Berkeley 058 - restoration to Exocet project

General Discussion Forums Readers Rides
41

Time for another update on where things have got to… so from the other day I had stripped out most of the stuff I needed to, leaving me with this:

A2971413-62BA-4FF9-8FF6-05DAA5DB2EB6_zpswqdawqny on Flickr

42B31158-C04D-453C-B708-3378346D9E91_zpscuoyt9ha on Flickr

And the rear subframe was separated from the body as it dropped onto its support blocks

143142BD-86FE-415A-867B-9A6720146C05_zpsqhiujmje on Flickr

So tonight I rigged the block and tackle in the garage (and swung on it to check it was secure!!)

EB3A7C78-ECE0-41F2-AB8B-85AFFC100E17_zpsjmmkzxj2 on Flickr

And then released the last couple of bolts to allow the body to move…

C82839E1-AAEC-40AD-AE34-A6854F11130C_zpswuaejnzc on Flickr

231E3C62-0D2E-4E04-927D-17688DA0C3BD_zpsbanzngyg on Flickr

7C839AE2-971B-49C5-93B0-0455E9C30493_zpsbcowuwx5 on Flickr

And up we went:

F64E1006-C12B-4F5F-90A9-C9766125E438_zpsrl65qjjj on Flickr

And I balanced the shell while I pushed out the roller skate from underneath (having been especially pleased that there was nothing still attached!)…

8A6C0033-5172-4303-A1DC-5F255916182A_zps29ul8vws on Flickr

C6306989-9562-4CDF-93B1-BCFBD9977768_zpsc4tsrfdp on Flickr

So now I have the running gear separate and ready to start refurbing - and the fuel tank, VIN Numbers and handbrake cable to remove before I can get rid of the remains of the shell - no turning back now!

A1A20D23-DC0A-4E8A-A32A-0CBC507EABAE_zpsaj7l3veo on Flickr

42

Time for another update on where things have got to… so from the other day I had stripped out most of the stuff I needed to, leaving me with this:

A2971413-62BA-4FF9-8FF6-05DAA5DB2EB6_zpswqdawqny on Flickr

42B31158-C04D-453C-B708-3378346D9E91_zpscuoyt9ha on Flickr

And the rear subframe was separated from the body as it dropped onto its support blocks

143142BD-86FE-415A-867B-9A6720146C05_zpsqhiujmje on Flickr

So tonight I rigged the block and tackle in the garage (and swung on it to check it was secure!!)

EB3A7C78-ECE0-41F2-AB8B-85AFFC100E17_zpsjmmkzxj2 on Flickr

And then released the last couple of bolts to allow the body to move…

C82839E1-AAEC-40AD-AE34-A6854F11130C_zpswuaejnzc on Flickr

231E3C62-0D2E-4E04-927D-17688DA0C3BD_zpsbanzngyg on Flickr

7C839AE2-971B-49C5-93B0-0455E9C30493_zpsbcowuwx5 on Flickr

And up we went:

F64E1006-C12B-4F5F-90A9-C9766125E438_zpsrl65qjjj on Flickr

And I balanced the shell while I pushed out the roller skate from underneath (having been especially pleased that there was nothing still attached!)…

8A6C0033-5172-4303-A1DC-5F255916182A_zps29ul8vws on Flickr

C6306989-9562-4CDF-93B1-BCFBD9977768_zpsc4tsrfdp on Flickr

So now I have the running gear separate and ready to start refurbing - and the fuel tank, VIN Numbers and handbrake cable to remove before I can get rid of the remains of the shell - no turning back now!

A1A20D23-DC0A-4E8A-A32A-0CBC507EABAE_zpsaj7l3veo on Flickr

Those of a squeamish persuasion might want to look away now… (MX-5s were harmed in the making of this post)
 
First jobs were to remove the strut tops, fuel tank (and all lines down the tunnel - the reason for which will soon become apparent!) and also remove the VIN plate and stamped in VIN from the shell ready for disposal…
 
131F8633-A7A0-49F4-94C3-E035E93FB6C9_zpsek0iroyi on Flickr
 
Then it was out with the tools to make the shell a bit lighter to remove…
 
D960D07C-20D0-4969-8C93-D507AF6622D1_zps4bd64glm on Flickr
 
and after a bit of swearing and chopping to get through all of the layers of the sills and the chassis rails underneath we had separation again… 
 
35C6B568-0E15-4534-A87D-70760A690E20_zpssfv5gdol on Flickr
 
Which resulted in me giving it a stretch…
 
BB40FC8A-CD81-406B-A672-7A1C1E3D7998_zpsjarb9glp on Flickr
 
which then allowed me to recruit an extra pair of hands (and a trolley jack and creeper) to get it out of the way and ready to be removed - a sad sight, but at least the rest of the car will live on and the majority of other parts are going on to keep others on the road…

95DCFA2C-5D95-46D9-9A8D-2AA301614A2A_zpsu8djzfc3 on Flickr
 
Now I need to get cracking on stripping down the roller-skate ready to get everything looking nice and shiny ready for the kit arriving!

