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Post by snowbird1 on Oct 13, 2014 15:50:19 GMT
Back in Arizona, just starting to cool down a bit here (38deg), nice to get back to work on the car and try to remember where I left everything! First job – remove the temporary parts and start final assembly. Still plenty of work to do.   Drove it round a bit, suspension is surprisingly compliant but the rear shocks are ‘topped out’ so I need to get some rebound travel into them. Does not look bad at the current ride height but I want to lower it a bit. No oil or coolant leaks, not overheating. I guess my temporary fix on the cylinder head core plug is holding but don't want to go far until it is replaced, I'm a bit concerned about the other ferrous parts of the cooling system. |
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Post by R2S on Oct 13, 2014 16:47:46 GMT
When you going to fit the spinners and post a photo?
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Post by snowbird1 on Oct 29, 2014 16:31:43 GMT
Weather has cooled down a bit or I've got used to it, been getting a bit of work done on the car. Finished the grill, the solid steel rod seemed to be a bit to much so used thin wall tube.  Installed the windscreen but would like to find a way to round off the edges, apparently you can't 'flame polish' polycarbonate, I think it can be vapor polished but this involves holding it over boiling solvent - sounds scary. Does anyone have any ideas? I guess I will have to sand and buff it but there is about 3 meters of edge!  Both seats are fitted on the MX5 runners, the Kirkey vintage seats are comfortable and I have just about enough legroom (I'm about 6'2"). The car is booked in at the upholsterers to make the 'headrest' and cover the center tunnel with black diamond stitch.   Working on the louvers, not sure what I'll do yet. The main thing I'm working on is the suspension, I'm happy with the springing and damping but want to lower it a bit, about 40mm at the rear and 20mm front, but the main thing is to get some rebound travel on the rear, the car needs rear grip, rear wheels lock first and although it's fun to steer with the throttle rebound travel will help keep the wheels in contact with the terrain. I'd like to keep the standard Mazda parts, NB top hats will drop it about 20mm, has anyone fitted these on NA shocks? Has anyone fitted an adjustable lower spring collar on a standard shocks? |
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Post by R2S on Oct 30, 2014 16:08:14 GMT
Amazing what a difference the screen addition and side strakes in vent makes. Middle picture also helpful for establishing where the cut outs (vents) sit in relation to the side (horiz) panel, mine will have to kick up behind the vent.
Like the spinners too (got your note re fixings)
I like the finish on the tunnel around the gear stick, can you add a little detail of how you did this.
Thanks
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Post by snowbird1 on Nov 19, 2014 15:25:10 GMT
I've been a bit slow updating the thread, other stuff going on. Anyway got the car back from the upholsterer, the headrest/fuel filler cover worked out well, it is just velcroed in place, these guys have some good Velcro.  Realised that I forgot to connect the hand brake warning switch, not a big deal as the tunnel cover is snapped in place. Started applying some of the decals:  Still working on the side vents, have not figured out the mirrors yet and am still trying to decide what to do with the suspension. |
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Post by gwnwar on Nov 20, 2014 6:33:58 GMT
John.. Headrest looks good.. Any plans on reworking the handle on the seat release levers.. look like they will be in the way. Should bend easy with a box end wrench over the end for leverage.. Like your floor board very period
looking. Still planing on inner fender linings and under engine panel..
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Post by snowbird1 on Nov 20, 2014 19:11:09 GMT
George, the seat release handles aren't in the way as much as they appear but it would be nice to get rid of them and tidy up the footwells.
Have not looked at wheelarch liners yet but want to fit panels in the nose to make sure as much air as possible goes through the radiator rather than around it.
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Post by snowbird1 on Dec 11, 2014 3:12:01 GMT
Got some pics on Route 66:   Seems appropriate.  Old gold mining area.  |
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Post by gwnwar on Dec 11, 2014 5:14:34 GMT
John.. Like your state tag.. car looks good out there on the mother road.. How does it run and handle.. Did you get the shocks worked out or do you still want to drop it an inch all around.. If you are going to run on the dirt roads you better get the inner fenders made up..
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Post by nigel on Dec 11, 2014 9:06:25 GMT
Fantastic pictures John, I've just received an email this morning from Ian Stent, Editor of Complete Kit Car magazine and he was wondering if he could have your permission to use the photos in his magazine? Not sure of the article he intends, possibly something to do with kit cars in amazing places.  It's always great to see owners getting out and about in there creations and the press, magazines taking note.  Personally I'm looking forward to reading Deano's up and coming, Rocket article. Nigel |
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Post by snowbird1 on Dec 11, 2014 14:44:07 GMT
John.. Like your state tag.. car looks good out there on the mother road.. How does it run and handle.. Did you get the shocks worked out or do you still want to drop it an inch all around.. If you are going to run on the dirt roads you better get the inner fenders made up.. Just took a quick run up to Oatman, car cruises along very comfortably, but I want to take a run down the twisty bit towards Topoc and see how the suspension feels, still on the stock shocks/springs. There are a lot of dirt roads around here but I'm not planning on driving on them much, there are plenty of rocks on the blacktop bits! |
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Post by snowbird1 on Dec 11, 2014 15:00:36 GMT
Fantastic pictures John, I've just received an email this morning from Ian Stent, Editor of Complete Kit Car magazine and he was wondering if he could have your permission to use the photos in his magazine? Not sure of the article he intends, possibly something to do with kit cars in amazing places. It's always great to see owners getting out and about in there creations and the press, magazines taking note. Personally I'm looking forward to reading Deano's up and coming, Rocket article. Nigel I have no problem with the magazine using the pictures, I'll try to get some with someone photogenic driving it (not me!). |
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Post by snowbird1 on Dec 31, 2014 20:31:22 GMT
Snow in the Mohave Valley! No one can ever remember this happening, actually quite beautiful.  |
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Post by James on Dec 31, 2014 22:15:06 GMT
Lovely. Happy new year to one and all from James and Larry on the DeBoRah build. I hope we all meet up when we're behind our respective wheels.
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Post by snowbird1 on Jan 19, 2015 14:52:28 GMT
Pleasant day at the River Cruizers Laughlin car show this weekend, quite a lot of interest in the Replicar although it was a bit out of place among the hot rods.  |
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