Skip to main content

MadaboutKitcars

This is a read-only archive of the old Madabout Kitcars forum. New posts and replies are no longer possible, but every thread is still here to browse and read.

NIKE 55's G46 BUILD...

3 Feb 2015, 8:54am
A fixed deadline could be a great motivator to get stuck in and force decisions. :cool:

As, initially, I wasted a lot of time trying to work out the "best" way of doing something.

Whereas now, I am happy to find "any" way of getting the job done, so I can move forward to the next one.

I've also learnt that sometimes you just have to go a bit mad to make progress.



:icon_wink:

Good luck, Paul. :)
24 Feb 2015, 12:23am
Just read through this whole thread on my old car again. Remind me why you ave a replacement engine in hand? is the fitted one nackered? I removed my race engine when I sold it but fitted a very good one with unleaded heads.
24 Feb 2015, 10:27pm
scimjim wrote:
... Remind me why you ave a replacement engine in hand? ...


Jim - I don't want to put words in Nigel's mouth, but this post may cover part of the problem...

Nike55 wrote:
...The car had been left unprotected and is in a worse state than expected...

While at Poole someone removed the carb air cleaner, smashed the oil filler cap and took out the spark plugs.

I do not know if the engine is ok but there is a lot of fibre glass dust around the carb...


:icon_sad:
24 Feb 2015, 10:39pm
thanks Paul - that's all I could find so I wondered if there was another reason. I'd just whip the heads off and clean it up - new HG and inlet manifold gaskets never hurt (use quality not ebay specials). Oil change and it'll be fine. They're an agricultural engine and a bit of dust and rust won't kill it :)
26 Feb 2015, 7:17pm
Sorry I missed the above posts - working too hard at work!

The only reason for buying the engine was to (eventually) rebuild it as it might come in handy some time in the future, plus the fact it came with a gearbox with overdrive...

I'm sure the current engine once 'recommissioned' will be as good as it was before it went away....and it was very good.
26 Feb 2015, 7:39pm
It was over 15 years ago that I rebuilt the car (and engine/box were replaced at least once after that) but you'll need to check the back axle ratio - here's some info for you:

early overdrive box (up to chassis 93/2477 - type 5 box with LH type overdrive - sometimes called the type Z as it was apparently fitted to the Zodiac?)

1st 3.163:1
2nd 2.214:1
3rd 1.412:1
o/d 3rd 1.158:1
4th 1:1
o/d 4th 0.82:1
axle 4HA 3.31:1 (first 500 cars had a 7HA with 3.58)
26.7 mph @ 1000 rpm in o/d 4th

later overdrive box (hybrid Type F box with J type overdrive)

1st 3.163:1
2nd 1.95:1
3rd 1.412:1
o/d 3rd 1.098:1
4th 1:1
o/d 4th 0.778:1
axle 4HA 3.31:1
28.1 mph @ 1000 rpm in o/d 4th

4 speed (type 5 box):

1st 3.163:1
2nd 1.95:1
3rd 1.412:1
4th 1:1
axle 4HA 3.07:1
23.7 mph @ 1000 rpm in 4th

Also remember that the overdrive clutches are hydraulic but the 4 speed is cable (there was a hydraulic Bellhousing available from Ford but rare now) so the pedal etc needs modifying. Both the 4 speed and the 3.07 axle (if you have one) are getting rarer and sought for sprint cars.
4 Mar 2015, 6:50pm
Thanks for the info Scimjim, very useful.
28 Aug 2018, 12:23pm
Anyone know what happened to this/Nigel?
8 Sep 2018, 5:26am
Unfortunately, no.

But it would be nice to hear how some of the original builders are getting on.
31 Jan 2019, 8:19am
Quick Update:

I heard from Nigel/Nike55 and although his G46 build stalled a few years ago, he still has the car and is planning to restart his build some time this year.

So with a bit of luck there will be an update at some point in 2019.
3 Sep 2025, 11:41am
Hi Paul, hope all is well.

By way of an update...had a lot of problems trying to log back onto this site so gave up a few years ago but this updated site seems to work.

Work seriously got in the way of the build and the car has sat around on the drive for the last 12 years. I recently retired and moved to Kent and now have the luxury of a workshop / garage which needs organising. I have a few 'house' projects to get through before winter sets in but hope to start stripping the car soon - obviously a complete ground up restoration is required. To that end I have downloaded and printed out masses of build info and ideas from various sites and I'm looking forward to putting it all together.

Not sure if I'll post the build on here. I think I'd prefer to write a seperate blog and just post a link to it - it would give me better editorial control.

Drive safely.

Cheers. Nike55