MadaboutKitcars

This is my third herald chassis Paul, so yes it is easier.

Mind you I have been painting stuff for a week or so, so the build is pretty straightforward with new and clean painted bits.

Really want to get the frame on so I can sort the wiring and get the fuel tank in.
Need to sort out the seat and belt mountings and handbrake etc.

On a roll now so while the motivation is still here..........

So I'm guessing that since my diff only had 4 holes it must be off a late spitfire or a gt6?

I think anything after '74 had the swing spring as it was made into the standard fitment, so later spits and GT6 would definitely have the four bolt as standard.

The bolts go right through, so if you have the earlier one, the two unused bolt holes act like vents and whilst don't p*ss the diff oil out entirely, will weep a bit and throw some all over the underneath of the car!

I wonder if I slacken of the bolts and squeeze some hylomar blue between the lowering block and diff if that will seal any chance of weeping? cant say I would look forward to accessing the rest of it now all is in place..

Or just top up the diff every couple of months and smile, safe in the knowledge the rear of your chassis will never ever rot again:-)

Nice work tony, ill get you your floor pans so you can fit prior frame and body.

Post-Easter update......

I managed to get to where I wanted to be - with a rolling chassis.....








If things had gone to plan I may have had the engine and gearbox in, but I was scuppered when I found the clutch wouldn't fit!

The issue was that I am using an MG Midget 1500 engine which has a larger diameter clutch - 7.25" as opposed to the 6.5" on the Herald 1300.
I ordered up the 3-piece clutch kit for the engine only to find out that the centre plate won't fit as it has 20 splines instead of 10.



So some internet searching came up with Rimmers who do a 7.25" centre plate with the 10 spline Herald gearbox centre, so that has now been ordered. Hopefully I will be able to get the engine and box in next weekend, along with the propshaft that I ordered from Spitz Bitz.

Next up with Floorpans, frame, wiring and then I can get onto the body and interior!

It does seem to be coming together nicely (& quickly).

Despite you giving me the link to your bulkhead photos, I forgot about your Herald restoration.

I hope you are getting some bulk buying discount from your Triumph spares supplier!

Good luck, Paul.

Mike turned up with my frame tonight, so I had a chance to quickly try it on for size....

This is a new frame as the one I modified became the standard and was sold as part of another kit! I was happy with that as i wasn't ready at the time anyway.





Luckily (?) all the bolt holes lined up apart from the front two, which need a little bit of persuasion from a hammer...

The rear now comes with the petrol tank mount behind the spring, and for transport, it doesn't have the cut out for the petrol filler, so this was the first job to be done...




I purposely asked Mike not to paint the frame as I needed to modify the front end to fit the BMW e30 pedal assembly and servo unit.

After some major scratching of the head and so trial fitmets and cutting of the frame, I eventually ended up with a position that was suitable. However, it needed the steering column to go through the middle of the pedals. At the moment it is all a bt tight, although I think with some welding and modification, the pedal assembly will fit nicely around the column position.






I will make the necessary modifications tomorrow and post up some new pictures

Oh, and the engine is all ready to go in now I have the right clutch centre!

So is it engine in today Tony ? The weathers perfect go for it.

Didn't get the engine in

However, I was pleased with progress as I got the pedals and servo mounted and moving freely. Also made up the mounting for the handbrake.

I needed a bit more clearance around the steering column, so I ground out the welds on the clutch pedal and mater cylinder lever, and moved them apart by about 15mm.



The steering column I had was out of a Spitfire so had the bracket for a steering lock.. that had to go too....





so that gave me plenty of clearance for the steering column...




The BMW e30 has a remote servo that is mounted in the passenger side and connects with a push rod. so with a bit of playing around with the positioning so it operates freely and clears the wheels, I welded the bracket in as part of the frame.




The frame still needs a bit of tidying up with a bit more to cut out and modify to get it looking nice, but it all works and with some adjustment (cutting and welding) of the pedal positions, it should all be fine.

It is worth noting that Mike's Miglia Speedster kit has a heavy duty bracket normally welded into the frame for the standard triumph brake and clutch master cylinders etc, and all this work I am doing it extra as I wanted to try something different!


I also made up a recess in the centre tunnel for the handbrake. I am making the tunnel higher in this car, so it feels more sporty but I didn't want the handbrake to be too high.



