AP2289 Build log 'stage 2'

[xb-60]

Hood latches are in....



Still a long way to go, but slowly coming together.


Cheers!
Glen

[Jaydee]

My engineer in Adelaide didn't allow for those. Rules about someone being struck and going up the bonnet to be finally hit by the bonnet catch. So i had to install flush racing button type latch.

[Alfa02]

Glen, she's starting to look like a Cobra, rather then Cobra parts Your paint (Color & choice) is just RIGHT!!! Any time frame yet, or just when it's done, it's done?? Oh and always great job, My Friend. Took the "Little Pik-nik 289" out yesterday, took 20years off my true age Felt 29, no make that 39, no 20 minus 65 yeah, yeah 45. Damn can't remember how old I am Now what were we talking about Cheers TommyRot.

[xb-60]

Originally Posted by Jaydee

My engineer in Adelaide didn't allow for those. Rules about someone being struck and going up the bonnet to be finally hit by the bonnet catch. So i had to install flush racing button type latch.

Yeah JD, I'm aware of that. There will be a temporary 'fix' at the appropriate time

[xb-60]

Originally Posted by Alfa02

Glen, she's starting to look like a Cobra, rather then Cobra parts Your paint (Color & choice) is just RIGHT!!! Any time frame yet, or just when it's done, it's done?? Oh and always great job, My Friend. Took the "Little Pik-nik 289" out yesterday, took 20years off my true age Felt 29, no make that 39, no 20 minus 65 yeah, yeah 45. Damn can't remember how old I am Now what were we talking about Cheers TommyRot.

Thanks Tom. Yes, good when it stops just looking like a shell. Time frame? Can't say with any accuracy. Never know who might read this

Cheers,
Glen

Stay sensible and safe you guys.

[xb-60]

A shot of my somewhat 'challenged' workshop/garage. Time to update my posters? If you look closely, there's an Alain Prost poster that says "World Champion 1986"



Update on progress.... currently making up a "cradle" / support structure for the engine.

Cheers,
Glen

[1795]

Glen,

Reminds me of my old workshop, not a whole hell of a lot of room to maneuver in.

Jim

[xb-60]

That picture actually shows it up worse than it really is. I did a big tidy up yesterday, freeing up some floor space and also storage space.
In the end though, you work with what you've got.

Cheers,
Glen

[tkb289]

Glen,

I would say you are certainly making the most of the space you have and the quality of your work speaks for itself.

Are you planning to paint the underside of the boot? A bit of black satin paint will make it a lot less noticeable. I painted the underside of the spare tire well on my FIA and it made a pretty noticeable difference. Purely cosmetic but something to consider down the road. The real priority is getting the car on the road, but all in due time. Just keep doing what you are doing ...

[xb-60]

Hi Tim,

I think after the car makes it onto the road, there will be quite a list of things to still be done. Know what you mean about the tank....and not sure whether to paint it or not. It is actually more noticeable from the sides than the rear, and that pic. is taken from quite low down too. The tank is aluminium alloy, and the car is modelled on a detuned racer, so maybe the look of a non-standard alloy tank is OK. Jury's still out

Cheers!
Glen

[xb-60]

Distractions lately, and not much progress in the garage. So, a couple of jobs "partly" done.

First was quick and easy....assembling the Nolathane bushes to the engine mount brackets:



Will still be a few weeks before the engine goes in.


Second was making up the engine support frames.
These are to support the engine when it comes off the engine stand and has the Canton oil pan, the scattershield and the Toploader fitted:




Cheers, friends, and stay safe
Glen

[tkb289]

Hi Glen,

Well that setup looks very stout indeed. Will you add some casters to the rails or mount the rails to some thick plywood that has casters on it? That should make positioning the motor under the car a lot easier.

[xb-60]

Hi Tim,

What I've done is to make up a frame with casters. I had hoped to have the frame as close to the floor as possible, but mounting the casters was becoming too complex for the time available, so it's back to "simple and quick". The engine + trans. + support frames can then sit on the caster frame.

I'll post a pic. of it when I've cleaned it up a bit.

Cheers,
Glen

[xb-60]

Greetings all,
No progress in the last couple of weeks; it's cold out there in an unheated garage
I'm back working on the fuel system; have to get that well advanced before the engine and trans. go in.
So...today did a test fit of the skid plate for the fuel tank lowest point.



I'll remove it now and continue with the fuel filters and the fuel pump. The rock catcher is to be fitted just above the skid plate, and the second filter and the fuel pump are mounted on the bottom face of the trans. tunnel.

Cheers, and stay safe
Glen

Sharp eyes might pick up the front end of an Alfa twin cam engine in there somewhere.

[tkb289]

Hi Glen,

Nice work as always.

I have been wondering, what type of sheetmetal tools do you have ... a shear and a brake?

On the skid plate any thoughts as to some wood or hard rubber, rub blocks?

[xb-60]

Originally Posted by xb-60

....The engine + trans. + support frames can then sit on the caster frame.

I'll post a pic. of it when I've cleaned it up a bit.....

Hi Tim,

Here's the previously mentioned caster frame...

[xb-60]

Originally Posted by tkb289

...I have been wondering, what type of sheetmetal tools do you have ... a shear and a brake?

On the skid plate any thoughts as to some wood or hard rubber, rub blocks?

Umm...no, no panbrake folder or guillo, just my home-made vice, a few clamps, a jigsaw, welder, a bit of brute strength and some cunning can make or fix most things.

Have to admit, though, I didn't make the skid plate. That came from PACE, but would have been quite simple to make.

The bottom of the skid plate is at a guess 30mm higher than the bottom of the monocoque, so extra 'skids' on the skid plate aren't really necessary.

Cheers,
Glen

[tkb289]

The caster frame looks stout and should do the trick, glad to see that Alfie is on the job inspecting your work. It’s impressive what can be done with fairly modest tools, but it’s the 'brute strength and cunning' that is the important part. Keeping rocks and other debris away from the fuel tank is good idea and hopefully you can avoid those altogether. Hopefully warmer weather will be coming soon and you can get back out in your garage / shed and continue the progress.

- Tim

[xb-60]

Had one of those days today…it took a long time before things started to go my way….

I’m working on the fuel lines and before connecting to the fuel tank, I needed to flush the tank because I knew there was aluminium swarf in the tank from cutting a large hole and six tapped holes for mounting the fuel gauge sender. So, opened the Aston LM type gas cap, and of course the inner (modern) cap is locked. I grab the plastic bag with my collection of keys (trunk, hood catches etc.) but no key for the gas cap.

Long story short, took about three hours for a search for the errant key and a well-overdue tidy-up before I found the d@mn key. Well, at least my bench is significantly less cluttered now.

Then I started the flush process; needed two catch buckets because of the twin outlet/return hoses, and one of the buckets started leaking on the third flush. I was being very careful not to spill any fuel at the top end, and didn’t see what was happening at the lower end.

Called it a day then.


Cheers, and stay safe, my friends!
Glen

[1795]

Glen,

Wel,l that is one of the days out of the way. We each have a quota of those to go through in life and now you have one less one to endure. The end is near and soon the wind will be in your face and a smile will be spreading from ear to ear.

Jim