[footnote]Edited by browno on Tuesday 15th August 22:32[/footnote]

[footnote]Edited by browno on Tuesday 15th August 22:39[/footnote]

43

Here goes with the latest update - and a little more stripping. First job after the last update was to get the roller-skate up on stands and start separating the front and rear halves.

4CC8D452-200C-4420-9AFC-E3219DC00F57_zpsdq5guthg on Flickr

and one rear shaft even popped out quite easily

9BFFE99A-D056-4614-B5A5-3A50484312A5_zpsiohlumix on Flickr

Dropped the diff oil which has clearly been changed recently.

7AF0E4F9-A829-4C65-9E43-EED396C779AB_zpsa7njbmah on Flickr

and managed to strip back the subframe. It looks pretty ready for a clean-up, and you can see just how much rubbish had flaked off it in the process of stripping!

9CF24439-F7D2-44D8-990F-11AEF0F7E551_zpsk8bvfv2g on Flickr

In the meantime, the scrap man came and picked up the shell (and decided to hold it secure on the truck using the winch cable - which the kids found most amusing…)

2CA32BD3-D95D-4706-9830-E14FB40D0520_zpswffxvdu8 on Flickr

I haven’t yet managed to get the long bolts out of the rear hubs, but am working on steadily cleaning up the bolts and getting plenty of penetrating fluid around to avoid chopping them out.

9D36DC4C-937C-47AC-9E58-022EE180789D_zpsrl4qdm3s on Flickr

next was to start stripping the front subframe - so I started taking off wishbones and separated the engine and gearbox (and created a bit more mess in the garage in the process!)

7467B3AC-7669-49A2-AE4C-C92CB3976A82_zpshubpxy0d on Flickr

So I now have everything split (and have removed the final wishbone from the front subframe), I have started to get ready to clean things up. I have had a good look over everything and have decided that I am not going to be changing bushes as they are all absolutely fine, and I think decent standard bushes will be as good as cheap poly bushes (and I will see more impact on handling spending the money on decent springs and dampers). As a result, I will paint the wishbones rather than powder coat them, but I am going to get the subframes and other bits off for coating this week.

2591DD61-291E-411B-A5CB-5B8C9A4A0052_zpsr4qonbtt on Flickr

44

Time for another update, and some good news! Using a combination of 3 mechanical engineers, a 20 Tonne press, a blasting cabinet, a large impact gun and a big bar, we have managed to remove the lower wishbone long bolts and the n/s driveshaft…

8A1E2EC6-0872-4342-9B58-CF203B4D34D6_zpsip9n2dzj on Flickr

There was, however a casualty in the fight - we (well, ok, I) got a bit keen to load up the press on the first bolt, and while it moved with a bang, we realised that the bang wasn’t only down to the bolt moving…

2B50800A-CF96-43EF-89A4-87B0A42FB56C_zpstveko4qg on Flickr

So, I have ordered a replacement arm from Autolink, which wasn’t too costly. One good note was that the bolts both came out good and straight and are reusable with a good clean-up (you can see where I tried to clean up the right-hand one in-situ with the soda blaster, which helped a little).

3BA26D31-8145-4099-9C43-9CF05BF06F53_zpsjruhylzo on Flickr

The next job was to work on removing the bushes, for which I first planned on making use of the press again - I tried one using sockets and threaded bar and just succeeded in devising a way to tension the threaded bar until it snapped! I then had a go on the press, and was a little worried about how much pressure was needed to push the bushes out, and that this might affect the integrity of the wishbones (I don’t want to damage any more!), so I resorted to FIRE!

I set myself up a workstation at the bottom of the garden and attacked the bushes with the blowtorch - which (after I had got a decent technique and replaced the gas canister!) was proving relatively quick at about 5 minutes per bush, and was quite satisfying!

