Day 13: more plumbing, intercooler, radiator, header tank

After a weekend off, I was itching to get back on the car this evening. Apart from the steering column, the front end of the car is now complete, which is a great feeling.

Header tank fitted, and connected up. Mysteriously, the Assembly Guide is very keen on inserting clips onto the degas hose (think de-gas, not Degas the artist), but doesn't actually instruct you to connect them up to the header tank itself.

I fitted the intercooler as instructed. But... my chassis is slightly proud in the middle of the cruciform weld. As a result, the middle of the intercooler does 'ground' onto this. To save any bent aluminium, I put another spacer washer underneath, to lift it another 1/8" or so.

All the main pipes to and from intercooler and radiator are very easily sorted, and very satisfying. Though without my set of hose clamp pliers, the job would be very tricky I'm sure.

Finally, a bit more cable tying and now the only thing to be connected up are the battery cables.

Everything connected, apart from battery terminals

I couldn't resist fitting the front wheels

Preparations

I'm stuck into the Assembly Guide nowadays, trying to visualise how it all goes together. To get a copy, register here on the Caterham website and you can get your own.

Plus, there are loads of blogs out there, and build diaries etc. But so far only one other blog on the 160. Given that the engine and drive train are totally different on the 160, there will no doubt be some trial and plenty of error when it comes to finding out the little wriggles for ourselves.

Here's a photo I took of the car on display at Caterham South. I will probably go back and take a lot of photos at some point, as they will be clearer than the postage stamps in the AG! As long as Caterham is happy, I'll post the lot on here, if anyone's interested.

March seems a long time away...