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Post by Mark W on Jan 30, 2014 15:17:30 GMT
Hi all,
Mark here, new to the site and father of Jack (12 yo) from Perth Australia. We've just put the deposit down on a yellow MEV Rocket. I've got a picture of our little beast but haven't worked out how to upload it yet.
We are complete novices. I'm an ex-RAAF pilot now in management; and Jack is well ... a 12 yo school kid. So far I've got an empty garage, a set of cheap Chinese tools you'd use to assemble Ikea furniture, and a MEV Rocket kit inbound. Eke!!
So as Jack and I start sorting out the garage and acquiring necessary tools, does anyone have any suggestions for must do things for the first month to get of to a good start?
Also, so we can get into the spirit of things, does anyone know where we can buy MEV/RTR merchandise like hats and shirts?
Thanks to any/all. We're looking forward to getting to know some of you.
Cheers,
Mark
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Post by sandancer73 on Jan 30, 2014 20:23:32 GMT
Hi Mark & Jack,
Welcome to the forum and MEV experience. I also have just took receipt of my Rocket so a little ahead of you.
Recommended tools-
Combination spanners, socket set, cordless drill, drill bits, lazy tongs, spring dividers, bench vice, tape measure, scribe, patience, time to read many build threads (the manual is very basic to say the least), determination& a camera for progress photos.
Good luck.
Lee
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Post by kiwicanfly on Jan 31, 2014 7:33:53 GMT
Hi Mark,
I am building a Rocket over the ditch in NZ.
When does your kit arrive?
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Post by Mark W on Feb 1, 2014 3:32:29 GMT
Hi Sandancer, thanks for the list. I'm off this weekend to start looking for tools.
KCF, I think I'll get the kit in the next few weeks. Southam Automotive Engineering (Australian distributors) are welding Zetec engine mounts on and powder costing in satin silver. How far progressed are you?
Question, what did you guys use to mount the frame on initially? I've seen some car stands on a wooden base, then on wheels to move around the garage. Is that the go or over kill?
Cheers and thanks.
M
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Post by kiwicanfly on Feb 1, 2014 7:27:46 GMT
How far progressed are you? Sometimes I think I am progressing well at other I wonder if I'll ever get there such is the dilemma of a Rocket builder. However I am building my Rocket the way I want at my own pace, one think I learnt is that you should work to your own deadlines and as long as you are happy with your work then don't worry about others, some build fast some build slow. You will come across my diary if you have not done so already, I keep it reasonably up to date. Disappointed that you are not getting a kit shipped from the UK though as we could have had another round of "Where in the world is......" www.mevowners.proboards.com/thread/3109/where-world
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Post by bingo on Feb 1, 2014 7:39:27 GMT
I have mine on a motorbike lift, so can change the height to what best suits. For example when I work on the suspension its at 900mm of the floor, but when working on the interior its 300mm of the floor.
Enjoy the build, when u need help just ask we are all experts in..............posting crap.
Bingo
Sent from my SM-N9005 using proboards
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Post by dgibson on Feb 2, 2014 15:59:40 GMT
Welcome to the forum, some great help here, and very knowledgeable people. The Tech forums are very useful. I used three wheels and tires, with a board on top, and a folding work bench, that put it at a nice height for me to work on the floor (and kept the roll bar from touching the floor). (see the first page of South Texas Rocket Build) Once we got the floor on, I left it on that platform for a couple of months working on some basic suspension. At that point, I dropped it down to four jack stands well padded with towels not to damage the black powder coat. Cheers
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Post by sandancer73 on Feb 4, 2014 12:35:38 GMT
Hi Sandancer, thanks for the list. I'm off this weekend to start looking for tools. KCF, I think I'll get the kit in the next few weeks. Southam Automotive Engineering (Australian distributors) are welding Zetec engine mounts on and powder costing in satin silver. How far progressed are you? Question, what did you guys use to mount the frame on initially? I've seen some car stands on a wooden base, then on wheels to move around the garage. Is that the go or over kill? Cheers and thanks. M Your welcome Mark, I currently have the floor fitted (including front radiator bay), all wishbones / hubs & suspension fitted, steering rack and column fitted (steering extension in manufacture with temporary in place), templates for front and rear bulkhead and front side panels, rear calpiers fitted and handbrake operational and finally rear tunnel section cut out (awaiting ally angle to fix to floor). Reasonable progress working on my own in a standard size garage with a budget on a month by month basis. Mine is currently supported off the floor by 2 400mm wooden supports (borrowed from work) which has been fine. The idea of a lifting unit like Bingo is a good idea, just be cautious you are constantly adding weight and don't forget your own weight (and others) if working inside / over the car. What spec are you planning to go for?
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Post by Mark W on Feb 4, 2014 14:31:19 GMT
Hi all, Sundancer I'm not sure we get much of a spec choice in Australia. Our Rocket chassis have additional structure in them to meet local torsion requirements so that is a difference. I'm going with the Zetec 2.0 engine which I hope to boost up towards 200HP with Omex gear and other mods on top (more to follow here). I'm getting the idea that simple trestles will suffice to support the car when inverted to put the floor on. After that I'm planning on car jacks to lift it 300-400mm of the ground (thanks dgibson!!). The kit is yet to be delivered. Southam Auto Eng (SAE) are doing a pre-fitment trial of all the suspension before they power-coat the frame and suspension. I reckon that's pretty good service to be honest. They want to make sure it fits together right first time. A big hat tip to Terry Southam and the team. I'm off this weekend to buy tools with Jack and start getting the garage in order. Hey another question. I can't work out how to attach photos from either the website or using the iPhone app. On the website the post editor asks for the image URL? Answer = don't know as it's saved to the hard drive? What's the secret? Thanks all, cheers Mark
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Post by bingo on Feb 4, 2014 14:56:02 GMT
open an account on photobucket, upload the photo's to there. when you view the photo in photobucket, there is a box to the left which as URL address, click on that it says copied. Back in the forum click on add picture and right click then paste, hey presto!!!!! sounds easy took me almost three months to figure it out!!!
Your other option is get Jack to do it, only take him a couple of seconds I'm sure.
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Post by Mark W on Feb 13, 2014 13:24:15 GMT
Hi all, Hope you're all going well. I've worked out how to attach photos and below is our Rocket before it goes for 'satin silver' powder coating. Jack wanted a yellow car with a black frame, for me it was red with a silver frame. I we compromised on yellow and silver. Since I'm not the most mechanically minded, we went with the Ford Zetec 2.0 litre engine option. Evidently it is one of the easier to install and play with. We've pretty much bought all the optional pieces that Terry from Southam Auto Eng recommended except for the dash, steering wheel, and seats. Jack has the challenge to come up with a paint scheme with matching seats and steering wheel that looks cool. We are expecting delivery in maybe 2 weeks.... Can't wait.
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Post by Mark W on Apr 14, 2014 14:32:34 GMT
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Post by Mark W on Apr 14, 2014 14:33:55 GMT
Hmmm, That didn't work... Perhaps... ??
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Post by Mark W on Apr 14, 2014 14:37:38 GMT
And...
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Post by markinireland on Apr 17, 2014 22:29:45 GMT
Interesting additional gussets and triangulation on your frame, because I was thinking of putting some in on my uk spec chassis once the test build was complete so I know what space is available etc and before I get it powder coated. If you could take some more pics of all the extra bracing and post them or pm me I'd be very grateful :-) Cheers, Mark
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