10th - 29th of February 2004 #2

While the engine was out, I took care of the holes in the gearbox from unused stuff like speedo. Also changed the prop shafts U-joints for new units. Have tightened all suspension bolts ready for first test drive. Mounted scuttle and some stuff to it and made torque strap for the engine. Also fabricated a throttle wire. Basically, the car is now almost almost ready for first test drive!!

Click to see big picture (640x480 pixels, 75 KB))
1. While the engine was out, I finished the battery mount and tightened it down.

Click to see big picture (640x480 pixels, 71 KB))
2. Grounding bolt welded to the chassis. For grounding both battery and engine to the same place.

Click to see big picture (640x480 pixels, 51 KB))
3. While engine was out, I also blanked off the speed outlet on the gearbox.

Click to see big picture (640x480 pixels, 41 KB))
4. Other side. I hope it won't leak a lot. A little is ok, but not too much. Only time will tell. I won't know until I've at least tried so I'm gonna try it this way and if it doesn't work, it's not so hard to re-do it.

Click to see big picture (640x480 pixels, 62 KB))
5. Yuck! Inside the gear lever housing. This will have to get cleaned up.

Click to see big picture (640x480 pixels, 48 KB))
6. Ground strap for the engine. A good, solid grounding is really necessary as the engine has a lot of current going through it to drive injectors and spark-plugs not to mention all the sensors and stuff.

Click to see big picture (640x480 pixels, 57 KB))
7. Mounted a temp sensor on the oil sump so I can monitor oil temperature.

Click to see big picture (640x480 pixels, 84 KB))
8. Also while engine was out, I decided to change the U-joints on the prop shaft for new units as these felt a bit knackered.

Click to see big picture (640x480 pixels, 69 KB))
9. First step is to cut the old one out and clean up the U's so the new units can be mounted.

Click to see big picture (640x480 pixels, 62 KB))
10. New U-joint in place and quickly spot-welded to keep in place. Not weld too hard as the grease will tend to boil so had to go carefully here with the juice on the MIG-welder.

Click to see big picture (480x640 pixels, 55 KB))
11. Scuttle mounted and stuff is starting to get mounted to it. What you see here is expansion tank (big round thing), cut-off switch (red "triangle"), fuel pump relay (rectangular black piece) and ignition coil.

Click to see big picture (640x480 pixels, 65 KB))
12. Another angle. Looks pretty neat I think.

Click to see big picture (640x480 pixels, 41 KB))
13. Made bracket to hold brake and clutch reservoirs.

Click to see big picture (640x480 pixels, 28 KB))
14. Fuel catch tank leak tested and ready for painting.

Click to see big picture (640x480 pixels, 73 KB))
15. Pulled off the oil sump - YUCK! lots of old crude oil, but the splash pan I'm keeping so it has to be cleaned up.

Click to see big picture (640x480 pixels, 61 KB))
16. Cleaning of oil splash pan. Have to get rid of all the old gasket material for new gasket to seal properly.

Click to see big picture (480x640 pixels, 32 KB))
17. Had to shorten pickup pipe. Good thing I know how to braze also...there's no other way of getting a good solid joint that doesn't leak.

Click to see big picture (480x640 pixels, 58 KB))
18. Throttle wire in place.

Click to see big picture (640x480 pixels, 38 KB))
19. Oil sump in place. Sticks down quite a bit actually, about 8cm....oh well, a good reason for going dry-sumped in the future :)

Click to see big picture (480x640 pixels, 67 KB))
20. Rear of the car. REALLY really cramped back here. There's so many things that fit into this space it's amazing I managed to get it all in...I hope I did all the fuel lines correct and that they don't leak as it would mean a lot of PITA to get to one of the connections down there in the middle of that rat's nest.

Click to see big picture (480x640 pixels, 68 KB))
21. Close up.