So, been a while but finally got going again.
The subframe is now fully assembled: I had used the original bolts but on reflection, whilst not bad, compared to the rest of the finish they looked pretty manky, so I decided to replace all of them with new...and then saw the need to replace all the spring washers with new too. No idea why I didn't do this from the start with the subframe like I have for the rear of the car, but there you go! A momentary lapse of intelligence!
As a Design Engineer I'd like to think that I am a pretty ordered type of chap and have labeled every nut, bolt and component when removed and returned ready for refitting...so just why I lost all the new bushes, washers and nuts off the front struts is beyond me. They're been put somewhere
very safe indeed!
So had to order some new bushes, went to fit them with new m10 nuts only to find they're not M10 coarse, but M10 fine...hmmm..M10x1.0 or M10x1.25? Had to order both and they ended up being M10 x 1.25...is this an obvious thing I should've known about then?
Anyhoo, here's a blingy pic showing said uprights with powder coated and painted strut mounts etc. I retained the large top washers and had them replated...
...they did both look like this...
BTW...remind me, those three washers that sit on top of the mounts that go underneath the suspension turrets, they're curved on one face ..I think the flat face goes against the top mount, the curved face against the underside of the suspension turret, yes, any takers?
Next is the liberal application of Dinitrol everywhere it's required and fit the subframe, struts and steering wheel etc. and it's back on the wheels...the rear axle and associated struts and trailing arms etc. have been fitted previously.
I noted I haven't put any pics up of the freshly built motor, fully rebuilt by the only Sprint Engine builder I completely trust to do the work, the inimitable Jon Jackson.
It's been fully lightened and balanced, lightly ported, skimmed, which it needed...
...and has a slightly livelier cam fitted along with a Vernier cam pulley.
The gearbox has been rebuilt and controversially I've done away with the troublesome clutch slave cylinder and cross shaft and have fitted a concentric slave clutch acuator, operating directly on the clutch: I hear nothing but trouble with the afore mentioned standard slave cylinder etc. so it was an easy choice to bin them off in favour of something much more reliable.
The Engine looks way better than this dodgy pic, and all the old bolts have been replaced with new since this pic..
The front and rear seats have gone to Cliff Griffith, he of Car SOS fame in Wolverhampton, for restoration and retrimming and they'll be back shortly, so at last, progress is being made!