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Exciting stuff Barber, each piece getting closer. A big fan of the Zagato front end so that face needs to be right. But it looks like you are heading in the right direction.
I’ll update as soon as I have more on the roofline, but Chris and Dan are getting closer, a bit more progress has been made from the last pictures seen and they have sorted how the window infill/mouldings will work so just need to execute that and all should be good.
I have been working my way through the fuse checks to see what is causing the draw. No progress during the cold snowy weather, and up to Fuse 31. They are fiddly little blighters, even with the extractor tool.
As I am using one of these:
there are two insertions and two extractions for each fuse. And due to the position of the fuses near the bulkhead, you tend to stand a bit too close and have to lean backwards.
However, now that the battery is charged up, the solar charger on the dashboard that IanA recommended seems to be doing the job. I have also bee taking the car out for a 10 mile trip every 5 or 6 days just to make sure that it starts and goes.
The fuel gauge warning beeps and the light comes on when ignition is switched on. Internet advice is to put some fuel cleaner in the tank a few times and see if it frees up the sensor mechanism. I had let the fuel get very low, so it is possible it is gunked up. We shall see. Otherwise it will be a sensor replacement.
The car drives noticeably but not unpleasantly firmer on the coil overs, so that is a relief. I really only got them to accommodate the wider wheels on the front and to allow height adjustment once the new panels are fitted. I got AP coil overs, and was advised by a mechanic (after purchase) that they are prone to knocking in the Z3 mounts. Luckily, that has not happened either.
Edit. Now checked fuses up to 46. The only draw is on the alarm / door lock remote circuit, so nothing is out of wack so far. I think there are some under the dashboard to try, and also there is a possibility of a sticky relay switch. I'll just have to keep plodding on.
You are right, it has similarities with AM, but we are not trying to replicate it. The grill on top, was a possibility if it looked half decent, but Chris was really showing how the Mondeo grill was a good fit. The Fiesta has a nicer, better proportioned grill, but is was not wide enough. However, recessing the grill disguises some of the Mondeo grill shortcomings. We'll have to see what Chris does with it depth-wise once the vents are placed underneath. we should probably take some account of kerb clearance, I have done plenty of concrete scraping with other cars.
PS Good to see the photos of your rolling chassis again, it is a cracking job.
Interesting device- I have fitted a battery isolation switch in the boot so just loosen that and link a meter across the terminals. The leads are long enough for it to sit on the roof in plain view whilst pulling each fuse in turn.
I'm looking forward to replacing my seats- I think that my earthing/drain problems are due to dampness around the crash sensor module on the passenger side floor.
I am waiting for the weather to cheer up before using a multimeter to check the source of battery draw in the Range Rover.
There are 65 to check in the front fuse box plus a separate fuse box in the boot that I spotted the other day.
I read somewhere that it was a bad idea to simply pull the fuses on anything vaguely modern as there are lots of interrelated electronic bits sitting on different circuits. Things like the door shut affects the interior light and also the alarm and radio. If you pull the fuse on one it might temporarily fix the issue on the related circuit so it doesn't show when tested.
I'm sure that the 'On top' photo is just to show the size of the Mondeo grille compared to the size of the bonnet opening.
Either way, the mouth opening and recessed grille do shout Aston.
Good luck, Paul.
A Ford grille is surely the way to go (avoiding any upsets with AM!) - could Ford get upset? I doubt it because the rest of the car doesn't shout Ford, but where is the line crossed? I would have thought most manufacturers could point the finger at another manufacturer's 'copy' as there are many similarities. A great earner for the 'designer' I'm sure, just make something that's liked, and with a few tweeks sell it to many! Wish I had the artistic eye
A Ford grille is surely the way to go (avoiding any upsets with AM!) - could Ford get upset? I doubt it because the rest of the car doesn't shout Ford, but where is the line crossed? I would have thought most manufacturers could point the finger at another manufacturer's 'copy' as there are many similarities. A great earner for the 'designer' I'm sure, just make something that's liked, and with a few tweeks sell it to many! Wish I had the artistic eye
You'll have no issues with Ford. There have been several dozen accurate replica's done without any interference.
A Ford grille is surely the way to go (avoiding any upsets with AM!) - could Ford get upset? I doubt it because the rest of the car doesn't shout Ford, but where is the line crossed? I would have thought most manufacturers could point the finger at another manufacturer's 'copy' as there are many similarities. A great earner for the 'designer' I'm sure, just make something that's liked, and with a few tweeks sell it to many! Wish I had the artistic eye
Clearly you have observed Pininfarina and Zagato.
edit. a bit like the Billy Connolly joke about Mexican Food. Same dish rolled different ways.
IanA,
Interesting about your suggested cause of drain. When I had the leak from the lower part of the windscreen, it all tipped out into the passenger footwell and it was very soggy down there. Hmmmm.
That is really nice! Is that the Z3 binnacle fitted?
Yes, I wanted to keep it relatively simple. I might consider re-facing the instruments based on some threads from a couple of years ago. me and electrickery do not get along generally.
Yes, I wanted to keep it relatively simple. I might consider re-facing the instruments based on some threads from a couple of years ago. me and electrickery do not get along generally.
Electrickery is not my best suit either. That would be a great alternative for the 250 SWB also.
Having established that the only fuse drawing with the ignition off was the lock / alarm one, today, after a few days away, the driver side lock is playing up. This could be my problem. It seems like there is a mechanical as well as an actuator problem, but both are relatively easy fixes if the internet posts and videos are to be believed. Anyhow, I am now waiting for a replacement actuator to be delivered. I had already got the trim removal tool ready for the internal fit out. I am building up the momentum to find those pesky torx heads that are buried in the unsorted area of the garage.
I am determined not to go the route of a friend, who had two or three versions of every tool because he could not remember where he put the last one. He figured it was quicker and easier to buy a new one in off the internet. The more he replaced, the harder it got to find the one he was looking for.
His wife made a fortune on ebay when he passed away.
I have 3 of everything and still can never find the thing I need.
My big worry is that when I snuff it the wife will sell everything for what I told her I paid for it.
IanA, there is no restriction on screwdrivers and pliers. You need to have them handy, so having them in a drawer in every room, (even bedside cabinet) is quite acceptable. Torches, Stanley knives and gaffer tape the same. I would like to rule out the imaginative use of gaffer tape in the bedroom right now.
... so having them in a drawer in every room, (even bedside cabinet) is quite acceptable. ..
We visited William Morris / Lord Nuffield's house (NT property near Henley-on-Thames)on Sunday. There's a double fronted cupboard in what was his bedroom which contains a very comprehensive set of tools and equipment.
