MadaboutKitcars

Scottie - Glad you can take something positive out of the problem.
( i.e. better now than after paint. )

Obviously I am trying to learn as much as I can from your experience.

Good luck, Paul.

After tea

I went back out and after some thought, felt that more paste was a waste,
if you see what I mean.

It had let me down twice already, so I layered over the alloy patch building up the thickness to give real strength, (I hope!)

The bonnet does not want to be in the position that it has to be to fit correctly, so the torsional forces must be trying to split it back, if I can overcome that problem, I'm on a winner.

Latest pic for the day,

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Any of you real experts out there think this will be enough, or should I pile on more??

Big Scary Monster, check your PM's, I sent you one.

Today

I sorted out the face of the bonnet today, and although the paste had let me down, I still think its stronger than filler, so I used that to repair the surface
of the crack.

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Also today

One reason my build has dragged on a bit, is that I always seem to have multiple projects on the go, here is one of them:

I have always had a hankering for a VW camper-van, but have never bought one, mainly for two reasons,

1. It would not fit under my hedge archway

2. I have never been lucky with the Nat lottery.

They seem to cost anywhere from 6 grand up to 40 grand.

So I bought a Japanese micro-van instead (two years ago)

It comes with tiny toy 12 inch wheels with a PCD of 110mm, the only vehicle in the world to have this PCD, apart from quad-bikes and prams that is.

I sent away to Canada for adapters (they were half the price of UK ones)

It is now 4 X 100.

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Scottie does your mate not realise these for fun projects are never finished? life without brain bending projects would be very tedious in my opinion,where I am working this week there is a recently retired chap lives opposite all I have seen him do in ten days is walk to the pub twice watch his wife cut the lawn and sleep in his chair by the window from early morn onwards. His lifestyle and your build thread has spurred me on to work even harder on my projects. A break from your racing cat will make it better in the end. Keep posting pics of your bus. I have often though there must be a market for a fibre glass split screen camper, mini minus got away with it years ago with the classic mini fibreglass body if anyone remembers?

You are 100 percent correct!

We need mind bending exercises to keep ahead of the game I think.

I seem to thrive on them!

Not sure where I would put that Jaguar tread plate though??

Where would you put it?

Sunday

Regardless of all my other projects, the XK does take priority, so I spent the day finalising the bonnet ready (almost) for painting.

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Well, you are doing a great work, and it is very interesting with your updates!

Keep the good work up Scottie!

Scottie - All your prep work will really pay off when the green paint goes on.

I like your mini van.

Have you seen the VW Campervan "Tot Rods"?

I'll try to find a link to one that I think you will like tomorrow.

Good luck, Paul.

I'm sure you are right Paul, I've just left you a pep message on your page!
Stick at it!

Scottie - I finally found the link I was looking for...



VW Split Screen Camper Tot Rod Test - 420cc 16hp Volkswagen Splitty - YouTube

The video is bound to put a smile on your face.

Enjoy, Paul.

Thanks Paul!

It did put a smile on my face too!

Monday

Today I worked on the horn and fan as well as other fiddly jobs.

At the end I of the day I now have a working air horn set, and a working fan.
I have not yet fitted the temp sensor in the rad hose, but the setup still works, as I can dial up any temperature for it to kick in between zero and 120 Centigrade.

There is a chap called Mick O'Mally who is also building an A 352, and some time ago I went to see it.

He is making a really good job of it too, and I was impressed.

While I was looking at the dash, I noticed a small black button, and enquired
as to what it was, and was told to press it and find out.
So I did, and the ensuing air-horn blast almost blew me out of his build shed!

I WANT ONE!

He told me the button was a Lucas Land rover one, so now I do have one, and at the moment it sits on the dash top. (As I don't yet have a dash)

A friend of mine came round and asked the same stupid question I had asked,
and I gave him the same answer Mick had given me, he pushed the button
with the same result I had! He also crapped himself.

Good job all round. Thanks Mick!

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Talking about getting the car nice and low, I'm glad I did, but like everything else one does, it has a knock-on effect.
I looked into trial-fitting the doors yesterday, and when Chris designed the neat door hinges, they were at right angles to the body-curve of the side of the car.

Because I have lowered mine so much ( I cut two inches off the lower sides) this has had the effect of putting the hinges out of line, and they are now NOT at right angles to the car.
I can re-design and re-weld, or the option which I am hoping will work is to drill more holes in the hinge and shim them up to get the doors correct.

I have no pictures of the hinges yet, but here are two pictures of something else, can anyone spot the difference?

One car is an XKSS looking as it should, the other one is modified and looks like mine will. There are no prizes so don't ask!

(WCA) :-)

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A narrow door?

Just about Gary, because my windscreen does not come all the way round the sides, my side window will go forward a couple of inches to compensate, although the door will stay the same size if you see what I mean! (That was the best I could do in Paintshop Pro)

Well spotted !

Today

The last couple of days, I have been busy with some of my other projects, also, cutting hedges, mowing lawns and admin tasks.

But today I really wanted to get more car done.

Although the windscreen surround is "finished" and virtually ready for painting,
there is one finishing touch I will do to it before it's painted.

On the Spitfire screen-top, Triumph saw fit to put a strip of aluminium, which would take all the hammer and battering putting the roof on and off would give it.

My screen surround is made of mild steel, and if I did not do something similar,
the paint would soon scratch off, and it would start to go rusty.

Of course, a big no-no.

For weeks now, I have been searching for an off-cut to cap the screen top

with. But instead of alloy, I will use stainless steel.

This should polish up like chrome, and the more hammer and scratches it collects, the better it will look.

I finally found what I was looking for today, and started to fit it.

It is ideal, as its only 0.65mm thick, so it should be easy to work it to shape.


(Famous last words!) A quick pic, then back to the workshop.

More later.

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Later today

Well I went back and cut the strip to shape, and have shaped the rear of it which was straightforward enough, but by tea time I felt like I'd had enough
of it.

I will have to figure out the best way to shape the front over at 45 degrees.
I know it will be difficult as the steel has stretched slightly, making more problems, but I will get it right eventually.

( He said with not too much conviction!!)

If I can do it, it really will finish the screen off a treat.

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Somehow this pic fell off the end

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Scottie - I know my head hurts working out things for my own build.

But I just sit here with my jaw dropping at the things you manage to fabricate for your build!

Your car is going to be amazing.

Good luck, Paul.

You are too kind Paul!

Your skill level is such now, that you only have to think of what you want, and presto, it IS. You can create it.

You are limited only by your imagination, you are in a higher gear now, and your car is thundering along. I am so pleased for you.

Believe me, your car will look so unique, no one will see any imperfection there may be.

Did a bit more to the stainless screen top today, and think its improved it somewhat.
I was going to rivet it to the screen frame, but think I will bolt it on
using stainless nuts and bolts to give a more professional look to it.


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Finished off the stainless screen top today.

The front bending process was not as bad as I thought.

I polished it up a bit afterwards, I will drill the holes and fix it to the screen before removing it for screen painting.

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