SteveB MDA MKII Build Diary

[Chris Martino]

So who else sits in and goes brrrm brrrm! ?

I've done it (after checking nobody else was around) a few times - it's just so tempting, how could one resist!!

Your build looks really well done so far so keep up the good work and I'm sure you'll replace the 'brrrms' with the real deal soon enough...

Cheers

Chris

 

[Chris Martino]

Hey Steve - I have to ask, did you have a hard time finding the Marchal spot lamps? I've been looking for a while and have had no luck.

Looks like you'll be done soon at that rate! Nice job-

Cheers

Chris

 

[SteveB]

Chris

I spent ages looking for suitable lamps, the best of them I ended up with was a pair of Rectilux 650 one of each 652 and 653, I gave up on these and bought a pair of lens only 653 NOS items, a bit pricy but nice!

I have attached pics of the lamps They look fine but the NOS items are so much brighter.

Steve

 

[Chris Martino]

Thanks Steve, they look nice - can you just use a better bulb with them?

Chris

 

[SteveB]

Chris
To ginger up the lights I have been checking out the aftermarket Xenon replacement bulbs that are available in the UK for both headlaps and spots. The Marchal units have a strange three pin bayonet that seems to fox the supplier, lots of time yet to find something.

The engine is in place and is very tight in every direction, the ZF mount puts the engine low and forward. Lots of clearance to the low side areas but the MSD billet distributor supplied with the Edelbrock EFI is too big to clear the engine bulkhead opening. In fact the cap could not be fitted.

After lots of contact with Edelbrock I find the diz is a special 'hall effect' unit in the MSD body, the only other compatible unit was a Mallory unit with a smaller cap but a similar height.

So drastic measures needed, I have chopped out 25mm (1"), the unit nw fits nicely under the frame and I can keep the big cap.

Before and after pic attached

This was a bit of a mind block but now I can move on to othe bits. I found a MkII oil cooler and am looking for a second 11" unit.
Has anyone details of the oil circuit that has been used; I was thinking of using a thermostatic take off plate under the filter then to the cooler which is the non coagulating type with the internal bypass normaly controled by a thermostat in the base plate/ Continental engine. Then what series or parallel? I have no base plate so I will fit the feed and return in the plate I have made, the slot in the plate is to allow feed to the bypass.

Steve

 

[SteveB]

Here are a few update pictures, I have been trial fitting the exhaust and fuel system swirlpot and pipework etc. I am trying to get the location of all the pipes cables hoses in place, then take the engine out and final fix them.
Delays in finding parts for the ZF have held up the gearbox, hope to have it in place in a couple of weeks.
I am aiming for a driveable chassis then concentrate on the bodywork

Steve

 

[SteveB]

The roof vent is now in place with a labrinth seal to try to keep out the UK weather.
Steve

 

[SteveB]

Update time, I've been spendig some time on things that seem to take ages with not much to show.
The dash is shaping up with the SW instruments, the dip switch on a prevous car was not easy to find quickly in the dark so I have made a dead pedal with a foot dipper switch.
Steve

 

[Brett James-McCall]

Steve,
Is that Alcantara you've trimmed you dash with? If so, who did it. Thanks

Brett

 

[SteveB]

Brett

Yes it's Alcantara. The trimmers are the MDA's regular supplier, Mark at MDA arranged to have it done for me. You need to be careful with the colour choice and err on the side of darker as the nap on the fabric shows up lighter than the sample. I am well pleased with the result.

Steve

 

[SteveB]

Progress is two steps forward and one back, the engine has bee in place several times to place pipe and wiring positions. There's a shot of the empty compartment reay for the engine and gearbox fit ( last time I hope).

I changed the heater pipes from the center section to pass down the LH sill, his gave a little more clearance for the crank pulley that is very low and forward as I'm using a ZF .

The dash is set out and wired, I am waiing for a chrome bezel speedo to match the SW instruments.

The doors have lots of wires for the electric mirrors/ heated mirror central locking and courtsey light switches etc, some closed cell pipe insulation fixed with some dabs of Sikaflex made a nice way of stoping them rattling about.

I am aiming for a driveable chassis then tackle the body

Steve

 

[Julian West]

Steve,

Looks really good, I especially like the black ally panels.

I notice your fuel filters have metal 'bowls' as opposed to the glass ones, do you have a part number and source for those??

Mine are the glass type & I'm told scrutineers are not happy with the glass bowls, it would be very convenient if they were interchangeable with the ally ones.

TIA

 

[Bill D]

Very, very nice! I love the Alcantra on the dash.

Cheers
Bill

 

[SteveB]

Steve,

I notice your fuel filters have metal 'bowls' as opposed to the glass ones, do you have a part number and source for those??

Mine are the glass type & I'm told scrutineers are not happy with the glass bowls, it would be very convenient if they were interchangeable with the ally ones.

TIA

Julian

The metal bowl filters are the standard MDA item as supplied, I think they are listed in Demon Tweeks and others

Steve

 

[SouthernGT40]

Steve
Thanks for your time today it was great to meet you and get a good luck at all your hard work. I have to say the quality of your workmanship is outstanding, not sure mine will be to your standard but I will have a go.
Thanks once again. Keep up the good work.
Martin

 

[SteveB]

Bill
Thanks for your words of encouragement, much appreciated.

Martin,
Having you all to see the progress so far was very reasuring, I think we all learned a bit from each other!

In particular your observation on the rad mounting was spot on and I have modified the mountings per the pictures. I had not appreciated the ali rad core was affected by stress/ vibration fatigue cracking, the rubber mounts should do the trick.

I would appreciate contact details by PM for you all as I forgot to write anything down.

Steve

 

[Mike Pass]

Hi Steve , You have PM as requested. I must echo Martin's comments re: your GT40. We were very impressed by the quality of the build - I'm going to have to pull my finger out to get anywhere near what you have created. It really is top notch. I can't wait to see it mobile - it should go and handle like a racecar. The MK2 body will also be really different from the herd. Keep up the good work.
See you soon.
Cheers Mike

 

[Rob]

Very nice work Steve.
Lookin good man.....

 

[SteveB]

I finaly got my gearbox together for a trial fit with its new top plate and mountings. I am realy pleased with the look of it in the MDA yoke. Lots of build up to do now

Steve

 

[Mike Pass]

This is more automotive porn that you keep posting. The problem is that is gets more seductive the more it gets dressed! Looks really nice with that motor and box sat in there. Bootiful!
Cheers
Mike