Build Diary
April 2007

22nd April 2007

Discovered that talktalk not only do cheap broadband, but also that I have access to 15MB of free webspace.

Started adding some of my random selection of details.


Status so far.

Garage: planning permission refused (last week, issues with highways and listed-building folk, good news is neighbours don't seem to mind)
Parts collected: excellent progress.  Almost everything except, fuel tank, bodywork, suspension springs, all pipework, propshaft, manifold, fluids.  

Parts spread between my shed, and my dads garage.

Progress
Engine frame coming together nicely (thanks to Phils welding)
Front end all bolted up and fits nicely
Many bits and pieces put together into mini-kits
Lack of garage not really affecting progress

Next steps (likely to be May)

• Steering column swap with Bodger (from www.locostbuilders.co.uk), so now I have a non-adjustable column.  Need to fit it together to see what is needed from the downlink.
• Rear end, classic case of 13inch wheels (compomotive revolutions) don't fit over Sierra rear discs.  Plan to use Mk3 Escort front non-vent discs.  Need to turn down the hub a little.
• Rear driveshafts are available from Graham Forsdy from the Sylva newgroup.  He is swapping to an LSD so is getting new shafts. He is going to drop them off so that I can try them out. (Re-use)
• Go back to Phil to get the crush tubes welded into the engine cradle.  DONE 26th April
• Build a gear-change linkage off the engine. DONE 29th April

Get some photos of current status onto this site

29th April 2007

Managed to get some springs. 175lbs and 150lbs in strength.  According to sylva chat 140lbs back and 180lbs front is about right (fury manual suggests 180 lbs/inch front, and 130lbs/inch rear, I suspect my ass is 10lbs heavier than average so...).  The shocks are ex-westfield rebuilt by AVO, length 13inch and 12inch open and spring lengths don't matter too much (go with what are compatible with the shocks).  The spring seats are movable, so we can see what fits. The AVO website suggests 8inch and 9inch for the springs, so maybe I am in luck!

Contacted AVO who are sending me some new grub-screws (needed to drill the ones I had out on 2 of them).  Nice bloke, really helpful, said that there was no charge (all my favourite things).

Made a first pass at the engine end of the gear selection.  I had been collecting parts for a while, and finally got around to drilling some holes and cutting some aluminium.  I am pretty pleased with the status of all this.

As Phil has kindly sorted out my crush tubes (without even commenting on my poor workmanship) I have managed to get the engine cradle tidied up and painted.  Not terribly exciting, but another small step.  I still need to get some bits and bobs to get this all together, but all the dirty stuff is finished on it.  From trial fitting I do know that not all the holes in the cradle align with the holes in the chassis,  not sure on the way to fix this (it is either going to involve drilling, or brute force).  My father (MEng and all that stuff) says brute force and the welds will take it up in time.  We will see.

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