New Build Kirkham KMP709

[damage]

Well today was the day the heart finally went in, this her on the crane ready to be lifted.

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The Kirkham's are incredible if there is anything that can be made out of aluminium they will make it. The engine mounts bolted up.

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And a whole bunch more billet aluminum.

These are little surprises that I got with the car and didn't even know they were coming full pulley assembly.

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Full billet sump.

I love the way Kirkham carve their name into everything.

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Okay enough of the billet porn now the engine going in.
God this thing is big.

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I decided I needed more help to put the engine in so called in some reinforcements.

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Nearly there this is half way in, started to get a bit scary here lucky we had a proper engine lift for the job even with that it took nearly an hour tilting and adjusting this thing to get it in. Even with the engine all the way back I still only had an 1/8 of an inch clearance on either side of the rocker covers at this point. Proper engine hoist $80.00 but priceless. Oh and a forklift made it easy too.

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Almost home just got to line up the engine mounts and were home, sorry could photograph that it was almost like being a gynaecologist.

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And all the way home, couldn't work out a better place to lift the engine from using the exhaust manifold seemed the logical place but I didn't realise the engine had such little clearance the straps were a pain to remove but got em with a bit of wiggling.

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Just to prove how close it is.

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All finished.

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Oops what porn would be complete without a box shot.

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Just got to do all the fluids and a few checks and bolt on the exhaust and then breath some life into her.

All up this was 3 hours work thanks to a couple of mates guiding it in.

[750hp]

I hope your footbox inner panels are removeable, otherwise you'll need the hands of a 5 year old to be able to get the headers in and tightened! Are the headers built already?

I'm keen to see what type of ram tube / air filter assembly you use for the Kinsler EFI.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by 750hp

I hope your footbox inner panels are removeable, otherwise you'll need the hands of a 5 year old to be able to get the headers in and tightened! Are the headers built already?

I'm keen to see what type of ram tube / air filter assembly you use for the Kinsler EFI.

Actually I'm thinking he'll have to be Mr. Stretch from the Fantastic Four. Wow. Looks beautiful. Great work.

[damage]

Pipes are all built, I would have liked to fit them tomorrow but unfortunately no gaskets bugger. From what I looked at from underneath tonight there's room to get in there and put them in individually from rear to the front, they are all individual pipes, worse case is I'll have to pull out the side panels on the engine bay.

[boxhead]

Stunning, love the Kirkhams.

[Chris L]

Just cant stop looking at it..............just when you think you've seen enough, it drags you back for another look!!

Cheers
Chris L

[Dimis]

Originally Posted by Chris L

Just cant stop looking at it..............just when you think you've seen enough, it drags you back for another look!!

Cheers
Chris L

I can imagine that ^ would be even worse if you had one in the garage...
So when are YOU getting one
hehe


That said... You really wouldn't want to drive it on a day like today.
43deg OUCH!!!

[sambo]

On a sunny day last week I was driving down the Monash and noticed a huge reflection from my windscreen frame dancing across the back of the cars in front of me. It looked bright enough to start a bush fire. I wouldn't want to be "flashed" by a polished aluminium Kirkham on a nice day.

[Rob. Smith]

What are the rules regarding spectral gloss ?

[damage]

No idea on spectral gloss it's polished aluminium, engineers haven't raised it as an issue.

[Rob. Smith]

When I had mine registered in 2002 all the windscreen frame, mirrors and gauge bezels had to be blacked out...spectral gloss ! (NSW)

[Zedn]

That ADR was repealed ages ago. I believe there is something in the legislation though that talks about a car being dangerous to other road users.

[rodneym]

Fantastic build, damage!
It reminds me quite a bit of a friend who put a SOHC in a polished KMP.
You're gonna have your hands full so be carefull and enjoy the ride.

[Dimis]

Originally Posted by rodneym

You're gonna have your hands full so be carefull and enjoy the ride.

This coming from a bloke with twin paxtons

[750hp]

Originally Posted by rodneym

Fantastic build, damage!
It reminds me quite a bit of a friend who put a SOHC in a polished KMP

That'd have to be Darren's Flip Top? In addition to his Le Mans Kirkham and the copper Kirkham, Dave Kirkham must love customers like him!



Damage - is that exhaust done yet?!?

[damage]

Well I dint get to work on the car yesterday, had to do some work 600 emails latter I dont feel like doing anything. I'm trying to balance my holidays so doing half days at home replacing our verandas really sux I'd rather just work on the car but anyway apparently you have to keep the evil one happy.

Today I did a half day on the deck lucky it was sunny and hot used this as an excuse to stop on the decking and go work on the car.

First was a run around to get oils and fluids for the big girl, also went to a mate at the exhaust shop for some gasket material I decided that making the gaskets was better then waiting for them to come from the USA at least that gave me an opportunity to get the exhaust on the car before finishing my holidays.

This is my exhaust gaskets all marked out and ready to cut.

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Pipes all laid out after sorting out left and right, would have been easier to look at the flanges Kirkham already had the left ones marked doh why do you always find those things after the fact.

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I decided to do the left side first seemed to be more room on this side so off we go. After fitting the first pipe I was wishing I had of just taken it to the exhaust shop and let them do it but by the 3rd pipe it was getting easier.

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So with the left side header pipes done I started on the drivers side what a mission trying to get around the starter motor, after 5 minutes I decided I'd stop trying to cheat my self and take the inner guards out wow that's easier. Took me 2 hours to do the left side 1 hour to do the right,wish I had have pulled the inner guard on the left.

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After that I installed the mufflers this were a bit tricky but lucky I left the header pipes loose so that they just wiggled on.

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Today I installed all my radiator hoses plugged all the sensors in and generally tidied up the engine bay all that I've got left to do is add fluids and final checks and then see if this baby breathes.

You got to wait for that though apparently I have to go do school shopping and stuff tomorrow yuk.

[rodneym]

Originally Posted by 750hp

That'd have to be Darren's Flip Top?.....Dave Kirkham must love customers like him!

Yes on both counts.

[itempany]

Looking Good........Keep the photos coming!

[albanycobra]

I agree the car looks sensational. i cant wait to see it going. keep the pics coming.

[damage]

Oh look my collectors have changed colour wonder what caused that.

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