MikeFromPerth's Pace 427 Build Thread

[guye]

Well, having been for a long drive this weekend in Victoria, no amount of heat is too much!

Mind you, the electric seat heaters won the better half over, and with a nana rug, beanie, scarf, and gloves, I was ok. But I certainly didn't fall asleep!

[Jaydee]

I bought a couple of cheap 12 volt heater just to get it through inspection for a demister. They draw about 8 amps each and put out as much warm air as a constipated flea. A water heater is the only way to get a lot of warm air. JD

[Jethrow]

Engine aside, no heater or demister for me. Just went for a run this morning with some guys, and really with a warm jacket, jeans etc, it was not too bad. Wife had the nannas blanket on her lap. Worked just fine for Perth anyways.

[MikeFromPerth]

interesting! it was bloody proper cold this morning in Perth too.

[dhs.buckley]

1.5 degs in wodonga last weekend, no heater in mine, but once the engine warms up its not to bad, just keep your hands towards the bottom of the steering wheel.

[MikeFromPerth]

Two bits of good news to report! First off I've had a steady stream of "extra curricular" (i.e. stuff that I've chosen to add myself in addition to the very comprehensive kit Pace supply) goodies arriving:



Clutch pressure switch (for cruise control), inertia safety switch, some spare o-rings for the master cylinder connections, all sorts of other stuff. Also i discovered self-amalgamating tape, what a clever idea that stuff is.

But the real news is that the Pace guys are starting to organise shipment of my kit! It will go in a shipping container along with another 427 and some parts for a third car (Dave's alumina)... all coming over to Perth in one hit. Time to start getting excited! And time to clear out some more space in the garage... sold one of my bikes a couple of weeks ago to make room.

[David Hodgson]

Originally Posted by MikeFromPerth

... sold one of my bikes a couple of weeks ago to make room.

I don't think you will regret it. Not long now.

[14adrnln]

Super excited for you Mike. Cant wait to see the progress reports. You are about a year ahead of where I'm planning to be. Well done for committing yourself.
Cheers
Scott

[MikeFromPerth]

Well it's been a big week. I flew to the Gold Coast on Sunday night and spend Monday and Tuesday at the new Pace factory.

When i got there the pace guys had my car already on the pallet and loaded up with bits, stuffed chock a block into every cavity of the body! can't believe how much they fit in there. There was a small problem with the body stripes but the stripes guy was already on the way over to fix it up (he had a couple of goes at it in the end, as the Pace guys set very high standards - i almost felt sorry for the stripes guy!)

There are loads of cars in the factory there, in various stages of construction. i found it extremely useful to be able to see them all, taking lots of photos and videos to help me plan my build. Had lots of very fruitful conversations with Craig and the guys talking about my car and everything else cobra-related. Even scored a ride in Alan's car!

The guys had installed my engine and gearbox for me, and even installed a few bits and pieces onto it for me as a favour. Once the stripes were all fixed up and the last bits and pieces were packed in, it was time for me to hop on a plane back home while the guys did the shrink wrap and phoned up the freight company. it's getting picked up tomorrow and heading over West, might have it in my very own garage for christmas! Also, my engineer has received the data pack from AP and i have my hands on a brand new and improved build manual, so it's all happening! I definitely gained even more appreciation for Absolute Pace while i was there, their passion for quality above all else is incredible.

So now i just need to organise a tilt tray to get it from the depot to my place, next week. then the build begins!!

Mike

[MikeFromPerth]

stripes guy slaving away:


before all the stuff was packed into it:



packed up:



just a portion of the new factory:

[leroy17]

I saw your pallet loaded the other day, lots of goodies ready to be unwrapped, body and stripes looked Good, and the pace premises was full as well.

[MikeFromPerth]

well it's been an eventful few weeks.

My "friends" at Mainfreight were kind enough to bash the top of my car against something and scratch it up before it had even gotten as far as sydney, so it went straight back to Pace and my christmas wish went unfulfilled! But to Pace's credit, the guys fixed it up straight away for me (the damage by Mainfreight pretty obviously wasn't Pace's fault) and after the christmas break it was on it's way to me again.

I hired a local tilt tray truck bloke to cart it from the Mainfreight depot to my place, and then pulled it off the back of the truck onto some big castors and into my garage. Quite a bit of drama involved with the pine pallet busting itself up a bit on the way, but I got there in the end.







I was then on holidays for a week out of town (oh the horror of driving away and leaving the cobra there alone!!) and have now gotten everything unpacked and have actually started building.

Did some renovation rescue on my re-conditioned steering rack:





Got some bending to do, to get the roll bars into the sockets:



all systems go!!

Mike

[Beejay]

Looking good.

I will be in Perth for a couple of days next week if you want to catch up.

Cheers,
Ben

[MikeFromPerth]

when are you around Beejay?

[Beejay]

Only Wednesday and Thursday unfortunately.

Cheers,

Ben

[MikeFromPerth]

Made some major progress today with getting the LSA out and getting rid of the big pallet that the car originally came on.







also i've been doing various other jobs around the car, headlight assemblies, fuel pump assembly, mounting brackets for various tanks etc in the engine bay, putting the driveshafts together...



also have had a steady supply of parts coming through from Pace too.

so it's all happening!

[leroy17]

Looking good and neat restoration work on the steering rack, looks new and will suit the pace build.

Also, looks like good family involvement, building and working on cars with the family, that what's it's about.

[sparkyroy]

I look forward to seeing your progress Mike. Good Luck.
I am looking seriously about getting a pace kit also. So far all looks good

[MikeFromPerth]

Originally Posted by leroy17

Looking good and neat restoration work on the steering rack, looks new and will suit the pace build.

Also, looks like good family involvement, building and working on cars with the family, that what's it's about.

Thanks Leroy. Three generations on the job so far!

Heat shields are in now:



And it's the leaning tower of fuel tank!

[Auswallaby]

Fuel tank will need to be out to fit the suspension....