FC53532A-5710-4DFF-A322-D5BF9470A465_zpstqoqhwha on Flickr

So I now have a good pile of wishbones without bushes that just need a bit of a cleanup of the last traces of rubber before I can take them off for powdercoating early next week (hopefully should get the replacement wishbone from Autolink today, so I can get that prepped too).

6A6B929D-EE1D-4C95-A08C-DC08BDC6DEBF_zpsc7bgpicw on Flickr

Hopefully I can also have a decent weekend - and pick up some more bits and bobs at the kitcar show on Sunday!

45

Good luck we are just at the end of our Exocet build after 2 and a bit years!

 

46

Cheers  - it’s good to be seeing progress now, but I know I still have a LONG way to go!

 

 

47

So, update time again and more progress (and a trip to the kit car show too)

Firstly, while waiting for my bits to arrive, I have got the engine mounted on the engine stand, and have started cleaning and painting some bits, starting with driveshafts, diff housing and engine block…

6C37449F-52AF-4EEA-87B2-169770DCF018_zpsk9vwnieg on Flickr

7A68B931-CA8A-4C53-9DA4-DEF8251EE708_zpsjy7ebfxz on Flickr

F27E9249-4821-443D-93E0-9AA05A6DBB74_zpsu60hhkzz on Flickr

29FDBD70-C03F-43F0-8ECD-DDC620694840_zps0ekmevl9 on Flickr

9C1DBBEB-253F-47D1-9067-00CB9761900E_zpsq1kkvfmt on Flickr

I have also been getting the last bits of pre-powder coat prep done, including trimming the edges of the front subframe to prevent interference with springs (as recommended by Stuart when I visited MEV) - I have chopped back so the edge is now 15mm from the outer edge of the bolt holes.

B862FCBA-B2B5-448C-BAD2-1BFA8B70851B_zpsserroloh on Flickr

and also trimmed the rear U-brace to remove the extraneous end sections

DD99206F-DD2E-401C-BBED-031A62626523_zpseqhp5tqp on Flickr

I had a good trip to Stoneleigh on Sunday where I had a good look over all the various cars there, and a chat to a few folks about my build. I did get a bit of a kick to get moving when I went to the MEV stand and Julie told me that my chassis is built and powder coated (and apparently looking very good!) and they are now getting the bodywork made up - so it will be ready imminently!

Today I have been able to make some more progress, as I had still be waiting for my bits from Autolink and had thought that they were delayed due to the bank holiday - and thankfully checked the tracking, which told me that (despite no card being left at my home), the parcel had been taken to the post office in the next village. At least that meant that I could fetch that and now have my final wishbone - so tonight whipped out the bushes from that and have got all my bits ready to drop in for powder coating in the morning, which will be a good step in the right direction.

I also had a second parcel today, in the form of my Energy Suspension bush set - which looks very good, but also makes me think I’ve still got plenty of work to do to get all of them fitted!

B8240572-A9CD-42A7-86EC-EE5887672582_zpsenumwsle on Flickr

48

So, a bit more progress again, so time for another update…

Firstly, I painted up the manifold heatshield and remounted to the block (replacing a downpipe stud that snapped during removal in the process)

30363948-75BD-40A4-AD90-5CE616ADDA9A_zpspeeppuj2 on Flickr

and started cleaning up my front upper wishbones with rust converter followed by hammerite (I hadn’t sent these for blasting and coating due to the upper balljoints), and also my rear hubs.

4710308A-C38D-4D04-81ED-1DF494C95DC4_zpsrzirtgkh on Flickr

5B10D8B9-56CF-4C02-8020-C98C5CC5A6A9_zpsmbvxtjrj on Flickr

and also picked up a bit pile of now shiny bits from powder coating - which look completely transformed!

C12E4861-0B47-44EB-9F8A-395ADBF4C939_zpsbl6vvn0b on Flickr

I’m happy with the job they’ve done at even ensuring that the insides of some of the open sections on the wishbones and subframes are well coated too.

86A7212A-C665-49DE-93C8-65E60D5805C3_zpskwuyiybp on Flickr

I also started cleaning up some of my nuts and bolts - and to do this, after looking around I used “frost rust remover” which was £25 for 5 litres and is said to remove the rust without the use of acids or alkalis (being an inorganic chemist, this will be using selective chelation of the iron oxide - essentially pulling the rust into solution). So far, I am impressed by the results - essentially leave the parts in the solution overnight and then give them a rinse off and a clean with a wire brush and it has a pretty decent effect (this is a very good one - others have needed a second dunk in the solution).

