a kind of skeleton.  This will become clearer in a minute.
 
Fibre glass was liberally added in all the right places and voila!
 
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2925/32734891854_0d441716de_z.jpg)
 
It took quite a bit of fitting and Dad thought he could improve the technique so here we go Mark 2 on the opposite side with the added excitement of the petrol tank filler neck and support being in the way.
 
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3837/32763771623_5ee0c67357_z.jpg)
 
See the skeleton now?  This has to bend round the filler neck(plastic part).
 
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2875/32734974264_ceb1a20066_z.jpg)
 
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3949/33537407936_298975c362_z.jpg)
 
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2904/32763686863_c2afefc71c_z.jpg)
 
This was then filled with newspaper (rather than chicken mesh) and again liberally fibre glassed.
 
Voila! 
 
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3757/32734982104_0df87b859c_z.jpg)
 
Fitted it looks like this
 
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2821/33623168642_2663d7ed70_z.jpg)
 
Both liners use the fittings that are already available in the rear wheel arches plus a few M5 holes drilled through a strengthening rib.
 
Hopefully they will prevent any further damage due to corrosion happening.
 
 
Whilst Dad did that, I scratched myself and got on with dyeing the carpet.
 
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3927/33623195722_be896bab36_z.jpg)
 
As removed.
 
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3944/33739262326_9df7d74eb7_z.jpg)
 
Sun damage
 
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3791/32967198523_1a8759739f_z.jpg)
 
Initial try with the spray dye.
 
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2930/33623189222_f2b5534c3d_z.jpg)
 
Overall view after the first pass.  I have two more cans to go.
 
When I left you last time the car painted a fetching shade of red oxide, inside and underneath.  Another coat of black this time for the underneath and a matching coat of white applied to the interior.
 
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2888/33780019435_d9e4ca5d17_z.jpg)
 
Sound deadening mats were added to replace the ones removed previously.
 
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3845/33650592671_56c37510cc_z.jpg)

 
So, we are bang up to date and momentum is gathering.

Chicken mesh, grp, newspaper.  Music to my ears.

Did the moulds for the arch liners survive? You could have some customers or make a few bob hiring them out.

So, since I last updated the thread a lot has happened and yet not a lot.
The Dedra was evicted from the safety of the garage as the Beta had to come back 'home'.

(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1791/43699670572_691f1b94d4_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/29zAeA5)Dedra 2017 (https://flic.kr/p/29zAeA5) by  (https://www.flickr.com/photos/139454920@N07/), on Flickr

So the pressure was on to get the car rolling.
The rear axle assembly was installed along with new Brake lines. 
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1813/43699648632_45f08da882_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/29zA84N)Dedra 2017 (https://flic.kr/p/29zA84N) by  (https://www.flickr.com/photos/139454920@N07/), on Flickr

The front subframe was attached the driveshafts and wheels installed.
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/934/43747897241_be62088cdb_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/29DRpGn)Dedra 2017 (https://flic.kr/p/29DRpGn) by  (https://www.flickr.com/photos/139454920@N07/), on Flickr

The worlds most complicated air ducting was loaded into the cabin,
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/852/42843359895_0ae2094996_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/28gVqfT)Dedra 2017 (https://flic.kr/p/28gVqfT) by  (https://www.flickr.com/photos/139454920@N07/), on Flickr

The carpet was manhandled back into position
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/856/41939318420_b783354f21_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/26U2YdU)Dedra 2017 (https://flic.kr/p/26U2YdU) by  (https://www.flickr.com/photos/139454920@N07/), on Flickr

Finally it was rolled out into the daylight, minus a few key parts.  (Note fine weather!)
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1776/41939342870_340a2f3083_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/26U36us)Dedra 2017 (https://flic.kr/p/26U36us) by  (https://www.flickr.com/photos/139454920@N07/), on Flickr

The doors, boot and bonnet were hastily applied and with that, the summer of 2017 was almost at a close.
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1837/29876638258_603c959308_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Mw6zEJ)Dedra 2017 (https://flic.kr/p/Mw6zEJ) by  (https://www.flickr.com/photos/139454920@N07/), on Flickr

Its a shame that exterior is so tatty as the underside now looks perfect! Still the MOT tester will appreciate it!

The engine comes next...

At least summer 2018 is conducive to outdoors restoration work.

I had one of these best car ever according to my 2 sons...bit thirsty on full power though...grin factor was worth it... after the Beta rust scandal the corrosion already nibbling at the car was a shame as it made my mind up to move it on...
Clarkey

Nice to see another Dedra, very much an underrated car.
I've had a 1.8, a 2.0 and a turbo.
Turbo was one of my all time favourite cars.
Sold it to a good friend of mine Jim who still has it, parked up in one of the sheds where I'm doing my integrale so took a sneaky picture this afternoon....

Very nice!!!

Seconded!

Thrice.