Final Body Fix

Body Fixed

Since the last update I've successfully tested the clutch and brake hydraulics, confirmed there were no issues with the body fit trapping anything etc. So I went for the final fix, we lifted the body..and this was the first significant cock up! Whilst I had disconnected all the pipes from the master cylinders, I had overlooked one P-Clip holding the clutch pipe to the bulkhead. The attempted lift yanked the copper pipe and put several kinks in it, so I had to replace it! Before fixing the body I coated the bottoms of the seating wells with Waxoyl to minimise the impact if water did get between the body and chassis, then I put sealant around the chassis as per the guide, it takes two full canisters of sealant to do the job. Bolting in place was straightforward, a couple of the holes, pre-drilled at the factory, needed to be enlarged and a couple were a little too generous so I put some larger washers on.I also put some more sealant inside the engine bay where the foot-wells sit inside the chassis, I noticed there was quite a gap there that water could sit.

Roll Bar & Escutcheon

Roll bar from the Back

I've also put the two roll bars in. This gives something easier to hold on to when moving the car around and makes it look like I have made some real progress. The brackets that sit inside the boot fitted OK with some small opening up of the holes in the body. I've also started on some escutcheon rings to tidy up the installation. I got some M5 countersunk set screws but these sit a little proud of the escutcheon so I'll have to try some M4s. The escutcheon rings have a slightly oval internal shape that allows them to be bent to fit the body curve which is significant on outside leg.

Column with Metal Plate cut away

I made a start on the steering, I found that the upper metal shroud was fouling the steel work around the dashboard area. There was a recent thread on the forum about this but there were differing opinions, so I spoke to the factory. They recommend cutting the shroud back to fit (as pictured below). The bigger problem was the steering column extension upper UJ was fouling the clutch master cylinder. Again, this has been discussed on the forum recently and some people have had to have the extension modified. The factory have offered to this so I've sent it back (sorry I sent it back before I took any pictures).