Valve cover

Put this in the dishwasher yesterday!

Now the after – Pots and Pans cycle, 65 degrees, 40mins FTW!!
 

Still a bit of caked on stuff on the corner that looks like it needs a wee wire brush.

 

Out with Grinder

So the lower edge of the transmission tunnel on our frame doesn’t clear the exhaust flange.  Now we want to keep the oem exhaust and cat in place until after the SVA test so there was no option but to grind some the flange off.  

Fingers crossed this gives enough clearance for the fuel hoses too.

 

Cambelt change

Then I went to put the dog to bed and got a bit carried away…

Engine stripped ready for belt change and water pump etc. Getting some help for this bit on Monday night as I wouldn’t be confident to take it any further. Once this is done, the frame will be dropped back in place and the build will be underway again 

 

Floor on

Floor now on, with Tiger Seal (like Sikaflex) and about 200 wide flange pop rivets. After killing 3 regular pop rivet guns and an electric drill attachment I finally bought some lazy tongs. Awesome things!

Riveted closer than what MEV suggests. Spacing more in line with what I read the race car guys do. I really didn’t think that 5″ spacing was really enough given that I would be standing on it to get in and out.  Those are 4.8mm x 18 wide flange rivets for the floor.

 

Exocet powder coated frame

Dropped the Exocet chassis frame off at RW Coatings http://www.rwpowdercoatings.com/ in August 2011 and this is it returning home.  Stunning finish with a real sparkle and matt finish that won’t show any finger prints