C1BACD93-C793-4621-8EC3-9A7E8E77855D_zpsjxbdulso on Flickr

3F74FA3F-E6C0-4B74-B7AE-A09C4C2893AB_zpskhrpyfbn on Flickr

I have started mounting the diff into the subframe, ready to begin making the pile of parts back into something more like a powertrain, and have given the garage a good clean out, as I am now hopefully finished with having flaky rust and dust everywhere, and can start building in a cleaner environment! Once all was clean, I have then laid out the bits in preparation for a rebuilding session!

B631132C-EA0B-43F9-8617-709F766A352F_zpsfdbkhbte on Flickr

59E293AD-B989-411C-B8CE-33E3C37A89D3_zps6j48so1l on Flickr

So, it feels like I am making progress and finally turning the corner from stripping down and dealing with mucky nasty parts into actually being able to start building something that will look nice and clean - hopefully the next update will continue that trend!

49

So since the last update I have been cracking on with assembly - and getting sticky polybush grease over everything I touch!

First I started on the back-end and got everything together (although I initially put the hubs on the wrong sides, as I had turned the subframe around while assembling :whistle: !

C8FED11C-0B97-4B4B-A3FB-7B8A921ACFCC_zpstlniiil4 on Flickr

I haven’t yet got the driveshafts located into the diff - they are not locating by simply pushing them in, and I didn’t want to get too aggressive with them - will have another go tonight. I guess it is just a case of getting the spring clips to pop into place - I can feel that the splines are lined up, so it is just that last push I think.

CC0BBBA1-2141-40CB-9653-2F341A676416_zpsmnevkmi5 on Flickr

next, I decided to mount the front subframe to the engine while it was on the stand, and got one pair of wishbones fitted

49210ABB-D209-4E10-9E29-44E7FE6DA5A0_zpsvmsst77d on Flickr

following which I then dropped the assembly onto axle stands to allow me to fit the new clutch - this was a step that I had wondered about, as the clutch was not too worn (but is on 74k) - and I am thinking that FI might eventually be on the cards, but having won some money in our monthly tote at work, I thought I’d get an Exedy clutch kit sorted and put it in while I had everything apart.

3C2F3E18-70D2-46EE-9EB0-37F6E7B1B956_zpsxpzktsjn on Flickr

So with that done, I could reattach the gearbox - which I haven’t painted - since it is bare alloy, I figure is isn’t going to corrode, and isn’t on display, so I’ve simply given it a good clean and will put some decent new fluid in it (as it is my job to develop gearbox oils, I am going to make sure of that!). I have also rebuilt the other wishbones too, so I am starting to pull together the powertrain. You will notice that the top end of the engine hasn’t been played with yet - I am going to paint/coat the cam cover and change the gasket and CAS o-ring, but figured I can do that at any stage in the build.

02C40877-53FD-4D34-94A4-DE090750F39F_zps0slhrj6w on Flickr

I have a few more jobs to do tonight, which include fitting up the front hubs (with new upper balljoint boots and one lower balljoint where I had to chop out a stuck bolt), swapping in the new clutch slave cylinder, fitting the rear driveshafts and hubs and then trying to get the PPF and propshaft installed so that I have a complete powertrain! (obviously I then need to add brakes - but they are also ready with new discs, pads and calipers all round to go on).

50

So, it has been a couple of weeks since the last update and I have a little more progress to report.

Firstly, continuing from the last update, I got the driveshafts popped into place properly, and then started to reunite both ends.

IMG_4949_zpsj3d5jg7z on Flickr

IMG_4951_zpszw4ij2ah on Flickr

Then I fitted up the new slave cylinder and pipework.

IMG_4956_zps7gxzjsbg on Flickr

I also replaced the bottom ballpoint that I had had to chop out and so could put the front hubs in place (not torqued or finished in this pic).

IMG_4957_zps7fj17wfr on Flickr

And tonight (after a week’s holiday) I have been depowering my steering - getting rid of the seals from the rack by carefully cutting it away.

7DB4E3B4-239C-4103-BAF9-0F191E0405A9_zps3zbgjf5c on Flickr

and all rebuilt (but needing a clean off before refitting)…

1BD853E9-3917-4740-A13E-0DAAB9804D1A_zpsyem4qykk on Flickr

Now I need to get cracking as I have been in touch with MEV and my kit is ready - so I will hopefully be getting a van sorted to go and get the missing bit of the equation sorted out very soon - I just need to shift my Mini out of the garage temporarily so that I will have space to do the floors and pipework prior to fitting the chassis to the rollerskate.

