M20 Dreaming

[Rod Brace]

Any progress Leon?
Rod

 

[Leon]

Hi Rod,
There has been a lot of progress, got my suspension back from the platers and it looks real nice so we were able to fit it to the remodeled front the fuel tanks were installed and the tops nailed down as well as receiving the last part for the steering rack so that has now been installed and the dash nailed down. The radiator side pontoons were fitted and now we will fit the radiators and oil coolers permanently and run the front brake lines and fit the calipers this week also made the arms that go forward to hold the front body clip. the body is also taking shape and final bog finish and Paint this week. Hoping to be laying F/Glass by the end of this week. Even got a bit of black colour on the tub which will also have some yellow on it soon. Some photos of the front and the finished steering rack.

 

[Leon]

Some photos of the M20 steering rack completed and now in the Tub


Cheers Leon

 

[Russell]

Leon, looking good, what rack was that thanks.
Cheers
Russell

 

[Leon]

Hi Russell,
It is a reproduction M20 rack from Vintage Engineering, not cheap but it means the steering ratio is correct and it is a nice authentic touch.
Cheers Leon

 

[Rod Brace]

Wow! You have been busy looks great! Rod

 

[Leon]

We are moving along, The buck for the body is looking really good and hope to be lay F/Glass by the end of next week, The oil coolers got mounted today and the radiators will go in tomorrow. I even got some colour on the tub yesterday, it's a wrap and I'm quite happy with the colour. Some may say its to yellow but if you look at my avitar it's pretty yellow. I have to wait now for my Bell housing and wheels which I hope to have by the end of next week and get the engine back so i can start plumbing etc and set up the rear suspension also got the front brake calipers mounted. Cheers Leon

 

[Terry Oxandale]

Looks fantastic Leon.

 

[Russell]

Leon, that wrap has pulled in real tight around the rivets, looks good. Try and keep it out of really hot sun as the wrap will tend to shrink back to flat.
Cheers

 

[Leon]

I'm not sure if I will wrap the body but will wrap the wings. I got some decals from the Gulf rep and I see where the Blue for the wings comes from so I will do those and the with the white Number rondals and the "Gulf McLaren" The orange and white lettering is also from the Gulf livery. Getting the wrap around those rivets is job believe me but considering I've never worked with wrap I'm pretty happy with it. Off to the workshop now. Cheers Leon

 

[Rod Brace]

Leon, who''s shocks are you going to use? Spring rates? Rod

 

[Leon]

I have bought double adjustable QA1 and 400lb front/700lb rear springs. I read in my many books that is what was used as the down force from those big wings need them to hold the car up at speed, I'm sure they used different rates at slower tracks. the shocks are something that is easily changed if people prefer other brands or have more money. My budget is disappearing fast along with the time aloud to get this thing done. I think I'm about 2 weeks behind changing the front of the tub took a lot longer than I thought. I will have some more photos soon started on the brake lines and plumbing now. Cheers Leon

 

[Leon]

Here are some photos to look over, front brakes installed, Radiators installed.

Cheers Leon

 

[Terry Oxandale]

Looking good Leon. I've got a question about the front brake lines. They appear to be coiled by about 1/4 turn, as they leave the tub and go out to the calipers. Will that coil not try to uncoil as the line is straightened out in a turn (stressing lines and fittings with each turn, both in and out). I've always been under the impression that brake-lines are very rigid in terms of twist (versus bends).

 

[Rod Brace]

I have seen on a couple of race cars they use a weak spring to keep the line from touching the wheel is that the reason for the twist in the brake line Leon? Im with Terry i think you will have a brake line failure in short order. Rod

 

[Leon]

I didn't think they had coiled but thanks for pointing it out I will make sure they are straight for final fit and finish They should just have a dip in the middle, the left one seems better but the right is not right.
Thanks guys.

 

[Leon]

The tub is all but finished, now sanding sanding and more sanding on the body plug. Had my B/Housing and front wheels cast today, need to do some more work on the pattern for the rear wheels should be cast next week and that will be the last things to cast for this car. Sorted the twist in the brake lines. Cheers Leon

 

[Howard Jones]

WOW!!!! Now that I really see the body I'm thinking I want one. Have you given any thought to selling body kits in the future? I won't be the last to ask so I'm just getting it out there.

This car is the definition of the hobby. It stands out in my mind with the F3L done on this forum a few years ago. Really a fine piece of work!

 

[Rod Brace]

Well done!

 

[Leon]

Thanks guys, I can start to see the hard work paying off now. I picked up my B/H and front wheels this morning and have spent the day on the lathe, really pleased with the result, the wheels look the real deal the fronts are 15 x 11 and the rears are 15 x 19s the M20 was the only McLaren to go that wide on the rears. I would have had the rears as well but had some hang up issues in the demolding process so have to fettle a bit and my man is away now until next Friday. But my fronts popped out of the sand no probs, I have learned so much about pattern making with this project even the casting guys have made comments on how good they are now. Hoping to have an engine next week then the tub will come off the table and sit on wheels.
Howard: I'm not aloud to talk selling stuff on the forum, some of the Venders have voiced there concerns.

Cheers Leon.