Week 27 and 28 progress report.
Week 27 saw no physical progress due to some higher priority indoor DIY jobs and some horrible weather outside. But it did give me some thinking time to weigh up the options of modifying the chassis or the GRP bodywork.
In the end I deicide to have a go at the bodywork on the basis that I could put that back together again if it didn't work.
So yesterday I did some thinking and drawing.....the pen marks were to enable me to think about which cuts would be the best and enable me to visualise the different options.
Gearbox tunnel mods by
marlinpeter, on Flickr
I had a go at cutting with a hand held hacksaw blade but quickly decided I needed something bigger. So I went and hired this little beauty. Only £14.90 for a days hire and it was brand new!
Battery Angle grinder by
marlinpeter, on Flickr
With some fully charged batteries and some nice spring sunshine it didn't take very long to have the tunnel cut out allowing me to finally lower the bodywork back on to the chassis.
Gearbox tunnel mods by
marlinpeter, on Flickr
Which left me this....
Gearbox tunnel mods by
marlinpeter, on Flickr
Here you can see my body lifting technique required to get the final trimming for clearance.
Gearbox tunnel mods by
marlinpeter, on Flickr
Next I installed the propshaft and gear change mechanism to check for any issues. The gearbox mechanism will need to be shortened by about an inch.
Gearbox tunnel mods by
marlinpeter, on Flickr
I also checked that the propshaft didn't foul on the handbrake.
Gearbox tunnel mods by
marlinpeter, on Flickr
I originally envisaged just raising the tunnel parallel with the floor but then realised I could mount it at an angle making this joining point much smoother and simpler.
Gearbox tunnel mods by
marlinpeter, on Flickr
I think I'm going to leave those bits overlapping to increase the strength.
Gearbox tunnel mods by
marlinpeter, on Flickr
....to be continued........