51

Another update today, and it is a big milestone!

Firstly, I have been getting a series of little jobs on the mechanicals to get them sorted, and ordered (and quickly received) my suspension. I debated a lot about what to use on the Exocet - whtether to upgrade later or to go straight to coilovers. I have been very happy with the Meister R’s that I have on my mk3 - and had thought to go for another set, but I have ended up with a set of Gaz gold pros - as many Exocets seem to use them, and to try something different. So they are ready to be fitted, along with a set of silicone hoses en-route from fast5 to sort the cooling system.

B670F95B-142C-4EDF-825C-77398BEBF8ED_zpschpwungf on Flickr

Then, the big event - having seen Stuart and MEV getting a bit of coverage on the local news the other night - https://youtu.be/YU67dhQOOP0 with my kit clearly visible in the background, I was keen to see it in the metal!

I was pleased to head out of work early yesterday to pick up a van and head up to Mansfield, where I could pick up my kit. As you will see, I have decided that the car deserved a striking colour scheme - I was originally planning contrasting body and chassis as many (most) builders go for - but after deliberating and playing with photoshop, decided that a single colour would be good and allow me to have the option to add some vinyl to break it up later if it is too much!

F7075B51-7E7C-4E6A-B61D-57A4F0641BDC_zpsagdvhjzr on Flickr

We were upgraded to a jumbo transit - which was enormous, and so we had no worries about space!

F4858408-13CD-46B4-8D60-4AB8FC10F334_zpshnuptamj on Flickr

I had taken a trip to screwfix and bought a load of 28mm pipe lagging to make sure I could protect the powder coat - and so got plenty of that on to prevent chips - and after a short drive, we could lift it into the garage…

AB5CB4E2-8FDE-49CC-8825-840597809E17_zpscv1grxls on Flickr

And then set up the inevitable picture with the panels…

F9D84387-8040-4121-8811-C596D7DA68B4_zps7y9fgu2l on Flickr

C9C3BFA8-B01D-49C2-B0D1-62D85B4C8AFE_zpsxyaxujgi on Flickr

So - thoughts so far are that I am liking the colour (which is a good start!) and I am liking the styling tweaks that have been done - the flat roll hoop is a big one, but also the new rear cover with the flat-top and areas mounded in for fog/reverse lights tidies up the rear end nicely.

Overall, I am a happy customer - now to keep the momentum up and get ready to reunite shell and skate!

52

Coming alomg brilliantly Browno! Love the colour! 

53

Fantastic build looking forward to the next stage 

54

Thanks! I am really pleased to have the kit now so that i can see what it is all going to look like as it comes together…

55

Great job. That colour looks brilliant.

56

Great job. That colour looks brilliant.

57

Looks good, love the colour as I remember late 1990’s Kawasaki ZX9’s were available in a similar shade.

I am a bit jealous as one day I want to get a kit car although the one I want is a Lotus Seven replica.

One day…

58

Cheers all for your comments (and to the OC for making my build thread of the week on twitter/facebook) - I am pleased that this is being received well - I know that this is not to everyone’s tastes, so it is good to read! 

Time for another progress update. First job was to whip off the front hubs and remove the remains of the brake heat shields. Of course, the bolts weren’t too happy to be removed, so four of six snapped (despite me carefully trying to work them out!), so it was out with the drill and taps to provide a thread for the next stage - fitting the front wing stays temporarily (I have removed them again until after the body is on, so that I don’t damage them in the meantime). As I was looking at the front-end and torquing things up, I discovered that both front upper balljoints have dodgy threads which don’t want to tighten up. As a result I ordered a pair of new ones - by searching eBay for MOOG K500210, which I found is the part number for the replacements with built in grease-nipples, I got a pair for £50 posted inc. customs charges - a fair bit cheaper than the £35 each + post from the UK. They should hopefully be here later this week to install using the press at work.
 
6463D30C-BCEC-4BC6-882A-8F484B999CE9_zps6dzujmdt on Flickr
 
4EBF5B4D-2401-49A0-A69E-D96314681EEF_zpsidd2p1tp on Flickr
 
I then finished off fitting the bushes to the ARB drop links now that I have some more grease for the polybushes - I have left off the front ARB until I have the shell on and can bolt it into place.
 
