Nice to see some action as you have been quiet for some time.
Thanks Ray. I won't lie, a few stumbling blocks/life has meant momentum has slowed somewhat, ultimately leading to me losing the mojo a little. As is always the way it therefore becomes a lot easier to do everything else.
Post by grumpynorthener on May 8, 2022 16:31:35 GMT
Special delivery to Grumpy Towers yesterday
This is the majority of the external / internal parts required for the trail fit / dry build prior to paint - a lot of it has been already trialed and was ok but a final dry fit is always recommended prior to paint - That also means that the bodyshell & panels are scheduled to enter the workshop in the near future
Post by toomanyprojects on May 9, 2022 12:06:35 GMT
So as Chris has already mentioned, Saturday saw a relatively early start to get on the road for a delivery of a few necessary parts, as well as some recently acquired items.
Friday eve bought about a good excuse to test the practicality of new daily, which while still pretty sizable, is definitely more comfort oriented rather than the slightly more agricultural feel of the D3 V8.
The big advantage though is that it is a nice place to be stuck, especially on the M25 and a closed M4
Anyway, I got there eventually and had a good catch up with Chris and plans for the next steps, some more room at the inn required first I think!
In the interim I've left a good haul of as much external trim/ancillary parts that I could pull together, from windows and seals, to hinges, rear lamps and even tailgate badging (with a difference ), hopefully enough to be useful and not too much to be in the way. Thanks again Chris and if you need a spare pair of hands at any point, feel free to shout.
I also got to have a good look over a certain other project currently in the workshop
It's certainly had a life, and I don't think you'll be winning many concours Matt , but with the bits Chris is doing it should make a nice little patina'd runabout.
Needless to say, but I've more homework to be getting on with sourcing a few other bits and cracking on with the axles, alas my plans for Sunday and doing exactly that got a little waylaid as SWMBO fancied brunch and a beach visit. On a day like yesterday it was tough to say no however...
Time to get busy in the eves work permitting instead then!
Post by grumpynorthener on May 9, 2022 14:04:50 GMT
Hooo - Just think a deserted beach - Windows down and 4 litres of wholesome V8 firmly planting its footprint through a set of wire wheels shod with nice boots - ripping through the loose damp sand and throwing it all over my detailed paintjob - maybe forget that thought then
Hooo - Just think a deserted beach - Windows down and 4 litres of wholesome V8 firmly planting its footprint through a set of wire wheels shod with nice boots - ripping through the loose damp sand and throwing it all over my detailed paintjob - maybe forget that thought then
Err yeah perhaps not anytime soon with this one, now one of those hot rods that run at Pendine however...
Post by toomanyprojects on May 11, 2022 13:47:47 GMT
Progress, some actual bl**dy progress! ...albeit snatched at a bit of a late hour but that doesn't matter. Well it may have done to SWMBO at the time
Starting point was the dismantling of the existing crossmember, so heavy bits removed first
and to try and save effort, rather than dismantle every component I went for the removal in lumps approach
finally we had a bare crossmember
I could then start to add the various parts onto the replacement, the most time consuming task being re-cutting the threads for the top arms as a result of the powdercoating. Everything could also be torqued down as recommended... I feel I need a coloured pen to mark the nuts/bolts though
Just discs, brake pipes, roll bar, and springs to be added in time. The steering rack will get refitted once it's on the car, likewise with the springs to avoid any exciting moments!
So some positive progress once more and I now have a spare crossmember for sale...
Few busy weekends coming up but hopefully more soon
Looks good. Did you consider the frontline vented discs and 4 pots?
I did yes, but they were a bit of a joke pricewise for what they were at the time IMO... plus everyone else has them who goes that route.
Instead I decided on something a little different and spoke to the guys at BCC in Cornwall, so I now have a set of their four pots .
Re the discs, I already had the current solid set from a previous iteration/stage, now I have the wheel choice sorted (I didn't at the time) I'll probably change to vented at some stage. For build purposes the ones I have will suffice for now though.
Post by toomanyprojects on May 17, 2022 17:09:21 GMT
Few minor distractions going on of late, but progress is happening slowly, including with 'that' dowel on the crankshaft, I can then get on with the flywheel, clutch and gearbox.
Post by grumpynorthener on Jun 1, 2022 21:13:37 GMT
I wanted to see how well adhered the primer was that Ribble Technology had applied
Answer is very well - very impressed with this - it takes some getting back to bare metal - This is one of the several areas that I will be lead loading prior to skimming with polyester
Post by toomanyprojects on Jun 7, 2022 9:25:26 GMT
So while Chris gets busy with the body shell once again, I tried to snatch some more time amongst various other distractions with the engine in order to progress the remaining bits here.
A small win was had with the aforementioned crankshaft dowel
Which after knocking back slightly so it was flush, meant that I could fit the flywheel with no other interference issues
With that done, I could then remove the flywheel once more as the next job is to remove the crank angle sensor holder that the Gems and Thor engine management uses so it can be replaced with a blanking plate. It can be seen on the left of the top photo. Usually the way to do so is to simply to knock it out, however as you can see, at some stage this has been welded in meaning I need to remove/weaken the welds before I try and remove it - more work for the dremel then.
Post by toomanyprojects on Jun 8, 2022 12:12:06 GMT
Time for a fight with the sensor holder
Careful use of the dremel allowed me to trim the welds and then with a very small tap of the hammer it popped free - a lot less drama than I first imagined
A little tidy of the welds and that's another job ticked off the list
I just need to get hold of the blanking plate so the flywheel and clutch can be fitted for a final time, then it's on with a few of the final little bits that I've yet to sort such as the header breathers and cable clips.
On with finishing the front subframe and rear axle next while I wait.
Post by grumpynorthener on Jun 9, 2022 7:19:44 GMT
Much juggling currently at the workshop in order reduce the workload capacity that will allow me a clear run on projects like this - None the less I don't operate on a out of sight out of mind policy with my projects and advances are being made to progress the lead loading where required on the bodyshell - seen here on the seam of the repair section on the rear wing / above the sill line
Much practice over the years now results in a maximum amount of the body solder applied to the area where its required and not the floor
Initially roughed back into profile which now requires a little further work / detail to complete
), hopefully enough to be useful and not too much to be in the way. Thanks again Chris and if you need a spare pair of hands at any point, feel free to shout.
, but with the bits Chris is doing it should make a nice little patina'd runabout.
. 
