Subframe - The Start

Well, the jig has been finished and lined up - put a brace bar in to make sure that nothing was out of place and made the first piece which was the bottom rear bar, was a good successful day and now we are in the swing of things it shouldn't take too long at all.

(Click the pictures for bigger images)

Subframe Jig

Again, I've been very lacking in updates due to being pretty lazy with the whole blogging thing - however I thought I'd better update and say that we've started the subframe! Major breakthrough I hear you cry!





The electronics are 99.5% done now, thanks to Chris and the passenger door is nearly re-done for the second time - due to the first one having a rather crooked frame which no amount of bending and twisting could have solved.

The aim over the next few weeks is to hopefully have a subframe for the engine - you never know it might get done before the New Year?! Ha ha ha!

Hydraulic Box

Much eBay hunting and patience led to us buying the part for the gearbox we needed to convert it from cable to hydraulic - a part that retails at £70 odd pounds we won for £1 with £5 postage. Most impressed and relieved that we saved money which is more than can be saved/spent on Mutley.

Having to re-do one of the doors - passenger - as once mounted was awfully flexible and just wouldn't line up - found the frame was extremely flimsy and weak. Managed to get another door we only bought for glass for another eBay sum of £10 and a local pick up.

Other than that we have built the engine top end up, and it looks amazing, just getting the rest of the gaskets together and it'll be complete, which is a rather scary achievement considering how long it's been apart.





Torque steer ahoy! Got to love the Vauxhall shafts!

Doors complete and trial fitted

It turns out I have readers! Yes, I know we have 3145 hits - but I've never had a comment or anyone say that they have been following my (and Mutley's) progress until today - made me really chuffed! So much so that I thought I would give an update.

Trial fitted doors so we can fit the 'a' panels and then it'll be the turn of the front end alignment - it pretty much lines up nicely already, so *fingers crossed* that it won't take too much fettling and adjusting!


Chris has been working had on the electronics and managed to save this screen - hopefully it will go into the car - obviously this picture is just a test run but when finished it should output diagnostics or similar - which will be incredibly cool!

Doors

Paint inside door and rear of skin - put together and we have some doors!







Also spent some time painting the grille and the cam cover - ready for some orange paint in the lettering and some lacquer.



Will hang the doors within the next few days and line and weld 'A' panels on.

LED Clusters - Update

Just wanted to share with you all my LED clusters - thought a few of you might be interested.

41 U/B LEDs in each rear indicator cluster.
35 U/B LEDs in each brake cluster.
24 U/B LEDs in each reverse cluster.

41 U/B LEDs in each front indicator cluster.
18 U/B LEDs in each side light.

4 U/B LEDs in each side repeater.

In total 326 LEDs just for lights - and number plate illumination and interior light still to be done.

Final Push

We're on the final push towards the spraying stage! I hate to admit it, but I am enjoying it more than usual, maybe it's the excitement of seeing it all in one colour!

Have been rather lazy on the update side of things recently so have a few things to update you all on.

Front indicators/Side lights
Got them done and looking really good - very pleased with the results, even more pleased that I know I'm going to be the only one with them!!! Made rear plates for them instead of using standard ones - which seem few and far between, and go for stupid money.



Head
Have painted the head parts - should be ready to put together in the next few weeks!

Rear Beam
Just come back from shot blasting - needs a top coat and it'll be ready to mock up.

Shell
Completed shultz underneath and have made good progress on the prep on the body - should only be another weekend or so before it's finished.


Coilovers
Have talked to GAZ and you can buy the offset tops of the coilovers separately, which solves the problem of having to cut and adjust the rear shock mounts - extremely pleased with that bit of news!