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October 2003

Continued to patch up the fibreglass.  Realised that I had patched up the hole for the fuel line (Ooops!).  Still it will look much neater when finished.  Left a rectangular hole for access to the diff filler plug and the handbrake tree.  Will make a cover to fit over this later.

Cleaned the petrol tank up ready for painting.  Noticed some small holes in the petrol tank as well as a dodgy looking seam.  Took this to a local radiator company for repair.

Ordered a new back plate and air box for the carbs from SJ Sportscars.  Managed to get a used air filter housing from Andy at Spyder.

Had the steel wheels shot blasted and powder coated.  Had five done in silver and four in black.  The silver looks rather grey so I'll try to obtain some chrome trims for these later.  Had five Dunlop SP10's fitted to the silver-grey rims.

Sent off the brake-servo to Classicar Automotive for overhaul.

Took a couple of days off from work in the middle of the month to try and get the car close to finished.  However things conspired against me.....

Tried to turn the engine over on the starter to get the oil circulating but got nothing when turning the key.  After much investigation it turned out that someone had removed the glove box anti-theft switch later replacing it with another anti-theft switch under the steering column.  Couldn't work out what was going on with the wiring as it seemed to route all over the engine bay and behind the dash with a multitude of different colours and connectors.  Removed the anti-theft switch and associated wires  and  went back to basics.  Got the engine turning over on the starter.

I had noticed previously that the steering wheel was decidedly flexible.  On investigation it appears that there is a brake in the rim adjacent to one of the spokes.  This is probably due to the aftermarket seats.  The 'bucket' is so deep that it makes getting in and out of the car really difficult.  The steering wheel has probably been used as a handle to aid entry and exit.

Fitted the carbs ready for starting.

Fitted the pedal box and master cylinders.  Connected a new braided hose between the clutch master and slave but couldn't find the fluid that I'd bought earlier so didn't fill it up.

Fitted the fuel tank but found that it still leaked from the dodgy looking seam.  Pulled it out and took it back for a re-repair.

Filled the rad with coolant.  Put a jerry can of fuel in the boot, drop the petrol pipe in and started tried to start the engine - without success.

Disconnected the electronic ignition and refitted the points and condenser.  Set the static timing and finally started the engine.

 

Fitted the brake pad all round and put on the fresh wheels.

Noticed a  weep at the bottom of the radiator core.  Pulled it out and took it back for a re-repair.

Collected the Rad and the Petrol tank back from the repairers refitted both and all seemed ok.

Bought a steering wheel puller in order to remove the wheel.  I was assured by the guy in the shop that it would fit.  It didn't fit.

Started to install the felting to the interior of the vehicle.  Notice a rather damp patch under the dashboard.  Drained the cooling system (again) and pulled the dash forward to remove the heater unit.

Replaced the heater unit radiator with a new one.  The rad from a Rover SD1 fits almost perfectly.

Removed the front cover from the heater in order to make a recess to enable a full size radio to be fitted to the vehicle in future.  My Father-in-Law, Pete, made me a new front cover from sheet steel.

Obtained a new brake servo from Classicar Automotive and a Car backplate and air box from SJ Sportscars.

 Stripped the cover off the steering wheel in order to view the damage