Post by justforthepics on Oct 22, 2021 20:45:04 GMT
the wires on my morgan are a right pain. Being 1962 built they are 6 inchs wide, in 65 they went to 6.5 inch which is alot easier to find. i have a nice set of 72 spoke wires for the custom build fronts are 7 inchs wide and the rears are 9. I like how they looked on the morgan and the MGA but no one else did.
Post by toomanyprojects on Oct 25, 2021 17:31:33 GMT
With the bro visiting prior to a trip over to Shropshire for a visit and parts run to his camper, I thought I'd call in a return favour...
As mentioned previously, Chris and I weren't overly happy/convinced by the bonnet fit on the C bonnet that I had originally sourced. A going over with the DA had also revealed some poorly repaired damage down one side (hidden with filler), and the company that added the louvres had also not helped the situation by bending the rear flange to give access to the punch tool despite me explicitly telling them to reduce the number if it was an issue.
I therefore decided to keep my eye out for another ally version in better condition. I didn't want to go the new reproduction route, particularly as despite the cost of Ā£1,300+, the fit is known to be poor. Likewise the GRP versions often seen with sebring kits are also terrible fitment. Thankfully I didn't have to wait long and a certain online auction site soon delivered - an original unmodified ally bonnet for sale not a million miles away in Essex for a good price - perfect.
So having spotted it last Monday, a quick call to arrange payment and collection, meant that by Friday night it was on the car courtesy of little brother picking it up on his way to mine. Got to love it when a plan comes together
The fitment is a million times better too, albeit needs fettling a little to sort the wing gaps once it's locked down (haven't tried yet as with the grill in place I can't then open it!)
Following our little trip across country and back for camper part delivery in the morning, and with a free afternoon as a result, I decided to carry on with a few of the smaller jobs and checking some items off the 'test fit' list.
Having previously fitted the spare early dash to check fitment, it was the turn of the real thing. However before I did so, some surgery was required to remove a tab now surplus to requirements. Some careful shielding and masking then
and a small bit of modifying with the dremel
Which meant I could do this
and seeing as I was there already, I thought I may as well refit the wheel and crash pad too which finishes it off
Wiring, hydraulic lines and some minor exhaust mods next.
Thanks Alex, believe it or not I was originally going to get it covered in the original 'crinkle' finish... thankfully the powdercoater didn't have that available so I settled on a textured finish, rather glad I did!
Some other small wins - tested the fit of the old door cards to check the clip holes were all in the right place after Chris kindly replaced the bottoms
Of course they were
Fear not - they won't be the finished article with their delightful colour and speaker holes!
So I delivered the GT shell back to Sam at the start of July once I had completed the structural works & repanelling of it - however it had a problem - the nearside fit of the quarter glass frame on the door along with the door glass were poor to say the least
Some lovely progress on this, it's coming along beautifully. I'm another fan of the subtle wire wheel upgrade.
Luckily the Porta Power worked well - I see the backup BFHs in the footwell just in case!
Post by toomanyprojects on Nov 9, 2021 15:08:48 GMT
Alas progress has slowed somewhat due to all manner of distractions including the day job, all very inconvenient. Oh to have a clear weekend at some stage.
Anyway before I hit the road again last weekend I wanted to at least achieve something on the 'B. After ordering up a couple of minor parts for the headlight install, I could at least now ensure they all fitted and the right holes were in the wings.
Just in case anyone else comes across this issue when fitting the standard BL 7" headlights, most are supplied with the following clips to retain the chrome ring that acts as a finisher.
Spot the minor issue with this when fitted to the car?
Yup you cannot put the screw in to secure the ring. In fact the only car you can do this on is the Morris Minor, all others need to have the clips swapped.
A quick change to the below clips just involves bending a few tabs to open up and remove, then the reverse to secure the replacements
and eventually
The above did throw up one minor issue though in that one of the new clips is meeting the wing and so needs bending slightly - another reason why it's best to test these things prior to paint.
Final tip relating to this (albeit I'm not there yet) is not to fit the chrome rims until after the car has had an MOT or similar, reason being is that the beams can then be adjusted if required. Have heard a few horror stories of rims being removed to rectify and all manner of damage occurring.
Very nice, have you decided whether to go for the early grille, or the 72-74 mesh?
Lots of happy memories sitting in my Dadās in the garage, with no interior in it as a kid. He swapped a V8 roadster for a GT just before I was born, some idyllic notion of family days out with kids in the back apparently. It went in the garage a few months later for a few bits and hasnāt run since.
I did the metalwork, and rebuilt the front subframe and suspension on it for him just before our youngest was born. I really must get it back from him and finish it.
Very nice, have you decided whether to go for the early grille, or the 72-74 mesh?
Lots of happy memories sitting in my Dadās in the garage, with no interior in it as a kid. He swapped a V8 roadster for a GT just before I was born, some idyllic notion of family days out with kids in the back apparently. It went in the garage a few months later for a few bits and hasnāt run since.
I did the metalwork, and rebuilt the front subframe and suspension on it for him just before our youngest was born. I really must get it back from him and finish it.
Still making my mind up , I may keep both and interchange them depending on the mood.
Yup get it done. With the amount of spares and bits I'm accumulating you might as well bring it here and we try and knock it out over a week. Mine needs to be done first though - still remember than bet
Post by toomanyprojects on Nov 24, 2021 18:37:12 GMT
We're getting in to the niggly stages of the dry build now. You know the stuff that isn't big, but takes time, and is arguably still important enough to warrant doing to save drilling holes in fresh paintwork later down the line.
