Thursday 31st January 2008

The back axle is now back in.

And viewed from the rear.

Looks simple doesn't it? Well it almost was. The trouble is I forgot to clean out the four threads for the top mounting bolts and these just would not do up. So, having got it all in it had to come out again! Then when lowering it carefully the axle fell off the trolley and it took some considerable effort to get it back on again. Four quick screws later (with the right size tap) and the bolts fit freely. I just have to find a way to get the torque wrench in there to tighten the bolts up properly and wire them up for safety.

Next thing is the final brake pipe then on to the fuel system.

Wednesday 30th January 2008

I'm just missing one bleed valve and the rear axle will be finished. It's been a bit a problem all the way through really, not having the right nuts, rusty threads and the especially difficult task of setting the toe-in angle by having two 9" bolts 0.076" further apart at one end than the other. Not only a matter of measuring a 9" distance to that accuracy but every change alters every measurement so every change has to be tested and remeasured.

Anyway the diff is now back together with drive shafts, disks, callipers, handbrake callipers, brake pipes, handbrake cable and hubs. All tightened with a torque wrench and the bolts locked with locking wire - never to be undone again - maybe. Once in the rear brake pipe can be installed the brake fluid added and the brakes tested.

Whilst all this has been going on I've been working on the fuel line and have a reasonable idea of how that is going to go together.

Also, in order to keep all the nice shiny bits on the car dry a dehumidifier has been installed.

Nearly ready to put the back axle back together. Diff is ready with it's minute difference in angle now only 0.017" out Hoping that will be close enough ;-)

Callipers are ready with all new shiny pistons and things plus a coat of subtle paint.

Andi.

New diff has been drained and opened for inspection, clutch pipe banjo bolt doesn't fit clutch slave cylinder and brake calipers are all back togteher with new pistons ready for the great rebuild next week.

Have had to order diff oil on-line because no one seems to stock the special limited slip diff oil. Also ordered the connectors and pipe for the fuel pump. Just need the pipe and reduceer for the run from the tank to the fuel pump.

Pictures soon.

Andi.

17th January 2008

The new diff is here so at last I can start catching up on things. It has been cleaned and painted so it looks a lot better than the old one.





The garage at least looks lived in now, well it's untidy I guess. But I know where everything is (or is that 'should be') I'm sure there'll be some bits left over at the end when I'll wonder why they haven't been used.

Soon I'll be looking at the fuel system and I think I'd better arrange fire extinguisher - just in case.

Andi.

14th January 2008

My Differential search.

Will it be today? Lets hope so.

I had many very thoughtful people try to help me here for which I am extremeley grateful. I've had suppliers tell me "Ooh you won't get one of those!" others politely replied and said they can't help. I even looked at a fully refurbished unit but as the car is not being built to that standard I thought the cost was a bit high. So I'm hoping Jon from Simply Performance will have returned/recovered from holiday so I can collect one from him.

I have a huge backlog of work then to do including this seemingly tricky shimming to get the geometary correct. All the brakes can then be connected up along with the clutch. Then on to the fuel pipe and tank.

6th January 2008

Xmas is over and it's time to get back to the Cobra. Sadly still no replacement differential which is delaying the re-installation of the rear axle and brakes. So I have just been tinkering really, the brake/clutch fluid reservoir is in as are all the pipes except the rear brake pipes which will be installed as soon as the rear axle is back in. The flexible pipe to the clutch slave cylinder is in and clipped to the rear of the engine by the bell housing.

I have all the brake parts ready as soon as I can locate a diff. The clutch slave cylinder has been removed as it had gone rusty and is being treated and painted. Next step is to plan for the petrol tank and fuel pipes along with the radiator and water pipes. Shouldn't be long before we can see how the engine runs !!