AP2289 Build log 'stage 2'

[ssv ute]

Hi Glen,
Have just been reading your build blog, absolutely fantastic work mate.
I really enjoyed your dash work, you have Inspired me to do a similar panel. I wasn't sure installing leather was doable as a home project.👍👍👍

Richard

[xb-60]

Thanks Richard. I collected information over quite a period of time from others here on CC who had 'leathered' their dash panels themselves. PM me if you want me to email that to you.

Cheers,
Glen

[xb-60]

Working on the windscreen wiper installation. The drive needs to go through the firewall from the top of the LH footbox, so need to clad that section of the firewall with insulating sheet and 1.2mm thick stainless steel sheet.

I need some (grommetted) 25mm dia. holes in the firewall for temp gauge senders (2), oil pressure gauge tubing and also electricals.

First attempt at drilling the SS sheet didn't work, so then tried a 25mm dia ceramic tipped trepanning tool. That worked a lot better than I'd thought, so then had to fix the already botched first hole. Used my very trusty jigsaw to take the hole out to the 25mm markup. That worked better than expected as well, so now just have to tidy up that hole. Then I'm ready to do a trial install, then cut the holes in the aluminium alloy firewall and estimate where the hole for the windscreen wiper hole goes and cut that one out too. Not a lot of fun today, but should have that part of the firewall sorted soon.

Here's what the SS sheet looks like at the moment. It will look better when finished.




Cheers,
Glen

[Jaydee]

Try using a hole punch. It leaves a much neater hole. You only need to drill a 12 mm hole the you place the die on one side and the punch on the other and tighten the bolt and it pulls through. I have several sizes. JD

[xb-60]

JD - more details? I'll check 'em out. Does sound easier.
Mine should tidy up OK though, particularly when fitted with the grommets.

[Jaydee]

I bought them many years ago. It has the same color as impact sockets. Sorry I don't know where to get them. I'll try to search them. JD

[xb-60]

Originally Posted by Jaydee

I bought them many years ago. It has the same color as impact sockets. Sorry I don't know where to get them. I'll try to search them. JD

Found them on ebay. Thanks.

[Jaydee]

Great. I couldn't find them only pliers type punches. JD

[xb-60]

Full marks if you can work out what this picture is




I have just fitted the first stainless steel panel to the firewall (I attached the Lucas 7FJ's to the stainless panel first, and no, they [the 7FJ's] are nowhere near as big as they look here). From the picture, it's harder to work out a perspective because I was sitting on the floor in the engine bay and there is so much reflection.

Yes, it's going to be a challenge to keep it looking clean and unscratched.

Eight more panels to go


Cheers,
Glen

[Jaydee]

I take it that's a glass fuse holder. Glass fuses can be a bit unreliable though.
JD

[xb-60]

Happy to take the risk...and also take spares

[xb-60]

I’ve been working on the windscreen wiper installation on-and-off for the last month. I was originally going to mount the wiper motor to the top of the LHS footwell, but decided to mount it on the firewall under the dash instead. It seemed that the straighter route from the wiper motor to the spindles would be best, so an under the dash mounting was the decision (despite the ‘challenging’ access).

Here’s what it ended up looking like….



and...

[xb-60]

The wiper mounted on the inside of the firewall and under the dash required a 'concession' from the glovebox....

[1795]

You'll have to roll your gloves up into a ball to keep everything from falling out of your glove box Glen. Don't want that bottle opener to fall out and get lost...

[xb-60]

Jim - the glovebox is the bigger item in the picture, not the smaller one

[xb-60]

Progress report....

Demisters sealed onto their mounts, and now fitted in position on the underside of the cowl. Demister vents are also fitted.

[xb-60]

Here's one of the demister louvres...

edit: how do you attach 2 files in a post?

[xb-60]

Finally have the demisters fitted....


Cheers,
Glen

[xb-60]

....so now a trial fit of most of my gauges.

I'm initially using a Smiths 4" metric speedometer (for registration purposes), but the intention is to change out to the E-Type / XKE 160mph 5" speedometer pictured.



Cheers,
Glen

[xb-60]

Hot water test...makes sense to do it now