Out of Country!!

Sorry folks, I'm out of the country with work now until the end of July so there will be no progress to report on! Hoping for a big push in August when I'm back though!

Week off - part two

Spent another morning in the workshop today finishing off the brackets for the struts. All went quite well with one exception. I wanted to weld the round diagonal to the new bracket on the bench, rather then try to weld a difficult joint on the car. no matter how many times I tried, I couldn’t get even a decent tack though - I think it was an earth problem. In the end I gave up and tacked the bracket to the car and then the round tube to the bracket/car. They will be fully welded when the engine comes out prior to the floor going in. Then offered the wheel up to check clearance on my planned exhaust routing - which was fine. However, the rim of the wheel just fouls the spring seat of my new shocks - looks like a spacer will sort that though. Next up is to tack on the brackets for the lower arm.

It's been hot!

Well, the weather over the last few days has prevented the inclination to get into the workshop, however, today was much cooler. As I have a week off work I managed not only to negotiate a morning off domestic duties, but also persuaded my better half to assist! Whilst she primed and sprayed the front wishbones (e bay purchases some months ago!) I set about making two new mounts for the new mini-struts. There purpose will become clearer later this week when I hope to get them onto the car! Here is a shot of todays progress - considerably more artistic than my usual efforts - guess who took it?!

Rear mock up

It's been a quiet month - the aftermath of moving house with the inevitable trips to Ikea and subsequent domestic DIY have meant little progress. however, a trip to Wiltshire for a wedding and a visit to John afforded me the opportunity to collect my latest e bay acquisition on the way home - a pair of mini-struts, adjustable for rate and ride height. Although a little shorter than ideal, I will adapt the rear of the car accordingly - shouldn't be too much work and much easier than the Fiesta struts, and much cheaper than the alternatives. I have also been talking to Wunoff exhausts, top people who I won a silencer from in a competition. This is why I have mocked up the rear of the car, to ensure my prize will fit! Don't worry, the tape will be replaced with more permanent fixings and the silencer and pipe will be stainless! Although the rear of the car is pretty much as I envisaged it 8 years ago, a few lotus 340R influences have crept in, resulting in the removal of the panel upon which the lights and number plate were to be mounted. With a bit of luck the spacing should prevent Mr SVA and his radius tool from getting at too much of the rear! Let me know what you think!