Sorry for the delay we have now recovered from losing the server.  The blog is now running again, however you will notice that pictures and catogaries are currently missing theses will be added over the next few weeks.

Cheers
David.

Started work today on replacing the rover instruments with a special digital dash.

I took the front panel off the rover instruments as this fits the hole and the cut out the spaces of the old dials to give the correct sized hole. to fit the new digital dash.

Then I made a template for the mounting panel marking out where I would need to cut slots for the clip on parts of the old dash moulding.

This then got transfered onto aluminum and cut out.

The I had to mark the perspex cover slots on the panel and cut these out. The result of this being a new dash cluster.

Then I had to mark the mounting holes and the connector holes for the new LCD gauges.

Finally putting all together I get the first sight of what it will look like.

Still some work to be done though the aluminium is to be replaced by carbon fibre to match the data logger and I also need to make a holder for the data logger in the dash at the moment this looks like i need to make a mould and fabricate a fibreglass mount for it to blend into the dash.

OK, so I’ve had some fun with getting the fuel sorted on the car, but finally i think I am there (or nearly).

Due to a design change and then the early IVA draft indicating that I needed to have the original fuel filler I had to make a complicated mounting bracket and fit it to the car, this made the fit of the tank very tight, but was satisfied when it was in.

Then I had the fun of a blocked injector rail which took some time to find.  After fixing though the engine fired up and I was sure I was there… Alas  not to be, on filling the tank more I found a hairline crack in teh lower weld line which meant that the tank was leaking fuel.  So after a call to Marlin it was removed and sent back for repair.

Two weeks later it returned fixed, it took some trouble to re-fit but once in looked better than the first time which is good, and on filling it no longer leaked from the weld lines, however upon brimming the tank I discovered that the pump/sender would not seal fully, as the bolts go through into where the fuel is stored this was acting as a wick and fuel was gradually travelling up the bolts and out onto the surface of the tank.

After some searching I have discovered a gasket making product that is resistant to fuel, so ordered some from Merlin Motorsport (arrived today).  Last night I emptied some of the tank back into the fuel can, using the pump to do so (why not). So hopefully when I have removed the pump and applied the gasket sealing compound I will be ok.

fired up today under her own power !!!! major build milestone.

Here is the video 

Video of First Start (38MB)

Ok haven’t posted for a bit but have made some major progress in the last month.

I have fitted unfitted fitted, unfitted and finally fitted the fuel tank.

Ok I have now added a photo album with over 1000 build photos todate, just click on the photos button at the top of the page and then click on the link to the album.

Eventualy I will fix the code so it goes directly from the top button

Another milestone.

Cool today has been a day of deliveries.

A nice sheet of Ali plate 5mm thick to construct my pedal box mount has arrived that certainly wont flex with the clutch pedal being pressed.

Loads of bulbs for all the front lights an absolute bargin on ebay

Ok, I’m now back from Madrid, Christmas is out of the way.

Need I say any more..