I-loom-inating

The rear loom (mainly running lights) is very nearly complete:

I've used splash-proof connectors - some genuine AMP, some not-so-much i.e. evidently not quite so good quality.

The free plug 'by-yer' is for the rain light.  I'd have completely finished the rear loom if it weren't for the crimp connectors that I've bought for the earths.  Lord-knows how you are supposed to crimp them; they are so stiff - it feels like my fingers might break before they bend.

 Next stop: wiring in and around the cockpit.

TC

Pipe Down

(Almost) first-thing this morning I headed over to see Andrew Graham at http://www.allisport.com/.  He did a fine job of welding the AN8 fitting to my oil cooler take-off.  He's all of 15 minutes from home so definitely and option for my tanks etc. 

It's budget time in work so I spent the rest of the morning and early afternoon modelling labour costs.  I was relieved to finish and having met the delivery driver from Tesco at the top of the drive - they don't fancy the incline much - I wandered out to the sheds to do a bit.

With the take-off plate torqued-up, I was able to finish the oil hoses.  It's worked out quite well albeit that it's quite tight where the hoses move up-and-forward to the cooler itself.  I may need to use some heat resistant material to protect the oil lines, including the pressure sender take-off line.

While I was messing about with bowls of hot water and rubber hoses I thought I'd have a go at the flexible fuel lines at the rear.  This was a tougher job than I and anticipated and even having warmed the hoses it was a struggle.  For the second hose, where it connects to the hard pipe that runs down the tunnel, I actually smeared a little vaseline on the copper to help the rubber to slip over the ferule that is acting as a bead.  The proper stainless clips (these arrived in the week) then fitted over very well.

I'll need some tanks to finish the job.

TC

Correctly Sized Suspenders

The temporary springs have been replaced with the correct items from Faulkner.  Also seen in this photo is the near-side bracket for the  rear ARB,  This side is all bolted-up tight.  The bolt for the top shock-mount is a bit long but life is too short.

The springs all needed compressing slightly to fit onto the dampers.  I don't own any suitable tools so I achieved this by putting my considerable weight on the spring (who would have thought that 'planking' had a practical use?) while Kate clipped the collar into place.

On the front the top mounts are tight but I need to get the ARB offset spacers plated before the lower bolts meet their attachments.

I'm sure that it shouldn't but this lot took me most of the day - with a brief break to watch some rugby.  Oh well.

TC

Lube Tube

I'm again struggling to devote much time to the poor ol' Gemini.  I have managed to finish one of the oil lines - having expected to buy steel push on fittings from Merlin, I found that aluminium fittings from Hong Kong were 30% cheaper.  I can't really argue with that.  Everything is in customary black - continuing the attempt to make the car look as 'factory' as possible.

The hose was heated-up in a boiling pan before pushing the fittings on.  I've then added some adhesive-lined heatshrink to finish-off the factory appearance and to possibly add a tiny bit of extra security.

I've got one end of the second hose still to do but need to get a fitting ali-welded to the take-off plate before I finally size it up.

Other work included running the cables for the brake light switch - I've experimented with self-amalgamating tape here as I intend to use it elsewhere.  This cable runs behind the fuel tank and I can't put base-fixings in a couple of spots so I plan to glue the cable in place with acrylic - I just need to pick-up some plastic quick-clamps to keep it in place while it cures.

The final little bit of progress made was to rivet some cable tie bases to the rear frame to then carry the wiring for the rear lights.  

T-t-t-t-t-that's all folks.

ID on the PCIII

Before I stuck some velcro to the bottom of my Power Commander to hold it in place, I thought I should photograph the Serial Number - without checking, I'm sure that the RGB regs require this.  If I put it here I don't lose it.

I've done a bit more wiring, the hoses to the oil cooler are work-in-progress AND I've actually finished the carbon gearchange shaft.

I really need to get it on a ramp to get access underneath.  Hmm.

TC

And the Oscar for most pointless piece of fabrication goes to...

The rainlight bracket kept looking at me saying. "I'm really heavy."  I took a hole saw to it.  It took about half an hour as I kept having to switch (dead) drill batteries.

No doubt: a total waste of time.  I've also spent a couple of hours today starting to run cables to the front and back of the car for lights.  This went quite well until I realised that I should've run power to the transponder and horn at the same time.

RATS.

Snail's Pace.

This is just a very quick post to flag that 2014 has arrived and to say that little has moved on.  I've extended some wires, I am 95% through dressing the roll cage so that it can be powdercoated (need to tart-up the side-impact bar a bit still), I've established that one wheel is leaking from at least three places so needs taking apart and reassembly and I've bought some oil and oil filters.

For Christmas I got some thermal 'Rally Mechanic' overalls.  I need to give them some more use.

In the interest of self-motivation, here's a cool picture of Howard Wilkinson hillclimbing his Gemini in France that I recently stumbled upon.

TC