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The guys that did my MOT picked up on a couple of things (like poor beam patterns and couple of bolts that needed tightening). I was also pleased to know the emmisions test wasn't going to hold any nasty surprises.
It also gave me confidence to set out on a 80 mile round trip
putting rubber boots over the bottom of the front shocks.
making sure all of the nuts on the front end are tight.
putting rubber around the exhaust escutcheons
hooking up the heater control
putting titanfast just about everywhere it would stick
covering up sharp bits on the steering rack
As I had achieved so much, I decided to treat myself and 'ahem' calibrate the speedo...
Ecky thump! The pick up is amazing, and she just hurls herself down the road. Mind you, I do know that my face mask is not going to be up to the job on Friday, as the feeling is only just coming back into my face!
I'm off to my mates later on to borrow a crash helmet.
The wife of my friend I'm borrowing the crash helmet from has done matching gearstick gaiter for me. The one I got from the seat company was the wrong shape, and I destroyed it trying to get it to fit.
Makes me glad I stuffed the other one up, as this one fits perfectly! Thanks Hil!
Contemplating getting some rolled exhaust tips for the test. I'm beginning to worry that the IVA man may take a dim view of me trying to circumvent the rules with the inboard pointing pipes.
Also - I have titanfast'd each of the trailing bonnet 'gills' - I have three on each side (just before the exhaust pipe, and the end of the side bonnet and the end of the A pillar panel, just before the door). Is that enough? I wouldn't have thought they'd be able to get to a sharp edge on the others with the sphere of doom...
But if you know differently, tell me so I can add another couple of kilos of rubber and plastic to her.
I made a little "bumper bar" to make sure the tips were inside the touchable area according to the rules. Passed the edge testing no problems like that
Also - I have titanfast'd each of the trailing bonnet 'gills' - I have three on each side (just before the exhaust pipe, and the end of the side bonnet and the end of the A pillar panel, just before the door). Is that enough? I wouldn't have thought they'd be able to get to a sharp edge on the others with the sphere of doom...
But if you know differently, tell me so I can add another couple of kilos of rubber and plastic to her.
Mine failed on these as I hadn't covered them. You just need to cover the last ones as you have done as the others aren't contactable. I used a rubber U glued on.
I do have a worry over the stuff I have behind the dash though now. I just wonder if they'd not like where my fuse panel is, saying it may be a contactable sharp object... I'm toying worth the idea of covering it up with some sort of panel covered in carpet.
When the panel is clipped up in place, it's above the line of the bottom edge of the dash... What do you think? Am I just making work for myself?
Mine failed on an edge on the fuse box. I don't know exactly how the rule works but in my view it was above the line of the dashboard (just). If it were me though I would leave it as is for now. The odds are they will find something else to fail it on anyway (they enjoy their job at Leighton...). Why fix something you may not need to fix? Better to concentrate on making sure you have all the documentation in place at this stage. IMHO of course :-)
Robin
PS Weather now looking good for Friday. B* cold but at least not raining!
I think an extensive set-up session is required after the test though, as It just felt a bit skittish on the front. Maybe it's just me though, as I'm used to driving something that weighs a hell of a lot heavier!
Well, that's it. I've crossed off all the jobs on my list, Gathered up all the tools and spares that will be in the support vehicle, and I'm not going out to do anything else to her prior to the test.
I want a nice early night tomorrow. Have to be there at 08:00. :/
Ok - last question before I really do say enough is enough - how much bolt did you leave protruding on the seat mounts?
I used fairly long bolts to allow easier alignment when I dropped the seats in, and with a big load spreading washer and nylock on them there still about an inch of thread showing. Should I leave them be, or should I dremel them off a couple of turns above the top of the nylock?
And really the last question - the mesh I have in my centre console - radius issue or not? I know Robin had his doubts. I don't think just covering up the vents would be a good idea, as don't I have to prove that it works if it's fitted? An unvented heater could be deemed to be 'not working'...
Ok - last question before I really do say enough is enough - how much bolt did you leave protruding on the seat mounts?
I used fairly long bolts to allow easier alignment when I dropped the seats in, and with a big load spreading washer and nylock on them there still about an inch of thread showing. Should I leave them be, or should I dremel them off a couple of turns above the top of the nylock?
I don't think it matters. Foe tidyness I try to use the right length bolts. They are also easier to undo in 5 years time when the thread has rusted!
And really the last question - the mesh I have in my centre console - radius issue or not? I know Robin had his doubts. I don't think just covering up the vents would be a good idea, as don't I have to prove that it works if it's fitted? An unvented heater could be deemed to be 'not working'...
I would leave it for now and see what they say.
Good luck for tomorrow - weather lookin' good at the moment. Make sure you take your sarnies. The LB centre is in the middle of nowhere and the only facility thay had when I was there was an awfull coffee machine.
My seat bolts had about 25mm showing and a big penny washer, no comment by my tester.
Are you going to have a spare wheel fitted? I heard of one that failed the radius test because the tread pattern was too sharp! I took mine off at the centre and added to the huge pile of tools I took with me.
No, no spare fitted yet, so they shouldn't get me on that.
My support vehical looks as if it may have most of my garage in there at the moment - Big box of spare bolts, nylocks, washers, sundry bits of titan fast and rubber edging, cable ties, nut covers...
And I'm taking the whole top box off my tool cart, along with my socket set and a whole load of electrical tools. Wondering if I need to take my cordless drill....
I took a (Marlin) boot full of stuff as well. I didn't have the luxury of a support vehicle!
I didn't use any of it in the end as the first thing they failed me on (contactable edge on ECU) wasn't possible to do a quick fix for. After that it was better to wait until I got home and make the changes at my leisure.
Anyway - with all the effort you have put in and all the experience of guys that have done it before you I reckon you stand a better chance than most of a pass first time!
I did use the tools however as one of the wings got very loose on the way back - but you shouldn't have that problem as you have the "re-designed" wing mount :-)
The test process is very interesting if you can remain detached. The scariest bit is when they stick it on the rolling road and run it up to 2/3 max revs for 5 minutes. That's when you find out if the cooling works OK!
It's also a bit scary when the tester goes tearing off to the little test track to do the final "drive it" test. This only happens right at the end when they are fairly happy themselves that nothing is going to fall off....
Thanks - My nerves are starting to get the better of me now though...
As for the rolling road bit - do they do the brake testing on that? Only when I took it for the MOT, the inspector there asked me what sort of diff I had, and when I said it was an LSD, he said 'good job I didn't put it on the rollers then' and checked the brakes with a weighted gadget he put on the passenger side floor during a quick drive up and down the test centre service road.
When mine was tested, the 1st set of rollers is to check the speedo so they wind it up to 70odd (without strapping it down!), they did all the ramp inspections then tested the brakes on the next set of rollers
Having followed and enjoyed your excellent build diary, I thought I had better sign up and send a message. I have had an E30 Sportster kit progressing slowly in the garage for longer than I care to admit to! Hopefully, admitting my existence on this site will inspire me to get on and finish.
hwell: 