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Thanks, looks like need to place another order with CBS! Although I might get the car SVA'd first see if it fails - this is where my plan of 4 pipes comes back to bite me in my pocket
I was going to finally fit my floors today but one thing lead to another...
Whilst fitting the brake light switch (for which you need very long arms) I noticed the brake servo extension piece was neatly bolted up with a 8mm bolt and lock nut but very little of the bolt was sticking out of the end of the lock nut.
I've seen lately some SVA failure reports for having lock nuts without the sufficient number of threads exposed. There was no way I could get to this bolt without removing the servo. Bad enough now I thought, but almost impossible after the floor is in and the bonnet sides on, so I decided it had to come out. What a waste of time, but now it's done and one less thing to worry about. I've notced a few other bolts down there that need changing as well.
Whilst under the car I took another look at the clearance of my propshaft gearbox flange. It doesn't seem to touch but it is very close to gear change mechanism. I think it is because my gearbox is too high at the back.
I am going to take another look tommorow and see if there is some way of dopping the back of the 'box a little. Not sure if there is enough flex in my exhaust pipes?
The bad news is that raising or lowering the gearbox made no difference to the gap between my propshaft flange and the gear change mechanism.
And the good news is that the gap is only about 1mm but pretty well fixed so shouldn't be a problem. I also didn't need to modify the position of my gearbox mounting bar.
I will have see in practice if it touches when he car is on the move...
Quick update on progress over the last week or two, dodging the rain showers.
I've fitted the rear wings and number plate lights, fog light and reversing light.(sorry no pics yet)
Today, I fitted the rear 'hamburger' lights and the fuel filler cap and hose.(Drilling 135mm diameter holes for the lights was a bit scary and I had to buy a new piece of fuel hose as the piece provided by Marlin was hopelessly too short.)
Not much to show, as the wings are off again, so that I can remove the rear tub to finish the wiring, seat belt slots and fuel tank breather pipe.
Can I ask what seats you are using? The central support for the head restraint means .... you can have a head restraint! With the seats I have, from an MX5, the head restraint supports foul the seatbelts so I can't use them.
Hi Robin,
yes, I was pleased the way the straps go around the seats.
My seats are second hand and were bought off eBay. They do have a makers name on them but I think they are quite old. They are well made with a proper steel subframe. The guy who sold them said they came out of a Westfield but I'm not sure if that is true as he didn't seem to have a Westfield and was selling them for a mate or something? I've never heard of the makers name and currently can't remember what it is! The seats came with no head restraints and after searching for something similar at shows spotted some MG midget ones on eBay that looked like they might fit. Turns out I was right and the fittings are the same.
Just one problem, the ratchet mechanism in the one of the seats is jammed or rusted. I'm hoping a good soaking of grease will eventaully free it up. Failing that i'll have to see if I can get the cover off to investigate.
The seats are very low, so I sit well down inside the car. I may have to mount them on some angle to raise them up a bit if it turns out to be too low in practise.
Yes - a little progress - hoping to be able to start the engine pretty soon but I keep finding little things I have forgotten to do. I am fiddling with the fuel tank at the moment. Cleaned all the crap out of it by filling it full of water to rinse it out. I was surprised how heavy it was when full which has caused me to rethink the wimpy straps that hold it in place. I think I might get some flanges welded to the tank and bolt it directly to the chassis. Other than that the engine is pretty much ready to start - so hopefully sometime in the next two weeks.
Those Borbets will be great They'll probably need a small spacer once a tyre is on. Rim protector tyres will stick out past the edge of the alloy about a good 5 - 8mm depending on the size tyre you put on
Hi Peter-Jan,
I believe that a number of cars fitted with these 'truck' lights have passed the SVA without any problem including a guy called Stuart that posts here occasionally.
I've not yet heard of anyone having a problem?
Peter
Thanks, Stuart. You must have been posting while I was still writing!
Yes, they are from Stafford Vehicle Components. I like the 'retro' look of them but they are not 'e' marked, so may be saved for after the SVA.
Last Sunday I fitted the scuttle closure plate and this afternoon I did a 'rainy day job' and cut the holes in the nose cone.
The stainless steel grill supplied by Marlin is diffifult to cut and quite 'see through' but very strong, so good protection for the radiator.
Another couple of small jobs today.
Fitted the radiator fan and gave the car a test drive to check the propshaft flange. Everything was OK and the engine was quieter now the tappets have been adjusted.
Update pictures here.... http://www.flickr.com/photos/peters-bmwmarlin/page2/
This weeks progress was hampered by other commitments like getting my wife's car some new tyres and trawling motorbike shops to find a moped for my son!
I managed to get a couple of hours in the garage this afternoon to fit the driving lights and a trial fitting of a headlamp.
Picture update here.......... http://www.flickr.com/photos/peters-bmwmarlin/
There seems to be split opinion on whether the Headlamps should be in front or behind the shock absorber mounting?
- this is where my plan of 4 pipes comes back to bite me in my pocket 
