A bit of a frustrating start, as I don't have the IVA parts that are needed to:
- put around the indicators
- cover the ends of the steering racks
So I couldn't complete the front suspension as planned. But some progress made.
I Waxoyled the chassis, focusing on the areas where the frame meets the aluminium panels. The Waxoyl plastic hand pump turned out to be a waste of time, not maintaining enough pressure for more than a few seconds of fairly violent and messy squirting, but that may have been user error...
In the end, I warmed the cannister up in a bucket of hot tap water, stirring regularly and eventually achieving the consistency and appearance of melted garlic butter. Then, it's very easy to paint the frame/skin joins with a 1" paintbrush. The white spirit solvent runs into the gaps, and then evaporates, leaving buttery wax behind. Before the engine goes in, I will go round again, from underneath, and make sure nothing was missed. And also the gaps between the skins around the cockpit, which I will resurrect the hand pump squirter for one last go!
The steering rack is easy to sort out.
And the lower wishbones went in. A couple of tips:
And another coat of varnish on the boot plywood floor, both sides.
Then, I fitted the heater, which is easy. I did run a thin line of clear sealant around the plastic lip at the top of the heater, and about half way down the sides - it looks as if rain could possibly get in along the top, and then run down into the heater casing. This squeezed nicely into place when the bolts were done up.
On the inside, the heater vents can be spun around the face the right way (I went for a jaunty angle - see above).
- put around the indicators
- cover the ends of the steering racks
So I couldn't complete the front suspension as planned. But some progress made.
I Waxoyled the chassis, focusing on the areas where the frame meets the aluminium panels. The Waxoyl plastic hand pump turned out to be a waste of time, not maintaining enough pressure for more than a few seconds of fairly violent and messy squirting, but that may have been user error...
In the end, I warmed the cannister up in a bucket of hot tap water, stirring regularly and eventually achieving the consistency and appearance of melted garlic butter. Then, it's very easy to paint the frame/skin joins with a 1" paintbrush. The white spirit solvent runs into the gaps, and then evaporates, leaving buttery wax behind. Before the engine goes in, I will go round again, from underneath, and make sure nothing was missed. And also the gaps between the skins around the cockpit, which I will resurrect the hand pump squirter for one last go!
The steering rack is easy to sort out.
 |
| Cross-member for mounting the steering rack |
1. make sure the chamfered washers are 'back-to back', i.e. the chamfered edges are on the outside of each pair
2. it is a real squeeze to get the washers in, but they will go in. Essentially, you're fighting against the bush, which is pushing outwards. I managed it by pushing the bolt through the first (rear washer), and then gently tapping the front washer into the gap using a screwdriver blade and rubber mallet (sounds like high-risk tactics, but I mean really small taps). The Coppa Ease that covers everything will help them slide in place
3. once you think the washers are seated properly, then you can gently drive the bolt through them, and beyond through the chassis
4. by contrast, the front arm is much easier to get the washers in. If possible, clear the threads out in the chassis before you start - mine had a bit of paint/swarf which needed clearing.
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| RH lower wishbone, rear bolt, not tightened up |
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| RH lower wishbone, front bolt |
And another coat of varnish on the boot plywood floor, both sides.
Then, I fitted the heater, which is easy. I did run a thin line of clear sealant around the plastic lip at the top of the heater, and about half way down the sides - it looks as if rain could possibly get in along the top, and then run down into the heater casing. This squeezed nicely into place when the bolts were done up.
 |
| LHS, heater & fittings |
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| Inside, LHS, heater vents. The two electrical plugs fit together easily |
Hopefully, Derek will get me the missing IVA bits tomorrow and I can finish each front corner suspension.l
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