64311FBC-3F5C-422A-8284-7400F3D8B06D_zpsapviiagj on Flickr
 
I also rebuilt the rear brakes with new discs and pads and had a look if the lovely green HEL lines that I have acquired from a race-prepped Evo might do the honours - and I think that they will route nicely along the tunnel to meet a hard line along the way (they will be properly secured, I have just used a few cable ties to hold them in place for now).
 
B09D22FC-7D6C-4AF1-8DB5-56B2BBBC56D8_zpschajkzcq on Flickr
 
I then fitted my silicone hose set from Dan at Fast 5 - which are very nice, and should keep things water-tight once it is all up and running - even coming with a full set of replacement hose clamps.
 
CC58BAC9-7798-4960-8095-57B4333C7D60_zps1uolbxbv on Flickr
 
I also tidied up the strut tops (seen here in primer), and have fitted them to my coilovers.
 
44E78D9E-BA4F-413E-A6D7-EAF36C784008_zpslg7kq4wp on Flickr
 
and finally, I have suspended the bonnet panel from the roof to keep it out of harm’s way while I get busy preparing the floors and pipework into the shell, which is the project for the start of this week.
 
D6B180BE-ECC7-4A4A-BDA0-4590FD600E38_zpsxta6cnrt on Flickr

59

A bit more progress tonight - I have floor panels! First we marked out the panels and then started cutting - the jigsaw cutting through beautifully with a fine metal blade.

0B0B2548-415F-4D22-ABDE-7558325797E5_zpsk26js15f on Flickr

Then we turned the frame over and made use of my scissor lift as a very good table to keep the rollbar off the floor.

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Overall - happy that we have done a good job - just one small area to fettle a little bit and they will fit nicely. Next job is to start marking and drilling and then decide how I am going to finish them off… do I wrap them or coat with bedliner?

ACE701AE-F074-4D20-A97B-6E0132FDA3FB_zpsjzdasqkc on Flickr

60

So, time for another instalment in my build, and more progress along the road to having something car-shaped rather than a pile of bits in the garage! So the first job from last time was to get started prepping the floor panels for fitting - so firstly I masked up the edges, then with the panels clamped in position, marked out a 10mm line from the edge right round (the tubing is 20mm, so that will get me central). Then I evenly spaced my holes at approx 100mm centres (variation depending on dividing up the spaces evenly and logically!), and then centre punched and first drilled the panels and deburred before remounting and spotting through to drill the chassis rails.

B569DF52-55B2-4D84-85DB-64B08D5F8896_zpsxph9avc3 on Flickr

B831A6D9-D5C7-4703-BAFE-BF677C625978_zpsablebxxb on Flickr

Then I also laid out the hard lines for fuel flow and return and also rear brakes, and after mocking up on a bit of scrap ali, started drilling and fixing the lines with p-clips at 150mm spacing (slight overkill compared to the 200mm recommended by many, but again it fitted nicely into the available space). I have made sure to leave plenty of pipe each end for now to be relatively free with routing of the ends…

DE20D261-8B90-4B65-85D2-563A1103C82F_zpscielzgra on Flickr

744A0698-BAE6-4852-9473-0D7F61B3E069_zpstlwpvcg8 on Flickr

Then today, I had a great help from a colleague (and former vinyl sign maker) to wrap the floors - with the edges left clear to allow some space for a good bead of tiger seal to ensure the ali is gripped and sealed properly.

9F928DD9-1C54-4996-9937-F1A95045FF75_zps6toxoksv on Flickr

Then I applied a thin bead of tiger seal all around the mating surfaces - thinking that less is more here certainly turned out right - I had a little oozing, but only very slight, and which was easily cleaned up with a solvent-soaked rag.

5E5EAE1F-E97D-4A9D-90D7-AFBBAAF7FA06_zpsgdh891eg on Flickr

Then having got busy with the lazy-tongs (the cheap silverline ones that I bought having had issues during the line fitting, I used my mate’s Clarke ones, which had it all,done super quickly), and I have fitted floors…

1D5247C9-9971-40E0-A807-97F10391E3D6_zpsyfsiaauh on Flickr

98DE7551-9D3A-4957-A372-541F61E40226_zpsh5its87m on Flickr

And having debated what to do, I am pleased with how the carbon vinyl works to give a contrast against the green (even with the body still upside-down!)

2A8509D2-8118-4F26-9B86-38AEF9C059C2_zpsipqijqmi on Flickr

So, I have front upper ball joints to change over tomorrow, and the upper arms to refit, and then it should hopefully be body-on time this week! Exciting times!