SteveB MDA MKII Build Diary

[Chris Martino]

You've done an excellent job on your build Steve - looks like another MDA ready for the road soon - Mk II style!!

I know MDA are casting a reproduction of the ZF to SBF bell housing - was wondering what your plans were to power your MK II.

Cheers!


Chris

[SteveB]

Chris
I've used the bellhousing and gearbox top as supplied by MDA to mount the engine, I have gone for a 347 Ford Racing unit as the option to build one appears to me to be confusing so many options!! Maybe later.
As it is a MKII that did not use multiple Webers I've opted to use the Edelbrock injection set up as it looks a bit like the four barrel carb but will give better management for emmissons control. I have worked out a simple fuel supply system for the feed and return to the tanks, there is a layout on the attached spreadsheet.
There is a photo of the layout that shows the rh tank return under the bulkhead window .

When I have a running chassis I wil start the bodywork, I hope it's not a mistake to build this way round, as I read that its better to fit the body when the fiberglass is still 'green' as you have.... we will see soon!

Steve

[SteveB]

The engine and g/box are in finally and the driveshafts rollbar etc are making the back end look more business like. The gearshiff will need fine adjustment but has a nice positive feel.

The S/W fuel gauges I used need an O ohm empty and 90 ohm full sender unfortunatly the reverse of he standard sender. I have found a VDO unit that is the right way round, as soon as they are here the fuel system can be completed ..... then perhaps some real Brrumm Brrumm s

Steve

[SteveB]

Some more progress, the header tank is now made up and fitted. The NACCA ducts have been opened up and ducting bonded in place with bulkhead intakes. Here are a few potos.
The front clip mounting is also now in place as used in the original MkII.

Steve

[Bill Musarra]

Originally Posted by SteveBarker

The S/W fuel gauges I used need an O ohm empty and 90 ohm full sender unfortunatly the reverse of he standard sender. I have found a VDO unit that is the right way round, as soon as they are here the fuel system can be completed ..... then perhaps some real Brrumm Brrumm s

Steve

Steve,
I know the frustration in finding a sender for your fuel gauge. I am using the S/W Maximum gauge and it is also as yours. I found a Fuel Safe unit
Pegasus - Fuel Level Gauge for Fuel Cells, 0-90 Ohm

that will work. It is a non moving unit, so you don't have to worry about a swing arm and never knowing when your are truely empty. Can be shortened to any lenght between 3" and 12". It has the benefit of having a circuit that can be used for a low level warning lite, which I have incorporated. They are easily calibrated. It is not cheap, at $159.99, but then I have set mine up to flow to one tank, thus one gauge.

Bill

[SteveB]

Bill

Thanks for the info had decided to buy new SW deluxe 82303 gauges that are compatible with the SW Intellesensor 114635 a 7 dip tube unit. I will compare the prices.
Was the Pegasussender zero ohms when empty or full? Its not clear on the web site.

Steve

[Ian Anderson]

It may also be worth a call / e mail to ETB Instruments

http://www.etbinstruments.com/Sensors_ancillaries.htm

They did all my guages in my car and support and delivery was on the button

Ian

[SteveB]

Ian

Thanks for the tip. I have tried the VDO route, they promised a sender that had the right Ohms and claimed to be the right way round 0 Ohms empty. wasted months waiting then recieved the sender that was 0 Ohms Full!
Gave up ; now need a good Stewart Warner dealer for the new gauges and senders or the Pegasus item

Anyone recomend a S/W Dealer on line?

Steve

[Bill Musarra]

The installation papers don't specify which way it goes. I will give them a call and ask them, then post. They are in Wisconsin. All of the S/W gauges are wired the same as far as I know, so it ought to work. I didn't see any that were listed any special way. Surely they would list if it is different, but will call them anyway.

Bill

[Chris Martino]

I would be interested in additional information, Craig B (MDA Mk II) sent me some info for running original S/W 240A's with the S/W IntelliSensor and S/W gauges. A local dealer would be nice to know.

Chris

[SteveB]

Here is a quick update.

The fuel senders are on the way with matching gauges, the S/W 'Intelesensors' senders have to be specialy made, I should have them in about a month.
John at Automotiveengineering was very helpful in sorting this out Automotive Engineering (1-800-284-3551) TOLL FREE # 800-284-3551

The handbrake calipers and cables have been fitted , nice setup with a smooth action. I have posted a few shots of the the engine compartment, gear shift gate and brakes.

I have started to tweek the rear clip to take a standard glass rear window as used on the MkI this should be better for the SVA test.
The clip now has all the air ducting vents in place, the vents need some cleaning up of the tracts to blend them into the clip openings.
The dust gets everywhere!!

Steve

[MikeP]

That's looking good Steve (as ever). Will try to get over and get a closer look soon.
P.S. Are you coming down to the club meeting at the Whipping Stocks in Knutsford this Wednesday? Should be a good turnout.
Cheers
Mike

[SteveB]

Mike

Thanks for the reminder, I can't make it this time to the meet. However the refreshments are cool / kettles on ready for your visit.

Steve

[SteveB]

Hi,
An update of recent progress has not had much to show, lots of setting panels and mechanicals making good previous trial fits. The exhausts are now in place, quite a tight fit due to the low ZF configuration, the fabricated brackets work well.

I have made up some seat frames that will fit either side of the waterpump bump and are not handed untll upholstered, just have to decide on materials and colour.

A few photos are attached

Steve

[Andy Green]

Hi Steve,
builds looking really good, a good inspiration to get on with my Torndao.
The seat frames look good, what thickness of aluminuim are you using. Do you have any drawings that you wouldn't mind passing on, as this would be then one less thing I have to design & mock-up
Thanks in advance
Andy

[Chris Martino]

Steve - those seat frames look really nice, let me know what material you're going to use and some pics of the seat construction when you get to it. You must be closer to finishing your build, great job as per usual!


Chris

[SteveB]

Chris , Andy

Thanks for your comments.
The frames are in 3mm ali.
Because my engine gearbox combination is very low and forward there is a bigger bump than normal in the engine cover, so I had to amend the standard seat frame from MDA. I took the route to make a frame that will fit left or right seat and have a beveled sides to accomodate the 'bump'.
Mark at MDA loaned me a standard frame as a guide and I made a cardboard replica with the shaped sides then folded it flat for the patern.
Colours... The dash is grey Alcantara so the door pockets will be the same, carpet set will be the same shade of grey with edge bindings in the seat colour which will be a lighter grey leather in the MDA patern.
The car will be the Shelby Guardsman blue with the white stripes, hope it will be a good combination.
Anybody know the paint code / ref for the blue and white.
My long running saga to get the S.W fuel guage senders is resolved, the senders are fitted and work correctly

Chris, how do your painting masks and sticker sets work to get the look of the car in the picture of 1031 at the 1966 Le Mans that is in the book 'The Ford that beat Ferrari' page 116? ( if you have it).

Steve

Steve

[Chris Martino]

Hi Steve,

I was originally going to paint my car the exact same colors, like 1036 on the Racing Icons website. I love the Guardsman Blue and I will email you the PPG color code for it. I have the 1031 Le Mans decal/paint mask set available, just let me know.

Any chance of going for the 1031 paint color?

Thanks for the seat info and pics!

Chris