So a good weekend's fetling and engineering,with just the tidying up left to do on the frame now. You get a fibreglass bulkhead with this kit, so I am going to have to modify that to fit around my new pedal mounts, but fibreglass it a little easier to adjust so I am hoping that part goes smoothly (or stickily!)

Anyway, next weekend is engine in and floors in, get the wiring sorted and brakes pipes and fuel pipes all connected....in my dreams at least!

Your build's coming along nicely 'Tone.

What's the reason for going with the BMW pedals in place of the Spit ones, is it just because you can?

Your taller prop tunnel with recessed handbrake is interesting. It really shows the versatility of the concept - you want a snug fitting cockpit so you're making a tall tunnel, I wanted more elbow room and wider seats so I made a very low one.



Vive la difference!

Loving the build, interesting to see people making stuff to suit. The engine looks great.

Mr T, I wanted a servo on this one and the complete pedal assembly with servo, clutch master cylinder etc, was only £65. I am also thinking the modern pedals may improve the drive-ability!

Also, as you say - because I can.

Like a lot of us on here, I enjoy an engineering challenge, and at least we can now say it can be done! Mind you I am going to reserve judgement until I get the engine in and it all running - moon-rover stylee - so I can test it all. I will do it all before the body goes on in case I need to change it all back to standard!



I got back my modified gear extension. It is mammoth!


The seating position is further back and so Mike does a simple extension kit on an exchange basis. It is a machined billet of aluminium and a dowelled and welded rod. I wasn't expecting this though.....








It extends the gear linkage by 400mm.

I think I may have to add a couple of rubber mounts for it when it is fitted up!

bloomin heck! thats loooooonnnnggggg will be interesting to see how good the gearshift is

Ideal for back seat drivers!!!!! LOL.

Build coming along great guns. Brake setup looks good.

Theoretically, it should be no different. The standard gearbox is remote, so this is just a longer remote!

The spartan kits have a similar tried and tested extension so I am hoping it will all be okay! fingers crossed.

Same sort if extension on me Burlington Arrow, but longer. Works fine. The stick end is chassis supported though. I recommend a new set of bushes in the gearstick too. Its a lovely shift when its all good.

Things have been pretty slow for the last month, as I have been busy elsewhere, so the Miglia took a bit of a rest.

However, today I did manage to get the engine in!

Did it the old fashioned way, with a bit of rope and a long bit of 4x2







So now that is in I can crack on with getting the wiring sorted and get the engine running.

Even the secondhand propshaft was the right one and fitted - just got to paint it up now.

I have got a sports exhaust header and a reconditioned set of carbs to go on as well - the last month has been a month of collectign all the bits left to get so I can hopefully just get on an finish it!

Good on ya mate, i take it you been busy then

Coming together nicely now, keep up the good work.

Another great build. Seeing your Sammior on ebay and then reading your build diary inspired me to build my own. So thanks for the inspiratiion

no update for a while as I have been out enjoying a new motorbike and I started a new job so been busy!

but here are a few pics of some progress - more on [url]www.mymigliaspeedster.co.uk[/url] if you are interested...

I had to 'adjust' the linkage to the servo - so a chamfer on the gear extension and a bend in the rod with my knee managed to sort that!




Played around with a lowered floorpan and found my seats were slightly too wide. I have now narrowed them by 20mm and they will fit fine. I am going for the Landrover seats again as they were very comfy in the Sammio Spyder. The backs will hinge forward to access the luggage area and with any luck I won't need to make them any shorter like I had to with the Sammio Spyder.



Got my wire wheels (ebay purchase) shot blasted and powder coated silver so they went from this:



to this....



and they look very nice on the chassis....



It did mean that I had to modify the steering rack so I could limit the lock to avoid the bigger wheels and tyres hitting on the front outrigger. A 25mm sleeve was fashioned and welded to either end of the rack..



This still gives plenty of steering lock but does not touch now...



Then I made up the floorpans for the front as well, and they all fitted quite well...



And with the frame placed on it, it is starting to look like a car...




So not a huge amount of progress, but I am going to try and get things moving now, so I can try and enjoy what is left of the summer!

Next up is a modified exhaust for which I will make up my own and use an 'end-can' from a motorbike. I have several lying around from bike projects so wondered what it would sound like!

Hi Tony, looking good mate, the pans work real well. I will pop in next week .
Keep up the good work.