A very sad time...

Having decided that I was going to keep the car and having made arrangements for it to be finished, the game changed completely.

My employer has gone into administration and less than 20% of the staff remain. Details can be found here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_east/7872725.stm

The future looks bleak for those of us that remain. I fully expect to be unemployed very soon. So, 'Gulfie' is up For Sale at the bargain price of £6500.00.

The advert can be found on Pistonheads: http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/891532.htm

Also for sale is my 1998 BMW Alpina B10 3.2.

:(

I've not seen the poor car in 3 months...

... and am giving serious thought to its future under my ownership.

I used to have a life, then work ate it.

TC

Cut 'n' Shut (Pipe)

I read some similar blogs and I’m left in awe of what one guy in a shed often achieves. In many cases I have neither the skill nor the time to replicate these achievements, so it's unlikely that anyone will find much useful advice, for example, on how best to fabricate something here. What I have proved reasonably good at however is finding people who can do this stuff for me. I’ll prepare a list of useful links/contacts sometime soon. One good example is Chris Eva of Evalution Designs (http://www.evalution-designs.co.uk/index.htm ) He’s made quite a few things for the car now (a catch tank is next) and is bloody brilliant at what he does.

You may remember me mentioning that the steering column clashed with the lower radiator pipe. I sent Chris the pipe and got him to yield his saw and welder. The result is below. Nicely notched with plenty of room for fluid to still flow. Job done, I’m sure.

I’d like to say a special thanks to Phil M from the Locostbuilders site for sending me the steering rack boots that I’d been searching high and low for – it’s very much appreciated.

Other parts supply issues: On the downside, I’m still trying to find someone to sew a zip in my boot cover; on the plus-side I think I should have my suspension spacers this week.

Right, must get back to the studying (yup, Year 2 of my MBA is underway!)

TC

Surely not another update so soon?

So, I spent a few more hours working on the car today. The steering wheel buttons are all wired-in so it changes gear, which is nice. Neutral is a bit of a bitch to find, but the theory is that it might be a bit easier when the car is running. It’s a good job she’s wired to start in any gear just in case.

I’ve taken a couple more pictures of the surroundings.

It’s saying something when a car looks low and mean in this company, but I think ‘Gulfie’ looks the part!

The slightly blurry picture below is supposed to show the new brackets supporting the radiator and the front of the body tub.Anyway, two updates in two days; is that some sort of record?

TC

In good company...

The MNR has now moved to its new home. As you can see, it’s in good company. The car in front is a 2000 Nissan Primera Supertourer and the car to the left is Paul Radisich’s 1995 Valvoline Mondeo touring car. You might also be able to see the back end of the racing Caterham on the ramps in front.
I thought I had the cooling system finished when an eagle-eyed individual pointed out that the bolt on the steering column interfered with one of the hard pipes. I’m going to send the offending pipe off to be modified to solve this.

This will leave the suspension set-up as the last major job remaining. I’ve been advised to get some top-hat spacers made rather than use numerous washers so that’s the plan. There are still a few nagging problems. I can’t find any steering rack boots that fit my steel rack and I can’t find anyone to sew a zip in my boot cover. I’m getting tired of waiting to drive the car now and really want to get out in the thing in October.

I’ve been toying with the idea of going racing, either in the MNR or another car. However, I’m conscious that it may bankrupt me so I’m going to wait until 2010. So, it’s trackdays and some sprints for the MNR and me as originally planned.

I’ll take some decent photos (with a real camera rather than a phone) this week to show-off the radiator brackets and other small changes.

TC

The picture I promised...

I'm afraid that there's no real progress to report and nothing likely for a little while. :(

TC

Exhaust? Tick. Rev-counter? Check. Oil leak? Dammit!

Good news: I have a fully fitted exhaust at long last! The exhaust has cost a fortune between ceramic coating, modifications and the original outlay. I’m just pleased to get it fitted. Once this was on, I was keen to put the car back together and briefly start the thing to get a feel for how noisy it is. The fuel tank was reconnected and filled from the jerry can. The scuttle was put in place and the Master Switch, Ignition/Starter, VR2 dash and SPA gauge all reconnected. Master on, ignition up. Fuel pump clicks until it’s happy and I then lift the ignition switch to its second position. The starter turns but it refuses to catch. This continued for a while until I sprayed carb cleaner down the inlets when it starts. I then realise that the fuel I’ve used is ancient. Oops.

When the car did catch I checked the rev counter. This was the only electrical part still unproven. What a result! It works a treat! I can now honestly say that my home-made wiring loom works in its entirety. Splendid. Just as I’m about to go and buy fresh fuel I notice the oil on the floor. I trace it to the join between the oil pressure sender and its feeder pipe. I must admit I cursed a little and then felt relieved that it was something simple. With the help of my brother, this all got tightened up and it leaks no more.

It was now too late to be starting the beast so I plugged in the Optimate charger and locked up, put the jerry can in the commuter and came inside to drink Becks. Still no sign of the camera charger but I will sort out some photos on the weekend.

Cheers

TC