First a collective plea to the experts... I've a few things on my to do list but no doubt there are many, many things I've not thought of. Having not done this before, (ok I have but it was on something a lot smaller, with two wheels and with less mods - although ironically they used to ride it ), please do shout out any suggestions as to what else I need to look at*.
While you're mulling that over, have an update on a few bits I snatched some time to do over the weekend.
First up was a fight with the drivers window. After Chris and I ventured round the NEC the other week and seeing a few examples (both good and bad), I knew the fit could be better than the current sloping angle that was on there. It wasn't necessarily a priority job for now, nor was it a final fit, but it was something that was bothering me more than it should of. So as I needed to fit the trim that side anyway as a test fit on the new door skin, I figured I may as well have a go at the window too.
End result was that after a bit of faffing and swearing I got close enough for now.
Few other small jobs completed.
Modification of the existing exhaust bracket to move the exhaust over an inch to save contact on the suspension.
Expansion tank bracket holes drilled and tank located on inner wing
Look close enough at the above and you'll also see I've added the bonnet rubbers. I also marked and drilled out the holes for the captive nuts for the grill to fasten to.
Fitting the bonnet rubbers also threw up a positioning issue with the O/S radiator bracket which needs to be more central to the bolts.
I had a feeling it wasn't 100% so hadn't yet welded it in, that will be a case of moving slightly and then re-testing all the oil lines still reach the cooler.
Lastly, I checked the pedal box all lined up with the existing mounts.
Another thing off the check list.
Brake booster servo pipe routing is still to be done, as that will be a new addition to the car. I also need to test fit the heater, as although it's original fitment, they are a pig to fit.
Worryingly I don't think it will be long before the engine and gearbox can come back out.
*...yes wiring is on the list... my nemesis. I need to burn some leave so have all of next week booked off, albeit I hope not all will be used for sorting wiring! Much progress awaits hopefully.
I mentioned it to him the other day, heās adamant that now heās retired it will get done. Weāll see, but I think youāre fairly safe on that bet!
A few things that spring to mind that may need mounting holes ECU Battery post or battery cut off in engine bay Fuel pumps and fuel line P clips (unless bonding on) Clips of any other sensors or parts of loom needed for the ECU
All very positive progress - have you yet to run the fuel lines - I'm assuming its a flow / return type system that you are fitting (or maybe not)
Not yet, I have all the connections, just not the lines so need to source some. Yes it's a supply return system, I'll dig it all out and then you can see.
Current thinking is to get everything up and running with an Edlebrock to keep things simple and then introduce the injection afterwards but worth making any mods in advance.
I mentioned it to him the other day, heās adamant that now heās retired it will get done. Weāll see, but I think youāre fairly safe on that bet!
A few things that spring to mind that may need mounting holes ECU Battery post or battery cut off in engine bay Fuel pumps and fuel line P clips (unless bonding on) Clips of any other sensors or parts of loom needed for the ECU
we'll see.
ECU is self contained within the FiTech unit, so no need to make any mounts for that but I will need to add clips for the O2 sensor, as well as fan wiring. Am also thinking a mounting board for additional relays I'm adding for lights etc. may be worth considering.
Battery cut off I'm going to have in the cabin but you are right I need to make a suitable hole for mounting.
The high pressure fuel pump should sit in the spare wheel area of the boot and then I can run the lines under the car as they are already. I may therefore be able to use the existing stud mounts for additional P clips but probably best to check there is room!
Post by toomanyprojects on Nov 29, 2021 23:31:00 GMT
Things are busy in the workshop with several of the fleet needing some tlc. Asides the merc I also wanted to get my head round a few things on the MG that needed a clear head.
My initial project on the MG was to sort the exhaust cut out on the rear valance as it's been on the list for a while and I can then call the exhaust trial done. As I've a spare valance I though the easiest approach would be to simply cut the bit out I needed and weld it on to the one on the car. However, a bit of a ponder over a cuppa, and given I was hoping to get stuck in to some of the metalwork on the Celica this week time allowing, I decided to get my eye in by first having a go at shaping the second exhaust cut out instead.
Needs a bit more fettling but it might just work.
OK so the fuel system I mentioned previously, here's what you get in the kit
and here's how it all plumbs together
Simples right? Err no, not quite.
You see the kit only comes with 5 ft of hose, meaning that in an ideal world you'd mount the pump in the engine bay, except I can't as there is no room as the only free spot is now taken up by the new brake servo.
Others say you can mount them in the boot and I've seen this done to good effect in a roadster, except some fool has fitted a larger capacity ally fuel tank with twin exhausts running past it so I can't do that either.
A dig out of my old GT battery for a test then...
You can see where this is going can't you? It was too tall, but you get the idea. Some of the new gel batteries are really quite compact...
So a bit of cutting followed by a bit of bending and I was left with a bottom tray
Which slotted in here
meaning I could then do this
B*gger! close enough though.
Sadly still not close enough for the 5ft of fuel line. Some more will be ordered while I figure the rest out but It will also involve a hole in the fuel tank and figuring out this little lot
Thats a big pump! does it have to stand up or can it be mounted on its side?
I think it's mostly reservoir to be honest. It can go on its side but the recommendation is to keep it upright to avoid any fuel starvation issues if at all possible.
